Dog & Cat Vets in Didcot

## Summary Larkmead Veterinary Group Ltd describes itself as an **independent** practice providing **24/7 emergency cover** and care for **pets as well as farm animals, pigs and equines**. Recent reviews add some practical detail on what that looks like day-to-day: owners mention **surgery with follow-up checks**, support through **end-of-life care**, and help for anxious pets via **confidence classes**. One review also specifically highlights an **avian vet (Dan)** treating a cockatiel with a **deformed beak**. ## Services - **24/7 emergency care** for pets and large animals (as stated on the clinic website). - **Small animal, farm, pig and equine care** (as stated on the clinic website). - **Avian care**: an avian vet is named in reviews, treating a cockatiel with a deformed beak. - **Surgery and post-op care**: reviews reference an operation with the pet recovering well and **follow-up checks** afterwards. - **Neutering/spay**: a dog spay is specifically mentioned. - **Support for fearful/anxious dogs**: “confidence classes” are mentioned by an owner whose dog became fearful of vet visits. - **Emergency/critical injury treatment**: one owner describes their cat being taken in after a dog attack; they felt the team did everything possible, though the cat did not survive. - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (listed in the provided clinic data). ## People - **Dan (avian vet)**: praised for looking after a cockatiel with a deformed beak (owners describe him as “excellent”). - **Wider team**: several owners describe staff being supportive during difficult outcomes (including end-of-life situations and severe injuries), and one mentions **reassuring follow-up checks** after an operation. ## Reviews **4.7 stars from 570 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Compassion at end of life and in emergencies**: multiple reviews describe kindness and dignity when pets were very unwell or did not survive, including after a traumatic injury. - **Post-op outcomes and follow-up**: one owner notes their cat was “neither up nor down” after an operation and valued the follow-up checks. - **Help with nervous pets**: an owner reports using confidence classes after their dog developed fear around vet visits. - **One clear outlier/possibly unrelated complaint**: a 1-star review talks about “teachers,” children, and school facilities, which doesn’t match a veterinary service; it conflicts with the otherwise vet-focused experiences described in the other recent reviews.

## Summary Didcot Vets for Pets is a purpose-built practice on the Vets4Pets network, with modern facilities listed on its website (including an in-house laboratory, operating theatre, and separated dog/cat wards with isolation units). Recent reviews consistently describe calm, friendly consultations where pets are reassured during examinations, and owners get clear explanations—one owner specifically mentions detailed education about treatment for a French Bulldog (“Frenchie”). Appointments mentioned in reviews include routine cat vaccination/health checks and a prompt visit for a dog’s leg problem. Out-of-hours information is mixed: one data source lists emergency veterinary services, while the practice website says out-of-hours emergencies should be directed to another named veterinary surgery. ## Services Services and facilities stated on the practice website include: - **Consultations and preventative care:** microchipping; nurse clinics; nutritional advice; prescriptions - **Diagnostics:** in-house laboratory testing; blood pressure monitoring; ECG; ultrasound; X-ray - **Surgery and anaesthesia:** anaesthesia; operating theatre; airway surgery; orthopaedics; keyhole surgery - **Critical care capabilities:** oxygen chamber; blood transfusion - **Dentistry** - **Pet travel documentation:** pet passport / animal health certificate - **Hospitalisation arrangements:** separated dog & cat wards and isolation units Services specifically mentioned in reviews include: - **Cat vaccination and health check** - **Assessment and quick help for a dog with a leg issue** Out-of-hours: the website states emergencies outside normal hours are handled via another named veterinary surgery (details given on their site). ## People - **Dan (vet)**: repeatedly named in reviews. Owners describe him as friendly and informative during vaccinations/health checks, and “thorough” in examinations. One reviewer highlights that he took time to explain and educate them on the treatment needed for their French Bulldog. - **Lucy**: named positively alongside Dan by one reviewer who recommended the team. - **Daisy, Daniel, Josephine**: named by a cat owner as part of the team providing good ongoing care, helping them feel comfortable and welcome. ## Reviews **Google rating: 5.0 stars from 21 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - Pets being **settled and reassured during exams**, with vets giving affectionate attention to nervous animals. - **Clear explanations and education** about treatment plans (including a detailed discussion for a French Bulldog). - **Routine care** described positively (cat vaccination and health check mentioned). - **Responsiveness for a problem visit**, with one owner grateful they were helped quickly for a dog’s leg issue. - Comments on the **clean, modern environment** and consistently welcoming reception/front-desk interactions.

## Summary Abivale Veterinary Group offers routine consultations (including via a Pet Health Club® Plus plan) and states it provides 24‑hour emergency care. It is also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. Reviews most often describe a professional, reassuring experience, with specific mentions of being good with cats, a vet who took time to listen during consultations, and at least one appointment with an “exotics” vet for a hedgehog where the owner felt well-informed and not pressured into major decisions. One practical downside raised is that the waiting room can feel too small and stressful when busy. The practice also states it accepts payments via Klarna. ## Services - **24-hour emergency care** (stated on the clinic website summary). - **Consultations** (referenced on the website in relation to Pet Health Club® Plus; also reflected in reviews describing vet consultations where time was taken to listen). - **Care for cats and dogs** (owners specifically mention cats and dogs in reviews). - **Exotics consultations**: one review describes a vet “for exotics” with specific knowledge of **hedgehogs**. - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in structured clinic data). - **Payment option**: **Klarna** is mentioned on the website summary as accepted. ## People - **Vets (not named):** Reviews mention vets “have been with the practice a long time,” which some owners value for building an ongoing relationship. One owner describes a vet who *listened and took time during the consultation* and did not pressure them into major decisions. - **Reception/team (not named):** Multiple reviews mention being warmly welcomed at reception and having procedures/explanations (such as the pet health plan) clearly explained. ## Reviews **4.8 stars from 128 reviews.** The latest written reviews available are overwhelmingly positive, with one recurring practical criticism about the waiting area. “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - Owners frequently describe the service as **professional and reassuring**, from reception through to the vet consultation. - **Cats are mentioned repeatedly**, with owners saying the team is “great with cats.” - **Consultation style:** examples include vets **taking time to listen** and owners **not feeling pressured** into major decisions. - **Exotics support:** one owner highlights an “exotics” vet with strong **hedgehog** knowledge. - **Pet Health Club/plan:** some owners mention a **pet club/health plan that saved them money**. - **Environment:** one review notes the **waiting room feels too small** and can be stressful for pets when busy.

## Summary Larkmead Veterinary Group is an **independent** practice providing veterinary care for **small animals as well as farm animals, pigs and equines**, with **24/7 emergency cover** stated for both pets and large animals. In the latest reviews available to us, owners repeatedly mention vets who **listen and discuss options** (“a discussion with… who listen to your opinion and experience”), and being **seen when an emergency comes up**. There are also practical notes from one reviewer about **wheelchair access being possible but difficult due to a steep ramp**, with reception staff helping when needed. ## Services - **Small animal (pet) veterinary care** (website). - **Farm animal veterinary care** (website). - **Pig veterinary care** (website). - **Equine veterinary care** (website). - **24/7 emergency services**, stated for **pet emergencies** and **large animal emergencies** (website). - **Urgent/emergency appointments** are mentioned in reviews as being able to be seen “when we have an emergency.” ## People - **Vets (not named):** multiple reviewers value being able to **talk things through**, with vets described as **listening to the owner’s opinion/experience**. - **Reception team (not named):** one reviewer specifically notes receptionists **helping them manage a steep ramp** when accessing the building in a wheelchair. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 127 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - Owners mention **two-way conversations** with vets (listening to the owner’s view, respectful discussions). - **Emergency access** is a recurring practical point (one owner says they’re “always able to see us when we have an emergency”). - Some comments highlight **“good deals”** but without any specific prices. - **Accessibility note:** wheelchair access is described as **possible but tricky** due to a **steep ramp**, with staff assistance mentioned.