Dog & Cat Vets in Norwich

## Summary Medivet Thorpe St Andrew is part of the Medivet group and is led (per its website) by veterinary surgeon **Gerhard Retief**. It appears set up for routine and preventative care alongside in-practice diagnostics and common procedures: the website lists **15‑minute consultations**, **in-house lab work**, **X‑rays** and **ultrasound**, plus dentistry and neutering. Recent reviews repeatedly mention **clear explanations** (including “briefing and de-briefing” around an operation), **not feeling rushed during consultations**, and pets being handled calmly (including a nervous Chihuahua and a kitten staying settled during the exam). One reviewer also describes being **fit in the same day** for an elderly cat despite not being registered. ## Services From the clinic website and available review detail, the practice offers: - **Consultations:** 15‑minute appointments - **Preventative care:** vaccinations, parasite care, microchipping - **Procedures:** pet neutering; dentistry - **Diagnostics on site:** in-house laboratory testing; X‑rays; ultrasound - **Nurse clinics** - **Home visits** - **Documentation:** Animal Health Certificate (pet travel) - **Species treated (per website):** cats, dogs, rabbits, and small mammals - **Out-of-hours:** provided by an external night-vet provider (named on the practice website) - **Training:** listed as a **Veterinary Nurse Training** facility (structured clinic data) ## People - **Gerhard Retief (Veterinary Surgeon)** is named on the website as leading the clinic. - **Karen (reception/phone)** is specifically mentioned in a review for being “kind and understanding” and arranging a **same-day appointment** for an elderly cat when the owner wasn’t registered. - **Christina** is named in a review as having “gone above and beyond” to help a dog. - Multiple reviews describe vets taking time to **listen**, answer questions, and explain plans clearly (including around a surgical procedure), with pets reported to be **calm during handling**. ## Reviews **Google rating:** 4.9 stars from 314 reviews. “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Communication that owners can follow:** clear explanations, questions answered, and one review notes detailed **briefing and de-briefing** around an operation. - **Time spent in consults:** several owners say they didn’t feel rushed and felt listened to, especially compared with prior practices. - **Handling and reassurance:** pets described as staying calm during exams (kitten; nervous Chihuahua), with owners feeling reassured. - **Responsiveness and continuity:** a same-day appointment is described for an elderly cat, and several reviews mention using the practice for many years, including **end-of-life care**. - **Front-desk experience:** reception is repeatedly mentioned as friendly, and one reviewer noted only a short wait.

## Summary Taverham Veterinary Practice Ltd describes itself as a veterinary hospital with modern facilities and specialist equipment, including a dedicated emergency service and a rehabilitation centre (hydrotherapy/physiotherapy), plus a “luxury cattery.” It’s also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. From the latest reviews available to us, owners most often mention: - Emergency support that includes phone triage and urgent care for seizures/vomiting/dehydration and medication overdose concerns. - Diagnostics that sometimes involve leaving a pet in for tests before a same-day update and discharge. - A policy that (per one review) requires pets to have been seen within the last 12 months before parasite medication can be supplied. There is also a clear split in experiences: many accounts describe smooth, reassuring care and responsive communication, while one detailed account alleges months of repeated tests without a correct diagnosis and significant cost. ## Services - 24/7 emergency care (stated on the website). - Rehabilitation centre: hydrotherapy and physiotherapy (stated on the website). - Small animal medicine (stated on the website). - In-clinic diagnostics/testing (mentioned in reviews; e.g., a puppy kept in while tests were done). - Nail clipping and routine health checks (mentioned in reviews). - Care for a range of pets mentioned by reviewers, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and a chicken. ## Pricing - One reviewer reports being told they would need a vet consultation for each of three dogs in order to obtain flea/worm/tick medication, quoting **£70 per consultation** (x3), plus medication costs (reviewer estimated **£350+** total including tablets). ## People - Reception team: mentioned for staying calm and “going above and beyond” during a busy period, and for being easy to reach by phone with messages returned (multiple reviews). - Emergency phone staff: specifically praised for talking an owner through an accidental medication overdose and providing clear information that “put my mind at ease.” - Insurance/administration team: one owner describes help uploading evidence and submitting an insurance claim after the owner paid in full (warning that direct claims may not always be offered, depending on insurer). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 1064 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Emergency situations handled quickly and with reassurance:** examples include overnight seizure-like episodes with vomiting/dehydration, and advice after an accidental medication overdose. - **Communication and responsiveness:** owners describe reception answering calls readily, returning messages, and providing comforting support during waits. - **Handling anxious pets:** one reviewer says their anxious cat is managed well during appointments. - **Diagnostics and inpatient-style testing:** one review mentions leaving a puppy for tests and later receiving a diagnosis and update. - **Policies and costs can be a flashpoint:** one reviewer was unhappy about needing a vet visit (reported as a 12-month requirement) to obtain parasite medication, with a quoted consultation fee. - **A serious negative allegation about missed diagnosis:** one detailed review claims extensive testing over months without correct identification of bladder cancer, followed by a diagnosis at another practice; this conflicts with multiple reviews describing confidence in the clinical team.

## Summary Medivet Catton is part of the Medivet group, and is managed by partner and veterinary surgeon Hanneke Kruger. The practice offers 15‑minute consultations and has on-site diagnostic facilities (including an in-house laboratory, X‑rays and ultrasound), suggesting it’s set up for routine care as well as investigations when pets need tests or imaging. Owners also describe practical, hands-on handling for nervous animals (using treats, extra nurse support, and patience), and good communication during procedures (being kept up to date throughout). ## Services Based on the practice website and the latest reviews available to us, services and capabilities mentioned include: - **Routine preventive care:** vaccinations and parasite care - **Microchipping** - **Neutering** - **Dentistry** - **Diagnostics and investigations:** ECG, endoscopy, X‑rays, ultrasound, and an **in-house laboratory** - **Nurse clinics** - **Home visits** - **Animal Health Certificates** - **15-minute consultations** - **Species seen:** cats, dogs, rabbits, and small mammals - **Out-of-hours care:** provided by *Norwich Night Vet (Taverham Vets)* (as stated on the website) - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (listed in the clinic data) ## People - **Hanneke Kruger (partner, veterinary surgeon)** is listed on the clinic website as the practice’s manager. - **Francesca (locum)** is named in a review; the owner describes her as “professional, confident and gentle” when treating their cat. - Across multiple reviews, the wider team (reception, nurses and vets) are repeatedly described as: - **Keeping owners updated during procedures** (one owner mentioned staff “keeping me up to date with his procedure”). - **Helping nervous pets cope during appointments**, including offering treats and bringing in **another nurse to help calm** a nervous pet. - **Explaining next steps clearly at reception**, with one owner saying they were sent all the information they needed before their first visit. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 230 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Regular mention of staff patience with anxious pets**, including taking time, using treats, and extra support from nurses to help pets settle. - **Communication during procedures**: owners describe being kept informed while their pet was being treated. - **Consistency over time**: one long-term client (nearly 9 years) describes ongoing kindness and prioritising pet comfort across multiple animals (cats and a senior dog). - **Handling difficult circumstances**: one review mentions the team being accommodating during snow; another describes support when an owner was worried about affording treatment for an injured paw.

## Summary Rowan House Vets is described by reviewers as an **independent** practice and is also listed as a **veterinary nurse training facility**. From owner accounts, it appears set up for both routine care and more involved medical/surgical cases: multiple reviews mention pets having **operations/surgery**, **post-op checks**, and being **kept updated during procedures**. Practical touches mentioned include **separate sections for cats and dogs** in the waiting area, and a **Health Pet Club** arrangement where **flea and worm treatments are posted out** to owners. Several owners also highlight **clear handovers between vets** after surgery (including the next-day vet knowing the full details and the surgeon requesting updates/photos of wounds). ## Services - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed service). - **Surgery/operations** (owners describe pets undergoing surgery, including “several serious operations”). - **Post-operative care**: next-day post-op checks, ongoing wound monitoring, and owners being kept informed during recovery. - **Cancer-related treatment** is mentioned by one owner (their pet “having had cancer” and receiving treatment over the years). - **Parasite prevention supply via a plan**: flea and worm treatments sent out through a “Health Pet Club” (as described by a reviewer). - **Insurance support**: staff assistance with an insurance claim, described as being handled smoothly and resulting in a quick payout (based on one review). ## People - **Sophie**: specifically credited with handling an owner’s **insurance claim** and guiding them through the process. - **Grace**: mentioned by name for giving pets attention/reassurance (notably with a dog described as having repeated visits and “cuddles”). - An **unnamed male vet** is described as **gentle and compassionate**, and as engaging directly with both pets and owners. - The practice is also described as having strong **internal communication**: after a surgery, a different vet reportedly knew “exactly what had happened” at the post-op check, and relayed updates back to the surgeon (including photos of wounds). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 230 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - Owners repeatedly mention being **kept informed during surgery and recovery**, including updates when a pet’s recovery briefly became worrying. - **Aftercare and follow-up** come up often: post-op checks, ongoing reassurance, and staff remembering the pet’s history across visits. - Several reviews point to a **pet-friendly setup and experience**, including **separate cat/dog areas** and pets appearing relaxed or even excited to visit. - Practical support is noted, such as **posting flea/worm treatments** via a plan and **help with insurance paperwork**. - There is **at least one recent 1-star review without written details**, alongside many 5-star accounts describing very positive experiences.

## Summary Rackheath Vets is an **independent** small-animal clinic, and the information available suggests it’s set up for both **routine care and urgent same-day work-ups**. The website lists services such as **in-house referrals**, **surgery**, and **out-of-hours care**, and recent reviews repeatedly describe dogs being **seen urgently** with **diagnostics (scans and blood tests)** and a **treatment plan within hours**. Owners also mention **clear cost communication** (estimates provided before work is done) and a **facility layout that separates cats and dogs/other animals** in the waiting area. ## Services Based on the clinic website summary and the latest reviews, Rackheath Vets offers: - **General veterinary care** for **dogs, cats, and rabbits** - **Emergency appointments** and **out-of-hours care** (listed on the clinic website) - **Diagnostics mentioned in reviews:** scans and blood tests as part of urgent investigations - **Surgery** (website) including **spay surgery** (mentioned in reviews) - **Dental care** (website) - **Vaccinations** (website) - **Microchipping for cats** (website) - **Animal Health Certificates** (website) - **Nurse clinics** (website) - **Puppy parties** (website) - **Repeat prescriptions** and **insurance support** (website) - **In-house referral service** (website) - Listed specialties on the website: **veterinary physiotherapist** and **small animal dermatology** ## People Named team members mentioned by reviewers: - **Jade (vet)**: described as “excellent & caring” during a first visit after transferring from another practice. - **Natalie (vet)**: praised for being **informative about kitten care** and for **involving children** during the appointment. - **Owen**: named in relation to a **dog’s spay**. Across multiple reviews, owners specifically point to: - **Reception staff** being welcoming and helpful during registration and appointments. - Clinicians **listening to concerns** and continuing **trials for ongoing skin problems** in a cat (suggesting structured follow-up rather than a one-off visit). - **Up-front estimates** provided before tests and procedures (mentioned during an emergency work-up and subsequent operation). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 172 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Same-day urgent care and fast diagnostics:** owners describe being seen the same day, with **scans, blood tests, other checks**, and a plan (including antibiotics) put in place quickly; one review mentions a **diagnosis within ~3 hours**. - **Clear communication about costs:** one owner notes being given an **estimate at every step** before work was undertaken. - **Support through emergencies and surgery:** reviews mention a dog becoming suddenly very unwell, multiple follow-up visits, and an **operation**, alongside ongoing advice and reassurance. - **Facility experience:** one review highlights a **spacious, very clean reception area** with a **separate area for cats and dogs/other domestic animals**. - **Not pushing unnecessary visits:** one owner reports being reassured they **didn’t need to bring their dog in**, specifically to avoid spending money unnecessarily. - **Taking on unusual cases:** one review says the clinic **took over care of an injured pigeon** someone found.