Dog & Cat Vets in Dagenham

## Summary Goddard Veterinary Group (also branded as “Best Friends” on its website and materials) is a small-animal practice that, based on client reports, handles everyday care for cats and dogs and will sometimes offer same-day or short-notice appointments. It’s also listed as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. Owners most often mention: - **Support with a stray cat**, including explanation of options and a **neutering scheme for strays**, plus follow-up advice afterwards. - **Routine puppy and adult pet care**, with check-ups and take-home leaflets covering topics like health plans, insurance, feeding, and trainers. - **Practical, quick appointments**, including being “fit in” and one report of a **same-day appointment**. - **Handling difficult pets for simple procedures**, e.g., a **nail clip for an aggressive cat** (owner reported the cat was sedated beforehand). ## Services - General vet appointments for **cats and dogs** (long-term owners mention bringing both over many years). - **Neutering support for stray cats**, including discussion of options and a **stray neutering scheme** (as described by an owner). - **Nail clipping** (explicitly mentioned for a cat). - **Preventive care / new puppy check-ups**, with guidance materials provided (health plans, insurance, feeding, trainers mentioned in one review). - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (listed specialisation). ## People - **Amanda**: Mentioned by name for helping with a stray cat case—gave phone advice, explained options and a stray neutering scheme, booked the appointment quickly, and provided “loads of advice and follow ups.” - **Reception team**: Repeatedly described as friendly/helpful; one owner noted the receptionist was knowledgeable on the phone and took time to explain parking logistics. - **Vets and nurses**: Mentioned positively in connection with accommodating appointments and being kind during a nail-clip visit for an aggressive cat. ## Reviews **4.3 stars from 87 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Ability to fit pets in quickly**: multiple mentions of being “fit in,” plus a specific report of a **same-day appointment**. - **Practical help and follow-through**: detailed account of guidance for a **stray cat**, including a neutering scheme and follow-up advice. - **Long-term continuity**: more than one owner describes using the practice for **many years** with multiple pets (cats and dogs). - **Straightforward visits for routine needs**: examples include a **new puppy check-up** and a **cat nail clip**, with owners noting helpful staff and manageable waiting times.

## Summary Goddard Veterinary Group Dagenham is part of the Goddard Veterinary Group (not an independent clinic). The website describes a general practice set up for day-to-day pet healthcare (consultations, routine operations and diagnostics like X‑rays), with an in‑house laboratory and Cat Friendly Clinic Status. In the latest reviews, owners give concrete examples of the team fitting in urgent appointments, taking time to explain steps and paperwork, and handling reactive or anxious pets during procedures like blood tests. One reviewer, however, alleges serious problems around consent/communication and unexpected costs during a sick-pet visit, so experiences appear mixed. ## Services From the clinic’s website: - Consultations (vet and nurse appointments are referenced on the site) - Routine operations (including neutering) - Dentistry - X‑rays / diagnostic imaging - In‑house laboratory testing - Flea and worm treatment - Microchipping - Vaccinations (including a puppy & kitten vaccination course) - Weight and diet advice - Wellness health screen - Animal Health Certificates - Free new pet health check Emergency care (as stated on the website): - For emergencies outside regular hours, the website directs owners to Wanstead Veterinary Hospital (24/7). From the latest reviews: - Blood testing mentioned (including for a touch‑reactive dog) - Pain relief and a pain‑relief prescription provided after a dog injury ## Pricing - One reviewer reports being told a sick-pet visit would cost “£200–£400” but later being billed “£570,” and they specifically dispute a “consultation of £88” being included. ## People - **Dianne (registered veterinary nurse, per review):** Mentioned for making space for an urgent appointment when the practice was busy, and for reassuring an anxious owner over the phone and in person. - **Lawrence / Dr. Laurence B (veterinary surgeon, per review):** Praised in one account for a “nose to tail” check, explaining each step, reading through information packs to support an owner with partial blindness, providing pain relief, and sharing reactive-dog trainer details. A separate reviewer alleges he carried out a procedure without consent, communicated poorly, and handled payment/medication in a way they found distressing. - **Fran (receptionist, per review):** Praised by one reviewer for taking time to go through information for a new pet. Criticised by another reviewer who says she suggested a diagnosis despite not being a vet, and that phone calls were not answered promptly during a waiting period. ## Reviews **4.3 stars from 110 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - Owners describe staff taking time to explain what’s happening and answer questions so they understand next steps (including going through information packs and new‑pet information). - Handling of difficult situations is specifically mentioned: a reactive dog being managed patiently during a blood test; an anxious owner feeling calmer during visits. - Urgent scheduling is a recurring detail in one review, where a nurse “made space in the diary” for an injured dog. - One review reports a sharply negative experience involving alleged treatment without authorisation, difficulty getting updates by phone, and a disputed higher-than-expected bill—contrasting with other reports of supportive communication.

## Summary YourVets is part of the **YourVets veterinary group** and offers a broad small‑animal, general-practice setup (consultations through to surgery, diagnostics, and nurse clinics). Owners most often mention **good appointment access** (able to get through by phone, appointments available within a short timescale, and being seen close to the booked time) and **clear cost communication during the consult** (with one reviewer highlighting being told costs by the vet before paying, and receiving a refund when the estimate was higher than the final cost). Reviews also include **support around end-of-life care** (a vet named **Cheryl** praised during euthanasia) and **surgical care for kittens** (“operations” mentioned). However, the latest reviews include serious complaints about **clinical judgement and follow‑up**, including one account of **antibiotics being refused** for a suspected infection ahead of travel (with subsequent complications), and another describing **significant weight loss in a cat being downplayed** before a tumour was diagnosed elsewhere. ## Services Services mentioned in the clinic’s website information and/or reviews include: - **Consultations** - **Vaccinations** (including reminders for due vaccinations mentioned in reviews) - **Parasite control** (flea/worm plan referenced in a review, without prices) - **Neutering** - **Surgery** (including “operations” for kittens; emergency intervention described for a cat with a serious tongue injury) - **Dentistry** - **Diagnostic tests & imaging** (website mentions ultrasound and x‑rays; reviews mention a blood test being offered in one case) - **Microchipping** - **Nurse clinics** (including weight checks mentioned in reviews) - **Blood pressure checks** - **Grooming & nail clipping** - **Anal sac expression** - **Six‑month health checks** - **Pet travel documentation (GB)** - **Home visits** - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in clinic data) **Emergency care:** clinic data flags emergency/extended-hours capability. Website information states emergency support is available during normal hours and that out‑of‑hours support is provided via other YourVets sites with dedicated emergency services and full‑time night staff. ## Pricing Only specific amounts mentioned in reviews: - **~£140** for antibiotics and pain relief (in one complaint about treatment following a facial abscess/wound). - **£700+** quoted for stitching a dog’s face (same review). ## People Named staff mentioned in reviews: - **Cheryl (vet)** — praised by an owner for being “amazing” and “so caring” during euthanasia. - **Courtney (receptionist)** — described as “lovely” by a reviewer who was otherwise highly critical of the practice. - **Ana (vet)** — named in a complaint alleging antibiotics were refused due to the owner’s upcoming travel and later disputing what was recorded in the notes. - **Tilly, Shannon, Mel, Nasir** — thanked by an owner for being “great and helpful” during kitten operations. - **Laura** — mentioned positively for communication and help handling a “tricky” cat. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.2 stars from 403 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Access and admin:** multiple owners mention being able to reach the practice, getting appointments in a short timescale, being seen close to the booked time, and receiving appointment/vaccination reminders. One review highlights quick insurance-claim handling (with repayment reportedly within 10 days of treatment). - **Communication about treatment and costs:** one detailed review says vets explain options and summarise at the end of consults, and that costs are discussed in the consultation rather than appearing as a surprise at reception; they also report receiving a refund when the estimate exceeded the final cost. - **Supportive care in difficult moments:** euthanasia is specifically mentioned with praise for staff support and gentleness. - **Surgery/urgent care experiences:** positive accounts include kitten operations and an emergency intervention for a cat with a severe tongue injury. - **Serious negative experiences (clinical concerns):** recent 1‑star reviews describe allegations of delayed/insufficient treatment (including refusal of antibiotics ahead of travel and concerns about major weight loss not triggering urgent investigation), with one owner reporting a tumour diagnosis at another vet soon after a weight-check visit.

## Summary Dagenham Vets4Pets Ltd is part of the Vets4Pets network, and the practice website describes it as “locally owned.” It’s set up as a general practice with on-site diagnostics (in‑house lab, digital X‑ray and ultrasound), an operating theatre and an isolation unit. Out-of-hours emergency care is stated to be provided via another Vets4Pets practice. Recent reviews include both routine and difficult cases: owners mention cat castrations/neutering, a kitten “quick check,” and end-of-life appointments (including behavioural euthanasia). Several owners praise kind, efficient staff and say they could get appointments when needed, while multiple recent 1‑star reviews describe serious problems with one vet’s manner (condescending/mocking, insensitive comments in a euthanasia context) and handling, plus frustration about slow acknowledgement of complaints. ## Services Based on the practice website and the latest reviews, services and facilities mentioned include: - Surgical procedures under anaesthesia (owners specifically mention cat castration/neutering; the site lists an operating theatre and gaseous anaesthetic facility) - Dentistry - Digital X‑ray - Ultrasound (listed as available in the practice) - In‑house laboratory testing, including biochemistry - Isolation unit for contagious cases - Microchipping - Nurse clinics (the site lists support such as nutrition/fitness advice, grooming techniques, and pet socialisation classes) - Prescriptions, including written prescriptions on request (with a stated fee) - Health plans (details listed on the site; see “Pricing” for what’s explicitly stated) - Veterinary Nurse Training facility (listed in clinic data) Emergency cover: the website states out‑of‑hours emergency care is provided via another Vets4Pets practice. ## Pricing Prices listed on the practice website (dogs): - Vet consultation: **£46.00** - Microchipping: **£15.00** - Annual booster vaccination: **£57.00** - Puppy full vaccination course: **£65.00** - Written prescription fee: **£16.00** - Spay (female dog): **from £231.00** - Castration (male dog): **from £165.00** The website also describes a “Complete Care Plan” including vaccinations, face-to-face health checks, and a free 24/7 vet helpline, but no plan price is shown in the provided extract. The site says the team can discuss pricing and provide estimates in advance. ## People Named on the practice website: - **Alexandra T** (Head Veterinary surgeon) - **Nick B** (Practice Owner and Veterinary nurse) - **Emma MH** (Head Nurse) - **Jessica M** (Student Veterinary Nurse) - **Emma H**, **Chloe C**, **Louise S** (Client Care Advisors) From reviews, front-desk/reception and nursing staff are singled out positively by one owner as “very lovely,” and several reviewers describe staff as kind/understanding during routine procedures and first-time visits. Multiple recent reviews also warn about a vet referred to as **“Steve”** / **“Stefan Birza”**, describing condescending or mocking communication, poor bedside manner during highly emotional appointments (including euthanasia), and (in one account) rough handling. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.4 stars from 479 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Smooth routine procedures and access:** owners describe cat castration/neutering going well, and one review says appointments were available when needed. - **Good support for nervous/new owners:** one first-time cat owner says the team eased their concerns around an operation. - **Serious complaints about one vet’s conduct:** several 1‑star reviews describe a vet (“Steve”/“Stefan”) as condescending, mocking, or rolling eyes, with one alleging aggressive handling (pinching) and making the owner remove the cat from the carrier. - **End-of-life and crisis communication:** multiple reviews say compassion was lacking in euthanasia-related or urgent, highly emotional situations (e.g., one account quotes “well dogs kill cats, what did you expect”). - **Complaint handling concerns:** one reviewer reports waiting weeks for acknowledgement after reporting their experience, despite follow-ups.