Specialist Vets in Huddersfield

## Summary Donaldson's Farm and Equine Ltd describes itself as an **independent** large‑animal and equine practice with **in‑house diagnostics** and an **equine unit**, offering work such as lameness and dental diagnostics and gastroscopy. The website also states a **24/7 ambulatory emergency call‑out service for registered farm and equine clients**. The latest reviews available to us, however, include **companion‑animal appointments** (a bird, cat, and dog), with owners describing: - being taken **straight into a consult room after a frantic call** for a seriously ill senior dog, and being given **time to say goodbye** after the dog passed - a bird owner saying the **front desk** were “lovely” and the vet handled the bird **carefully and professionally** - one complaint about an **icy, untreated car park** and dissatisfaction with a “cheaper alternative” medication option that **ended up costing more than expected** until the plan was changed ## Services From the clinic website summary: - **Emergency care** (stated as a 24/7 ambulatory service for registered farm and equine clients) - **Reproductive work** - **Health planning** - **Client training** - **Lameness diagnostics** - **Dental diagnostics** - **Gastroscopy** - **In-house diagnostics** - **Equine unit** (facility) From the latest reviews available to us: - **Consultations for companion animals** (bird, cat, dog mentioned) - **Steroid injections** and **tablet medication** discussed for a cat (including switching treatment after cost concerns) - **End-of-life care** for a senior dog (rapid assessment and time provided with the pet after death) ## People No staff are named in the information provided, but recent reviews mention: - **Front desk staff**: described as “lovely” by a bird owner. - **Vet nurse**: described as “lovely and kind” during an urgent visit for a senior dog. - **Vet(s)**: one owner describes professional, careful handling of a bird; another describes a vet taking time to explain a medication plan after a cost concern, though the owner remained unhappy with how the “cheaper” option compared at checkout. ## Reviews **4.7 stars from 799 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Kindness during urgent and end-of-life situations:** one owner describes being taken straight in after a frantic call, staff acting quickly, and being given time with their dog after he passed. - **Careful handling and professionalism in consults:** a bird owner mentions gentle treatment and a professional manner. - **Practical complaints and cost communication:** one review criticises an **iced-over car park** and describes frustration that a suggested cheaper medication route **initially cost more than expected**, leading to a change back to an injection. - **Some reviews may be unrelated to veterinary care:** one recent 5‑star review discusses a “festive afternoon tea,” without mentioning animals or treatment.

## Summary Donaldson’s Vets Ltd is an **independently owned veterinary group** (not a corporate chain) focused on **small-animal care**, with website-listed capabilities that go beyond basic consultations—such as **CT scanning, ultrasound, cancer care**, and **keyhole surgery**, alongside an **animal rehabilitation centre** and **referral services** (behaviour, dermatology). The site also describes **emergency and overnight care**, and clients mention being taken **straight into a consult room** in an urgent situation. Recent reviews include both strong positives (kind handling of an end-of-life visit; careful treatment of a bird) and a clear negative about **consultation value/cost expectations** and **slip risk from an icy car park**. ## Services Services and features mentioned on the website and in recent reviews include: - **Emergency and overnight care** (website mentions emergencies and overnight care; one review describes being seen quickly after a frantic call). - **Advanced diagnostics**: **CT scanning**, **ultrasound** (website). - **Surgery**: **keyhole surgery** (website). - **Cancer care for pets** (website). - **Animal Rehabilitation Centre** (website). - **Referral services**: **behaviour referral**, **dermatology referrals** (website). - **Microchipping** (website). - **Repeat prescriptions** (website). - **VIP Club / pet health plans** (website lists a VIP Club and describes health plans). - **Digital access**: the website mentions using an app to **book appointments**, **order repeat prescriptions**, and **chat online for general queries/pet care advice**. - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (clinic data). - Species seen: the website states **small animals**; recent reviews specifically mention a **bird**, a **cat**, and a **senior dog**. ## People - **Front desk staff** are described in a recent review as “lovely,” with the visit running smoothly for a first-time bird owner. - A **vet nurse** is specifically praised for being **kind during an end-of-life appointment**, with the family given “as much time as needed.” - A reviewer who queried costs describes a vet providing an explanation about a **tablet option vs a steroid injection**, but the client still felt the proposed “cheaper alternative” did not match their situation. ## Reviews **4.7 stars from 799 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Handling of sensitive situations:** one owner describes being seen quickly for a deteriorating senior dog, with staff confirming the pet had passed and allowing time to say goodbye. - **Care with less-common pets:** a bird owner reports the vet treated their bird carefully and professionally. - **Cost/communication friction:** one reviewer felt the “cheaper alternative” offered (tablets) ended up **costing more** than expected, and they opted to return to a steroid injection. - **Practical safety concern raised:** one review complains about an **icy, ungritted car park**; the same reviewer also notes they didn’t get a clear explanation at reception at the time.

## Summary Donaldson's Vets Ltd describes itself as an independently owned veterinary group providing “Total Care” for small animals, with RCVS & PSS accreditation listed on its site. The practice advertises advanced and referral-level capabilities (including CT scanning, keyhole surgery, and cancer care) alongside routine services like microchipping. In the latest written reviews available to us, owners mention a “caring and professional” vet and helpful front-desk staff, including for a nervous owner bringing in a bird after a bad prior experience. ## Services - Small-animal veterinary care (“Total Care” is referenced on the website). - Referrals and referral services, including: - CT scanning - Ultrasound - Keyhole surgery - Cancer care for pets - Dermatology referrals - Behaviour referral - Animal rehabilitation - Exotics (also supported by a recent review describing a visit with a bird) - Microchipping - “VIP club” / pet health plans (named on the website; inclusions/prices not stated) - Emergency veterinary services (listed in the clinic data as 24/7 or extended hours; specific arrangements not provided) ## People - Vets: described in a recent review as “very caring and professional,” which mattered to an owner who felt nervous after a previous bad experience elsewhere. - Front desk staff: specifically mentioned as “great” in the same review, suggesting a supportive check-in/communication experience. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 305 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - Owners mention a caring, professional vet, including for an exotics visit (a bird) when the owner was anxious due to a previous negative experience at another practice. - Front desk/help at reception is specifically praised. - Some reviews are very brief (“Very friendly”) without detail on treatment or outcomes.

## Summary Donaldsons Vets Ltd is described on its website as an **independently owned** veterinary group that **treats small animals only**. The practice presents itself as set up for more involved diagnostics and referral-style work, listing **CT scanning, ultrasound, key hole surgery, cancer care, dermatology referrals, and behaviour referral**, alongside routine needs like **microchipping** and **repeat prescriptions**. In the latest reviews available, owners most often mention **supportive handling of difficult situations** and **time spent discussing treatment options**, including ongoing management of a cat’s **lymphoma with steroids** rather than immediate euthanasia. ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned on the clinic website and/or in reviews include: - **Small animal veterinary care only** (website statement) - **Cancer care for pets** (website); one owner describes ongoing **steroid treatment for lymphoma** and discussions about quality of life (review) - **Diagnostic imaging**: **CT scanning** and **ultrasound** (website) - **Key hole surgery** (website) - **Animal Rehabilitation Centre** (website) - **Dermatology referrals** (website) - **Behaviour referral** (website) - **Microchipping** (website) - **Repeat prescriptions** (website) - **Emergency veterinary services (24/7 or extended hours)** (structured clinic data) - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (structured clinic data) ## People No individual vets or nurses are named in the information provided. In the latest written reviews available, clients describe the **team** as: - Helping owners through “a difficult time” with **care and professionalism** (review) - Taking **time to discuss treatment** and options rather than rushing decisions (review about lymphoma management) - Being **friendly and caring** during visits (review) ## Reviews **4.9 stars from 182 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - Owners describe **support during emotionally difficult situations**, noting professional, considerate handling. - Several comments focus on **communication and decision-making**, including vets **talking through treatment** and supporting ongoing care (e.g., steroid management for lymphoma). - General mentions of a **friendly, caring team** during routine interactions.

## Summary Brighouse Vets4Pets Ltd describes itself as a **locally owned Vets4Pets practice**, led by **Practice Owners Caroline Stirk and Stephanie Wilson**, and it lists facilities such as an **in-house laboratory, hospital ward, isolation unit, and operating theatre**. Based on the services advertised, it appears set up for both **routine care** (vaccinations, microchipping, nurse clinics) and **more advanced work** including **orthopaedics (e.g., cruciate surgery)**, **soft-tissue/airway surgery**, and **diagnostics** (ultrasound, digital X-ray, ECG, in-house biochemistry/haematology). From the latest written reviews available to us, owners most often mention **routine visits going smoothly** (e.g., a puppy’s second injection) and **good front-desk support**, alongside positive comments about vets and nurses. ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned on the clinic website include: - **Preventive/routine care:** vaccinations (including puppy injections mentioned in reviews), **microchipping**, **nurse clinics**, health plans - **Surgery:** **orthopaedics** (including **cruciate surgery**), **soft tissue surgery**, **airway surgery**, **ear surgery** - **Dentistry:** dentistry with **dental X-ray** - **Diagnostics/monitoring:** **ultrasound**, **digital X-ray**, **ECG**, **blood pressure monitoring**, **Tonopen eye pressure testing** - **In-house lab work:** **biochemistry** and **haematology** - **Therapies/support:** **laser therapy**, **oxygen chamber** - **Species seen:** small animals and **reptiles** (exotic pet care is listed) - **Other services:** **grooming**, **pet passport/animal health certificate** - **Facilities:** **operating theatre**, **hospital ward**, **isolation unit**, **in-house laboratory** - **Emergency cover (when closed):** provided through **another Vets4Pets practice** (as stated on the website) - **Training:** listed as a **Veterinary Nurse Training** facility The website also lists an **RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Small Animal Surgery)**. ## Pricing - **Consultations start from £80** (website-stated). ## People - **Caroline Stirk** — Practice Owner (website) - **Stephanie Wilson** — Practice Owner (website) - Reviews repeatedly mention the wider team rather than naming individuals, with specific positives including: - **Reception team** described as “fab” by a cat owner. - **Vets and nurses** described as “first class” during a puppy vaccination visit, and “great” by an owner with two cats. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.6 stars from 463 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Routine appointments:** a puppy’s **second injection** is specifically mentioned as going well. - **Ongoing pet care:** one reviewer says the clinic has **looked after two cats**. - **Front-desk experience:** receptionists are called out positively. - **Customer service:** explicitly praised in one recent review.