Island vets oncall changes to Stoke

kyoto49

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
Not very festive but might help someone if their animals get sick!!

Had my young cats to my usual vet (The Island) yesterday for neutering and a hernia op, and was dismayed to find that all out of hours and emergency calls have now been contracted out to Vets Now. I had received a letter informing me of these changes, but didn't realise until yesterday that this means that should any of my pets need out of hours or emergency treatment I will now have to get them to Stoke which is where Vets Now are based. Personally we've only used the out of hours service twice, once when our cat had been run over and had a smashed leg, and once when my old dog got gastric torsion, but both of these things needed instant attention. The thought of having to schlep up to Stoke in the middle of the nght with a die-ing animal is not one I'm confortable with. As a consequence I'm sadly looking for a new vet. So can anyone recommend a vet with out of hours cover based in Stafford please?
 
littleme

littleme

250,000th poster!
We use Vets-4-Pets but I have no idea if their out of hours is actually in Stafford, I do know that when Sophie-cat broke her leg in early summer we couldn't find anywhere to take her & she had to wait till morning. (we didn't know she had broken it at the time :( )
 
United57

United57

Well-Known Forumite
I can thoroughly recommend Vets Now. Vets for pets use it. They are geared up to be an animal hospital. I assume that a lot of vets use this service. It probably makes economic sense to have one overnight service.
 
kyoto49

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
United57 said:
I can thoroughly recommend Vets Now. Vets for pets use it. They are geared up to be an animal hospital. I assume that a lot of vets use this service. It probably makes economic sense to have one overnight service.
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My concerns do not revolve around the quality of care but the fact that treatment would be delayed to a seriously sick animal by the journey to Stoke.
 
poppy

poppy

A few posts under my belt
kyoto49 said:
My concerns do not revolve around the quality of care but the fact that treatment would be delayed to a seriously sick animal by the journey to Stoke.
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We had exactly same thoughts one of our german shepherds taken ill on Friday evening phoned Island Vets to find out we needed to take her to Stoke. We took her , very stressful journey as she had twisted stomach and needed an operation immediately. The last thing you need is to delay treatment by a 25 min journey in the car but we had no alternative. Eventually got her there and they were fantastic..service and care superb ..they operated as soon as we left and had regular calls every 2 hours..further complications arose and they had to operate again the following morning to remove spleen...she had to have 2 blood transfusions etc..VERY lucky to have survived and we were finally able to bring her home on the Sunday evening. The care she received and the detail of her medical notes are brilliant. All I can say is get in the car take a ride out that way and make sure you know where the place is incase the worst happens as the satnav does not take you directly to the place and we spent a very stressful extra 10mins asking locals where the place was. So I agree having to take a sick pet to Stoke is not ideal but the care is fantastic they are never left alone its around the clock care. I would not hesitate going back but hope I never have to..
 
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jacs

jacs

Well-Known Forumite
Another vote for Ben at Park House. Wonderful vet. We've had to call him a few times out of hours and he's been great.
 
Withnail

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
"You've got a fine beast there." - Ben

First visit with cat - a comment to inspire confidence.
 
Floss

Floss

Well-Known Forumite
littleme said:
We use Vets-4-Pets but I have no idea if their out of hours is actually in Stafford, I do know that when Sophie-cat broke her leg in early summer we couldn't find anywhere to take her & she had to wait till morning. (we didn't know she had broken it at the time :( )
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My cat got run over pretty much same injuries as yours I'm with park house but out of hours lead us to either vets 4 pets or PDSA (I can't remember) in Stoke cat was treated very well, however still had to pay up front then claim back off the pet insurance the emergency numbe we were given was 01782 417882
 
PeterD

PeterD

ST16 Represent.
Nothing but the best care from Park House, but this is how I picture Mark celebrating Christmas this year.

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macabremagpie

macabremagpie

Active Member
I have to say the recommendations for Park House vets are spot on. I had a terrible experience with the Island Vets this year...

Went in and the guy didn't know anything about birds - he prescribed antibiotics based on my vague memory of what Vets 4 Pets had prescribed him when he'd been poorly 3 years before and, at one point, asked me if I was sure I remembered correctly because it was a tiny amount. Call me old fashioned, but I don't think I should be having to reassure the vet that their prescription dosage is correct?!

To top it all off, he pulled out his phone and started checking his email before I'd left the room, leaving me standing there unable to open the door with a cage in my hands.

I took my budgie to Park House a few weeks later and it was absolute professionalism in comparison.
 
gon2seed

gon2seed

(and me! - Ed)
Getting boring now! My Border Colly, 2 Guin' Pigs, a Rabitt, & me would also vote for Park House, how many is that now? & they have an onsite animal A&E I believe! :)
 
Jonah

Jonah

Spouting nonsense since the day I learned to talk
I have used Donnachie and Townley since they opened up in Stafford many years ago. Wouldn't take my pets anywhere else now.
 
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