Medivet Chertsey

Yesterday was the last straw that broke the camel's back! This practice used to be absolutely wonderful when it was independent but now that it is owned by Medivet the standards and care provided have plummeted through the floor. I visited yesterday for booster vaccinations and kennel cough. Because our dogs were noisy, we were shown into a small side room to wait. In there, someone's beloved dog had obviously recently been put to sleep. The dogs blanket (complete with her hairs) and harness were still on the table. We couldn't stay in there because of that and also because the room was very small and claustrophobic. We returned to the waiting area. The whole place; waiting room, passageways and consultation rooms were absolutely filthy. Dirty floors, urine marks up the skirting boards, unrecognisable grime and thick dust. We had taken out a policy with the independent practice which included free consultations, monthly tick & flea treatments, annual health checks with blood & urine checks, dental, anal glands expressed, nail clipping and more. There was a notice stuck down on the front desk to say that this was going to be discontinued and replaced with Medivet's own health plan. No free consultations, dental and other changes. This was the first we'd heard about it. No option for existing clients to stay on the original policy but to move every one of the dwindling clients over to Medivet's "let's make more money out of the clients" plan. Fortunately, the original plan was still in place so the basic vaccine and consultation was not charged. We knew that we would have to pay for the kennel cough vaccinations. So when asked how much was due (for two dogs), I was informed £200. Gobsmacked, I protested and asked for that to be confirmed as it was ONLY for the kennel cough vaccinations that we were due to pay. I was informed that they were £100 each. Well, we had no choice other than to pay. Upon returning home, I called another, (independent) practice to get a price for a kennel cough vaccine, knowing that the previous year I had paid around £40. I was informed that the price would be £47......£53 LESS than I had just been charged! There is no longer any continuity of vets (as with all Medivet practices) and they can't even guarantee that there will be a vet there on the day of the appointment!! No veterinary nurse. Just a vet and a receptionist who seemed to be frightened of dogs! It is time for me to move to another vet, an independent again where the animals and not money comes first. I urge anyone who is registered with Medivet to do the same and anyone thinking of registering to look elsewhere. Before registering with the previous independent owners, we were with another Medivet practice and due to the failure of not doing comprehensive investigations into a recurring problem, we lost our dog at only 9. The investigations were finally done at the independent Chertsey Vets (Woodham Lane branch) within a week or so of registering, but by then it was too late to do anything for our boy other than to make him comfortable. So, we're well overdue to leave, especially as the independent vet that stayed on at the practice finally left in December. PLEASE heed our warnings - avoid Medivet at all costs - the biggest cost could be your beloved family companion. Below was from 4 years ago when the practice was independent and I gave 5 stars. So thorough, friendly, caring and SO much better than big veterinary groups where you don't know the vet from one visit to the next. Support independent vets like these for a far better service and more importantly, caring continuity for your beloved pets. Thank you.

Excellent customer service, the friendliest and most welcoming staff, my dog wants to visit even if we are just walking past so to me that says everything

Lovely people to deal with.