Durham Vets4Pets Ltd

Durham Vets4Pets Ltd is described on its website as a locally owned practice, operating from a modern, “state-of-the-art” clinic with in‑house diagnostics and an operating theatre. Based on the website and recent reviews, it appears set up for routine care plus investigations and surgery (for example, tail amputation with frequent rechecks is described in a recent review, and the site lists an in‑house lab and X‑ray).

Owners often mention continuity with named clinicians (especially Richard; also Kevin and Aitor), and examples include making time to discuss worries, shared decision-making, and adapting handling for anxious cats (including, in one case, offering follow‑up decisions by phone due to a cat’s anxiety). Reviews also show a clear split in experiences around end‑of‑life care, with two recent 1‑star accounts describing distressing cannulation/euthanasia-related situations, contrasting with multiple long-term clients describing supportive care (including bereavement/ashes handling).

Services

From the clinic website summary

•Diagnostics and monitoring: biochemistry, haematology, blood pressure monitoring
•In-house laboratory
•Imaging: X‑ray
•Facilities: operating theatre, isolation unit

From recent reviews

•Surgery: tail amputation mentioned, with check-ups every couple of days afterwards
•Care for anxious cats: adapting approach to reduce stress (one owner notes options to progress further treatment decisions by phone in their situation)
•End-of-life appointments are referenced in reviews (quality-of-life check; euthanasia discussions)

Emergency care (as stated on the website)

•Out-of-hours emergency care is provided by Vets Now Gateshead.

Other structured clinic data

•Veterinary Nurse Training facility (listed under services & specializations provided)

Pricing

•One review reports being charged £87.50 in a euthanasia-related visit, with the reviewer stating this was “for them to shave her paw” and that “nothing else was done.”
•Another reviewer describes charges as “very, very reasonable,” but no amounts are given.

People

Named in recent reviews

•Katie (nurse): described as “brilliant” with cats.
•Richard (vet, role not explicitly stated but referred to as a key clinician): repeatedly mentioned for taking time with concerns and being particularly good with complex or long-running cases (one owner describes ongoing investigations for a dog with multiple conditions; another says he “always makes the time for any worries”).
•Kevin and Aitor: praised by a long-term client as “super,” alongside Richard.

What owners say these individuals do (with examples)

•Communication and involvement: listening, explaining options, and involving owners in decisions (described in a detailed cat-injury visit).
•Handling and empathy: adapting to anxious pets (cat carrier anxiety mentioned) and emotional support around loss (one owner notes bereavement support and that ashes were ready to collect).

Reviews

4.5 stars from 913 reviews. The - Strong repeat custom and trust over time: one family describes using the clinic for 20+ years with multiple pets, saying the team “do exactly what is necessary” and don’t push extra consultations/treatments.

•Good experiences with surgical and follow-up care: tail amputation for an infected tail is described, followed by rechecks every couple of days.
•Attention to anxious pets and owner involvement: a new client reports being accommodated on short notice, staff adapting to a cat’s anxiety, and clear explanations with shared decision-making.
•Bereavement and end-of-life support is inconsistent in reviews: alongside supportive accounts (including ashes handling), two 1‑star reviews describe highly distressing experiences involving cannulation and euthanasia consent/attempts, including one report of a quality-of-life visit where the owner says euthanasia paperwork and “ready for injection” preparation occurred despite not requesting euthanasia.

Reviews for Durham Vets4Pets Ltd

Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 913 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Yolanda D

a week ago

Katie the nurse was brilliant with my cats.

Jo Day

I cannot praise Vets for Pets Durham enough! We have been coming here for over 20 years and have always received excellent care. Kevin and Aitor are both super, and Richard is simply amazing. As owners of two dogs and three cats, our pets' welfare is our top priority. We have always felt that the team respects this without ever taking advantage of us. They do exactly what is necessary and frequently go the extra mile emotionally, without pushing unnecessary treatments or consultations. Their charges are very, very reasonable. Highly recommended for anyone looking for honest, compassionate care

Andrew Holmes

2 weeks ago

Excellent practice with Richard and the team I've used vets4pets for years in different areas but the Durham branch is excellent they are so caring and are always there for you we lost one of our dogs a few months ago and Vets4Pets were brilliant understanding in every way they had the Ashes ready to pick up I can not Fault them at all thank you Richard and Team from Andrew and Tina Holmes

Stremyo Bee

3 weeks ago

We requested a QUALITY OF LIFE CHECK for our cat, who is approaching the end of his life following a cancer diagnosis. The vets arrived at our home before I did, where my wife was waiting. They took our cat into a separate room and handed my wife a piece of paper asking for a signature. I arrived around this time, and my wife and I read the form together, it was a EUTHANASIA consent form something we absolutely did not request or agree to. I immediately went into the room to ask what was going on and why there was already a cannula in his leg. The vet said it was to take vitals and be “ready for injection.” After making it clear that we did not want an at-home euthanasia at that point, we discussed his condition while our cat was limping around with a cannula still in his leg. During this, the vet actually laughed and said, "awww we broke his leg,” while our cat was visibly struggling. When they left, the last thing they said was that we could arrange payment by phone. Heartless, incompetent, and utterly unacceptable behaviour at the worst possible moment.

Spencer Corker

Tia Saunders

a month ago

Took to my dog a few weeks ago due too him biting his tail and it being infected. Vets for pets coudnt off done any better! They did the surgery for tail amputation, seen him every couple off days for checks up. Staff sre lovely and friendly. Will be returning in the future. Thank you too all! My baby is now back to his happy self

Emma Hastings

2 months ago

Took my senior cat of 18 years to be put to sleep after her quality of life was now none existent and I didn't want her to suffer. She had lost all her weight as senior cats do and as I result I had told them that they wouldn't be able to do a canula. But they insisted on trying.... she got so stressed and panicked that while they had her away from us trying for this canula. She literally was stressed to death. She came back in the vets arms and had clearly passed away by time she was put on the table. This was heartbreaking because we were not there and the reason we brought her was because we didn't want her to suffer. even though she was not given the medication to stop her heart and put her to sleep peacefully we were still charged the 87.50.... to sum up the charge. That charge was for them to shave her paw.... nothing else was done by them.

Kellyanne Hall

3 months ago

Great vets, very helpful, so caring. Richard always makes the time for any worries I might have. George even likes him - which is surprising since he doesn't seem to like the vets. 🤣🤭. Thanks for taking care of George.

Maria Gannon

5 months ago

Just moved to the area and my cat had an injury so firstly they were able to accommodate being seen on short notice for a new customer. They also adapted to suit my cat as he gets anxiety going in his cat box. They staff on the front desk were extremely welcoming, polite and friendly. Both entering and exiting. The vet was phenomenal. My cat has seen a lot of vets and the one he saw today was by far the best vet I've ever had the pleasure of taking the cat to. He listened, understood, was friendly, got me involved with decision making, explained everything and made the cat feel at ease. Also, he allowed the option of further treatment to be done over the phone due to the cats anxiety, (obviously this wouldn't be available for all conditions/pets). Again, putting the cats needs first. I just can't big the vet up enough. Thank you! Overall, the place was clean, tidy, with a great atmosphere and I will 100% be taking the cat back in future.

Helen Ferry

2 years ago

I have 3 Cavapoos, the boys are fine, go for vacs, both been neutered all good. I also have Daisy, or 'little Daisy' as she is now known as! This is because she still looks like a puppy, and that's due to her list of conditions. She was born blind with a swelling on her brain. She has bladder issues, growth problems, curvature of the spine and is only 2.7kgs at 20 mnths old. Lots of tests and investigations later she is a regular visitor. Richard is wonderful with her. She's so cute, hopefully will be taking her for a while yet, thank-you all x