Specialist Vets in Durham

Specialist Vets in Durham

Referral centres and advanced care across Durham, England

There are 26 veterinary clinics listed for specialist vets in Durham.

Top Rated Specialist Vets in Durham

Top-ranked veterinary practices based on quality, service, and customer reviews

#1 Ranking

Our Score (71/100)

5.0(72 reviews)
Emergency Services
Independent Clinic
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic
cow
pig

Old Stone Vets (Stanhope branch) is a small-animal-only practice providing consultations, vaccines, operations and 24-hour emergency care (per the clinic website). Reviews describe a team that can fit in urgent cases quickly (including a dog that wasn’t registered, seen within just over an hour), and that coordinates care across their branches when advanced diagnostics are needed (one case was sent straight on for X‑rays and ultrasound, with the receiving team ready on arrival). Owners also mention proactive updates during the day (e.g., three phone calls after assessment) and support around end-of-life decisions, including at-home euthanasia and a hand-signed condolence card afterwards.

#1 Ranking

Our Score (77/100)

4.7(304 reviews)
Independent Clinic
Treats:
dog
cat
rabbit
exotic

Weardale Veterinary Clinic is also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. Recent reviews describe the team handling both routine procedures and unexpected complications, including a case where a dog’s airway closed during a routine operation and a team member performed an emergency tracheostomy so the dog could breathe. Owners also mention frequent updates by phone/message (including evenings/weekends) during intensive cases, and staff being attentive to pets’ stress levels (for example, keeping other animals calm in the clinic and helping nervous dogs feel at ease).

#1 Ranking

Our Score (79/100)

4.7(177 reviews)
Emergency Services
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
rabbit

Wilson Veterinary Group offers onsite 24-hour emergency veterinary care, according to its website. Recent reviews also describe routine, appointment-based care such as vaccinations and annual health checks, with multiple owners mentioning clear explanations and thorough treatment during consultations. Several reviews give concrete examples of low-stress handling—one nervous dog was allowed to sit on a receptionist’s lap and then hide under a desk to settle before a vaccination.

#1 Ranking

Our Score (88/100)

4.6(706 reviews)
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit

Medivet Chester-Le-Street (Cestria Vets) is part of the Medivet group and appears set up for both routine care and more complex medical/surgical cases. Recent reviews repeatedly mention vets taking time to explain treatment plans, handling anxious animals gently, and managing urgent urinary emergencies (including repeated catheterisations for a blocked cat). Owners also describe dental work (full tooth removal) and sensitive, owner-led euthanasia where they could cuddle their pet throughout.

#1 Ranking

Our Score (87/100)

4.6(355 reviews)
Emergency Services
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

Medivet Darlington – Stanhope Road is part of the Medivet group. Based on the information available, the practice is set up for routine care (including vaccinations and check-ups) as well as ongoing management of complex, multi-condition cases—one owner describes detailed support for a dog with IBD, diabetes and IVDD, including medication balancing and quick call-backs for advice. The clinic is also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility, and Medivet states it provides access to 24‑hour emergency care via one of its emergency centres (with a stated out‑of‑hours consultation fee).

Concrete specifics owners mention include: pets being kept calm during visits, consultations where vets “take the time to listen” and answer questions, and prompt follow-up phone calls with advice when owners leave messages.

More Specialist Vets in Durham

Additional veterinary clinics serving the area

#1 Ranking

Our Score (86/100)

4.6(305 reviews)
Emergency Services
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit

Prince Bishop Vets is a long-established practice (supporting pets since 1984) operating from purpose-built premises, with onsite facilities such as an in-house laboratory and laparoscopy. The website also states they provide their own out-of-hours service until 10pm Monday–Friday, and clinic data lists it as a veterinary nurse training facility.

Recent reviews describe a mix of routine and urgent care: one owner highlights support after their dog was attacked, while another describes a critically unwell puppy that was treated and survived. Cost and clinical decision-making come up too—one reviewer calls the practice “expensive,” and another alleges a serious misdiagnosis (oral cancer) that led to sedation and dental extractions but “no sign of cancer” afterwards.

#1 Ranking

Our Score (74/100)

4.6(161 reviews)
Emergency Services
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

Westway Veterinary Group is set up for ongoing, hands-on care as well as urgent problems: recent reviews describe repeated visits for complex puppy illness (“puppy strangles”), an orthopaedic knee operation, and support “in an emergency.” Owners also mention practical preventive care, like weight‑management advice, and appointments being “seen on time.” Communication comes through strongly in multiple accounts—one owner describes the vet explaining “what and why he was doing things” during a thorough examination.

#1 Ranking

Our Score (89/100)

4.6(375 reviews)
Emergency Services
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
rabbit

Wilson Veterinary Group offers onsite 24-hour emergency care and appears set up for both routine appointments and urgent/same-day cases, based on multiple recent reviews describing emergency treatment and quick clinical support. Owners repeatedly mention unrushed consultations where vets explain options clearly, and practical follow-through like fast advice over the phone about medication side effects. Several reviews also describe small-but-specific touches around stressful or end-of-life situations, including providing a private cat waiting area space to set up a litter tray and sending a sympathy card and “Forget Me Not” seeds after a rabbit’s death. The clinic is also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility.

#1 Ranking

Our Score (77/100)

4.5(356 reviews)
Independent Clinic
Treats:

Sore Paws Veterinary Clinic describes itself as a family-run, independent small-animal practice, and states it is registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. It treats a wide range of species (cats, dogs, small furry pets, birds, and reptiles) and also offers a home care service.

From the latest reviews, owners most often mention

  • Being fitted in quickly for urgent problems (including seeing a cat “straight in” even though they weren’t previously registered).
  • Facilities and setup details like a clean clinic and a separate cat waiting room.
  • Support around end-of-life care, including time, kindness, and (in one account) a sympathy card with messages from staff.
  • Post-op experiences such as a dog castration with a smooth recovery and helpful follow-up/queries handled via reception.
#1 Ranking

Our Score (84/100)

4.5(913 reviews)
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

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).

#1 Ranking

Our Score (66/100)

4.4(362 reviews)
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

Ashfield Veterinary Surgery is part of CVS Group plc and operates as a small-animal practice. The website describes a move in 2022 to a modern, purpose-built facility and lists services ranging from routine care (vaccinations, parasite control) to diagnostics and surgery, including orthopaedics. It is also a veterinary nurse training facility, and the practice is accredited as RCVS General Practice, Cat Friendly Clinic (Silver), and Dog Friendly Clinic.

Recent reviews show a split experience: some owners praise the team’s friendliness (one specifically names Lynn) and communication at reception, while others describe serious concerns around urgent case handling (e.g., owners saying blood tests/X-rays were not done in an emergency) and aftercare/communication following pet loss (e.g., delays in promised paw prints/fur keepsakes). Pricing is also contested, with one owner describing a large jump in surgical costs after the practice became part of a group.

#1 Ranking

Our Score (68/100)

4.4(168 reviews)
Independent Clinic
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

Clifton Lodge Veterinary Group describes itself as having cared for pets and owners since 1950, and it also operates as a veterinary nurse training facility. The website states the practice provides 24/7 digital vet support via a partnership with VidiVet (including bank holidays).

From the latest reviews, owners most often talk about compassionate support during end-of-life situations (including follow-on support after a pet’s death), and about staff taking time with anxious or uncooperative pets—one owner describes a nervous dog being handled patiently through vaccinations and a male neutering procedure. There’s also a contrasting account from a long-standing client who felt pressured around pricing when requesting a prescription to buy medication elsewhere.

#2 Ranking

Our Score (84/100)

4.9(123 reviews)
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

Westway Veterinary Group is a general veterinary practice that’s also listed as a Veterinary Nurse Training facility. Recent reviews describe it as set up for everyday companion-animal care, including routine surgeries (spays/neuters) and microchipping, alongside longer-term support for ongoing conditions such as kidney disease. Practical details owners highlight include talking through optional add-ons and any extra costs before surgery, reassurance during appointments, and support during end-of-life visits.

#2 Ranking

Our Score (83/100)

4.7(504 reviews)
Emergency Services
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

Gilmoor Vets is a multi-site veterinary practice (three branches are mentioned on its website). Based on owner reports, it appears set up for routine preventive care (vaccinations, boosters and check-ups), planned surgery (spaying is described in detail), weight management support (regular weigh-ins and body condition scoring), and at least some out-of-hours appointments. Reviews strongly disagree on experience: many describe friendly, informative staff and good handling of nervous/anxious pets, while a small number report feeling rushed, facing high costs, or being unhappy with how a sick pet was assessed.

Concrete specifics mentioned by owners include: out-of-hours care for a dog with “extreme anxiety”; calming medication offered for a nervous dog’s next visit; a spay plan for a Labrador with false pregnancy plus medication beforehand; and ongoing weight-loss support with a personalised diet plan and repeat weigh-ins/body condition scoring.

#2 Ranking

Our Score (87/100)

4.7(311 reviews)
Emergency Services
Independent Clinic
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

Grange Vets treats dogs, cats, rabbits and other small pets, and is an Approved Veterinary Nurse Training Centre (as stated on its website). For emergencies outside normal hours, the practice says care is provided by Wear Referrals.

From the latest reviews, owners most often describe a clinic that takes time with nervous dogs (one owner says a dog that previously needed sedation elsewhere did not need it here) and where vets set clear treatment plans that can work quickly (one report of improvement “in days”). A minority of recent reviews report a very different experience, including conflicting diagnoses and being advised an MRI when the owner wanted an X‑ray, plus complaints about a particular staff member’s manner.

#2 Ranking

Our Score (83/100)

4.6(393 reviews)
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
rabbit

Bishop Auckland Vets4Pets Ltd is part of the Vets4Pets brand and is described on its website as a locally owned practice. It appears set up for routine care plus common medical and surgical work, with on-site diagnostics (in-house lab, digital X-ray and ultrasound) and separate cat/dog waiting and ward areas.

Owners frequently mention

  • Urgent same-day help and triage—including an emergency after a fight between two dogs.
  • Investigation and surgery for lumps—one review describes a lump that was investigated, diagnosed as malignant, and then removed (alongside a spay) within two weeks.
  • Support for anxious dogs—including “friendly sessions” aimed at getting a dog comfortable with the clinic before a procedure.
  • Ongoing medical management—one owner references care for a dog diagnosed with mitral valve disease.
#2 Ranking

Our Score (66/100)

4.6(35 reviews)
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

Gilmoor Vets is a veterinary practice with no corporate group affiliation stated in the available information. Reviews suggest it’s set up mainly for routine, day-to-day care for dogs (for example, annual boosters and puppy care), with owners repeatedly mentioning friendly staff and clear explanations. Specific details mentioned include a “vet plan” that one reviewer found “really worth it,” appointments where there was “no queue for treatment,” and a clean waiting room noted on a first visit.

#2 Ranking

Our Score (71/100)

4.6(125 reviews)
Corporate
Treats:

Wilson Veterinary Group is part of a multi-branch practice that advertises onsite 24-hour emergency care. From the latest reviews available, this branch is commonly used for routine preventive care (vaccinations, boosters, annual checks) and quick in-consult procedures (anal gland emptying), with multiple owners also mentioning same-day appointment availability. Review detail is mostly positive about how pets are handled (keeping dogs calm; being respectful), with one recent note raising an accessibility/comfort issue: a client reported a consulting room without a chair during a short procedure.

#2 Ranking

Our Score (79/100)

4.5(319 reviews)
Emergency Services
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit

Abbey Veterinary Centre is set up for both routine care and urgent cases, with “immediately” seen emergencies mentioned in recent reviews and emergency veterinary services listed in the clinic data. Owners repeatedly describe clear explanations and staff “ready to listen to concerns,” and several practical, clinic-specific details come up: a waiting area split for cats and dogs with partitions to keep pets separate, a Pet Health Club (mentioned as covering annual vaccinations plus flea and worming treatments for a monthly fee), and thoughtful end-of-life support (a condolence card with paw prints and a keepsake of fur). One reviewer also reports a negative experience on cost, describing prices as “outlandishly expensive.”

#3 Ranking

Our Score (74/100)

5.0(14 reviews)
Emergency Services
Independent Clinic
Treats:
dog
cat
rabbit
exotic

Corporate-group ownership isn’t stated in the available information. The clinic is described (in structured data) as a veterinary nurse training facility and as offering emergency veterinary services. In reviews, owners repeatedly mention practical, decision-relevant details: being “squeezed in” at short notice for a cat, arranging an operation “straight away” after a morning call about a dog, and a calm, low-stress euthanasia experience where the vet accommodated specific handling requests. One reviewer also noted receiving a condolence card afterwards, and another highlighted that “basic prices are in the window” and that wellness plans aren’t pushed.

#3 Ranking

Our Score (80/100)

4.6(461 reviews)
Independent Clinic
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic
cow
pig

Dunelm Veterinary Group treats a wide range of pets, including cats, dogs, horses and small pets such as rabbits and hamsters, and states that emergency care is available. Recent reviews describe frequent, ongoing case management (including chronic disease), major procedures (a cat limb amputation for an aggressive cancer), and end-of-life care (euthanasia), with owners repeatedly mentioning that appointments didn’t feel rushed and that staff took time to explain options. A minority of feedback raises a safety concern about an incorrect weight being recorded and the pet then being given the wrong worming dose, with the owner reporting the follow-up response felt dismissive.

#3 Ranking

Our Score (85/100)

4.5(459 reviews)
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

Darlington Vets4Pets Ltd is part of the Vets4Pets group (the website describes the wider Vets4Pets network, and this practice uses the Vets4Pets brand). Based on both the clinic data and recent reviews, the practice appears set up for routine small-animal care as well as supportive end-of-life appointments, with multiple owners describing euthanasia visits handled calmly and with minimal stress for the pet. Clinic data also lists it as a Veterinary Nurse Training facility.

Concrete specifics owners mention include: staff making pets “peaceful and not stressed” during euthanasia; a nurse carrying out a thorough examination in one case; and at least one owner bringing in a snake repeatedly and feeling supported. Some owners also report problems getting through by phone and one review alleges an animal was left in pain, suggesting experiences can vary.

Our Score (85/100)

4.5(120 reviews)
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

Westway Veterinary Group is listed on the Value Vets website (value-vets.co.uk) and is noted as a veterinary nurse training facility. Recent reviews focus on practical, emotionally difficult care as well as routine visits: one owner describes a euthanasia appointment where staff were “extremely respectful” and allowed as much time as needed to say goodbye, while another mentions a dog diagnosed with an eye condition and supported on lifelong medication. Multiple reviewers also point to staff taking time to answer questions and handling pets gently enough that some animals “love coming” and appear relaxed at appointments.

Our Score (69/100)

4.9(8 reviews)
Independent Clinic
Treats:
dog
cat
bird
rabbit
exotic

Grange Vets provides routine and ongoing care for dogs, cats, rabbits and other small pets, and is listed on its website as an Approved Veterinary Nurse Training Centre. The site highlights check-ups, long-term care and general treatment, plus practical owner services like repeat prescriptions and pet travel (“pet-passport”) guidance. Reviews most often point to getting appointments quickly and a feeling that the team focuses on the animal rather than “money” (several owners explicitly say they’re “trustworthy” and “won’t take your eyes out”).

Our Score (81/100)

4.9(63 reviews)
Corporate
Treats:
dog
cat
rabbit
exotic

Medivet Middleton St George – Stanhope Park Veterinary Practice is part of the Medivet group, with access to the wider network’s 24-hour emergency centres. From the information available, the practice is set up for routine consults and common procedures (spays are specifically mentioned), plus end-of-life care when needed. Reviewers repeatedly describe vets taking time to explain options and answer questions, and several mention outcomes like “no complications” after spays and a “quick diagnosis and treatment” that resolved a problem.

Our Score (77/100)

4.7(383 reviews)
Independent Clinic
Treats:

Darlington Vet Clinic Ltd is a general-practice clinic that, based on recent reviews, sees a wide mix of pets beyond cats and dogs (ferrets and even a chicken are specifically mentioned). Owners describe practical, low-pressure care—one review highlights being advised to use off‑the‑shelf treatments rather than more expensive options, and another mentions very low fees compared with larger practices. Facilities and handling for different species come up in reviews too, including a quiet room for cats and staff being comfortable with small/exotic pets.