Best Vets in Kent

Animed Veterinary Centre is a small-animal practice established in the 1950s and listed as an RCVS General Practice. The clinic’s own information describes a broad in-house service range (including surgery, dentistry, diagnostics/imaging, and care for some exotic species), with out-of-hours cover provided by MiNightVet Canterbury. From the latest written reviews available to us, owners most often describe a clean, tidy premises, staff who answer questions clearly, and supportive handling of difficult situations—one client specifically mentions staff sending a sympathy card after euthanasia. A minority view is also present: one recent review says “Would not recommend” without further detail.

Metta Pet Clinic appears focused on chronic pain and mobility problems in dogs, using a multimodal approach that can combine hands-on assessment with treatments like acupuncture and herbal medicine. The website describes an “In Depth Chronic Pain Assessment” that includes reviewing prior test results (such as blood tests and radiographs) and developing a plan that covers lifestyle, exercise and environmental changes. In reviews, owners repeatedly describe dogs with arthritis, orthopaedic issues or lameness improving with treatment, and mention practical “homework”/at-home tips alongside clinic sessions. Several reviews also highlight a low-pressure approach—one owner felt Sarah wouldn’t suggest unnecessary referrals and was willing to refer on when it was genuinely needed.

South East Veterinary Referrals is an independent veterinary referral service (not part of a corporate group) operating from a custom-built veterinary hospital. Based on the clinic’s own information, it is set up primarily for referral-level cases, with a stated focus on clear communication and compassionate care during treatment. The website highlights neurology as a specialty area. On Google it has a 5.0★ rating from 2 reviews, though the written feedback available to us is very brief (“Fantastic service”).

Canterbury Sturry Road Vets4Pets Ltd is part of the Vets4Pets group, and the practice is owned and run by vet Craig Mitchell and registered veterinary nurse Shelly Thorne. The website describes a modern, well‑equipped clinic with in‑house diagnostics (including an in‑house lab, digital X‑ray and ultrasound) and a hospital ward with separated dog and cat wards. Based on the clinic’s stated capabilities, it appears set up for more than routine consults: endoscopy is offered for minimally invasive diagnostics/procedures, and the practice lists advanced areas including ophthalmology and orthopaedic surgery, plus chemotherapy/cancer treatment and blood transfusions. In the latest reviews available to us, owners repeatedly mention clear explanations from the vet, and there’s also a complaint about a nail-clipping charge not being explained upfront (quoted as £25).

Lingfield East provides equine veterinary care as part of the wider Lingfield Equine Vets team (referenced by reviewers). Based on the information available, they appear set up for horse and pony call-outs including urgent situations and end-of-life support: one owner describes calling when an elderly pony collapsed and the clinic arranging prompt attendance and collection. The clinic also publishes guidance on senior horse health checks (e.g., “What Changes After 15?”), suggesting an emphasis on older-horse care. Owners most often mention calm, quick responses, clear explanations of what will happen next, and feeling the practice is “reasonable” rather than focused on maximising costs. One review strongly conflicts with this, alleging unprofessional behaviour and refusal to see a sick pony in an emergency.

Companion Care (Folkestone) Ltd operates as a Vets for Pets practice; the website describes it as a locally owned practice and names Dr Cormac Higgins as Practice Owner (Joint Venture Partner and Veterinary Surgeon). It presents itself as a modern, well-equipped clinic with an in-house lab and pharmacy, digital X-ray, ultrasound, and separate cat/dog waiting areas and wards, plus an isolation unit and operating theatre. From the latest reviews available to us, owners most often mention: - Routine procedures carried out successfully, including kitten neutering with good healing reported. - Willingness to see unregistered pets for urgent problems (a limping cat was reportedly seen on a Saturday despite not being registered). - A recurring downside around front-desk interactions, with multiple reviewers naming a receptionist (“Linda”) and describing patronising or unhelpful communication. - Conflicting experiences on consistency and costs, including one review alleging unnecessary treatment and another describing inconsistent advice/pricing and being sent elsewhere for a scan.

Vets Now is a corporate emergency-care provider (described on its website as operating in 60+ locations across the UK) offering out-of-hours pet treatment and video consultations. From the website and reviews, this clinic is set up for urgent and end-of-life cases: owners describe triage on arrival, diagnostic workups (including scans and blood tests), and treatment decisions ranging from pain relief through to hospitalisation, palliative care, and euthanasia. Decision-relevant specifics owners mention include: - Triage and prioritisation: several reviews reference waiting times and that sicker animals are prioritised. - Diagnostics and inpatient treatment: owners describe blood tests, scans, overnight stays, and discussion of transfusion options (including being told transfusion stock wasn’t available in one case). - End-of-life support: multiple owners describe euthanasia visits; experiences range from “dignity and thoughtfulness” to feeling rushed and focused on payment. - Costs and communication: some owners give specific high quotes/fees and describe feeling judged or pressured, while others describe being reassured and given a clear plan.

Pet Home Farewell provides elective home euthanasia by appointment, focused on helping pets have a calm, peaceful goodbye at home. The website states it is not an emergency service, and directs out-of-hours needs to Vets Now Herne Bay. From the latest reviews available, owners describe a two-step process with sedation, being given privacy while sedation takes effect, and time to be alone with their pet afterwards (with the vet waiting outside). Reviews mention support for both dogs and cats, including consideration for other pets in the home.

Birgit Holistic Vet Ltd presents itself as a holistic veterinary practice offering both complementary and conventional treatments. The website and reviews consistently describe a “treat the whole animal” approach, with owners mentioning detailed consultations that cover overall health and wellbeing (not just the presenting complaint). Reviewers most often describe support for chronic or complex conditions—particularly spinal/back problems—using acupuncture plus Chinese herbs and homeopathy, sometimes alongside or after conventional pain relief. A few owners also mention ongoing support outside appointments, including help with medication orders and a sympathy card after a pet’s death.

Essex Vets Rainham is set up for hands-on surgical and procedure work, with recent reviews describing entropion surgery, BOAS surgery, a C‑section, cherry eye help, lump removal, and nail clipping. It’s also listed as a Veterinary Nurse Training facility. Owners mention being offered last‑minute appointments and having a lump removed the next day after assessment. Several reviews describe clear, “straight‑talking” explanations around surgery and aftercare, but there’s also a sharp contrast in experiences with one reviewer describing a distressing conversation about handling a difficult nail clip (“slam… to the ground” or sedate) and another raising concerns about being asked to pay additional consultation fees around a planned C‑section.