The Barton Veterinary Hospital / MiNightVet Canterbury

- Fast emergency response is a repeated theme, with owners describing pets being seen straight away or within minutes after calling. - Compassionate end-of-life care stands out strongly, especially around euthanasia appointments where families felt supported, informed, and not rushed; home euthanasia is also remembered very warmly. - Clear communication and thoughtful handling are mentioned often, including time taken to explain treatment plans, honesty about prognosis, and sensitive handling of anxious pets and worried owners.

The Barton Veterinary Hospital / MiNightVet Canterbury is a small-animal hospital established in 1890, offering routine veterinary care alongside on-site 24-hour emergency support through its dedicated MiNightVet service. It is part of CVS Group. Its listed facilities suggest it is equipped for both everyday treatment and more complex medical work, and recent feedback often highlights fast emergency access, clear explanations, and compassionate support during serious illness and end-of-life care.

Services

•24-hour emergency and urgent care: On-site emergency cover is provided through MiNightVet. Recent reviews describe pets being seen immediately or within minutes, including a dog that was not registered with the practice, with treatment such as wound cleaning and antibiotics.
•Routine and preventive care: Consultations, vaccinations, parasite control, microchipping, six-month health checks, blood pressure checks, and nurse clinics are listed. The practice also offers grooming and nail clipping, anal sac expression, puppy parties, and pet travel documentation.
•Surgery and dentistry: Soft tissue surgery, neutering, keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, and dentistry are listed.
•Diagnostics and more advanced care: In-house laboratory testing, X-ray, ultrasound, and other diagnostic imaging are available. Listed areas of advanced or referral-level work include cardiology, internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and radioactive iodine treatment. Reviews mention ultrasound-supported management of heart failure and intensive care for seriously ill cats.
•Home visits and species treated: Home visits are available, including home euthanasia mentioned by one family. The hospital lists care for dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and ferrets.
•Accreditations and training: The hospital is listed as an RCVS Veterinary Hospital and an RCVS Emergency Services Clinic, and it is also noted as a veterinary nurse training facility.

Pricing

Published prices suggest the clinic sits above average, based on a partial sample of comparable services. Reviews on cost are limited, but one recent reviewer described the practice as expensive compared with a local independent vet and was unhappy with payment procedures around emergency treatment.

People

•George (vet): Repeatedly praised in emergency and end-of-life situations for calm manner, clear explanations, and giving owners time to make difficult decisions without feeling rushed.
•Louise (vet): Mentioned very positively for handling a nervous dog during annual injections, taking time to assess the dog and adapt her approach.
•Izzy and Megan: Thanked for carrying out a home euthanasia with care and compassion.
•Liam and Carly: Praised after an emergency visit for helping a dog that had been injured in a fight and arranging prompt treatment.

Reviews

Google rating: 4.5 stars from 299 reviews. Recent written feedback is largely very positive, with one notable negative review focused on cost and payment handling.

•Fast emergency response is a repeated theme, with owners describing pets being seen straight away or within minutes after calling.
•Compassionate end-of-life care stands out strongly, especially around euthanasia appointments where families felt supported, informed, and not rushed; home euthanasia is also remembered very warmly.
•Clear communication and thoughtful handling are mentioned often, including time taken to explain treatment plans, honesty about prognosis, and sensitive handling of anxious pets and worried owners.
•Capability with serious or complex cases is highlighted in reviews about long-term heart failure management, emergency wound treatment, and intensive care for critically ill cats, while the main criticism raised concerns about higher costs and payment processes.

Reviews for The Barton Veterinary Hospital / MiNightVet Canterbury

Note: Showing the 10 most recent Google reviews out of 299 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

martin fairfax

1 month ago

Beware !!! This is a group company vets ! Just like the ones that have be on television recently. I have had three really bad experiences of this vets 1. My dog had a tuma 1 kg rushed her in at 6pm on a Friday late afternoon to operate would be 3k but if she survived until Monday at 8.Am it would be £900 what is more important the animal or money 2. Same dog had to be put to sleep 3 days later phone call threatening court when I hadn’t even had the ashes back for my dog! I did get an apology but was shocking! 3. Twisted belly in my old boy was dying in my arms but wouldn’t even look at him until I had signed a quote that I would pay no matter what then charged me for stupid tests when even the vet said it was what she thought !!! Yet again getting money was more important than the dogs heath. Recently these issues have been raises and been on television how these large groups are operating I have now changed to a local independent vets and they are great. I have comparied the last two invoices from Barton’s and they average at 420 less at the new vets ! That in my mind says everything about this vets ! Like I said use your local independent vets they care about your pet and are so much cheaper

Cameron Whitley

2 months ago

Definitely recommend this vets, my dog got into a fight with one of my others, took her to Barton’s vets and they see her straight away even though my dog isn’t registered with them. Cleaned all the wounds and gave her anti biotics. Want to say a massive Thankyou to Liam and Carly 10/10 service will be using them for any vet needs from now on best in Canterbury I would say so thanks guys really helped me out!

Sharon King

3 months ago

A huge thank you to George. My son, daughter-in-law and myself brought in their cocker Spaniel Mollie on Saturday morning as an emergency appointment. She was seen immediately by George in a very calm, friendly and professional manner. He took the time to explain everything and gave us plenty of time to make decisions and finally say goodbye. We didn't feel rushed and my son and daughter- in-law were able to see that Mollie was in no pain and had been given her wings as lovingly as possible. Thank you George. That day will be forever in our minds.

Ashley Iddenden

4 months ago

Saw us within minutes of making the phone call regarding our poorly 13 year old spaniel. Amazing staff that helped us through every stage of having to sadly say goodbye to her. Can't thank them enough.

Holly Hodgson-Simmons

We had the heartbreaking experience of having to say goodbye to our fifteen year old boy yesterday. Truly a part of our family and not a decision we were able to reach easily. The experience was made so much easier by George and his team who led with kindness, empathy and gave us everything we needed to deal with this situation as best as we could. Fudge passed surrounded by love and warmth - exactly what he knew in life. We couldn’t have felt more supported and are so grateful for all that the team did to help us through it. We have always been with Barton since moving here a few years ago and they’re stellar with the day to day but we also got to experience their work in the hardest moments yesterday. That truly sets them apart. Thank you all.

Peter Mickleburgh

5 months ago

I was very anxious about taking my 'hyper-vigilant, nervous, pessimist' boy for his annual HPC injections. I could not fault Louise (vet). She listened to this anxious owner, took my concerns on board, and really understood my dog's behaviour. Louise took her time to assess him and bond, whilst judging his behaviour perfectly. Easily the best vet visit we have had. Thank you so much for understanding both dog and owner.

Emily

7 months ago

Above and beyond after a bad experience with another vet. Amazing

Rhianne Tompsett

8 months ago

We cannot speak highly enough of Barton Veterinary Hospital. After a difficult experience elsewhere, the team at Barton has completely restored our faith in veterinary care. We brought two of our cats to them—one with only a 20% chance of survival, and the other suffering from a different life-threatening condition. Thanks to the incredible dedication and expertise of the team, one of our cats made a full recovery. Heartbreakingly, the other passed away after two weeks, but we know without a doubt that Barton gave them the absolute best chance possible. The care, compassion, and honesty we received during that time meant the world to us. We were so moved by the level of care that we’ve now permanently moved from our usual local vet to be with Barton full-time. They treated our pets as if they were their own, and supported us every step of the way. I would trust my own life in their hands—and we will never go anywhere else.

julia curry

have had to use emergency visit twice now. George the vet was very kind and efficient in dealing with my little dogs medical emergency. He explained all aspects of her condition and subsequent plan of care.The reception staff and nurses were friendly and welcomeing. I am glad to know that they are there if my dog should need emergency care in the future.Thank you.

Tim Collins

Our beloved dog was really well treated at Barton for a heart failure over the years. She was regularly seen and given complex management which prolonged her time with us. They had specialist ultrasound equipment and expertise which could effectively guide and manage her condition which not all vets have. We knew that it could not be cured but their expertise gave her additional time with us as a family as well as a good quality of life. They always showed care, empathy and compassion. Always taking time to explain everything and never feeling rushed but also giving you confidence in our dogs management. When she was put to sleep in our home in surroundings she was familiar, Izzy and Megan did this with so much care and compassion, we will never forget their kindness at such an awful time for us as a family. Totally recommend all the vets, nurses and admin team at Barton. We would not go anywhere else. They all have compassion, empathy and the expertise.