Emergency Vets in Tonbridge

## Summary Pennard Vets Tonbridge is **independent and employee-owned**. The practice says it **handles its own out-of-hours work**, with the intention that clients “will always see a familiar face whenever needed.” It also states it holds **Stress-Free and Positive Pet accreditation**. From the latest reviews, owners repeatedly mention help with **nervous cats and dogs** (patients described as “very nervous” or “difficult”), **quick access to appointments**, and specific treatments including **microchipping**, **vaccination**, **emergency response after a pet ate a “rogue item,”** and **physiotherapy for arthritis-related stiffness/limping**. ## Services - **Out-of-hours care**: The clinic states it **handles its own out-of-hours work** (rather than outsourcing), aiming for continuity with familiar staff. - **Emergency response**: Mentioned in reviews in relation to an incident where a pet **ate an item** and owners felt the response was “amazing.” - **Vaccinations**: One review specifically describes bringing a nervous cat for **vaccination**. - **Microchipping**: One review describes a **microchip being inserted** with minimal stress for the kitten. - **Physiotherapy**: Reviews mention **physio sessions** for a dog with **arthritis-related stiffness/limping**, with improvement after “just a few sessions.” - **Support for anxious/difficult patients**: Multiple reviews describe staff being patient and accommodating with **nervous** or **difficult** pets. ## People - **Georgia (nursing staff)**: Mentioned by name as “a credit to the practice,” with the reviewer highlighting how the team accommodates a “very difficult patient.” - **Caron (physio)**: Named as providing physiotherapy; an owner reports noticeable improvement in their dog’s **arthritis stiffness and limping** after a few sessions. - **Unspecified vets/nurses**: Several reviews describe staff taking time with **nervous animals**, and answering “a billion questions” from children about a puppy. ## Reviews **4.8 stars from 410 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - Owners frequently describe staff being **patient with nervous or difficult pets**, including anxious cats and dogs. - Multiple reviews mention **good communication** and taking time to **answer lots of questions**, including from children. - **Prompt appointments** and being “quick to see” pets are recurring points. - Specific care examples include **vaccination**, **microchipping**, an **emergency ingestion incident**, and **physiotherapy** with reported mobility improvement.

## Summary Putlands Veterinary Surgery has been established since 1977 and treats a wide mix of animals (pets as well as horses and farm animals). The practice lists routine vaccinations, surgical consultations, and an on-site dispensary, and says it offers 24-hour access to emergency care via out-of-hours service providers. Recent reviews repeatedly mention reception fitting in same-day appointments (including for a poorly bantam chicken and for ducks), and thoughtful gestures around end-of-life care (a handwritten condolence card with paw prints). A small number of reviews raise concerns about non-clinical issues (a claimed parking incident) and about a guinea pig consultation where the owner felt an obvious issue (sore feet/“bumblefoot”) wasn’t checked despite a £80 bill and discussion of a ~£360 anaesthetised dental procedure. ## Services - Care for multiple species, including cats, dogs, guinea pigs, chickens, and ducks (reviews), plus horses and farm animals (website). - Routine vaccinations (website). - Surgical consultations (website). - On-site dispensary (website). - Dental assessment/treatment discussed for guinea pigs (teeth check; suggested anaesthetised teeth grinding if not improved) (review). - Pain relief prescribed for a guinea pig (review). - End-of-life care for cats is referenced (supportive euthanasia appointment experience described by an owner) (review). - “24-hour access to emergency care” is provided via out-of-hours service providers (website). - Veterinary nurse training facility (clinic data). ## Pricing - Guinea pig consultation and medication: **£80** (review). - Suggested next-step procedure (anaesthetic + teeth grinding): **around £360** (review). ## People - **Zoe (vet)**: Seen with an elderly, poorly bantam chicken; the owner describes her as “kind and thoughtful,” and specifically recommends her for chickens. Same-day booking was arranged by reception (review). - **Rebecca**: Helped during a cat’s end-of-life visit; the owner describes her as respectful and supportive, and mentions receiving a handwritten card with paw prints afterwards (review). - **Maria**: In an older review, described as knowledgeable and empathetic during a first check-up for a rescued cat; the owner mentions a thorough check (“Feline health MOT”) and advice that reassured them (review). ## Reviews **4.4 stars from 227 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Same-day appointments are repeatedly mentioned**, including for poultry (bantam chicken) and ducks (reviews). - **Handling of difficult/emotional situations:** one owner describes respectful end-of-life support and a follow-up handwritten card with paw prints (review). - **Mixed feedback on consultation thoroughness and value:** one owner reports paying **£80** for a guinea pig visit and feeling the vet didn’t examine the feet, later suspecting “bumblefoot,” and was advised a further **~£360** dental procedure despite being told the teeth were OK (review). - **A non-medical complaint appears in one recent review:** an owner alleges a staff member drove into their garden wall and “won’t pay for any damage” (review).

## Summary Tonbridge Veterinary Surgery appears to operate as part of the Meopham Vets group (the website references the “Meopham site” as the hospital base). The practice is set up for routine care (vaccinations, microchipping, nurse clinics) as well as more advanced diagnostics and procedures (CT scanning, endoscopy, orthopaedic surgery, laparoscopic spays). From the latest reviews, owners most often highlight practical, day-to-day touches: staff giving advice over the phone without pushing an appointment, free socialisation visits/sessions for puppies and nervous dogs, and structured support through a pet health club/plan (including reminder texts for due treatments). The clinic also offers on-site grooming, which multiple reviewers mention alongside veterinary care. ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned on the clinic website and in reviews include: - **Preventive care:** consultations, vaccinations, microchipping - **Surgery:** general surgery, **laparoscopic spays**, orthopaedic surgery - **Diagnostics and imaging:** radiography (X‑ray), ultrasonography (ultrasound), **CT scanning**, endoscopy, in-house laboratory facilities - **Rehab and pain management:** physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, laser therapy, small animal acupuncture - **Clinics and behavioural support:** nurse clinics; canine behaviourist (listed on the website) - **Certification paperwork:** animal health certificates (listed on the website) - **End-of-life support:** end of life care and bereavement support (listed on the website); reviewers also reference “a sad goodbye” - **Grooming:** pet grooming and spa treatments (website lists a full grooming service; reviews mention “on-site groomers”) - **Emergency/in-patient care (as stated):** the website says the Meopham site is an **RCVS certified Veterinary Hospital** with nursing staff on site **24/7, 365 days** to care for in-patients Additional note from provided clinic data: the practice is listed as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. ## People - **Sophie (named in reviews):** praised for hands-on, ongoing weight-loss support for a dog, including clear feeding guidance, regular check-ins, and a non-judgmental approach; the owner reports a 2kg loss and improved mobility/energy. - **Nursing team (mentioned in reviews):** owners describe nurse-led socialisation visits/sessions where a nurse spends time helping nervous dogs get comfortable in the clinic setting. - **Front desk/reception (mentioned in reviews):** one reviewer notes a small candle is lit at reception during sensitive euthanasia/“sad situation” appointments as a signal for other clients to be respectful. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 71 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Puppy and nervous-dog support:** multiple owners mention free socialisation visits/sessions and gentle handling during vaccinations (including a puppy not reacting to a jab). - **Practical access and advice:** reviewers mention being able to get appointments when needed and receiving phone advice without being pushed into unnecessary appointments. - **Ongoing plan-based care:** pet health club/plan is described as “exceptional value” by one owner; another highlights reminder texts for routine treatments and socialisation visits included within the plan. - **End-of-life sensitivity:** one review references support “for a sad goodbye,” and another describes a reception practice (a candle) used to signal when a sensitive situation is taking place. - **Costs:** one reviewer comments that treatment prices are high (while also noting this seems common across veterinary surgeries), contrasting with others who stress the value of the pet health club/plan.