Companion Care (Christchurch) Ltd T/A Vets4Pets

Companion Care (Christchurch) Ltd trading as Vets4Pets is a Vets4Pets practice in Christchurch offering a broad range of first-opinion care for small animals, from routine treatment to imaging, surgery and some more advanced therapies. The clinic website highlights in-house diagnostics, separate cat and dog areas, and care for rabbits, reptiles and other small mammals. Out-of-hours emergencies are directed to Vets Now. Recent feedback is mixed overall: many owners praise kind clinical care and helpful support, while a smaller number describe poor front-desk interactions.

Services

• •Diagnostics and monitoring: in-house laboratory testing including haematology, biochemistry and electrolytes, plus blood pressure monitoring, ECG, echocardiography, digital x-ray, ultrasound and Tonopen eye pressure testing.
• •Surgery, dentistry and hospital care: dentistry; soft tissue surgery; orthopaedics including cruciate surgery and fracture repair; airway and ear surgery; anaesthesia; an operating theatre; hospital ward; and an oxygen chamber.
• •Medical treatment and longer-term care: chemotherapy/cancer treatment, blood transfusions, acupuncture and stem cell therapy are listed. Recent reviews also mention support with ongoing health problems, including care for a puppy with continuing issues.
• •Routine and preventive care: microchipping, prescriptions and medication, nutritional advice, weight clinic and nurse clinics. Reviews also mention help with insurance claims and advice on a monthly plan.
• •Species, facilities and access: the website says the clinic sees small animals and reptiles, with rabbit medicine and testing specifically highlighted alongside small mammal medicine and surgery. Facilities include separate cat and dog waiting areas, a separate cat consult room, separate dog and cat wards, isolation units, a pharmacy, animal ambulance and home visits. One recent reviewer reported difficulty arranging a rat appointment, despite the clinic’s broader small-mammal offering.
• •Travel, referrals and emergencies: animal health certificates are listed, surgery referrals are accepted, and the practice is noted as a veterinary nurse training facility. Out-of-hours emergency care is provided via Vets Now.

Pricing

Published prices suggest the clinic sits below average, based on a partial sample of comparable services. Reviews also mention reasonable prices and a monthly plan that one owner felt saved them money, alongside a complaint about an early cancellation fee after flea and worming treatment was stopped.

People

• •Tom Mowlem — Practice Owner & Veterinary Surgeon.
• •Debbie Clarke — Practice Owner & Veterinary Surgeon; the clinic website says she is qualified to perform acupuncture on pets.
• •Amy — praised for helping with insurance claims.
• •Hatty — mentioned positively for kind handling of dogs, including an older dog.
• •Guy — praised for handling a difficult cat.
• •Kyla — reception team member praised for recommending a monthly plan.

Reviews

Google shows a 4.5-star rating from 281 reviews.

• •Positive comments focus on kind, friendly care, with owners describing the team as understanding and supportive during ongoing health problems.
• •Individual staff are singled out for practical help as well as pet handling, including insurance support from Amy, monthly-plan advice from Kyla, gentle care from Hatty and confident handling from Guy.
• •One long-term client also praised appointment availability, while another recent review simply described the clinic as offering the best care and service from kind and friendly staff.
• •Negative feedback centres on reception and management interactions, including reports of rudeness during registration, a rude manager, difficulty around a rat appointment, and a dispute over cancellation fees after a cat was said to have reacted to prescribed flea and worming products.