Castle Veterinary Clinic

Castle Veterinary Clinic describes itself as an independent small-animal practice in Dorchester for cats, dogs, rabbits and small furries. It is also a Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinic, offers a 24-hour emergency service for registered clients, and says it is open seven days a week. Feedback often highlights owners feeling listened to, prompt follow-up on results, and supportive care in urgent and sensitive situations, though recent reviews also include a serious complaint about a euthanasia experience and the way that complaint was handled.

Services

•Small-animal veterinary care for cats, dogs, rabbits and small furries.
•Emergency and urgent care: the clinic says it provides a 24-hour emergency service for registered clients, and one owner credits the out-of-hours response with very likely saving their dog's life.
•Cat-focused care: the practice is a Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinic, and reviews also mention cat surgeries and practitioners as well as thoughtful support during end-of-life care for cats.
•Diagnostics and medical work-ups: reviews mention blood tests with very fast communication of results, assessment of a possible infection before prescribing antibiotics, and advice on an eye problem.
•Ongoing treatment and case management: owners mention help with diagnosing and managing serious illness, including follow-up care for a dog with life-threatening cancer.
•End-of-life support: several reviews describe kind and compassionate care when saying goodbye to a pet, although one recent review reports a very distressing euthanasia experience.
•The clinic also notes that it is open for consultations, operations and medicine collection by appointment.

Pricing

No published pricing information is currently available for this clinic.

People

•Ellie is thanked by name for compassionate support during a cat's end-of-life care.
•Eva is praised for a welcoming first consultation, reading notes in advance, giving detailed advice on an eye issue, and arranging blood tests with a rapid follow-up call.
•Alice and Star are mentioned positively for reassurance and helpful support, including telephone advice.
•Giles Broadhead is named by one reviewer in relation to complaint correspondence.
•Reception and nursing staff are repeatedly described as friendly, welcoming and supportive.

Reviews

Google reviews: 4.7/5 from 226 reviews.

•Many reviewers describe a practice where they feel listened to and respected, with friendly reception staff, nurses and vets.
•Positive feedback also highlights clinical communication and follow-up, including rapid blood-test results, careful decision-making around antibiotics, and supportive long-term care for serious conditions.
•Cat owners speak well of the clinic's cat-focused approach, and one reviewer says the out-of-hours service likely saved their dog's life.
•More critical feedback is limited but includes one detailed complaint about a distressing euthanasia and dissatisfaction with the response to that complaint, as well as one complaint about refusal to share information in an animal welfare case.

Bea

5 months ago

We took our beloved dog to this vet in what was meant to be a routine 15 minute consultation, but a decision was made to have our dog put to sleep due to a rapidly growing lump on his leg. Although our dog was typically calm and well-balanced, he became visibly distressed, shaking and defecating on the floor. Despite the vet being informed of this, and of course it was very obvious for her to see, no sedation was offered or administered at the start of the appointment. What followed was a horrific, prolonged 55 minute ordeal before our dog died. I was sent out of the room at one stage and could hear our dog’s prolonged distress, he was crying and panting hard, it was so upsetting. On returning, fur and spittle were visible on the floor, and our dog appeared more terrified than ever before. The vet explained they had been failed to place a cannula, and only after desperate pleading, this was now over 30 minutes into the appointment, did the vet leave to get an intramuscular sedative. This was done with our dog standing on the floor and caused further distress. After he collapsed, a nurse used a towel to drag him across the floor while his legs were spread out at different angles. The vet then made several unsuccessful attempts to insert a vein cannula on the floor before lifting him onto the table and resorting to multiple intra-abdominal injections, which caused agonising rasping before our dog finally passed away, 55 minutes after his ordeal started. To make matters worse, only a couple of minutes were allowed with our dog before being asked to leave. When a letter was sent to the Practice Director, Mr Giles Broadhead, the lengthy response completely dismissed these concerns and failed to address the serious welfare and professional issues raised. Because of this we went to the RCVS, their report acknowledged that the events of the euthanasia were very stressful and that the vet admitted with hindsight that sedatives should have been used at the start. The lack of empathy from the practice director added to the complete devastation over the loss of our beloved dog and the horrendous ending that he had to endure. This was far from the compassionate, dignified end we would have wanted for our beloved pet who in hindsight and after taking further advise, could have had the lump removed and probably still be alive today. We miss him every day.

Reviews for Castle Veterinary Clinic

Note: Showing the 10 most recent Google reviews out of 226 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

daisy bostock

6 months ago

Called to ask for basic information on if a deceased dog is still in the building or not (this is information we need for an animal cruelty case) but they have refused to tell us, they should be able to bypass any kind of client confidentiality if there even is any for this information because it is an animal welfare concern where the dog died due to severe neglect from its owner.

roger aves

Castle vets are the best local vets. we have used them since 2014 for our chihuahuas who have kept them safe and well. the receptionist team and the vets are fantastic plus the nurses we have been so well looked after over the years. thanks

Chris English

9 months ago

Outstanding

GoodMorningSunrise with Mary-Louise

11 months ago

I cannot possibly explain with words how amazing this veterinary clinic is, it was our first time going there and its also the first time I've ever felt just purly listened too and not pushed to do anything I wouldnt be comfortable with for my dog. I feel they genuinely want the best your your animals, to the point where they want to make sure there is an infection before just giving antibiotics, which other vets I've been too would have just prescribed them regardless. I cant express how much this helped me relax, and my dog also enjoyed the experience and got lots of lovely hellos and treats. Truly I feel over the moon that this is our vets! I am feeling so indescribably happy with my experience and I couldnt recommend them enough.

World Traveler

1 year ago

Would highly recommend them

Amanda Watson

We have been using this vet practice for about 2 years now. We had three cats when we joined and they have cat surgeries and practioners. I would always take my cats here. I feel listened to and respected. And that the welfare of my cats is important. We recently had to say goodbye to one of our little cats. The care and consideration from the whole practice ( vet Ellie, nurses and reception staff) to us and our special family member was second to none

Nick Capaldi

The best thing I could have done is move our dogs to the care of Castle Veterinary Clinic. They have just recently helped diagnose one of our dogs with a life threatening cancer. She is now cancer free and under the continued care of this wonderful practice. As soon as you walk in you are greeted by the most friendly staff. I am confident in knowing we are with the right professionals.