Dog & Cat Vets in Luton

## Summary Biscot Mill Veterinary Centre Ltd offers routine care alongside more complex and urgent cases, with structured data indicating it’s a veterinary nurse training facility and provides emergency veterinary services. Recent reviews describe a wide spread of real-world situations handled here—vaccinations for an anxious dog, dental work (“teeth done”) for a cat, end‑of‑life support for a dog, and emergency and surgical treatment (including surgery after a suspected swallowed object that didn’t show on X‑rays). Multiple reviewers mention staff taking time to explain options and costs, and describe strong aftercare following procedures. One recent review sharply conflicts with others, alleging poor hygiene standards in rooms and serious misconduct, while other reviewers describe the clinic as “clean” and praise the standard of care. ## Services - **Emergency care** (emergency veterinary services are listed in structured data; one review describes being seen for an emergency with a dog). - **Vaccinations** (described as handled “smoothly and gently” for a very anxious dog). - **Dentistry** (a cat going in to have “teeth done” is specifically mentioned). - **Diagnostics and surgery** (X‑rays are referenced; a cat underwent surgery after a suspected swallowed pistachio that “did not show up on the X‑rays”). - **End‑of‑life care** (a reviewer describes support for their dog’s end of life). - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in structured data). ## People - **James** (role not stated, but described as providing emergency care): one owner says he was “absolutely brilliant” in an emergency and treated their dog “like your own.” - **Ella** (role not stated, involved in decision-making around surgery): credited by a family for persisting with a suspected foreign-body case and opting for surgery when imaging didn’t show it; they also mention “excellent” aftercare afterwards. - Staff are repeatedly described as **patient with nervous pets**, including taking time to keep an anxious dog calm and giving vaccinations gently. ## Reviews **4.3 stars from 491 reviews.** The most recent written reviews available include long-term clients as well as detailed accounts of specific treatments and outcomes. **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Kind, patient handling—especially for anxious pets:** one owner describes staff actively helping their nervous dog stay calm and delivering vaccinations smoothly despite wriggling and worry. - **Support during difficult decisions and end-of-life:** one review focuses on compassion during a dog’s end of life. - **Clear explanations (including costs):** one first-time client says the vet explained everything and discussed potential costs in an accessible way. - **Complex cases and follow-through:** one reviewer describes surgery for a cat after a suspected swallowed object that didn’t appear on X‑rays, with “excellent” aftercare and a good outcome. - **Cost surprise mentioned:** one owner says dental work for their cat cost “twice as much” as expected. - **Serious negative allegation that conflicts with other accounts:** one reviewer alleges poor cleanliness (blood/fur in reception; tables not cleaned) and describes escalating a complaint including an allegation of physical assault, while other reviewers describe the clinic as clean and praise care quality.

## Summary Vets4Pets-branded practice that its website describes as *locally owned*, with a “modern and well-equipped” setup and a long list of in-house diagnostics and surgery options (including orthopaedics and oncology). Facilities and equipment listed include an in-house lab, digital X‑ray, ultrasound, operating theatre, hospital ward, and separated dog/cat wards plus isolation units. From recent reviews, owners often mention smooth online booking and acceptable waits on good days, plus supportive care over long periods (including one case involving a tail amputation and ongoing aftercare). However, a few recent 1‑star reviews describe specific problems: repeated pressure over billing (including multiple same-day calls after a pet’s ashes were collected), a confrontational phone call with the practice manager, and dissatisfaction with one vet’s manner/handling of nervous cats and a rushed consult after a long delay. ## Services Based on the clinic website summary, the practice lists: - **Species treated:** dogs, cats, rabbits - **Consults & clinics:** nurse clinic; weight clinic; nutritional advice - **Preventive care & routine services:** microchipping; prescriptions; medication - **Travel documentation:** pet passport / animal health certificate - **Diagnostics & monitoring (in-house):** biochemistry, haematology, electrolyte testing, blood pressure monitoring, ECG, echocardiography, ultrasound, digital X‑ray, endoscopy - **Hospitalisation & facilities:** hospital ward; separated dog & cat wards and isolation units; pharmacy; in-house laboratory; operating theatre - **Surgery & procedures (listed):** soft tissue surgery; orthopaedics (including cruciate surgery and fracture repair); dentistry; airway surgery; ear surgery; anaesthesia; blood transfusion - **Cancer care (listed):** chemotherapy & cancer treatment / oncology - **Other treatments (listed):** laser treatment **Out-of-hours:** the website states out-of-hours care is provided by **Vets Now Barton-le-Clay**, with *standard consultation fees starting from £324.50*. **Training:** listed in clinic data as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. ## Pricing Only pricing explicitly mentioned in the inputs: - **Out-of-hours standard consultation:** from **£324.50** (stated on the website) - **Vet consultation:** **£56** (reported by a reviewer) - **Extra charge discussed for clipping matted fur:** **£75** (reported by a reviewer, after a routine check-up) - One reviewer says they paid **“nearly £100”** for a yearly check-up and prescription (not itemised) ## People Named individuals mentioned in reviews: - **Christine (practice manager):** one reviewer describes a phone call about an unexpected outstanding balance as “confrontational and unempathetic,” and says the call was terminated. The same reviewer says the **practice owner** later intervened, acknowledged procedures hadn’t been followed, and accepted later payment (owner not named). - **Mark (vet):** one reviewer gives detailed concerns about communication and handling of anxious cats during a travel-related parasite treatment appointment (e.g., moving quickly to towels/mittens before escalation, trying a tablet route first, and only later realising spot-on treatment met the requirements). Another reviewer also describes a rushed manner during a delayed annual check-up (vet not named there, but described as possibly the head vet). - **Tina & Jessica (staff, role not specified in the review):** specifically praised by name for support and comfort during a stressful travel appointment; the reviewer attributes practical problem-solving and reassurance to the nursing team. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.5 stars from 601 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Booking and front-desk experience:** quick response to online booking; some owners say it’s easy to book/reschedule and order treatments. - **Long-term care and surgery:** one owner thanks the team for support over 17.5 years; another describes a dog’s **tail amputation** with “excellent” ongoing care and staff being understanding when the dog was frightened and soiled indoors. - **Concerns about communication and empathy around billing:** one recent review describes repeated same-day payment calls shortly after collecting a pet’s ashes, and says normal procedures were later acknowledged (after the owner intervened). - **Mixed experiences with consult quality and handling:** a couple of reviews describe long delays before being seen, a rushed appointment, and dissatisfaction with how one vet handled nervous cats and communicated about travel-related treatment requirements. - **Cost sensitivity:** one reviewer explicitly flags consultation cost (**£56**) as their “only problem,” and another objects to an additional **£75** charge discussed for clipping matted fur after a routine appointment.

## Summary Icknield Vet Group is a general veterinary practice (no corporate group affiliation is stated in the information provided). Recent reviews describe a mix of routine care and more complex work: vaccinations/boosters, diagnostics (X‑rays and other tests), dentistry, and end-of-life appointments. Decision-relevant details raised by owners include: - Euthanasia appointments: one owner said staff “made it very special” during a dog’s put-to-sleep visit. - Appointment handling: one owner reports being turned away after arriving 7 minutes late, despite saying their dog needed a review after a previous visit for a spine-related concern. - Shifts in confidence and trust: some long-term clients say the practice has “gone downhill,” citing misdiagnoses and a stronger focus on cost; others describe consistently supportive care over multiple years. ## Services Services and case types mentioned in the available information include: - Vaccinations/boosters (including discussion of changes to injections and needing a return visit 4 weeks later, per one review). - Euthanasia/end-of-life care. - Dentistry for cats (a cat dental treatment was quoted by one reviewer; the specific procedure isn’t described). - Diagnostics: - X‑rays (one owner reports an X‑ray was performed). - Multiple tests for urinary/continence issues (tests not specified). - MRI was suggested for an older dog with ongoing bed-wetting after other tests “shown nothing” (per one review). - Lump assessment and follow-up care (one owner reports a lump was misdiagnosed multiple times and later found to be cancerous, leading to emergency surgery). - Treatment for a young puppy with a cleft lip (one owner reports discussing aspiration pneumonia; they describe a dehydration shot and anti-nausea medication being given). ## Pricing Explicit prices and quotes mentioned by reviewers: - Dog booster vaccination: £63 originally agreed, then reported as increased by £20 at the appointment (reviewer also says a return visit 4 weeks later was required due to injection changes). - Cat dental treatment: £800 quoted (review does not specify exactly what treatment was included). - MRI: £4,000 mentioned as the likely cost when it was proposed (reviewer does not confirm it was performed). - X‑ray: £150 (reviewer states this was the cost “alone”). - Total charged in one visit: £230 (reviewer says they were told the cost would be “minimal,” and they were charged £230). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.3 stars from 317 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - End-of-life care is praised in one recent review for handling a euthanasia appointment in a way the owner found meaningful. - Several owners describe frustration around costs and communication about pricing or treatment changes (e.g., a booster price increase reported at the appointment; high quotes for dental work and MRI). - Some reviews raise serious concerns about clinical decision-making and outcomes (e.g., alleged misdiagnosis of a lump later found cancerous; a puppy case where the owner believed aspiration pneumonia was missed; a cat visit where euthanasia was advised but the owner later felt it wasn’t warranted). - Appointment experience is mixed: one long-term client describes years of supportive service, while another reports being cancelled/turned away for arriving late and felt the pet’s need for review was not taken seriously. - Staff manner is described very differently across reviews, ranging from “supportive, kind, friendly” to “rude staff” and feeling dismissed.