Haygate Veterinary Centre Wellington

I have read James’ review, 7th Sept 2021 and agree with him totally. My previous experience with Haygate Vets, formerly Jones and Matkin, (1990s) - was that it was likely your pet will be diagnosed with requiring a worrying surgical procedure only for a locum vet to reassess the problem, cancel the procedure and diagnose fleas. After using a stronger bath shampoo I found 15 fleas on my dog. Problem solved. Worry over. Fast forward to today. My cat Meg’s behaviour changed, took her to Haygate, diagnosed as hyperthyroidism, which I suspected from experience, and Thyronorm prescribed. One of the main side effects is itching especially on the face. Warnings say stop use of this and reassess. My cat’s behaviour changed completely, was scratching constantly with sores appearing above her eyes. I took her back for checking. While I was giving the Vet details of the changes since the medication, she stated that the scratching was mites which the vets can’t see with the naked eye. I stated that within the last 3 weeks I had administered flea/worm/lice spot on so it is more likely due to the Thyronorm. I said I thought the evidence is in the sore bald patches above my cat’s eyes. As the consultation was ending the receptionist called me over to pay. I had stayed in the waiting room. I was shocked at the £87 bill. When the vet came through she held out a bag with one pipette of spot on, a 15gm tube of steroid cream for dogs and 14 painkiller tabs. She didn’t show me them. She said she hadn’t been able to do this and that to Meg which included looking in her ears for signs of lice. I check my cat using a small torch and can see right into her ears. I knew already they were clear. It was outrageous. The vet didn’t seem concerned that she appeared lacking in her assessment. Missing the obvious. Twice I asked her if she considered the problem to be a side effect of the Thyronorm and twice she said she didn’t. All of this was done in the middle of the waiting room in full hearing of those present. I had Meg booked in for further treatment which I have cancelled. There is the check up on the Thyronorm to be done and I asked that they make sure her recent visit is detailed in her records so that it can be reviewed in accordance with expectations so that the suitability of Thyronorm can be closely reviewed. I have printed out a document which gives very clear advice and details on Thyronorm. I did wonder about the experience of the vet and whether she was fully qualified. I agree with James. They are interested in the money only. It is clearly so. Before I went with Meg I read up on Thyronorm and it’s constituents and have checked everything online. As a client, if I don’t do this I’m not protecting my cat. I have been stupid thinking I could go back there this many years later. But the business has to be careful. Back then - early 1990s - we didn’t have the internet. We had to believe them. Not now. Unfortunately I can only assume that COVID restrictions have played into their hands and it’s to their advantage to keep clients out of the consulting rooms. I know vets in Telford who do things differently and respect clients. Read Less

I'm sorry to be negative about this vets but my experience has been consistently bad. Firstly due to Covid your not allowed in the room with your pet anymore. However, other vets now allow it and i think such restrictive Covid rules such as this can be relaxed now. A continuation of this is that they will then administer things such as pain relief or anti sickness without first consulting you. Now I would almost certainly not stop it but i certainly want to be told what is being put into my dog before it happens. Misdiagnosis, i took my dog to Haygate with what is fully believed was an abscess caused from a tooth problem. His lip was swollen, he had a temp, the swollen area was a red hot. To me it was clearly an abscess. I was told it was a bee sting. He was given anti allergy meds and pain relief.... £80. Naturally the day after his condition worsened, i took him back and said are you sure tis not an abscess, i was told again, no it s a bee sting. some more needless drugs later and another £80 I'm back at home with him again. Finally he starts pouring with blood from his nose and we take him back and finally a vet treats it as a abscess, we discover he has a infected tooth. next bill approx. £700. My problem with haygate here is this, if I, untrained in the world of Veterinary medicine can diagnose my dogs abscess within a matter of seconds yet the many years trained vets cannot, there is a big problem regarding quality here, and thats ignoring I wasted approx £160 on drugs which had absolutely no use whatsoever it seems as it was not a bee sting. Absolutely no use other than to increase their profits of course. Now cycle forward three weeks to a new condition he has developed, he starts staggering and sickness. Again I take him in, again I tell them i think its to do with his inner ear and vestibular. I am told it probably a stomach upset, here are some pain relief, another £80 please. Anyway, i have had enough of Haygate at this point, I know they are wrong again, i take him to a independent vets and lo and behold the diagnosis in inner ear and vestibular problems. So all i can conclude form all this is Haygate have a policy of drug the animal up in the first instance regardless of the root cause and milk the client through needless bills. I feel like a cash cow with this lot. The new vets i took him, and independent vets in Shifnal, where completely different, the vet had lots of experience, she took the time to go through everything with me, full examined the dog, and most of all i was allowed in with him which allowed for a full and comprehensive examination. Correct diagnosis leading to correct treatment and no unnecessary bills for drugs of no use. And to point out the independent vet was half the price of haygate. Needles to say I will not be going back. Read Less

I have a black labrador lola who is very anxious and very scared of noises I was at my wits end and thought I've got to find help for her.i contacted haygate vets and spoke to liz who reassured me that there were things that can help with lola and was very kind and understanding about my concerns.liz took the time to speak with the vet Sarah to see which would suit Lola's need and gave me a call back to say Sarah had done a prescription for lola.on arrival to collect the prescription I spoke to liz who was really helpful and I also saw the vet sarah who again was lovely and understood how concerned I was with lola and found the time to give me advice in helping Lola's condition which I thought was very good of her. All in all I cound not of asked for any better service anywhere fantastic caring people.I now have a more relaxed and calmer lola thanks to these guys thank you so much Read Less