Downland Veterinary Group Avaliações 62

I personally could not fault my experience with Downland Veterinary Group in Hailsham and I believe that TrustPilot should be used as a platform for positive experiences as well as a means to show displeasure with a company.

My 19 year old little girl, Mitzi, had been with this particular branch for just over 3 years and I can't fault them in any way. Is it expensive, sure, but as are all vets and at least I knew she was getting the best care I could pay for.
I always had the same Veterinary Surgeon (Victor) who always offered advice, was never pushy and you can tell has a genuine love for both his job and for the animals that come in to the practice. It was clear he wanted what was best for Mitzi and the support and advice on how to try and help her recover, no matter the end result, was really appreciated.
He was incredibly respectful and compassionate when we had to let our Mitzi go, words cannot describe how much that meant to both myself and my wife. A particular thank you to Laura, who held her and whispered to her to keep her calm as she was put under anesthesia - she was deaf so couldn't hear you but we really appreciated the effort and I'm sure she would have done too.
Despite how hard the few months leading up to letting her go was, it was a relief to know that despite everything she was well looked after and everyone did their best for her.

No good vet can function without their reception team either. Thank you to Kim and Amelia for helping us arrange our constant appointments in the last few months and arranging all of Mitzi's pharmacy worth of medication.

No "branch" is perfect, but I'd definitely trust the people here again with the safety and care of my pets.

Thank you.
Kirk & Orlagh.

Had my cat on the pet plan never once received his flea or worm treatment, have been paying £20 a month for 2 years and have had nothing from them at all, called to cancel as ive paid over £500 for nothing!! Only to be told I have to pay a £60 cancellation fee which was not in the terms when I started nor had I been contacted to be told this had changed, but when I complained they're now happy to cancel it and not charge the cancellation fee but why would they when they have already robbed over £500 from me!!!! Will be taking this further as it is an actual disgrace, will never take my animals to them ever again beyond dissapointed! have been a loyal customer since I was a little girl so has my family were not anymore!!

I've ben with Downland Veterinary Group for well over 30 years ... but I am now seriously disappointed and saddened by their lack of empathy re my cat .. 2 weeks short of 17 years old. I took her to the vet for blood tests and a scan. The blood tests showed something was so not right. The Scan inconclusive. The vet said he thought there was a mass somewhere but hard to tell where. Having prescribed pain killers and antibiotics I was unable to administer as she was so distressed and obviously in horrible pain. He wanted me to take her in to go on a drip and have more in depth scans. Since she had never ever been away from home and hated the car, why on earth at her age and in such stress would I put her through that? So I gave her the last gift we can give our loved pets and called in a vet to give her Final Rest. Animal Friends would not pay for the euthanasia because the Vet had wanted to do further investigation. I am not only missing my lovely girl who I had nearly 17 years with but am very sad that Animal Friends and Downlands have a lack of empathy / sympathy. Since they are specifically a Pet insurance company & small pet Vets I would have thought that they would have

We have moved our pet from here as I felt the aftercare after a small op was woefully lacking. They are lovely people, the reception staff are lovely as are the vets but they are way too busy and don’t seem to have the staff. You are always kept waiting for an appointment and they seem to just keep taking on more and more consequently the care declines in my opinion . They are being driven to be all about targets and money and performance and they have lost the individual care. We have moved to an independent vet who is so much better

Awful! Booked an appointment for a vaccination for my dog, I’ve been told that the booking has been made. When I came to the appointment, I’ve been told by the lady at the reception that we had no booking but she would talk to the vet. After 10 minutes, another client came, same situation, she couldn’t find their appointment. She then decided to prioritise the client that came afterwards, saying that she is sorry for us but we have to come another time, even if the other client had no emergency. That’s not the way you should treat new clients.

had an appointment and nobody else in waiting room,3 different animals came out and l still had to wait 20 mins after my appointed time

Once again, this company creates a need where it is unnecessary for deflea drops. Over £150 for 2 cats to recieve deflea drops as they 'require a flea check' . This is an absolute scam that places owners in a difficult position.

I cannot fully express how truly exceptional the veterinary clinicians were during one of the most heartbreaking moments of our lives. When our beloved 16-year-old dog suffered a sudden cardiovascular emergency and ultimately had to be euthanized, the entire team demonstrated a level of professionalism, empathy, and compassion that went far beyond our expectations.

From the moment we arrived, every staff member treated both our dog and us with the utmost care and sensitivity. They were incredibly patient and supportive, guiding us through an unbearable situation with kindness and respect. As devastated owners, we were met with genuine compassion at every step — they never rushed us, always made space for our emotions, and treated our dog with dignity and love until the very end.

In such a painful and vulnerable time, their warmth and dedication meant everything to us. We are deeply grateful for the care, comfort, and understanding they provided. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for everything you did for our dog and for us in our time of need.

Caused injury to kitten by aggressive examination. Failed to diagnose osteoporosis (weak bones) caused by diet. Long drawn out suffering that could have been prevented. Turns out raw meat doesn’t provide enough calcium. Every vet should know that & advise on diet. Generally unsatisfactory with poor attitudes all round. They had to be reminded to file the insurance claim.

After a series of consultations feeling we have just been seen as another few hundred pounds to be grabbed each time.

While individual vets may be OK, the company, it's conduct, and the attitude of many staff are beneath contempt.
2.2 is the lowest rating I have seen on Trustpilot and frankly that seems far to generous.
Their constant attempts at upselling unnecessary services should be criminalised.
I only paid their extortionate bill because I don't need the hassle of blackmail and intimidating messages. CHOOSE ANY OTHER VET.

Last July 2024 my 3 year old Siamese Orla was receiving a health check and vaccinations. She was pronounced fit and healthy with the exception of juvenile gingivitis for which the vet recommended dental extraction of two or three teeth on the right side or her mouth. A week later a different vet at the practice carried out the dental extraction. Early the following morning she was totally blind. I took her straight down to the surgery and the operating vet said I've carried out hundreds of these procedures and nothing like this has happened. I was told to leave her there whilst he consulted a colleague.
I went back with a friend and was told to take her to Optivet in Havant which specialises in eye problems .
Over a period of the next two months my beloved Orla was put through various treatments including her right eye being extracted due to infection which came from the dental procedure.

Unfortunately despite the best efforts of Optivet, the infection had continued into her body causing peritonitis and sepsis and subsequent death. Downland paid all Optivet's substantial fees as a gesture of "goodwill" but refused to accept liability and refund me the cost of the operation which caused the problems at the outset. I received no apology just aggression from their insurers
I changed vets following this nightmare for my other cat

If I had trillions I would shut this whole sorry practice down, take those "torturing"vets into account for instance goggle eyed man who purely tortured my precious girl... I now understand her psychological issues and permanent neurological damage.... my gorgeous girl....I am so sorry they did this to you. They will "suck you in" with their so called prestigious premises ie "the goffs"...These vets need to permanently "go". Please save our gorgeous holistic vets "Etienne"for instance, discipline those that worked there and who supported this practice....vile! "strike" them off the veterinary register for good... never to perform any sort of medicine to dear creatures or subject our species to their unkindness, hound them to the ends of the earth...need I go on? Would I recommend? That is a "HELL NO" When I picked up discrepancies, they would "ban" me.... yes twice! I put in a formal complaint and then when they looked into it and paid me a "nominal sum" hoping they would "shut me up" and that I would go away.....not me, with the elephant memory and I will never forgive "Bolzi" being run over at only a year old because he was never neutered, when my beautiful sister was going to "take him on"....you know who you are and if my Mikka is in anyway hurt....you had better return her to me stat! Mikka was from a disgusting breeder who "collected torties" as you know they are quite unique... when I showed her my beautiful show breed "oh I want one of them"....the hell you will! I believe she was the one who dumped ragdolls in the woods! they advertise so beautifully behind the husband, she has two small daughters....does not even deserve those! A poor dog called Sisage... the catio is a small window box where the cats overheat due to exhaustion, lack of water etc and their utility room I believe is stacked with breeding poor babies. Mikka was not the one I had picked... I already had a dear little girl.....thank you Kelly for "taking her on" do you think I was going to let Mikka die? I spent thousands on getting my dear babies well as Mikka infected them....giardia, coronovirus to name a few. Mocha was never bred from as in my eyes "not to breed standard"...I will stop there Sa..y and Wi...y let me just say "Cat Houses" come to mind! Do not associate with those sort of people! no wonder the head is hidden in shame from me in my WA!!! Yavla va helvata!!! Fi fan yavla gris! Fongula them! Disgusting!!!

I was convinced that being a member of the Pet Plan would be in both my own and dogs advantage, so having paid a monthly charge of £42 for several years amounting to many hundreds if not thousands of pounds over the time, I have moved home to a new county and on closing the pet plan membership I am now being threatened to pay £192 within 7 days or further charges will apply. The Pet Plan is nothing more than a scam and I highly suggest that when reading this message you also cancel should you be a member.

Sadly I had my beloved dog put to sleep 5 weeks ago. Downlands have been awful since, nearly 2 weeks later I received my invoice this was on the Tuesday, I wasn’t coping well at this time as my Luna’s birthday was due on the Saturday, on the Saturday her birthday I had another letter from there debt department chasing me! No card which apparently they send but for some reason I and my dog were not worthy of a card my dog was clearly not an important factor. I made a compliant to which I received a pretty standard reply still no card arrived which you thought may have prompted that.

Awful service no compassion what so ever, more worried about £227.50!!! Over my dogs life and the grief I was experiencing at the time.

My advice avoid at all costs

The staff were amazing with us after we had a very poorly cat that unfortunately didn’t make it. Everyone at the Bognor branch did everything they could to help and support us.

The Denmead branch told me there is a new regulation to give only 3 days worth of antibiotics, I believe this to be a con so your pet does not get better and you are forced into going back for expensive testing. We have moved to Animed and they have been brilliant, more reasonably priced too, and we were prescribed 10 days of anti-biotics for our precious boy as he needed them. Do not trust Downland!

never ever go to this vet i went there with my puppy kept overnight my puppy was very ill and it had passed they then done cpr to make the puppy alive again so they could keep her longer and get money they done this behind my back never told me anything until i went to another vet and they told me what they done i never signed anything! all they want is your money they do not care about the animals being taken into them and the women there was so so rude telling me how its my fault because i came to the vet to early talking to me like a child then when i picked up my puppy what was apparently doing okay turned out to be half passed away when i collected then charged me stupid amount so rude dont ever go there so angry how these have got away with thisa lso the people in the waiting room also saying they put in a bad complaint aswell please don’t go here for your animals sake

We took our cat lucky for her 6 months check up,at Chichester,
nails clipped,flea and worm treatment, Katy the Nurse was excellent, very helpful with advice for Lucky, couldn't have asked for better care.also very lovely receptionist, we were well looked after.👍

AVOID AT ALL COSTS

From 2022

I had to have both of my pugs euthanised as a result of visiting the Portsmouth branch.

Only want money. Rough examinations. False information. Cold sarcastic staff.

If you cherish your pet please, AVOID AT ALL COSTS.