Specialist Vets in Lisburn

## Summary Companion Care (Lisburn) Ltd trades as **Vets4Pets** and is described on its website as a **locally owned practice** set up in **2012** by **Barry and Christina Palmer**. The clinic presents itself as equipped for both routine care and more complex work, with on-site imaging and a hospital ward/isolation unit, and it states it uses **“no fear handling”** to reduce stress during visits. In recent reviews, owners repeatedly mention **prompt decision-making in urgent cases**, **regular updates while a dog was hospitalised**, and **cost-conscious discussions** (including an example where a Sunday allergic-reaction visit totalled **£86** for an injection and swelling treatment, compared with a separate emergency quote of **£380** elsewhere). ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned on the clinic website include: - **Orthopaedic surgery** (listed as a specialty), including **cruciate surgery** and **fracture repair** - **Soft tissue surgery** and **airway surgery** - **Endoscopy** and **arthroscopy** - **Dentistry** - **Ear surgery** - Diagnostics and monitoring: **digital X-ray**, **ultrasound**, **ECG**, **blood pressure monitoring** - **In-house laboratory** work including **haematology** and **biochemistry** - **Blood transfusions** - **Chemotherapy & cancer treatment** - Preventive/routine care: **microchipping**, **nurse consultations**, **weight clinic**, **prescriptions/medication** - Facilities: **operating theatre**, **hospital ward**, **isolation unit** Species listed on the website: **dogs, cats, rabbits**. Emergency/out-of-hours (as stated on the website): - Emergency cover is provided through **Vets Now Belfast** when the clinic is closed. ## Pricing - A reviewer reports paying **£86** on a Sunday visit for an **antibiotic injection** and treatment “for the swelling” for an allergic reaction, and says they were advised to buy **Piriton** for the following days. ## People - **Barry Palmer** (named on the website as a founder; appears in reviews as a vet): reviewers describe compassionate care for cats and note he works around challenging behaviour (one owner mentions their French bulldog can be “temperamental around unfamiliar faces” and that Barry handled this well). - **Christina Palmer** (named on the website as a founder). - **Becky** (vet, per reviews): credited with **prompt decisions/diagnosis** in a life-threatening situation and with giving **frequent updates** while a dog was in the clinic’s care; one owner also notes she considered **costs** when discussing treatment. - **Anna** (role not specified in reviews): repeatedly described as **calm** and **good at explaining options/next steps** in a way that keeps owners “on the same page.” ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 311 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Urgent care and fast action:** owners describe prompt treatment and quick decisions/diagnosis, including a report of a dog’s life being saved. - **Communication during in-clinic care:** one owner highlights **frequent updates** while their dog was being treated, which reduced worry at home. - **Cost transparency / avoiding unnecessary spend:** multiple reviews contrast this clinic with others they felt were money-driven; one reviewer gives a specific cost example for a Sunday allergic-reaction visit (**£86**) and describes it as “no nonsense.” - **Handling nervous or difficult pets:** an owner notes staff remembered their dog’s temperament and worked around it. - **Named staff repeatedly praised:** Barry, Becky, and Anna are each singled out for how they treat pets and explain decisions.

## Summary Lisburn Veterinary Clinic describes itself as a long-established **independent** practice (serving pets since **1942**) with a team of **12 veterinary surgeons** supported by veterinary nurses. Based on the website, it’s set up for a wide range of medical and surgical cases, including **orthopaedics**, **internal medicine**, **soft tissue surgery**, and **anaesthesia**. From the latest reviews available to us, owners most often mention being able to get a **quick appointment** when a pet was unwell, and feeling supported through **end-of-life care** (one review describes help over an **18‑month** period for a dog with cancer). Several reviews also mention staff taking time to **answer questions**. ## Services - **Orthopaedics** (listed on the clinic website) - **Soft tissue surgery** (listed on the clinic website) - **Anaesthesia** (listed on the clinic website) - **Internal medicine** (listed on the clinic website) - **Out-of-hours emergency care**: outside normal working hours, the clinic states it works with **MiNightVet**, an out-of-hours service providing emergency treatment at their clinic. - General veterinary care is implied in reviews, including care for a dog that was “unwell,” and longer-term management described for a dog with **cancer**. ## People - The website states the clinic has **12 fully qualified veterinary surgeons**, supported by **veterinary nurses**. - Reviews frequently describe the whole team (including front-desk staff and vets) as **helpful** and **friendly**, with one owner noting staff “always help you with any questions you may have about your pet.” - One review highlights staff support during a difficult period, describing the team as “excellent over the last **18 months**” while a dog was dealing with cancer and during saying goodbye. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 199 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Fast access when needed:** one owner reports getting a **quick appointment** when their dog became unwell. - **Support during serious illness and end-of-life:** one owner describes care over **18 months** for a dog with cancer and support when they had to say goodbye. - **Communication and approachability:** owners mention staff answering questions and being helpful throughout visits. - **Cost comments are limited:** one owner describes the visit as “very reasonably priced,” but no specific prices are given.

## Summary Advance Veterinary Care describes itself as an **independent, modern veterinary practice**. The website indicates it treats a wide range of species (including **dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds, and other exotic/small pets**) and offers structured options like a **Pet Health Plan** and **nurse-led clinics**. From the latest reviews available, owners most often mention: - **Surgery with follow-up care**, including a cat with a **fractured leg that needed surgery**, with the clinic described as supportive throughout and “very reasonable” for the amount of work involved. - **End-of-life care**, with one owner describing being given **time to say goodbye** and that their pet was treated with dignity. - **Practical handling of nervous pets**, including a case where the vet **came out to the car** so a nervous dog didn’t have to wait inside. - A recurring downside from one long-term client: **appointments can run late**, and even drop-offs may involve waiting. ## Services Based on the website summary and reviews, the practice is associated with: - **Care for multiple species:** birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, and other “exotic”/small pets (as listed on the website). - **Surgery:** mentioned in reviews (e.g., **surgical treatment for a cat’s fractured leg**, plus follow-up care). - **Dental care:** mentioned in reviews for older dogs “**needing dentals**.” - **Nurse clinics:** the website states “qualified nurses offer a number of clinics.” - **Pet Health Plan:** the website references a plan intended to help keep pets “fit & healthy” (no inclusions or pricing stated). - **Pet health information topics** on the website include parasites, ticks/fleas, pet passports, nutrition, behaviour, digestive health, urinary/kidney health, and bone/muscle/joint disease (presented as site resources rather than confirmed in-clinic services). Also noted in the provided clinic data: **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. ## People Named team members mentioned in the latest reviews: - **Jeff/Geoff** (vet; name appears both ways in reviews): credited with managing a **cat’s fractured leg surgery** and follow-up care, with the owner highlighting support through the process. - **Karen** (vet): mentioned in an **end-of-life case** where the owner felt they were given time and their pet was treated with dignity; also mentioned by another owner as one of the vets who saw their nervous dog. - **Janette** (role not specified in the review): described as **friendly, informative and kind**; associated with a case involving a nervous dog where accommodations were made (waiting in the car and being seen outside). - **Colm** (role not specified in the review): thanked alongside Geoff as part of the team caring for multiple dogs, including older dogs needing dentals. ## Reviews **4.9 stars from 345 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Treatment outcomes and continuity of care:** surgery and **follow-up care** are specifically mentioned (fractured leg repair in a cat). - **Communication and time given:** owners mention having questions answered (including **after the visit by phone**) and being given time in difficult situations (end-of-life goodbye). - **Handling anxious pets:** one owner describes staying in the car with a nervous dog and the **vet coming outside** to see them. - **Negative theme noted by a long-term client:** **timekeeping/waiting**, including waits even for drop-off; one reviewer also says the practice has become **“very pricey,”** while acknowledging this may reflect wider vet pricing.