Ashfield Veterinary Surgery - Durham

Negative experience: Went here for years when it was privately owned and was great Ashfield group bought them out and rapidly went down hill with service and prices went massively uphill!! Prices are a joke, changed over £1200 for a basic surgery . Have since left and gone elsewhere, my dog needed the same surgery (a small lump on a nipple removing) bill , you guessed £347 ( privately owned vet like it used to be) !!! Ashfield is now a big group and you are paying for directors bonuses and a big flash office suite somewhere. Do yourself a favour and find a privately owned vet, seriously service will be better and prices will be less than half! Regards a dog owner for 45 years!

Negative experience: We lost our dog 6 weeks ago st this vets was asked if we would like a paw print and some fur from him we said yes NOW. 6 weeks later nothing has been delivered I've phone umpteen times each time to be told that it was posted we have nothing of our beloved dog for our memory of him was going to get some jewellery made with his hair now that's out the window I've spoken to them this morning and told them I will never attending this practice again

Fantastic experience: Lynn and the team are amazing, nothing is ever too much for them and they always have a smile and a story. Ask them to make animal noises if you ever need cheering up. The best vets EVER!

Negative experience: We trusted Ashfield Vets with our cat’s care, but that trust was misplaced. Over the weekend, we lost her due to what we believe was negligence. On Saturday, we took her in as an emergency—she was hypothermic and hadn’t eaten for four days. The vet refused to do blood tests or an X-ray, saying they were closing in two hours. Instead, she was sent home with laxatives and an anti-nausea injection. Not once did he suggest she needed urgent treatment. By Sunday, she had deteriorated so badly that we had no choice but to put her to sleep. She suffered immensely. Had they done an X-ray, they may have found an obstruction and saved her—or at least given her proper pain relief. We are heartbroken and moving all our pets elsewhere. Please be cautious—your pet’s life may depend on it.

Negative experience: Warning to Pet Owners – Our Heartbreaking Experience with Ashfield Vets, Annfield Plain I am sharing this to prevent other pet owners from experiencing the pain and loss we have endured. Over the weekend, we tragically lost our beloved cat due to what we believe was negligence at Ashfield Vets in Annfield Plain. We trusted this practice and the vet completely, which is why we didn’t question his opinion or treatment choices at the time. Not once did he suggest that our cat needed urgent intervention or that her condition was critical. On Saturday morning, we took her in for an emergency visit as she had become hypothermic and had not eaten for four days. Despite this, the vet refused to perform blood tests or an X-ray, stating that they were closing in two hours and didn’t have time. Instead, she was sent home with laxatives and an anti-nausea injection. The vet in question was young, unsympathetic, and dismissive of the severity of her condition. By Sunday, her condition had deteriorated so rapidly that the only option left was to put her to sleep. She suffered immensely in her final hours. I firmly believe that had they conducted an X-ray, they could have identified a possible obstruction. Emergency surgery might have saved her life—or at the very least, she could have been given proper pain relief to prevent a slow, agonizing death. We are devastated and heartbroken by this experience, and we will be moving all our pets away from this practice immediately. I urge other pet owners to be cautious when choosing a vet, as the level of care and urgency an animal receives can mean the difference between life and death. she was only 5y old. RIP little one.

Fantastic experience: Lovely vets, everyone is so lovely and shares some fantastic advice. Vet performed a miracle doing my little pugs nails( and we all know what that's like) My princess will Definitely be a regular. Xxx

Fantastic experience: Had an emergency appointment although nearly closed. They saw us and treat our very poorly boy with an appointment to go back at 9am the next day. From walking in and being very upset to sadly not bringing our boy home, Clair on reception and vet Claire were fantastic. Great friendly service and Thankyou for.making a difficult time a little easier.

Fantastic experience: Have used ashfields for over 35 yrs and I’ve always had the best care for all my pets I’ve taken over many years wonderful staff all round they really care the vets and nurses are amazing and the reception team are first class nothing is a bother to them the prices are very reasonable and they deal with any insurer you have thank you ashfields

Negative experience: Almost killed our cat. No response to email complaining. Missed a serious and obvious medical emergency diagnosed in seconds by another local vet.

Fantastic experience: All the staff at Ashfield Vets are amazing - so caring and empathetic. They always do right by the owner and their pets. I’ve been going there with all my animals for years and wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Negative experience: Have taken all my dogs to the Lanchester vets for years. Waiting room was small but vets and staff very good. Been to new vet premises 4 times and each time the waiting room was empty but we still had to wait over 30 mins to be seen. Last visit resulted in us walking out after a 45 min wait although the waiting room was again empty. Won't be back .

Negative experience: Have used these vets since my dog was a puppy. He is 11 now. Used to go to Lanchester. Not anymore took him to be examined as thought he had a problem with his throat. Vet didn't even check inside his mouth never mind look at his throat. He didn't seem interested no diagnosis only prescribed medication and said if he was no better to take him back. Vet looked as if he didn't want to be there as it was Saturday. Receptionist was very helpful and told me kennel cough was going around, which was more helpful than the Vet. Will not be going back after all these years. Bring back the retired Vets.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful . They are a very caring and thoughtful practice .

Negative experience: Moved from Ashfield after 8 years - will never go back. Last straw was having to chase pain relief medication on a daily basis following a lazy diagnosis for a skin condition on our dog and was still unable to get a Vet (usually a Temp) to take 5 minutes to write a script for paracetamol. Left our dog in immense pain and with a skin condition that ran out of control, which eventually cost in the region of £3K to treat. This experience let us as a family stressed and upset, as we had no way of helping him. In addition, it needs to be mentioned, due to the pain he stopped eating. We rang in to get advice, and were left receiving veterinary guidance from the receptionist, who has no background in veterinary science; advising we starve him until he eats. No direct contact with the vet, which we found shocking considering how complicated a case our dog was. The customer service is poor. Our pet also suffers from anxiety (so no fault of his own). I was often having to bite my lip, with the receptionist, who would often make snide remarks about his behaviour. I'd taken him in regularly over the 8 years and not once did he act aggressively to a member of staff during these visits, even though he was petrified each time he went. The level of care and attention compared to what we see now with our new vets, is like night and day. Our new vets inspect him, know is full history and over the past 6 weeks, we have had regular calls each week with either vet who've shown a real commitment to helping him heal, both with the skin condition and his IMHA. In the first appointment, two nurses took 40 minutes to clean his wounds, which spread across his back and we got pain relief medication on the day to make him more comfortable. Ashfield is over subscribed, under resourced - meaning you will not get the consistent care and attention needed to treat your pet if anything is serious. This is a commercial enterprise first, a place to care for your beloved pets second. I would never recommend this practice to anyone.

Fantastic experience: Fabulous friendly vets.

Negative experience: Very incompetent vets have no clue what they are doing and DO NOT care about the welfare off your pet only the money they charge you!!! 3 visits to be shoved out the door every time saying nothing wrong. Went to another vets and got told it’s a joke he has been left and the cut he has was a breeding ground for bacteria and has now sadly passed due to no care from this vets! DO NOT USE THIS VETS

Fantastic experience: This is a very friendly and helpful vets. They certainly saved our furry friend in a time of crisis. Would reccomend to anyone!!

Fantastic experience: Lovely staff, good facilities

Fantastic experience: Saved my beautiful dog who had ingested some drug laden toxic substance and was extremely poorly. I took him in as an emergency and was seen immediately and on a drip in minutes. All the team were fantastic, professional, calm, caring and reassuring. Thankyou Ashfield xx

Fantastic experience: The best vets in the area.

Fantastic experience: First class vets

Fantastic experience: I made a final visit to the vet with my much loved dog Benson 17yrs old he was ready for his final journey xx The Vet Claire was very comforting and talked me through the procedure about what she was giving him and how he may react but no distress would be felt by Benson He passed peacefully I can't thank the staff enough for their kindness xx

Fantastic experience: Great friendly staff who have always got time gor you

Positive experience: Good parking, clean spacious and well organised building. Vet was pleasant and knowledgeable. Quite pricy but this seems to be the normal for vetinary practice's these days.

Fantastic experience: Excellent team of staff, I thank you all loads for your help on what was the hardest day in my life ❤️

Negative experience: Booked my dog in to get her nails cut but due to incompetence they couldn't. So they advised to dope her up so they just to cut her nails and gave me some tablets. After getting home i felt rather uncomfortable doping my dog just to cut her nails so i cancelled the appointment. I took my dog to pets at home to see if they could do this simple task and hey ho a teenager with no veterinary qualifications had no bother at all.... Few weeks later i have a bill i was not told about at the time for drugs i didn't need or want. Very unprofessional service. Going to cancel my pet plan and go to pets at home from now for open and HONEST service.

Fantastic experience: Always been great with me and my pets for years. Offer the healthy pet club option which is great value.

Fantastic experience: Very professional service, kind and caring too. Aytekin Gursoy is a superb veterinarian. The new practice is very warm and spacious inside. Veterinary care, from diagnosis, treatment and prognosis is top notch too. Separate waitiareas for cats & Dogs too.

Fantastic experience: Very friendly and lovely place and staff are so caring and loving towards the animals ❤️

Fantastic experience: We're quick efficient and absolutely lovely

Fantastic experience: First time visiting with our fur babies, friendly staff, excellent service and reasonable prices

Fantastic experience: Aww, the staff are fantastic, all friendly, professional and happy.... they always make a fuss of our baby boy Bear he is 5mth old Rottweiler, and he loves the attention.... Excellent Service

Fantastic experience: Fab vets with lovely staff!

Fantastic experience: Amazing service, very thoughtful and helpful in a troubling time. Thank you

Fantastic experience: All good

Fantastic experience: Friendly and competent staff

Fantastic experience: Great staff and vet.

Fantastic experience: Staff all very very supportive especially our last visit also helpful and friendly

Fantastic experience: Vet Catherine is great, Cassie is so relaxed with her. Lovely chat with the reception staff, I have used these vets for 50years and felt i connected with them all on our last visit in the new premises. They were always behind a screen wall in the old building. Cassie was not as stressed as she used to be in the old building.

Fantastic experience: I have been with Ashfield for many years. Staff are so lovely with my border collie Tucker, who can be very anxious. Staff are so calm and patient with him. I would recommend Ashfield to anyone looking for a great practice.

Fantastic experience: Today was my first time in the new premises. The building,staff and care of my cat deserves 5 stars. Very calming environment and all the staff are lovely. Thank you for taking such good care of my cat and fitting her in for an emergency appointment.

Negative experience: Nice friendly staff, good with the animals. We've been going for over 20 years. Since a new company has been taken over the service is not as good as it was. The new building is stark, sterile and the staff seemed very distant occupied.

Negative experience: Used to be a good caring practice when owned by Alistair, however now it's all money orientated and the care of our furbabies comes in second! Not good at all!!!

Fantastic experience: Can't thank them enough they were brilliant and very helpful..Thank you.

Negative experience: When I started taken my pooches here they were brilliant & found them very reasonable in price But not anymore my dogs pills have gone from £19.00 to £25.00 in less than a year Could this be because of new premises ? I wonder, & my dog has to be seen every 3 month & went to pick her pills up & would only give her 3 pills untill she was seen via vet so then you add consultation fee aswell as price of pill’s & it’s over £50.00 ‍♀️

Fantastic experience: We've used Ashfield Vets for our dog, Kira, and they've always been absolutely brilliant. Well priced too compared to other local vets. Would always recommend them. Really friendly reception is always received, even during covid when we had to wait in the car park! I've taken the odd deceased cat here over the years too that clients have alerted me to re going to scan for a microchip; they've always handled them with dignity and do their best to alert their owners where possible.

Fantastic experience: Great service and excellent customer support

Negative experience: Not a very good experience vet not interested in my pet when I wasn't taking up expensive treatment that I felt unnecessary very rude

Fantastic experience: Love this place, highly recomended

Fantastic experience: Lovely friendly experience with my pup

Positive experience: Friendly staff, seen quickly but expensive, a yearly canine checkup with vaccination gone up from £35 last year to £60 this week!

Fantastic experience: Excellent, friendly staff who really care about your pet. Would recommend.

Fantastic experience: I have used these vets for many many years. I find them very helpful if I have a query or concern. The girls on the phone are lovely & friendly & when I’ve been in for appointments the vets themselves are also friendly & helpful

Negative experience: We have used this vets for many many years and my husbands family also used it for a long time but since it has been took over the professionalism and care from some of the staff has dramatically changed. They don't seem to care about the pet . Have had a few times where I have questioned what they have done and what you have been charged for . I'm sad to say this but I won't be taking my dog back which is a shame but trust has definitely gone

Positive experience: Have looked after my epi rescue dog 5 yrs.reception and nursing staff are amazing

Fantastic experience: Ashfield Vets have always been amazing with us. Reasonable price but excellent care.

Negative experience: This vet came highly recommended to me as I needed a second opinion, which I believed to be in the best interests of our dog. I rang to ask if if it was possible to make an appointment and was interrupted and told they don't do cruciate treatment I responded that it wasn't for cruciate treatment it was arthritis but she didn't let me finish my introduction. At that point I politely informed her I had made a mistake calling and I would try another vet. They may not need extra work but to try and 'get rid' of an enquiry before the caller has been allowed to explain their reason for calling is very rude.

Positive experience: All the staff love all the animals

Fantastic experience: My dog Wincey went in today to get neutered, bearing in mind she is a very nervous and timid dog, The vets were all made aware of this, they said they would cover her cage to settle her, I was so worried about her all morning, I got the call to pick her up, she had been so well cared for , she showed no signs of distress , she even made a little friend , highly recommend this vets, all staff are amazing and no hidden costs , very caring , Thank you for caring and taking care Wincey .

Fantastic experience: Only just started using this vets on a recommendation. So far so good, very lovely and friendly staff.

Fantastic experience: My local ish vet always had brilliant service nice staff very helpful. Had an emergency with my dog seen her straight away.

Fantastic experience: The whole staff & vets are brilliant I have My rabbit & 2 budgies registered there and have all been treated amazingly! Couldn't ask for better care for my pets!

Fantastic experience: I recently had to make the difficult decision to say goodbye to my fur baby best friend, the vets and other staff made sure this was a calm environment for my girl and supported me throughout the process. I really felt they cared. If I decide to get another dog I will definitely use this practice x

Fantastic experience: Excellent care given to my King Charles Spaniel over the last few days. Good communication, quickly arranged surgery and follow up. Very professional and caring. Thank you team!

Fantastic experience: We're there when I needed there help. When my cat needed medication.

Positive experience: Friendly, pleasant service

Positive experience: Mrs Murphy took the Bobby the cat . He is up and well,treatment went well. But I think veterinary bills have gone through the roof, with prices as high as there are and pet insurance with to meny terms and conditions. I think animal welfare could be at risk as some people. may not be able to afford the prices. And that's normal working people.I Can't fault the care

Fantastic experience: A great experience and the best care for your pets!

Positive experience: Great service great freindly staff

Fantastic experience: As always very helpful. Got sophie in immediately after she cut her back.

Negative experience: Too far up their own arses.

Fantastic experience: Good vets always looked after.

Negative experience: Since being took over the prices are just horrendous, £350 for 4 stitches, we loved going to this place, lovely people and affordable, not anymore, we are now struggling on where else to go

Positive experience: Very good with situation how it is my dog gets very stressed when he goes but think he was better me not been able to go in with him

Fantastic experience: Very good they saved one of my dogs after she was run over by a car can't thank them enough. changed owners few moths ago not the same prices have shot up

Fantastic experience: A real Veterinary surgery that cares more about your pet than taking £ off you. Highly recommend

Fantastic experience: Staff are very good, pleasant, helpful and friendly. Thank you.

Fantastic experience: Very friendly will always trust them with our Skye

Fantastic experience: iv been using this vets 30 years + iv never had an issue in all this time they are lovely staff and reasonable prices.

Fantastic experience: Very quick and professional in spite of covid rules. Staff always very pleasant. Fee was more than reasonable- thank you.

Fantastic experience: Quick easy and very safe

Fantastic experience: It was good they came outside straight away to pick my pet up it was very fast service

Fantastic experience: Well organised great staff

Fantastic experience: Great vets, friendly and informative staff. 5✨

Fantastic experience: Great Vets all around

Positive experience: Prices have shot up this year and waiting time was over an hour out in the carpark.

Fantastic experience: Very good vet practice

Fantastic experience: Always get a brilliant service. Have to wait out in courtyard and some one comes and takes dog, very friendly and pleasant. Wouldn't go anywhere else unless it was an emergency and couldn't get in here.

Fantastic experience: The staff are friendly and absolutely brilliant, there are long waiting times at the moment during the covid crisis but they are working so hard and late that I can't hold this against them. Well done to all the staff.

Fantastic experience: Staff great with my Ron when he gashed his leg see photo thank you

Fantastic experience: Really look after your pet and explain exactly what they are doing and why.

Fantastic experience: I find the vets nd staff very friendly nd sympathetic.

Negative experience: I booked an appointment and advised I thought my puppy had ringworm, the receptionist advised that I could see a veterinary nurse straight away. At the appointment it was confirmed my pup indeed had ringworm but they were not able to get hold of oral tablets and that the medication they had was not suitable and therefore would have to order some in. They charged me for some foam to put on the rash in the interim (even though it was not itch) and ordered some medication. They charged me £21 for a small tube of cream which can be bought over the counter from boots for £4.15. When I called to complain the receptionist was quite abrupt and said that why did I bring my dog if I “Knew” it was ringworm and I could have just googled the medication that I could use. She also went on to state I should have actually been charged £25 extra as the nurse was not qualified to diagnose ringworm (after I had already stipulated what I thought it was) such a lack of care and empathy, this is the worst experience I have had, the parking is terrible and at the moment you are not allowed to enter with your dog even if you have a face mask. Very poor service, vets seem unsympathetic and certainly lacking in knowledge around prescription medication and doing the right thing for both the dog and the owner. I could have had medication the same day if they were not so greedy to make over 3x retail price. Disgusting behaviour which I will report. Attitude 0/10 will not be going back.

Negative experience: Very unprofessional, we regret going here and putting our trust in them. We trusted they knew what they were doing and trusted they were doing their best for our Dog. Unfortunately after over a year of going and not getting to the bottom of his issue we decided to move vets and within 1 visit and set of tests we have been referred to a specialist and he is now going to be treated for his illness and will hopefully make a fully recovery. If untreated his condition is life limiting and most dogs don't even live to the age of three like he has so we are very lucky we moved when we did before he deteriorated even more. Only weighed 4.5kg but lost nearly a kg and said he is okay, his bones were showing and he went from being a happy little playful dog to a weak tired dog. It was awful to see him like that. When we phoned up for advice they give us advice that contradicted what they previously said and after a year when they finally sent away for a external test they come back with the results and said that he needed to be on a special diet, which is all good and well but if they had of looked at the history and remembered, they'd know they already put him on this diet about 10 months before this. It was like they weren't even bothered, didn't care to look at their notes or even make any. There was too many situations to mention and I didn't want to make this too long but I have. Just please consider another vet before to go here, might be a little bit cheaper but you'd rather your pet to be helped and care for properly.

Fantastic experience: Excellent service lovely staff

Fantastic experience: First class service as always. Been using them for over 15 years now.

Fantastic experience: Very helpful, and very caring

Fantastic experience: Professional service as per normal,very friendly and helpful,collection of medicine made very easy in these difficult times.

Fantastic experience: These people go far and above, especially considering the times we are in at the moment, nothing but praise for these dedicated professionals, thank you so much for seeing Buster today, bless him he's not very happy.

Fantastic experience: Good vets