Shires Veterinary Practice

Shires Veterinary Practice describes itself as providing “comprehensive veterinary care” for over 70 years (no corporate group ownership is stated). Recent reviews suggest the clinic is set up for routine preventative care (vaccinations, health checks, parasite prevention via a health plan) as well as medical and dental work—especially for cats.

Concrete specifics mentioned by owners include

•Rapid help for a sick cat after phoning, with the cat “back to full health” afterwards.
•Dental assessments and proposed dental treatment for cats (scale/polish, dental X‑rays, and possible extractions were discussed in one review).
•Vaccinations for rabbits, with time spent answering questions and keeping the visit calm for nervous travellers.
•Reminder system for health checks and inoculations, and a health plan that includes NexGard Spectra chews (as described by one owner).

One detailed negative review describes feeling pushed toward costly investigations/treatment without enough home-care advice, and raises concerns about inconsistency between vets over time.

Services

Services and care referenced in available sources include

•General veterinary care (the practice website summary states “comprehensive veterinary care”).
•Urgent/same-day-type attention by phone (an owner reports their cat was dealt with “very quickly when we phoned”).
•Dental care for cats, including
•Scale and polish (discussed in a review)
•Dental X-rays
•Tooth removal/extractions where issues are found
•Discussion of gingivitis management (from a client account)
•Heart assessment discussed for a cat with a reported heart murmur (a “scan his heart” was recommended in one review).
•Vaccinations (rabbits’ first vaccinations mentioned; inoculations reminders also mentioned).
•Ongoing medication (one owner describes an injection plus prescribed tablets with continued long-term meds).
•Health plans (one owner states their pets are on health plans and receive NexGard Spectra chews).

Pricing

•A cat dental plan was quoted in one review as £350–£800, stated to include X‑rays and possible tooth removal if problems were found.

People

•Amanda (veterinarian, no longer at the practice) is named in one review in connection with a cat with severe stomatitis; the reviewer felt the initial plan (removing a few teeth rather than all) led to ongoing problems and additional cost later.
•Other vets are not named, but owners describe
•A vet who was “really friendly” with two rabbits, answered lots of questions, and took time and patience to keep the visit calm.
•A contrasting account where a vet was described as polite, but the owner felt home dental-care advice wasn’t provided and that recommendations (dental work plus heart scan) were motivated by cost.

Reviews

4.5 stars from 130 reviews. The - Fast, effective care when an animal is unwell: one owner reports their cat was helped quickly after calling and recovered fully.

•Preventative care and planning: reminders for health checks and inoculations are mentioned; one owner references being on a health plan and receiving NexGard Spectra chews.
•Good handling of small pets and first-time vaccinations: one rabbit owner highlights a calm environment, patience with travel-stressed rabbits, and thorough Q&A.
•Professional front-of-house and general service: several reviews describe staff as “professional,” “helpful,” “polite,” and “reassuring.”
•A notable dissenting experience focused on dental recommendations and value: one reviewer reports being quoted £350–£800 for cat dental work including X-rays/possible extractions, felt insufficient home-care guidance was given, and describes perceived inconsistency between vets over the years.

Reviews for Shires Veterinary Practice

Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 130 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Shaun Jones

a month ago

Dealt with our cat very quickly when we phoned and he is now back to full health

susan allen

Lyn O'Connor

4 months ago

Never had a bad experience at Shires. Great vets. Great staff

6 months ago

Steph Goffe

Scott Farrington

7 months ago

Always professional and helpful

C T

I saw one of the veterinarians who advised that my cat would need to be put under local anesthetic and have his teeth scaled and polished to prevent his gingivitis from getting worse. In my opinion the gingivitis is under control at the moment and my cat eats his food with no problem, then the veterinarian said it would cost between £350- £800 including x-rays and possibly have teeth removed if issues were found. At no point was i given any advice on how to maintain my cats oral health from home, or any advice on what products I could use to help him. The veterinarian then said that my cat had a heart merman and that could be caused by stress. We were in the waiting room for approximately 45 minutes due to an emergency appointment taking place, in my opinion my cat was stressed because of waiting far too long for his appointment. The veterinarian recommended that while my cat was under local anesthesia for his teeth, they could scan his heart and then advised him to return in a couple of weeks in case this reoccurs, and medication is required. Despite the veterinarian polite manner, I felt that he was trying to make more money for the business, I then decided to google the vets and found that the veterinarian was one of the directors at Shires Vets, so it was his best intention to make money for the business. A couple of years ago, I saw a different male veterinarian who recommended that my other cat, undergo the same procedure, a scale and polish. During that time, I did my own research and began using an oral gel to help with oral maintenance. The following year, I saw a female veterinarian who confirmed that my cats teeth were in excellent condition and didn't under why those notes were made on the system. I had an absolute awful experience with my 3rd cat about five years ago when I saw a lady veterinarian named Amanda who no longer works at the practise. Bobby who was a rescue cat who had severe stomatitis, and she advised me to have a few teeth removed rather than all of them removed. After a few months, he continued to experience problems with all of his other teeth, which caused him further stress and increased the cost for me. I have seen good and bad vets at this practice over the years and it's not been consistent therefore I have finally decided to leave this practice for good because of this negative experience. I have registered with a different practice and therefore will be getting a second opinion on one of my cats.

David McDougall

10 months ago

Consistently polite and reassuring service from the moment you enter the surgery. I’ve been with Shires since my mastiffs & I moved, first to Stafford and now Newport. I get timely reminders of their health checks & inoculations and as I have both my galz on the health plans they get there NexGard Spectre chews as well. 10/10 from me.

Claire Charnley

a year ago

A brilliant experience when I visited the vets with my 2 rabbits for their first vaccinations. The vet was really friendly and lovely with both of them. Lots of questions answered and couldn't have done enough for us. A lovely calm environment for 2 bunnies that don't travel particularly well, so time and patience was given. A lovely experience made even better by the vets and staff genuinely caring. Thank you

Lynda Phillips

4 years ago

I cannot thank Shires vets enough. I never thought he would recover. We were given two joices and we decided to give him a chance. The vet I cannot remember her name gave him an injection and prescribed tablets. They made a big difference to him. He is still taking the meds. He is now 14. The change in him is remarkable. The receptionist this afternoon went beyond her normal duties and was extremely helpful. I know Jake is on safe hands at Shires Vets. I know he is on borrowed time. With Shires help my beloved dog is still with me. Thank you all so much for your help and treatment of Jake