Emergency Vets in Rugeley

## Summary Number 1 Vets Ltd is described on its website as an **independent, privately run small‑animal practice**, opened in **August 2011** by **James Cadwallader (BVSc MRCVS)**. It states it treats **dogs, cats, exotic animals and rodents**, and has **separate dog/cat seating** plus **dog, cat, exotic and isolation wards**. Based on the latest reviews, the practice appears set up for both **routine care** and **urgent, hands‑on cases**: one owner says their dog was **taken straight in after an attack and operated on**, with **check‑ups afterwards**, and another describes being **seen within an hour** when their dog collapsed (despite not being a client at the time). Reviews also show a **clear split in experience around communication**, including one account of a **cold, transactional phone response** when requesting euthanasia, and another review alleging refusal of **long‑term medication without an in‑person visit**. ## Services From the website summary: - **Annual vaccinations** with a **full health check** - **Weight “watchers” chat** - **Orthopaedic and soft tissue operations** - Species treated: **dogs, cats, exotic animals, rodents** - Facilities mentioned: **dog/cat/exotic/isolation wards** and **separate seating areas for dogs and cats** From clinic data and reviews: - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (listed in clinic data) - **Emergency/urgent care is referenced** (navigation mentions an emergency service; clinic data lists emergency services, but no operational details are provided in the available website source) - Examples from reviews of care provided: - **Surgery following a dog attack**, then **follow‑up check‑ups** - **Assessment and treatment for a cat with mites/skin irritation**, including seeking **secondary advice** - **Support for anxious pets during injections**, described as taking extra time and being patient ## Pricing - One reviewer reports being sold **special food for £52** alongside vitamins (presented by the reviewer as “upsold”). No other specific fees or price lists are provided in the available sources. ## People - **James Cadwallader** (founder; listed as BVSc MRCVS on the website). In reviews, he’s repeatedly named as the vet who: - **Explained everything clearly** and **answered questions patiently** during a dog’s treatment. - Made time to see a **collapsed dog within an hour** (per one account). - Is also mentioned in a complaint where the owner says he was **“happy with how his receptionist spoke”** during an end‑of‑life call. - **Vet nurses / staff** are described in multiple reviews as: - Being present and supportive during **post‑op check‑ups** - Helping with **fearful dogs during injections** by being patient and understanding - **Reception/phone communication** is a specific point of disagreement in the written reviews: - One owner describes a **lack of empathy** during a call to arrange euthanasia. - Other reviews describe the service as **efficient and friendly**, but without detail on phone interactions. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 353 reviews.** **“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”** - **Fast acceptance of urgent cases** is mentioned (taken straight in after an attack; seen within an hour for a collapse). - **Surgery and follow-up** are specifically described (operation after an attack, then check-ups). - **Clear explanations and time for questions** are praised in several accounts (owners describing detailed explanations and patient answers). - **Handling of nervous pets** comes up positively (extra patience with a dog “terrified” of injections). - **Communication and trust are a point of conflict**: - One review describes a **cold, transactional** response when seeking euthanasia guidance. - Another alleges **medication was refused** without bringing the cat in, and describes feeling **upsold** food/vitamins and not seeing the same vet consistently.

## Summary Donnachie & Townley is a small-animal practice (dogs, cats and rabbits) working from purpose-built premises, with surgical, imaging and diagnostic facilities listed on its website. It’s accredited under the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (Core Standards), described as a Tier 2 Small Animal General Practice, and holds Silver status in the Cat Friendly scheme. From the latest reviews, owners most often mention: - **Practical follow-through**, such as **text/email reminders for flea and worm treatments**. - **Clear triage between nurse and vet care** (one owner saw **nurse Helena**, who **quickly referred to a vet** when the case was more serious than expected). - **Surgical care mentioned in reviews**, including **cyst removal** with reported good recovery. There is also a **directly conflicting experience** in one recent 1-star review, alleging a cat with FIP was euthanised when the reviewer believes treatment should have been offered. ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned on the clinic website and in reviews include: - **Emergency service**, including **out-of-hours arrangements by phone** (as stated on the website) - **Consultations** and **annual health checks** - **Vaccinations** - **Microchipping** - **Neutering** - **Flea and worm treatment** (with reminder texts/emails mentioned in reviews) - **Pet dental care** - **Lumps & Bumps Clinic** - **Veterinary Nurse Clinics** - **Surgery** (review mentions **removal of cysts**) - On-site **imaging and diagnostic facilities** (listed on the website) ## People - **Helena (nurse)**: mentioned for seeing a pet initially and **quickly escalating to a vet** when the situation appeared more serious, leading to diagnosis and medication. - **Stuart**: singled out by name for providing **help and support over many months** during a pet’s ongoing care. - **Reception team**: described as **welcoming** and part of a process owners felt was **unrushed**, with time taken to answer questions. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 103 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Communication and pace of appointments:** owners describe being **not rushed**, with questions answered and decisions explained. - **Organisation and reminders:** **text/email prompts** for routine parasite treatments were specifically appreciated. - **Clinical follow-through:** examples include **nurse-to-vet referral when needed**, diagnosis and medication, and **surgery for cyst removal** with recovery reported as going well. - **One serious complaint:** a recent 1-star review alleges the practice euthanised a cat with FIP and criticises the clinic’s awareness of FIP treatment options, which conflicts with the otherwise positive feedback in other recent reviews.