Shires Veterinary Practice – Vets in Stone
Clinic Overview
Shires Veterinary Practice is a long-established clinic (the website says it has provided veterinary care for over 70 years). Based on the information available, it appears set up for routine preventive care (vaccinations, reminders/health checks, parasite prevention plans) as well as medical and dental work (e.g., scale-and-polish discussions, dental X‑rays, possible extractions, injections and ongoing tablets).
From the latest reviews, owners often describe prompt handling of sick pets (one cat “dealt with very quickly” and returned to full health) and a calm, patient approach during appointments (time and patience given for rabbits that don’t travel well, with questions answered). However, one detailed negative review reports inconsistent clinical advice over time—particularly around dentistry—and concerns about cost estimates and limited home-care guidance for dental health.
Services
- •Vaccinations: Rabbit first vaccinations are specifically mentioned in a review.
- •Preventive care & reminders: Reviews mention reminders for health checks and inoculations.
- •Parasite prevention via a health plan: NexGard Spectra chews are mentioned as provided through “health plans.”
- •Dental care (cats): A review describes recommendations for teeth scaling and polishing, with dental X‑rays and possible tooth removals if issues were found.
- •Medical treatment/ongoing medication: One review describes an injection plus prescribed tablets with ongoing medication.
- •Veterinary Nurse Training facility: Listed in the clinic’s service/specialisation data.
- •Emergency veterinary services: Listed in the clinic’s service/specialisation data (no further detail provided in the available website summary/reviews).
Pricing
- •Cat dental estimate (from a review): £350–£800 quoted for a dental procedure including X‑rays, with possible tooth removal depending on findings.
People
- •Amanda (vet, no longer at the practice): Named in one review in relation to a cat with severe stomatitis; the owner felt the initial recommendation (removing a few teeth rather than all) led to continued problems and further costs.
- •Unidentified vets and staff: Multiple reviews describe vets and staff as “polite and reassuring,” “professional and helpful,” and one rabbit owner noted the vet answered lots of questions and took time with nervous travellers. One negative review describes a vet with a polite manner but the owner felt pressured toward dentistry and additional heart investigation, and was unhappy that home dental-care advice wasn’t offered.
Reviews
Google rating: 4.5 stars from 130 reviews. - Speed and responsiveness: One owner says their cat was handled quickly after calling and recovered.
- •Preventive-care organisation: Reminders for health checks/inoculations are specifically mentioned, as is being on a health plan that includes NexGard Spectra chews.
- •Good appointment experience for small pets: A rabbit vaccination visit is described as calm, patient, and thorough with questions answered.
- •A minority report of inconsistency and cost concerns: One detailed review describes long waiting during an emergency disruption, dissatisfaction with dental recommendations and an estimate of £350–£800, and frustration at not receiving home-care advice for managing dental health; they also describe differing advice across clinicians over time.
Special Services
Animals Treated at Shires Veterinary Practice
Animals We Treat
Companion Animals
Opening Hours – Shires Veterinary Practice
Opening Hours
Hours
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
a month ago
Lyn O'Connor
4 months ago
Never had a bad experience at Shires. Great vets. Great staff
Lyn O'Connor
6 months ago
Never had a bad experience at Shires. Great vets. Great staff
Steph Goffe
6 months ago
Scott Farrington
7 months ago
Always professional and helpful
C T
7 months ago
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
