TOP RATED INDEPENDENT VETS IN SCOTLAND

There has been an increase over the last couple of years in the number of people buying pets to help them through lockdown. If you have a pet you want it to have the best possible care which makes finding the right vet very important.

The most common UK model is the independent private practice which are usually owned and operated by an individual or group of vets. Some of these may exist in multiple locations.

Family run independent practices tend to have low staff turnover meaning your pet is more likely to receive care from the same familiar face who knows their treatment history. This allows your pet to build a trusted relationship with their vet over time. Independent vets are not governed by corporate policies and procedures when it comes to making decisions regarding the best course of treatment for your pet.

DUNDAS VET GROUP (EDINBURGH)

Dundas Veterinary Group was established in the late 1970’s, when two existing new town practices were merged. The main practice at 99 Dundas Street was added to within a few years, by setting up branch practices at 34 Granton Road and 10 Lochend Road South. The 114 Oxgangs Road branch was opened in 1991.

The practice is family owned by Veterinary Surgeons, Emma Sharp and Peter Sharp. Dundas Veterinary Group is proud to remain an independently owned practice allowing them to provide a personal, caring and professional service for all clients.

Their vets regularly attend continued professional development to keep up to date with the latest developments in veterinary medicine and surgery. This ensures the very best care for clients.

WESTPORT VET CLINIC (LINLITHGOW)

Westport has been treating your pets for nearly 30 years and still works hard to maintain their loyal clients and first class reputation.

Westport has three branches in Linlithgow, South Queensferry and Edinburgh. The clinic boasts dedicated dog and cat wards, recovery kennels, digital x- ray (including dental), endoscope, ultrasound, full sterile theatre, laboratory and a complete, advanced, soft tissue surgical and orthopaedic operating kit.

Starting as a mixed practice with David Porteous as Head Vet who worked hard to create a loyal client base and first class reputation and today we continue to develop these.

In 2013, the clinic became a dedicated “small animal” vets allowing them to significantly increase the level of care they give patients. They used this opportunity to upgrade the clinic and equipment and are continuously re-investing in the practice.

CROWN VETS (INVERNESS)

Crown Vets, Inverness is a caring and friendly small animal practice based in the hub of the Scottish Highlands. The practice has cared for thousands of animals for over 40 years, and the practice has grown to have 10 vets working across three branches. They offer a high standard of care for small animals.

They also have access to our own referral service, Crown Vets Referrals, which offers advanced imaging (CT scans), and the ability to have advanced orthopaedic, ophthalmic and soft tissue surgery performed here in Inverness.

As an RCVS approved training practice meaning that we play an integral role in training of student veterinary nurses (SVNs), they can provide both vocational training as well as clinical experience for students undergoing full time training.

Dental disease is the most common condition in adult dogs and cats. They pride themselves on taking a pro-active approach to dental health in their patients because they’re aware of the major contribution it makes to their wellbeing – far, far beyond just fresh breath and pearly whites.

They have a dedicated dental suite where dental health is assessed and treated using the latest equipment. The suite uses modern and safe anaesthetics tailored to client’s pets procedure which is constantly monitored by a registered veterinary nurse to make their recovery as comfortable and rapid as possible.

THISTLE VETS (EDINBURGH)

Thistle Vets was established as Lanark Road Vet Surgery in 1982 by Ken and Sue Urquhart. Over the years the practice grew steadily until it moved to its current location at Alcorn Rigg in 1997. Donald joined the partnership in 1999 providing a dermatology referral service for Scotland and the north of England which remains his main clinical focus. A new surgery was established in 2012 at Chesser which has flourished in to a fully equipped self sufficient site. 

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In 2015, Ken and Sue decided to retire and pursue new passions outwith work life, handing over the reins of ‘Thistle Vets’ to Donald and James. As a non-corporate practice left in Edinburgh, our aim is to continue the tradition of a high standard of care in a compassionate and down to earth manner.

They have a caring, enthusiastic and highly skilled staff who all make up a cohesive team which allows them to offer high standards of veterinary medicine and customer service. Many of their vets have advanced qualifications in a variety of clinical specialities, and are backed up by qualified and experienced nurses, reception and support staff to ensure they can provide Edinburgh’s pets the best possible care.

DONVIEW VET CLINIC (INVERURIE)

Donview Veterinary Centre is an award winning Veterinary Practice that has been trusted with the care of pets, horses & farm animals in the North East of Scotland for over 100 years.

Donview Veterinary Centre has two clinics, their main surgery is situated in a large, purpose built, modern premises in Blackhall Industrial Estate, Inverurie (adjacent to Morrisons) and a branch surgery is located in Kintore, on the main street along from the school.

Only consultations are available at Kintore whereas pets who need an operation or hospitalisation will be admitted to the main Inverurie surgery which is fully equipped with state of the art medical and hospitalisation facilities, modern surgical operating theatres and a team of highly qualified nursing staff to look after pets.

They were voted Best Mixed Veterinary Practice in Scotland at GHP Animal Health Awards 2016, as well as being finalists at the 2018 National Vet Awards.

LOVESTREET VETS (PAISLEY)

Lovestreet are one of Paisley’s oldest practices and have been providing veterinary services at the heart of the community for over a century. We provide full range of affordable pet services based in the heart of the Paisley area. Their aim is to provide clear, honest advice and information to everyone.

At this practice they want to make preventative healthcare easy and affordable to help clients give their pets the best care possible year after year. It covers the essential treatments that pet needs throughout life, such as vaccinations, flea, tick and worm treatment and regular health checks. This enables them to continually assess the general health of client’s pet.

MACKIE & BRECHIN (KIRKLISTON)

Serving the Edinburgh area and Central Scotland we pride ourselves in offering a personal and high quality service tailored to the needs of their clients. They care about the services that they offer and what clients think about them as they aim at all times to be approachable, available and accountable and pride themselves in investing in the most up to date facilities and training to enable them to look after client’s beloved pet in the best way possible.

They’re a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Accredited Small Animal Practice which is testament to their high standard of care and continually developing the services that they offer to both stay at the forefront of new technologies and make sure that they do it well. They believe that dedication to the above principles is what sets them apart in the increasingly corporate world of veterinary care.

The practice was founded in 1930 by James Mackie after gaining an excellent reputation in the equine world from looking after two mounted sections during the First World War. In the early years the majority of work was with horses and farm animals. As James was succeeded by Willie Mackie, who was then joined by Robert Brechin, the practice grew and the case load started to include more domestic animals. David Mackie followed on in his family’s footsteps and alongside Niall Dickson drove the practice forwards, keeping abreast of the many advances in modern veterinary medicine until he retired in 2017.

David was succeeded by Geoff Appleton and Simon Ruddell and with the caseload and expertise in companion animals increasing, services to farm animals and horses finally ceased in 2017. The practice is still proudly independent and our commitment to quality of service unchanged over nearly 100 years.

BROADLEYS VET HOSPITAL (STIRLING)

Opened in 1995, Broadleys Veterinary Hospital was the first privately owned, purpose built veterinary hospital in Scotland.

At the hospital in Stirling, and their clinic in Dunblane, we are committed to providing the best possible veterinary care for patients, and the highest standard of service for their clients.  Partners, veterinary surgeons Helen Sutton and Alasdair Bruce, are the driving force behind this centre of excellence for small animals.

A number of Scotland’s leading independent veterinary specialists have chosen to work at Broadleys Veterinary Hospital where they receive referrals from veterinary clinics across Scotland and Northern England. Their skill and expertise is available to clients and their pets simply by referral from a Broadleys vet

ARDMORY VET CLINIC (GLASGOW)

Ardmory Vet Clinic opened in February 2009 and is situated in the Toryglen area of South East Glasgow. They aim to provide high quality dedicated care to all pet species and have extensive experience in the veterinary care of a large range of animals. The friendly, single-centre clinic is fully modernised and well equipped to provide a complete healthcare package to ensure the well-being of all pets.

They have their own operating theatre, dental equipment, diagnostic facilities and in-house laboratory to provide your pet with the best treatment right here in the clinic. They can usually treat most cases within the surgery but also have excellent relationships with specialist vets in areas where they feel they have more expertise.

The Vets featured where listed in no particular order. The purpose was to highlight not rank.