Blythwood Veterinary Group Avis 9

I have always found Blythwood Vets in Bushey very helpful and kind, in particular Lisa and Tracey on reception. The nurses are always very caring with my cat and because I have to take her regularly for blood tests and nail clippings they have got to know her. I wouldn't want to take my cat anywhere else as I have always been treated so well.

We have been with Blythwood Vets for over 4 years. The recent interactions and experience with them has been very disappointing. Specifically, the reception staff in both Hatch End (don't know her name) and Bushey (Lisa) practices have been impatient, disrespectful and rude.

We called the Vets when we noticed a big swelling in my dog's neck on a Monday. We were booked in to see the Vets after 5 days. We arrived at the practice in which I requested the appointment, only to be told that the appointment was made in a different location. When I telephoned the other practice to see if we can re-arrange for the same day as I will not be able to reach on time, we were told there is no appointments for today.

Lisa (Bushey practice) was very unhelpful and slammed the phone when I was still in the middle of the conversation. This is very unprofessional and unempathetic.

We care about our pets and it is only natural to be anxious and emotional that even after waiting for 5 days, our dog couldn't been seen that day. The way I was spoken to and finally to disconnect the call while I was still speaking was very disrespectful to anyone. Not to mention the fact that we have been paying subscription for over 4 year.

In the recent months, the practice service and customer experience has been very disappointing and poor. Many of our friends mentioned similar experiences and have left Blythwood to join other local independent practices. Now, we have done the same and strongly encourage other readers of the review to reconsider as well.

Took my dog for annual vaccinations and enquired about flea/tick prevention treatment. Was strongly advised to 'try' Nexguard Spectra tablets in spite of my telling the vet about the problems some dogs have with these tablets. The real shock was when I received the bill as was charged per tablet the amount you can normally buy a box of three tablets for and when I queried this was told that online pharmacies can sell products cheaper when I stated that the charge of nearly £50 profit extra for a box of 3 tablets was excessive I was told that the charges were set by head Office.....basically they completely fail to inform you beforehand of any charges so I strongly advise people to either avoid this vet practice or ask for itemised charges before you agree to any procedures or buy any medications so you can at least make an informed choice before receiving a hefty bill for their 'services'

just read the other reviews and seen that the same happened to me, I was charged for medication without telling me the costs and now wont refund me, but I have to say its very very sad for animals as these independent vets have all been taken over by conglomerates in this case its Linnaeus and they simply do not care about animals, I had a quote 3 yrs ago for dental work £500.00 today it is now £1200 but several hidden costs before they even do the procedure, worming tablets £65,00 blood tests £170 heart scan £500.00. how can someone pay this sort of money and then the animal is the one that suffers, thankfully the government is now trying to get involved to make Vets more accountable and transparent.

Oh my goodness you have no idea they are thieves and do not care about animals

Rip off vets. Charged me for services they wanted me to do and didn’t warn me of the costs. Now I’m fighting for a refund. It’s an absolute joke what they charge now. I’m going somewhere else!!

Cutting a long story short our cat was misdiagnosed with cancer and we were told there was nothing more they could do for her and that her medicine would ease off by midday and she will die basically, we were in bits but she then improved and they were baffled and gave her antibiotics which worked a treat - this is what she needed in the first place not £1700 worth of treatment. This used to be a lovely caring vets which we have been with for years but we will no longer use them as they are nothing but uncaring money grabbers.

"Customer care team leader" is so rude and arrogant. They rip you off and couldn't care less if you know it. Completely uncaring and unprofessional. Avoid.

We've been using Blythwood for our dog for 5 years, mostly because it was convenient and it *looked* like a high quality vet. I can honestly say that the organisation is woeful. I'm sent random texts about medication on completely wrong dates, regularly. I've asked them to correct this multiple times but nothing has happened. This is doesn't give you any confidence that they have a clue about what your dog needs at any time but it is forgivable.

What is not forgivable is how despicably rude the staff are. We subscribe to a monthly plan which includes anal sac secretion. We were charged £45 for it and told that it was not part of the plan.

£45 is already 3-4x the national average price so I was shocked to get that bill, for a procedure that took <2mins. We since discovered that it is in our plan and made a complaint. The "Client Care Team Leader", Lou, who has ALWAYS had an air of "I'm smiling but I really wish you'd stop asking questions and just leave", has just replied to my complaint - in the usual arrogant tone - with this:

"Hello,

I’m afraid that’s the new plan you are referring too not the old plan that you are currently on,you would of been sent a letter or email asking if you wanted to change to the new plan a few months ago

So no refund available

Thanks

Sent from my iPhone"

No details offered on when the email or letter would have been sent but I have found the email she is referring to. The focus of that email was that the price was increasing to £17pm to £19pm and there was a small mention of moving to a different plan which is apparently superior but costs the same amount(?) I now have no idea what plan I'm on and am bemused as to why they wouldn't just move you over to the superior plan if it costs the same, looks the same and smells the same. Just feels like a basic loophole for them to not deliver what is promised in the plan really.

Either way, I'm paying £19/month which is what is advertised on their website and including the anal sac treatment. Even if I am wrong, on some small-print-technicality, I'm shocked by the throwaway tone of the reply. It's almost mocking. Unbelievable.

They do not care. Avoid and go to a bigger chain. In my experience, the people are actually much more caring and professional at those.

Earlier this year our Guide Dog puppy (Georgia) was spayed at Blythwood Vets in Bushey. Needless to say, already having had a number of negative experiences with this surgery we were already worried for our dog, but we couldn't have predicted what would ensue. Firstly, only a few hours after arriving home, our dog still being heavily sedated, we saw large pools and patches of blood on the floor and on her bed. We were immediately extremely concerned for the safety of the wound, however we found out that the blood was coming from her claws which had been clipped so short that they were bleeding. Unfortunately, the staff at the surgery had not thought to tell us of their error before leaving, instead making us find out in an awfully traumatic way. The next day we contacted Blythwood Vets and received a very reluctant and excuse-filled apology, with no empathy or concern for the welfare of our dog. Nevertheless, we moved on from this and 27th July 2022 we said goodbye to our pup, as she went to train at Redbridge Guide Dog Centre. However, a couple of days ago we were shocked to receive the news that she is now in season again. Therefore, this surgery was completely unsuccessful and our poor dog has had to be removed from her home and put through another arduous surgery.
I am utterly disgusted by the standard of care offered by Blythwood Vets and would warn anyone from using their services.