Emergency Vets in East Sussex

Cliffe Veterinary Group Ltd is an RCVS-accredited practice set up for a wide range of work: small animals as well as farm and equine care, with on-site laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and surgical facilities. The clinic also operates as a veterinary nurse training facility (per the provided clinic data). Recent reviewers most often mention clear explanations of treatment plans and costs (including during emergency consultations), with one account describing the opposite experience at reception (not being acknowledged on arrival). Concrete details owners mention include: emergency appointments for cats, step-by-step explanations of likely findings and “what depends on what,” and vets being patient with anxious owners and difficult-to-handle cats.

Highcroft Veterinary Group is an RCVS-accredited practice that also operates as a veterinary nurse training facility and lists emergency veterinary services. From the latest reviews, it appears set up for routine care and follow-up around procedures: owners mention nurse-led health checks, support before and after an operation, and treatment for an ear problem. Reception support around setting up a pet health plan is mentioned repeatedly (including a “goodie bag” when joining), and several reviewers describe being talked through appointments “step by step.” One recent review strongly disputes pricing transparency around the pet health plan, describing unexpected per-pet consultation charges.

Coastway Veterinary Group runs multiple surgeries, with its Brighton surgery described on its website as an accredited Veterinary Hospital and as the base for a night-and-weekend urgent care service “every night and weekend of the year.” Reviews back up the hospital-style caseload: owners describe overnight monitoring with tests and a next-morning update, emergency eye surgery, and orthopaedic surgery for cruciate ligament injuries (including two operations). The most detailed recent reviews also point to exotics experience (rats and birds are specifically mentioned), including diagnosis, surgery and recovery support for rats, and appointments for a parrot. One recurring point of friction is pricing, with one reviewer citing higher medicine pricing than online and a separate fee to print a prescription.

Companion Care (Eastbourne) Ltd describes itself on its website as a locally owned veterinary practice, with a modern, well‑equipped facility and separate cat/dog waiting areas and wards. The practice offers emergency cover (with a stated weekend emergency fee for non‑registered clients) and is listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. From the latest reviews available, owners most often describe: - Fast access for urgent problems, including being seen within 45 minutes for an emergency and being fit in same day even when not registered. - Active communication during inpatient care, such as frequent updates while a dog was treated for gastroenteritis. - Dental work and urgent surgery planning, including emergency assessment followed by tooth removal and surgery booked for the next morning. - A mixed picture on front‑desk and compassion, with some describing kindness (including a condolence card after a pet died), and others reporting a very poor experience or feeling pressured around major decisions.

Coopers Vets is a small-animal practice established in 1963, with in-house diagnostics (lab work, ultrasound and X‑ray) plus dental facilities and surgery theatres. It’s set up for routine preventative care (vaccinations, parasite control, microchipping) as well as more complex work that owners mention in reviews, including emergency appointments and ongoing problem-solving for chronic conditions (one owner describes a 6‑month, hard-to-treat ear infection where the team “found alternate treatments and persevered” until it cleared). Out-of-hours emergencies are directed to Vets Now Eastbourne, as stated on the practice website. Reviews most often highlight clear explanations and being given options (including around end-of-life care), plus handling of anxious pets (one reviewer says a vet was the only one able to get their “terrified little dog up onto the table”). There is also a serious negative review alleging missed major defects during an emergency C‑section and administrative errors when the puppies were discharged.

Cinque Ports Veterinary Group Ltd offers 24/7 emergency cover via Vets Now at Cinque Ports Veterinary Hospital, and is also described (in the clinic data) as a veterinary nurse training facility. Recent reviews include multiple emergency and end-of-life visits: some owners describe clear explanations, being listened to, and compassionate support (including a handwritten condolence card after a pet’s death). Other recent reviewers raise serious concerns about errors and administration—e.g., a lost urine sample, alleged misdiagnosis, billing for the wrong animal, difficulty obtaining full records when transferring, and an unexpected additional charge for using a “Cat Clinic” appointment.

Grove Lodge Veterinary Group offers routine appointments alongside an out-of-hours arrangement with Vets Now for emergencies when the practice is closed. The clinic is accredited as a Gold Cat Friendly Clinic, and it’s also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. Recent reviews most often describe a calm, patient experience—especially for cats and kittens—including staff taking time to answer lots of questions, and gentle handling to reduce stress. There is at least one very negative recent review (“Aw[e]ful experience”) without details, alongside a positive review from the same author, so experiences reported are not fully consistent. Concrete specifics owners mention: - Kitten first-visit care including vaccines, health check, and nail clipping. - Staff described as patient with “a million questions” during appointments. - Gentle, reassuring handling of cats to help them (and owners) feel at ease. - A Pet Health Club® Plus plan is mentioned on the website, with consultations included (no prices stated).

Acorn Veterinary Surgery promotes a Pet Health Club® Plus plan where consultations are included (per its website). In the review set, owners describe a mix of strong clinical care and explanations (for example, a vomiting puppy visit where treatment and costs were explained) alongside recurring complaints about communication and customer handling—especially around pricing clarity and rigid vaccination booking rules. A separate theme is access: one long‑term client reports being unable to get timely appointments for an unwell dog and being told to phone at 8am for “on the day” slots, while another reviewer describes cost discussions feeling judgmental. Concrete points repeatedly mentioned: - Pet Health Club / “pet club” is referenced as “great value” and said to include consultations (website + review). - Puppy vaccinations and second-jab scheduling are a flashpoint in multiple reviews (owners disputing a “must be exactly 4 weeks” rule and describing being told to go elsewhere). - Pricing communication is disputed: one review cites a quoted £145 for a cat travel document but being charged £175, and another mentions VAT being added rather than shown upfront. - Some owners report clear explanations of treatment and costs during urgent illness (vomiting puppy), while others report poor bedside manner (including a distressing euthanasia comment) and “toxic” reception interactions.

Medivet Forest Row is part of the Medivet group. The practice advertises a broad mix of routine care and diagnostics (including an in‑house laboratory, X‑rays, ultrasound and ECG), plus complementary options like acupuncture and homeopathy. On the review side, owners most often mention staff helping with insurance paperwork, frequent updates while a pet is sedated, and follow‑up calls after urgent treatment (including a Saturday-night check-in after a bee sting). A smaller set of recent reviews are sharply negative about the suspension of a vet named Alex in 2024, and describe dissatisfaction with how he was treated.