Acorn Veterinary Surgery

- Clinical care is often praised: several owners describe excellent care for older pets and reassuring treatment for urgent issues (including a vomiting puppy), with clear explanations from staff. - Communication and bedside manner are mixed: some reviewers report warm, supportive interactions, while others describe judgmental or distressing comments during difficult conversations. - Pricing transparency is a repeat concern in negatives: a few reviews allege unclear or changing costs (including VAT presentation and a disputed increase for a travel document appointment), while others say they were kept fully informed of costs.

Acorn Veterinary Surgery is an IVC Evidensia practice in Hove, East Sussex. It promotes a Pet Health Club® Plus plan where consultations are included. Recent feedback continues to describe strong clinical care and clear explanations from some clinicians, alongside recurring concerns about communication, appointment access, and how pricing is handled or explained.

Services

•Pet Health Club® Plus plan: The clinic promotes a Pet Health Club®/“pet club” plan, with consultations included; reviewers often describe it as good value.
•Vaccinations (including puppies): Multiple reviews discuss puppy vaccination scheduling, particularly around second-jab booking rules and timing flexibility.
•Illness and ongoing care for cats and dogs: Reviews mention treatment for acute illness (including a vomiting puppy visit where treatment and costs were explained) and ongoing care for older dogs (including discussions about health outlook and joint pain).
•Pet travel documentation: Reviews specifically reference cat travel document appointments.
•Emergency cover and training (as listed in clinic data): Emergency veterinary services are listed as “24/7 or extended hours,” and the clinic is listed as a Veterinary Nurse Training facility.

Pricing

No published pricing information is currently available for this clinic.

People

•Verity (veterinarian): repeatedly praised as professional, caring, knowledgeable, and good at explaining treatment plans and costs.
•Mia (reception team, named in a review): described as friendly and professional.
•Taylor (staff member, referenced in booking/reception contexts): appears in several reviews, both positively (professional/friendly in one account) and negatively (rigid vaccination booking conversations and a “go elsewhere” response).

Reviews

Google rating: 4.6/5 from 260 reviews.

•Clinical care is often praised: several owners describe excellent care for older pets and reassuring treatment for urgent issues (including a vomiting puppy), with clear explanations from staff.
•Communication and bedside manner are mixed: some reviewers report warm, supportive interactions, while others describe judgmental or distressing comments during difficult conversations.
•Pricing transparency is a repeat concern in negatives: a few reviews allege unclear or changing costs (including VAT presentation and a disputed increase for a travel document appointment), while others say they were kept fully informed of costs.
•Access and booking friction comes up: complaints include difficulty getting timely appointments for unwell pets and frustration with strict puppy vaccination timing rules.

Reviews for Acorn Veterinary Surgery

Note: Showing the 10 most recent Google reviews out of 260 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Nishpal Mallassi

1 month ago

Dom Symonds

Al Thompson

2 months ago

Always such a warm welcome. Very grateful for the support and understanding of our darling little spaniel. A really kind and reliable practice, Charlie gets so excited to go here!

Albion Dina

They play with prices definitely not recommended

Sarah Gibb

Verity is a fantastic, empathic, professional and friendly veterinarian. My cat Frankie always receives the best care and attention and I'm always kept fully informed of any treatments and costs. The reception staff including Mia and Taylor are exceptionally friendly and professional. They are attentive to any concerns or questions I have. I believe the staff themselves are an integral part to any successful practice.

Alex Darling Wilson

3 months ago

Unfortunately, our experience with Acorn Vets in Hove has been consistently disappointing. While we have seen a couple of genuinely kind and compassionate vets, the overall standard of bedside manner has too often been poor. When our cat has received treatment, I can see that he has been clinically well cared for, and it is clear that many of the vets genuinely care deeply about animals. However, there seems to be far less understanding or empathy for what pet owners themselves may be facing — emotionally, practically, or financially. On multiple occasions we have been made to feel guilty or irresponsible for questioning treatment costs, despite only trying to make informed decisions in the best interests of our pet. This approach feels judgmental rather than supportive, particularly during what are already stressful and emotional situations. One particularly upsetting incident involved a vet telling me, in front of my two young children, that we were essentially terrible pet owners and that we “should put the cat down next time instead of letting him get this bad.” This comment was deeply distressing, inappropriate, and entirely lacking in compassion. We later felt compelled to make a formal complaint about this interaction. We have also found pricing to be unclear, with VAT added on top of invoices rather than being presented transparently upfront. In a profession where trust is essential, clearer communication around costs would make a significant difference. As pet owners who are genuinely trying to do the right thing, we expect to be treated with respect and empathy alongside good clinical care. Sadly, that balance has too often been missing here.

Despoina Tsouroupi

5 months ago

I am no longer taking my cat there but i felt like the review was due. I called them to book an appointment for my cats travel document. I asked how much it would cost me and they said £145. Because they changed my appointment i belive twice i had confirmed the price on every phonecall. When i got there they charged me 175 and when i asked politely why the increase the two girls at reception looked at each other and said the price changed in the meantime. I think thats a lie and if its not i think i should have been made aware. Anyway after this and as i was about to travel with my cat i asked if it was ok to place the cat carrier with my cat inside on the scales and they were rude once again saying that its for dog actually. I said ??? This wouldnt make a difference to them and i dont see why they wouldnt let me. One of them very rudely said to the other ugh let her its fine. Like i dont understand are you guys ok?? If you hate your job its not our fault?? The actual vets have always been very polite but the vibe on the reception is extremely toxic. Get a life and maybe stop scamming people by charging them extra for nothing… lol

Derek Ralph

Excellent care for my old dog

Diana Kelly

6 months ago

Mrinal Kundu

Great staff in all roles. The on premises experience is excellent.