Specialist Vets in St. Leonards-On-Sea

## Summary Hastings Vets4Pets Ltd is part of the Vets4Pets group, and the website describes it as a locally owned practice with a modern, well‑equipped facility. It’s set up for routine care and procedures (for example neutering and dentistry), plus on-site diagnostics (in‑house lab work, X‑ray and ultrasound) and surgery (operating theatre), with a stated special interest in orthopaedics (including knee surgery) from the practice owner. In the latest reviews available to us, owners describe specific, practical touches such as post‑procedure update calls during a cat neuter, an aftercare pack being provided, and compassionate handling around euthanasia (including a condolence card and forget‑me‑not seeds). There’s also at least one complaint about being charged an “emergency” fee to be seen sooner, described as feeling impersonal and money‑driven—so expectations around urgent-slot pricing may be worth clarifying upfront. ## Services From the clinic website summary and the latest reviews available to us, services and capabilities mentioned include: - **Diagnostics & monitoring** - In‑house laboratory testing, including **haematology** and **biochemistry** - **Blood pressure monitoring** - **X‑ray** and **ultrasound** - Blood testing in an urgent case, including **electrolytes** and **pancreas** testing (review) - **Surgery & procedures** - **Operating theatre** - **Neutering** (cat neuter described in reviews) - **Lump removal** (review) - Orthopaedics listed as a specialty; the practice owner specifically mentions **surgical correction of the knee joint** (website) - **Dentistry** - Dentistry is listed on the website (no specific dental procedures described in the reviews provided) - **Hospitalisation / wards & infection control (facilities stated on the website)** - **Isolation unit** - **Separated dog & cat wards** - **Care for urgent cases (as described in reviews)** - IV fluids and pain control for a dog in severe abdominal pain, with monitoring over the weekend described by the owner (review) - **Documentation** - **Pet passport / Animal Health Certificate** (website) - **Out-of-hours care** - The website states that **out-of-hours care is provided by Vets Now Eastbourne**. - **Veterinary Nurse Training** - Listed in the clinic data as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. ## Pricing - One reviewer reports being quoted an **“emergency” fee of £190** to be seen sooner, and later describes paying **£225** for a ~10‑minute emergency visit **including £30 of medications**. (This is a customer account rather than a published price list.) ## People - **Dan (Practice Owner & Veterinary Surgeon, MRCVS)** (website): describes a special interest in **orthopaedics**, especially **surgical correction of the knee joint**. - **Arda (Veterinary Surgeon, MRCVS)** (website). - **Hunor (Veterinary Surgeon, MRCVS)** (website; bio text is partially cut off in the provided summary). From the latest reviews available to us: - **Tabita/Tabitha (vet)**: repeatedly praised for managing a dog’s severe abdominal pain—owners describe a thorough exam, **IV fluids**, **pain control**, and **blood tests (including electrolytes and pancreas)**, plus willingness to set aside time for possible emergency surgery if needed. - **Martina** (role not specified in reviews): mentioned as the person a dog “sees most of the time,” with the owner highlighting how she helps make monthly allergy‑injection visits positive and talks them through issues like a lump removal and follow-up care. - **Team approach noted in reviews**: staff phoning owners with updates after a neuter, providing an **aftercare pack**, and showing compassion around euthanasia (including sending a card and seeds). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.6 stars from 440 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Clear communication and follow-up**: owners mention being kept updated by phone during a cat neuter and receiving a helpful aftercare pack. - **Handling of urgent medical cases**: one detailed account describes IV fluids, pain relief, and same-visit blood tests for a dog in severe abdominal pain, with the vet ready to escalate to emergency surgery if needed. - **Long-term condition management**: monthly allergy injections, skin scrapes and allergy testing are described, along with ongoing visits over many years. - **Support around end-of-life care**: a family describes staff being very understanding during euthanasia for a small pet, followed by a condolence card and forget‑me‑not seeds. - **Mixed feedback on the business side**: one reviewer objects to being prompted repeatedly to leave reviews; another reports dissatisfaction with **“emergency” visit fees** (including a £190 emergency fee and a £225 total bill) and describes the experience as impersonal.

## Summary Our Veterina describes itself as an **independent** practice offering tailored medical care, with on-site facilities including a **surgical suite**, **dentistry suite with dental X‑rays**, **ultrasound**, **X‑rays**, and **laboratory diagnostics**. For urgent advice outside normal appointments, it partners with **Vidivet**, a digital service that provides remote veterinary advice at any time. From the latest reviews available, the clinic appears set up for **both routine care and higher-stakes medical/surgical cases**, with owners repeatedly mentioning: - **Urgent procedures being prioritised** (including a “life‑threatening” emergency operation carried out as soon as possible). - **Clear, detailed explanations during consultations and de-briefs**, rather than feeling rushed. - **Considerate end-of-life care**, including follow-up gestures (one owner mentions receiving a condolence card even though they weren’t registered). ## Services Services and capabilities mentioned across the clinic’s website summary and reviews include: - **Preventative care** - Vaccinations (“vaccinated and had a thorough health check”) - Preventative treatment (listed by the clinic) - **Diagnostics** - **Ultrasound imaging** (used for a puppy who’d swallowed socks) - **X‑rays** (facility listed by the clinic) - **Laboratory diagnostics / blood tests** (“bloods” mentioned in a case involving a suspected blockage) - **Dentistry** - Dentistry services (listed by the clinic) - **Dental X‑rays** (dentistry suite with dental X-rays listed by the clinic) - **Surgery** - Emergency surgery for an intestinal blockage after sock ingestion (multiple visits leading to surgery, plus post-surgery check) - A “life‑threatening” emergency operation for a young cat, described as prioritised and completed quickly, with neat incision/staples and strong aftercare - Surgery for an older dog with a heart condition (owner mentions going home with medication afterwards) - **Remote advice** - Partnership with **Vidivet** for **remote veterinary advice at any time** (as stated on the website summary) ## People - **Dr. Lubos Kustra (Veterinary Surgeon; practice owner)**: Named in reviews as leading care and taking time to explain treatment in detail. Owners describe him supporting them through euthanasia appointments and difficult decisions (multiple reviews mention “final goodbyes” handled with care and dignity). - **Kasia**: Mentioned positively for involvement in care during an emergency operation and for support more generally. - **Lottie**: Thanked by name alongside the clinical team after a cat’s emergency surgery. - **Sarah**: One reviewer notes that *other reviews* mention “a bad experience with Sarah,” but in their own case they found her helpful and supportive, particularly during an **insurance claim**. (This is the only specific detail available about that mixed feedback.) - **Reception team**: Mentioned for helping nervous first-time visitors feel at ease and for being warm and accommodating. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 57 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Emergency and complex cases handled in-practice:** owners describe urgent surgery for a blockage from swallowed socks (with ultrasound, blood tests, injections, surgery, and a post-op check), a prioritised life‑threatening operation for a young cat, and treatment started promptly for acute pancreatitis that relieved severe pain within days. - **High-touch communication:** multiple reviews mention in-depth consultations, detailed explanations of treatment, and thorough de-briefs rather than feeling rushed. - **End-of-life support:** several owners describe euthanasia appointments handled sensitively, including respectful treatment of the pet and support for the family; one mentions a condolence card sent afterwards. - **Aftercare details:** examples include going home with medication after surgery and praise for incision/staple neatness and follow-up support. - **Some mixed feedback referenced about one staff member:** a reviewer notes that some others report a bad experience with “Sarah,” while describing their own experience with her as helpful (especially with insurance paperwork).