Highgate Vet

Lots of reviews have been left by long standing customers of Highgate Vets when it was owned by Alan, before the present owners bought it as a going concern and inherited all the good will Alan had built up over his many years as a local vet. People trusted him and knew if he said your pet needed something then you knew it did. Lots of people have described how this bond of trust has been broken and the reservoir of good will built up by Alan is now bone dry and pet-owners realise they are being used as a cash cow by the present incumbents. There is no need for me to add to that. It is their competence that I would like to question using the awful experience we had with our dog as an example. Below is a list of events as they unfolded. Thursday 12th. Had a tooth removed. We were given Meloxaid as a pain killer. Berry reacted badly to it over the weekend, began vomiting and having diarrhoea. We called the vet on Monday morning and were given an appointment at the end of the day. At 4.15 the vet said she was pleased with Berrys progress and she gave her an injection to stop the vomiting and gave Emma medicine to stop the diarrhoea but that evening Berry wouldnt eat and she started becoming very unwell. She no longer vomited but was confused and distressed and was having watery-jets of red diarrhoea at increasing frequency. Every 15 minutes or so by the morning. We were up all night emailing the vet as Berrys condition worsened and were waiting for them at the clinic when they opened. They took her in for the day and hospitalised her. They said there was no organ damage and the only problem was the Hemorrhagic gastritis. They called Emma toward the end of the day and said Berry was ready for home at 4.45. They said Berry was responding well but hadnt eaten but maybe that was because she wasnt at home. When Emma arrived to collect her she was horrified to see Berry could hardly walk and seemed withdrawn and listless. Emma left with a bag of pills and instructions about how and when to give them. All the medicine had to be taken in food even though Berry couldnt eat or drink. They never once mentioned infection, sepsis or organ failure. Emma asked What is the prognosis? Good the vet said. Is her stomach going to be damaged? Emma asked. No they said. They left a list of various states [ ie sick more than 3 times, call emergency/ begins eating and drinking, book an appointment for the following Friday, no eating then come back in the morning] I arrived home from work at 7.30 and Berry had already soiled the floor and was still refusing to eat or drink. There was bloody discharge coming from her bottom and she started foaming at the mouth, her eyes rolled back and she had very troubled breathing.. That is when we went to the emergency vet who immediately said the thing that most concerned her was infection. She was so worried about Berrys condition that she didnt think she would make it through the night. Thankfully she did because of the amazing vet at the hospital. Her subsequent blood test showed she had leucopaenia [ low white blood cells ], hypoglycaemia, haemoconcentration [increased red blood cells], severe dehydration/ hypovolaemia and secondary septic shock. Just to repeat. This is 3 hours after Highgate Vets had discharged her after a days critical care saying We are pleased with her progress So just to summarise, Highagte Vets knew on Tuesday morning that Berry's had intestinal haemorrhaging but didn't think that her deteriorating condition had anything to do with blood poisoning. she was with them for 8.5 hours in critical care but when she was discharged she was severely dehydrated with very low white blood cells and raised red blood cells which should both flag up 'infection' but no, they were 'pleased with her progress' even though she could barely walk. Mine isn't an isolated incident. Talking to dog walkers on The Heath every day I hear lots of horror stories of incompetence and know people are leaving in droves. Find another vet for your pet's sake.
Apr 23rd, 2023

Extraordinary service I experienced with my husband, we couldnt be more grateful for how thorough Jennie was, the receptionists were very welcoming too.
Apr 26th, 2023

Cant thank the team at Highgate enough, youre all gems! Thank you.
Apr 24th, 2023

My cat was traumatised from an accident that happened on Tuesday. I registered at Highgate vet and they dealt with it swiftly. The nurse I believe to be called Wendy took care of her in terms of calming her down and gave lots of information which I havent experienced in other vets. Jennie and Matt really have built a strong cohort here!
Apr 20th, 2023

I brought my dog yesterday for a consultation with Dr Jennie and I cant thank her enough for how attentive and caring she was. She gave a clear and concise explanation for all my queries and follow up for the after care. Its refreshing to have a vet that truly cares about its clients. Thank you and I highly recommend.
Apr 20th, 2023