Village Veterinary Surgery

Thank you to the village vets formby. Always greeted with a smile. Friendly team. Always helpful. Looking forward to our next visit to see the behavioural expert

I had a surreal experience at this practice: When I arrived at the practice my dog (Ruthie) was spooked by a dog in the waiting room, she slipped her collar and ran back to the car. This made her nervous to come back in to the practice, but the nurse ushered us straight through to the treatment room. So far so good. In the treatment room we met the vet Ewan. Dressed in his green gown and mask he stood up, Ruthie faced the vet and backed up towards me cowering, growling, showing her teeth wagging her tail. She repeatedly crept towards Ewan but kept backing off. Ewan didn’t offer a hand to calm the Ruthie or say much to her or me. I explained Ruthie had been spooked and was nervous. I began explaining why I had made the appointment but Ewan was still fairly unresponsive. Ewan left the room and come back with Sharon. Sharon offered her hand to Ruthie, Ruthie sniffed her and come back to me and was beginning to calm down. I explained that this was abnormal behaviour which probably had to do with the situation feeling so stand offish (they towering over the dog staring at her without saying anything to calm her), their gowns and their masks. Both Ewan and Sharon stood watching the dog for so long that I had to ask; “what is happening?” At this point Sharon suggested puppy socialisation, training classes, one on one training. (Ruthie has attended both socialisation and puppy classes but she is very timid). I thought it was Sharon and Ewan that needed socialisation tbh. I let Ruthie off the lead at this point and she explored the office including sniffing Ewan and Sharon and she was calm (for a 8 month old border collie). The appointment didn’t seem to be progressing, I was shocked at their reaction to Ruthies behaviour and thought their standoffishness was part of the problem. I asked “what does this behaviour look like to you?” Ewan said he had never seen a dog behave like this and suggested it could be some sort of schizophrenia. Bare in mind I brought her to the vet for a sore paw ha. It became clear that they were intending to muzzle Ruthie for the examination (Ruthie was fine by this point, not baring her teeth, sniffing around the room, approaching Sharon and Ewan with confidence). I felt this was an over reaction which was likely to cause the dog more distress so I left. Ruthie is a small 8 month old border collie, and it was clear to me that she was just anxious. The response of the vet and his assistant was so unbelievable I was left questioning their motives, (were they trying to drum up work for a behavioural specialist or something?). Type "can a dog get schizophrenia" in to google it will tell you that it is the one psychiatric condition that they can't get. This left me questioning the vets competence. I have left this feedback with the practice manager by email but they have not responded to me personally. If they respond to this I'm sure they will claim that the vet was trying to protect himself from a potentially dangerous dog. This is a subjective judgement and I would bet that 95% of people would no have been threatened by the dogs behaviour, let alone a vet. Very poor Ewan and Sharon very poor. I have given 2 stars because the receptionist refunded our money and was quite helpful. This may just be a very poor individual vet. Maybe your're better suited to pseudo pet psychiatry Ewan!

Excellent service. Fantastic animal care provided.

I have not had dogs for a few years and have changed from the normal breed I have. Village Vets have made the transition very easy with sound advice and being all round friendly and helpful with some minor issues I had at the start and they got us back on the mend quickly. We have slightly differing views on healthcare and nutrition which I feel we can discuss openly so my pets are supported and I would trust the team completely with my animals care. Always leave feeling very happy and like I’ve had a great experience focused on my pets well being.

Brilliant receptionists as always. Forever happy and helpful!