Specialist Vets in Downpatrick

## Summary Castle Veterinary Group describes itself as a small veterinary centre offering “holistic pet care” with veterinary surgeons and nurses, and it’s also listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. In recent reviews, owners describe inpatient care with frequent updates (one cat admitted for four nights, with vets and nurses “in frequent touch”), and a practice that will fit pets in when owners are worried (“always make time to see my dogs”). Preventive care is also specifically mentioned, including a first vaccination, microchip and health check for a young pet. ## Services Based on the website summary and the written reviews available: - **Inpatient/hospital care**: admission for multiple nights is described, with ongoing communication to owners during the stay. - **Consultations**: owners mention consultations and being seen when concerned about their pets’ health. - **Vaccinations, microchipping and health checks**: specifically mentioned as part of a first-visit preventive package for a young pet. - **Examinations and medication plans**: one review describes a “very thorough examination” for a puppy, followed by treatment and medication recommendations. - **Surgery**: a reviewer notes planning to book their puppy in for surgery (the procedure isn’t specified). - **Emergency care**: one long-term client reports “excellent service in emergencies” (no further detail on how emergencies are handled). - **Pet Health Club® Plus**: the site references a plan where **consultations are included** (no pricing or full inclusions are stated). - **Species seen (from reviews)**: dogs and cats are repeatedly referenced; one reviewer also mentions horses and a goat being treated. ## People No individual clinicians are named in the information provided. What owners highlight about the team: - **Vets and nurses keeping owners informed during hospitalisation**: one owner said staff were “in frequent touch” while their cat was admitted for four nights. - **Making time for worried owners**: a long-standing client says the vets “always make time to see my dogs” when they have concerns. - **Helping pets and owners feel comfortable**: a reviewer describing vaccines/microchip/health check said staff “go out of their way to make you and your animals feel comfortable.” ## Reviews **4.8 stars from 230 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Communication during serious illness/hospital stays**: frequent updates while a cat was hospitalised for several nights. - **Access when owners are concerned**: repeated mentions of being fit in and taken seriously when something feels wrong. - **Routine preventive care experiences**: first vaccine, microchip and health check are explicitly praised for how comfortable staff made the visit. - **Long-term relationships**: multiple reviewers mention being with the practice for decades/years. - **End-of-life and loss are part of some experiences**: one reviewer mentions euthanasia and being told their cat had died, while still describing service as friendly.

## Summary Downe Veterinary Clinic is set up for both routine preventive care and more involved procedures, with keyhole surgery listed on its website and emergency veterinary services listed in its clinic information. Recent reviews give concrete examples of: - **Dental work**: one owner describes their 12‑year‑old dog having **teeth removed** and being collected “fully recovered” the same afternoon. - **Neutering**: a dog neuter was **prearranged via a shelter**, with the owner saying their dog was well cared for. - **End-of-life care**: a reviewer describes having their dog **put to sleep on Boxing Day**, highlighting the vet’s reassurance and professionalism in a difficult appointment. The clinic is also listed as a **veterinary nurse training facility**. ## Services Services mentioned on the clinic website and/or in reviews include: - **Routine and preventive care**: routine check-ups; initial health check; first vaccination series; microchipping; nutritional advice - **Parasite prevention**: flea and tick treatments; flea and worm treatment - **Procedures and treatments**: specialized medical treatments; **keyhole surgery** (listed); **dental extractions/teeth removed** (review example); **neutering** (review example) - **End-of-life care**: euthanasia/put to sleep (review example) - **Ongoing care/other**: Pet Health Club (listed); pet food orders (listed) - **Emergency care**: emergency veterinary services are listed in the clinic’s information (no further detail provided) ## People - **Anna (vet)**: named in a review as the vet on duty during a euthanasia appointment. The owner specifically mentions her **reassuring approach** and **professionalism** during the consultation. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 195 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Successful day procedures**: dental extractions described with same-day pickup and the dog “fully recovered.” - **Surgery care and handling**: neutering experience described as well organised (arranged through a shelter), with the dog “well cared for.” - **Support during difficult visits**: one owner emphasises reassurance and professionalism during a euthanasia appointment. - **Species beyond dogs**: one reviewer with multiple **house rabbits** says they rely on the clinic regularly and feel their rabbits are in good hands.