Hillsborough Veterinary Referrals

Hillsborough Veterinary Referrals is a specialist-led, multidisciplinary small animal veterinary referral hospital in Hillsborough, Down. Recent reviews focus on referral surgery and case management, including BOAS surgery, orthopaedic treatment for a broken leg, and an urgent paralysis case that involved a scan and immediate surgery. Owners often mention detailed explanations, frequent updates during inpatient stays, and helpful support with insurance paperwork, though one repeated negative review reports a much poorer consultation experience.

Services

•Small animal referral care: referral-level assessment and treatment for dogs and other small animals, including complex surgical and medical cases.
•Airway surgery: BOAS surgery is specifically mentioned, along with follow-up appointments after the procedure.
•Orthopaedic referrals: reviews describe management of a broken leg, with discussion of treatment options, costs, and an overnight stay with nursing care.
•Diagnostics and urgent surgical assessment: one owner describes a scan being carried out before immediate surgery was recommended for a paralysed dog.
•Inpatient and post-operative care: surgery with hospitalisation, overnight stays, rechecks, and ongoing follow-up are all mentioned; one review describes a 10-day inpatient stay with regular progress updates.
•Cardiac referral consultation: one review mentions a detailed consultation for a dog with a heart issue.
•Insurance and visit support: reception staff are repeatedly praised for helping with insurance details and claims, and for making visits and rebooking feel less stressful.

Pricing

No published pricing information is currently available for this clinic, though reviews give mixed impressions on cost: one owner felt the care was expensive but worthwhile, while another was unhappy with what they paid for a consultation.

People

•Rachel / Rachael: repeatedly mentioned at reception for helping with insurance claims and details, keeping visits running smoothly, and reassuring anxious owners.
•Julie: named as the vet in a heart-related referral visit, praised for detailed explanations, listening, and care.
•Darren: mentioned for carrying out BOAS surgery and clearly talking an owner through the procedure and expected outcome.
•Aidan: named in a follow-up appointment after BOAS surgery.
•Phil: identified as the surgeon in an urgent paralysis case, where he examined the dog, carried out a scan, recommended immediate surgery, and stayed involved through follow-up.
•Andrew Burns: praised in an orthopaedic case involving a broken leg, with one owner highlighting his detailed explanations and support.

Reviews

Hillsborough Veterinary Referrals has 4.9 stars from 113 Google reviews.

•Communication is a major positive theme: several owners say vets explained cases clearly and in detail, and that staff helped them feel calmer during stressful visits.
•Referral surgery is a recurring strength in reviews: recent examples include BOAS surgery, orthopaedic treatment for a broken leg, and urgent surgery after a dog was found to be paralysed.
•Aftercare and admin support stand out: owners mention frequent updates during hospital stays, post-discharge calls and texts, rechecks, and practical help with insurance paperwork.
•There is one repeated negative account: a reviewer says they felt only euthanasia was offered, did not feel their input was welcomed, and remained unhappy about how the visit was later handled.

Reviews for Hillsborough Veterinary Referrals

Note: Showing the 10 most recent Google reviews out of 113 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Ewa Kaliszewska

6 months ago

Avril Gibson

7 months ago

Would definitely not recommend this Veterinary clinic. No no no! They trade as specialists but could only offer the option of putting my dog down when I wanted possible treatment options for my dog. It is in direct contrast to what I was looking for. Go to UCD veterinary clinic if you want expert specialist. treatment for your dog. Found also the vets did not like the owner's input, almost an ethos of listen to me and don't question it which is not conducive for getting the best outcome. It's not up to you to determine. I paid a significant amount of money to tell me to have my dog put down. Furthermore, my appointment was with vets at this clinic and not as you suggest with Carolyn House nor MiNlight. It is important to accept the facts. No point in further discussion I listened to two staff advising me in having him put down. He lived on for some time. I would definitely not recommend this clinic based on my experience. Additionally, like so many places they deny that you have been there finding no records. Convenient.

Karen Neill

8 months ago

Our first visit and all the staff could not be more helpful and put us at ease. Rachel was great dealing with our insurance claim and took the pressure off me at an anxious time. All reception staff were welcoming and helpful and couldn’t do enough for us to help our visit go smoothly and rebook another visit without any pressure. Julie the vet was great. Explained everything in great detail, listened to us without an issue and cared for our dog. The whole team cared for both pet and person and I cannot praise them highly enough. Brilliant is all I can say. Thanks to all the team on making our visit easy when we were worried about our dogs heart issue.

Elaine Tanton

9 months ago

Excellent service staff friendly and knowledgeable

Tammy Corbett

My dog had boas surgery with Darren and a follow up appointment with Aidan. I can honestly say from the minute you walk in the doors; you are welcomed with such professional attitude. Rachael on the desk helped me with insurance details while giving Daisy the best cuddles. She calmed me down and I was so thankful for her as I was very nervous. Darren talked me through the whole surgery explaining what would happen and how Daisy’s life would be better following the surgery. Daisy’s surgery went extremely well and I’m so glad that I chose to go to NIVS!

Sandra Adamson

1 year ago

Kenny and I would like to thank each and every one of you for the wonderful care you gave and are still giving to Toby since he went for his surgery on the 18th February. From the moment I rang and spoke to Rachel and on meeting Phil the surgeon we knew Toby was going to get the best treatment.The love care and dedication of Phil was so evident .We arrived with Toby at 4.30 when Phil had his days work done and on examining Toby he did a scan and said he needed immediate surgery and was willing to stay and do all he could for Toby.His words of reassurance meant everything to us after getting devastating news previous that day from our vet that Toby was paralyzed and may be put down. Toby was cared for for 10 days after his surgery and we got phonecalls twice if not 3 times a day to let us know how he was doing(and we knew he was getting spoilt) and that put our minds at ease each day.Since coming home Toby has had 2 checkups with Phil ,and we have had texts and calls to find out how he is doing Honestly this is the best place ever and we would totally recommend this vets.Toby is recovering well and we thank each of the team for all their dedication, encouragement,love, professional care and attention towards our wee Toby. Sandra and kenny

Caroline Morris

What an absolutely incredible team! Massive thanks to the fantastic Andrew Burns who really went above and beyond with my puppy Izzi who broke her leg over the Christmas period. I genuinely don’t know where we would be without him, he explained everything in detail including costs which is obviously a big part (it may seem expensive but believe me they are so beyond worth it for the care/ attention your pet receives and the wealth of knowledge between the team) Also thanks so much to the nurses who looked after Iz for her over night stay, and lastly to the loveliest receptionists. I felt completely at ease leaving her in your care. I wish I could give a 10 star review. If you are considering a surgery for your pet, this is by far the most professional, caring and qualified place to go. Izzi is such a lucky girl to be referred to you. THANK YOU! ❤️