Specialist Vets in Tarporley

## Summary The Firs is part of the Willows Veterinary Group (a mixed-practice group that treats pets, farm animals and horses). The group states it provides dedicated emergency care 24/7, 365 days a year. In reviews, owners most often describe routine preventive care (vaccinations and check-ups) delivered with clear explanations and a calm, low-stress feel—several mention pets settling quickly during appointments. Practical touches also come up, including appointment reminders and staff liaising with another vet to obtain medical records during an urgent visit. ## Services - **Routine preventative care** (from reviews): annual vaccinations, health checks, “wellbeing advice,” and pre-vaccination check-ups. - **Puppy care** (from reviews): first vaccinations, microchipping, vet checks, and weighing. - **Urgent/same-day care** (from reviews): fitting in an emergency appointment and treating a dog’s foot abscess immediately. - **End-of-life care** (from reviews): support with euthanasia in a cancer (sarcoma) case. - **Emergency cover** (from the group website): dedicated emergency care available **24/7, 365 days a year**. - **Veterinary Nurse Training facility** (from clinic data). ## People - **Fiona (vet)**: mentioned in reviews for handling a difficult cancer case with clear communication and compassion, including support around euthanasia; also credited with staying on to treat a dog promptly and explaining treatment step-by-step. - **Jo (team member)**: named in a review describing a calm, organised puppy vaccination and microchipping visit where the puppies remained relaxed. - **Reception team / nurses / vets (general)**: repeatedly noted for being informative (especially at reception), giving guidance, and creating a calm atmosphere that helps nervous animals stay at ease. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.8 stars from 84 reviews.** “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Communication and follow-through:** owners mention appointment reminders and vets explaining findings and treatment clearly at each stage. - **Calm handling of pets:** multiple reviews describe a relaxed atmosphere with dogs and puppies staying settled during exams, vaccinations and microchipping. - **Thorough checks beyond the main reason for the visit:** one review notes a full health check on arrival for an urgent appointment that picked up additional issues to follow up. - **Support during emergencies and difficult outcomes:** examples include fitting in an emergency visit, immediate abscess treatment, and compassionate guidance during euthanasia.

## Summary Birch Heath Veterinary Clinic is set up for both routine small-animal care and a high volume of exotic-pet work, with facilities listed for in-house diagnostics (including ultrasound and endoscopy) plus dedicated rooms for reptiles and for small mammals/birds. The clinic also states it offers both first-opinion and referral services for companion and exotic animals, and is a veterinary nurse training facility. Decision-relevant details owners mention include praise for avian/exotics support (for example, ongoing treatment and advice for budgies, and surgery for a bearded dragon), alongside a couple of complaints about consultation cost and the depth of investigation—one hedgehog owner says they felt they paid “double” their usual fee for a consult that didn’t identify the issue. ## Services Based on the clinic’s website and the reviews available: - **Small animal and exotic animal care**, with species listed including dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, reptiles (e.g., bearded dragons, tortoises), birds (small/large cage birds and birds of prey), backyard poultry, amphibians, aquarium fish, and wildlife/zoo animals. - **Consultations** (including for birds/exotics; budgie and hedgehog visits mentioned). - **Surgery** (a bearded dragon owner describes “many vet visits and even surgery”). - **Diagnostics & imaging**, including **in-house laboratory**, **ultrasound**, and **endoscopy** (from the website). - **Dentistry** (listed on the website). - Preventive/routine care listed on the website: **vaccinations**, **microchipping**, **neutering**, **parasite control**, **six-month health checks**, and **blood pressure checks**. - Nurse-led and practical care listed on the website: **nurse clinics**, **anal sac expression**, **grooming & nail clipping**, and **home visits**. - **Acupuncture** (listed on the website). - **Pet travel documentation** (listed on the website). - **Emergency arrangements:** the website states emergency support is available during normal opening hours via the clinic, with out-of-hours support provided through **MiNightVet Chester**. Accreditations/certifications listed on the website: - **RCVS General Practice** - **RCVS Client Service Award – Outstanding** - **Cat Friendly Clinic – Silver** - **Rabbit Friendly Clinic – Silver Plus** ## People - **Dr Jack (vet)**: Mentioned repeatedly by bird owners/rescuers for budgie care. Reviews describe him as providing treatment for sick birds and “general advice,” with owners highlighting his knowledge of avian/exotic medicine and clear communication. - **Amber Summers (vet nurse)**: Praised by a dog owner for “explaining everything” and making sure their whippet was well looked after. - **Suzetta (staff member; role not stated in the review)**: Thanked by a bearded dragon owner for support and kindness during repeated visits, surgery, and end-of-life care. - **Leanne (staff member; role not stated in the review)**: Mentioned by a rabbit owner in the context of supportive end-of-life care (they note she gave their rabbit the nickname “Mr Fred”). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.6 stars from 182 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Strong demand for avian/exotics care:** multiple reviews describe travelling specifically to see the clinic for budgies and other exotics, citing difficulty finding avian vets elsewhere and valuing the advice and treatment given. - **Exotics experience is viewed very differently by different owners:** one hedgehog owner says they were charged “double” and left with little insight beyond antibiotics, later getting a cancer diagnosis elsewhere; other exotic owners describe ongoing care and surgery (bearded dragon) and “wonderful” treatment/advice for a rescue budgie flock. - **Staff communication and support are frequently highlighted:** reception and nursing staff are repeatedly mentioned for being helpful from the first call/visit, explaining care, and providing emotional support during euthanasia and aftercare (including collecting ashes). - **Pricing concerns appear in low-star reviews:** two reviewers describe being charged “double” compared with previous vets, with one also describing the interaction as disrespectful.