Vets Now (Gateshead)

Vets Now Gateshead is part of the Vets Now out-of-hours emergency network, within IVC Evidensia. It provides emergency care for small animals when regular practices are closed, including weekends and bank holidays. Recent feedback shows owners using it for urgent problems and end-of-life decisions; experiences are often compassionate and efficient, though views on waiting times, communication and cost are mixed.

Services

•Out-of-hours emergency care: available when daytime practices are closed, including weekends and bank holidays.
•Emergency assessment and treatment for small animals: recent reviews mention dogs most often, along with one hamster case.
•Examples mentioned by owners: seizure management with medication, thorough examination and medication for abdominal discomfort, assessment of breathing problems, and advice by phone and at reception before arrival.
•Diagnostics and more intensive treatment: reviews mention x-rays being discussed, a dog being admitted for ongoing care, and an emergency blood transfusion being arranged and carried out.
•End-of-life care: several owners describe euthanasia being handled with sensitivity, including careful explanations and time before and after to say goodbye.

Pricing

No published pricing information is currently available for this clinic.

People

•Steven (vet): named by one owner, who describes him as respectful and kind during euthanasia, talking them carefully through what would happen and giving them plenty of time with their dog.
•Reception team and nurses: frequently praised for being friendly, efficient and compassionate, including clear phone guidance, support during euthanasia, and practical help for distressed pets and owners.

Reviews

Google rating: 4.3 stars from 597 reviews.

•Compassion is a strong theme in positive feedback, especially during difficult visits. Several owners mention kind handling, clear explanations and thoughtful end-of-life support, including unhurried time with pets and a condolence card afterwards.
•Reception and phone staff are often singled out for being helpful and organised. Some owners say they were directed to the clinic quickly and seen promptly, with one dog examined, treated and back home within about an hour.
•Consistency appears less strong once pets are with the clinical team. A few owners describe rushed consultations, disappointing follow-up communication, or a very long wait in a serious case.
•Cost comes up repeatedly. Even positive reviews often describe the service as very expensive, and a small number of reviewers mention price changes or concerns about payment handling.

Reviews for Vets Now (Gateshead)

Note: Showing the 10 most recent Google reviews out of 597 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Ma Katherine

1 month ago

The vet was incredibly friendly and helpful during a difficult time for us and our hamster. Thank you so much.

Helen Jones

Support for my dog was very good and information clear from reception and on the phone. Less so from the vet who was very rushed. Was also disappointed that the price’s increased from £320 to £709 depending on who I spoke to.

Lucy Richardson

We attended the Vets Now Gateshead clinic with our 6-month-old English bulldog, Bruno. I want to say first that the reception staff were lovely, and I had no intention of leaving a negative review. Unfortunately the veterinary care afterwards was extremely disappointing. After returning home from the appointment (which cost £441), Bruno developed raised lumps across his back. We sent photographs to the clinic so the vet could review them. When we phoned for advice, we were told to give chlorphenamine (an unlicensed medication for dogs) without the vet even looking at the photos. When we asked whether the vet had reviewed the images we sent, we were told no. We were also told the reaction could not be related to the injection he had received earlier (Prevomax). However, after reviewing the product information leaflet ourselves, we found that urticaria / allergic reactions are listed as a recognised adverse reaction. No side effects were discussed with us at the time of treatment and we were not given any written information. Instead we had to research the medication ourselves while dealing with a worrying reaction in our dog. Overall the experience left us feeling unsupported after paying a very expensive out-of-hours fee.

Miriam Wilson

Found me an emergency vet quickly and close by

jen kitching

The cost is astronomical but the care was outstanding. My dog was admitted and they allowed me to go and spend some time with him on day 2.

Michael Faulkner

3 months ago

Kind helpful and sympathetic but very expensive.

Wayne Mitchell

ÐISGRACEFUL -Ernie 10yr old springer. Somehow my dog survived. It was Boxing Day lunchtime and my dog became unwell,breathing seemed abnormal. This was the closest emergency vet. We waited 5 hours at Vets Now before somebody looked at him and the vet said he needed emergency blood transfusion ASAP or euthanasia. He wasn't getting enough oxygen due to his blood cells going wrong and his gums were pale and all he could do was lie down on the floor. The vet rings around and finds blood available in Cramlington and tells us to pick it up as this is the quickest way to treat the dog. We agree to pay £1,000 upfront for treatment to start. We are driving home after dropping the blood off and we get a get a call asking for more money before they would work on the dog because there is a new vet took over shift who said £1000 isn't enough. We transfer another £500 to them. We then get call hours later asking for documents proof of address etc. They still hadn't started work on the dog. He had been left there for over six hours at least before they started to work on him. The blood we were told had to be used within four hours. The place was quiet at 7:00 pm when we left him. This female Scottish vet had no care whatsoever from what I could see which is a shame after seeing the dedication of the other vets. Final bill was just over 2000 but irrelevant anyway as we were insured. The insurance company was shut as it was Boxing day. Surely after transferring them £1500 this should be enough to get someone to work on your dog who is dying essentially? I telephone them at 5:00 a.m. in the morning and he is still under transfusion . I am told that I can have my dog back after 12 if everything is ok with him and that the balance is paid . Essentially holding the dog for ransom . A practice the Royal Veterinary College advises against .11 days later he's looking really well but we don't know the underlying cause yet. People have a duty to call out if something is wrong but I feel the vet is the hierarchy and the nurses and reception just have to do as they are instructed ,but there is something wrong here. I have been lucky to own seven dogs in my lifetime, and I've never been left so angry and disillusioned at somebody's so called professionalism . This experienced vet needs supervised at least, in my opinion.

Joanne Jackson

Great service and advice

Julie Hodgson

George our Miniature Schnauzer was very uncomfortable on Boxing Day. He was squirming around on his tummy, unable to settle. We rang our vets and spoke to a veterinary nurse who advised us to ring Vets Now. After a quick and efficient phone call getting all the information they needed we were told to take him straight there. He was seen very quickly by two vets, a thorough examination and some meds given and he was back home within the hour. Yes, it is pricey, we do have insurance but won't claim, but to be seen and reassured that he would be ok is priceless to us.