Medivet Stevenage

Good but expensive

Professional, most knowledgeable and kind staff Thank you for looking after my dogs with such care and help

Got a very scared 2 year old Romanian rescue dog and registered him here based off of all the amazing reviews. As he’s so scared, we had a behaviourist come in to look at him and she wrote a report and suggested that we speak to the vets about getting some anxiety medication for him, to help him settle down, as he would cry all night and in the day. We also think he has a urine infection, as his urine is so dark and stinks. Spent 3/4 days trying to get hold of someone from the vets, with many promises of being called back, which never materialised. When the vet, Chris, called me back he told me they wouldn’t be able to give meds without seeing him - which I totally understand, but I couldn’t even walk near the dog without him running away, let alone getting a leash or harness on him. I then put the phone on speaker so my husband could hear what was being said. I asked if they would come to see him, as he told me they only needed to lay eyes on him to see how scared he was (we live literally around the corner from the vets, it would have taken no more than 10 minutes to come see him AND we would have paid) and he said no, they only do that for dogs being put to sleep, as it takes nurses and vets out of the practice. For 10 mins? I then asked if we should just put him in the crate and bring him, he told me that doing that might set him back emotionally…I kept saying “okay, so where do we go from here?” with no real answers or resolution. Also, if he has a urine infection he needs to be looked at, aren’t vets supposed to care for animals?! Not just essentially be like “oh well, not my problem” Chris then spent the rest of the phone call skirting round issues and trying to convince us to get rid of the dog (who had been here 2 weeks at this point); saying things like I “wouldn’t be letting myself or the rescue down” and “it is going to cost you thousands in behaviourists” and to essentially “cut our losses”. Firstly, so be it, it’s mine and my husband’s money to spend. We knew it wasn’t going to be plain sailing but were just looking for professional and helpful advice - not to be told to get rid. Odie also nipped at the guys that brought him here, as he was so scared, and has nipped at my husband when he put his hand too close when Odie was backing away (husband’s fault), but because he’s scared, not because he’s aggressive. Chris started telling me “if he bites someone outside on a walk, it’s a police matter etc.” - not helpful??? He’s a tiny 7KG dog, not a pitbull, who is biting because he’s terrified and hasn’t settled. He then also started blaming the rescue and talking badly about them, yes they could have done more, I agree, but this is now the situation we’re in, so we have to move on from here. After quite some time of going round in circles and him saying to get rid of Odie, he just suggested a behaviourist which “is going to cost me thousands” but that we’re already doing, and Skullcap and Vallerian herbal tablets, which I bought whilst we were on the phone. That was all of his advice. I got off the phone and cried because how awful is it that a “professional” vet is telling you to get rid of the dog after 2 weeks, having not even seen him either?! I was so, so upset and was telling a friend who recommended me to Hitchin Vets - I can’t recommend them enough. I told them what was told to me by Valley Vets and they were in total disbelief. Hitchin Vets spent 45 mins initially on the phone with me asking questions about Odie and offering loads of great advice, a vet then rang me back and we were on the phone for ages again - you could tell he actually cared, they’ve checked in a couple of times this week and are doing a home visit to come and see Odie tomorrow from HITCHIN…let alone just 2 minutes round the corner? Regarding his potential UTI too, they advised us to collect his pee, which we’ve managed to do, so they don’t have to stress him out by touching him and are going to take it back to their lab to test. Absolutely disgraceful from Valley Vets.