Vets Now (Aberdeen)

Vets Now (Aberdeen) is part of the Vets Now emergency network, set up specifically for out-of-hours pet emergencies and offering support across 60+ clinics as well as remote options like live chat/video consults (per the clinic website). Recent reviews describe both in-clinic emergency visits and cases resolved with advice given over the phone (for example, guidance to give an antihistamine for sudden facial swelling thought to be a bite/sting).

Owners most often mention fast triage in urgent situations and staff explaining treatment plans and costs as they go. At the same time, a few reviews raise concerns about long waits, high charges for certain services, and occasional communication or admin problems (for example, medication labelled with the wrong dog’s name).

Concrete specifics mentioned in reviews include

•Emergency availability over holiday periods (Christmas Day/Boxing Day mentioned).
•Staff giving phone advice that prevented an immediate trip in at least one case (antihistamine guidance for swelling).
•Costs discussed “at every stage” in one review, and staff phoning an insurer to help clarify cover in another.
•Reports of a long wait (over 2.5 hours) and worries about a dog developing a cough after time in a waiting room with other sick animals.

Services

Based on the website summary and the latest reviews, owners reference

•Out-of-hours emergency assessments when regular vet practices are closed (website; multiple reviews).
•Phone/video or remote support options (website mentions live chat and video consultations).
•In-clinic emergency examinations (one review describes temperature check, heart rate measurement, abdominal palpation, and history-taking).
•Treatment planning with options discussed, including a “covered”/lower-cost option when funds or insurance were uncertain (reviewed experience).
•Support for urgent issues such as
•Suspected bite/sting reactions causing swelling (managed with advice to give an antihistamine).
•Injuries/distress after an incident with another dog.
•Euthanasia and cremation arrangements (mentioned in a review about total costs).

Pricing

Prices quoted in individual reviews (these are single-owner experiences, not a full price list)

•“£370 + the cost of treatment” following an emergency visit (one owner’s report).
•“A few pence short of £720” for euthanasia for a 9kg dog, and “£924” total when cremation was added (one owner’s report).

People

No individual clinicians are named in the information provided, but roles and behaviours are described

•Reception/triage: one owner describes a calm, reassuring receptionist who relayed details to the vet quickly and helped guide next steps by phone.
•Veterinary nurses: one review says a veterinary nurse offered a lift home in severe weather after an emergency appointment.
•Vets: feedback is mixed—some owners describe being kept informed of the care plan and costs, and one reports staff even phoned their insurer to help clarify policy details; others felt a vet was “dismissive and standoffish” during a stressful emergency visit.

Reviews

Google rating: 4.3 stars from 364 reviews. “”

•Speed and availability: several owners describe being treated quickly despite the clinic being busy, and multiple reviews highlight being open and able to help on major holidays.
•Communication and guidance: repeated mentions of staff explaining plans and costs, and one detailed report of practical phone advice (antihistamine guidance) that improved a dog’s condition without delay.
•Waiting and environment concerns: at least one owner reports waiting over 2.5 hours and worries their dog picked up a cough after sitting in a waiting room with sick animals.
•Cost and billing friction: some owners felt charges were very high (including a detailed complaint about euthanasia and cremation costs), and one review alleges a small charity donation was added to an invoice without being asked.
•Admin/accuracy: one owner reports being given medication labelled with the wrong dog’s name.

Reviews for Vets Now (Aberdeen)

Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 364 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

F Fredson

in the last week

My cat Binx had an emergency appointment on Sunday. I don’t drive so was relying on taxis to get to and from the location. Due to the snow there were no taxis to be had to get home. One of the veterinary nurses very kindly offered us a lift through the horrible weather. Thank you so much for this and for the speedy and caring treatment of my cat. (note for staff - you won’t recognise the name on this google id as I don’t have a personal google account myself so used someone else's to leave the review)

Emma Hunter

2 weeks ago

Was told to turn up as soon as I could, was not informed of the time we would need to wait. Waited for over 2.5 hours to be seen. Unfortunately my dog now has a cough (this was not what I took her in for) i am worried she has caught something from having to wait for so long in a waiting room full of sick animals. Staggered times for attending when it is busier should be implemented or at the very least some indication of the time you will need to be wait should be clarified on the phone before you attend. I feel awful as by taking my dog here, she is sicker now than before we went - not to mention the cost of £370 + the cost of treatment which, given our experience, is pretty shocking.

Mrs Milne

Was so impressed that there was vets on Xmas day and Boxing Day thank goodness for Pets Now as in our hour of need they were there my boy got the attention he so needed

Amanda Stewart

Excellent service. I was very worried about my cat and they made the time at the vet made it easy. They were very quick even they were busy. Thank you very much.

Megan

We had a traumatic experience with our beloved 12 year old JRT at 11.30pm Boxing Day night. Her face rapidly became swollen, her skin was a reddish purple colour etc. she was in a really bad way! In a panic, I called this vet and was greeted with a calm and reassuring receptionist who relayed my information to the vet, the vet quickly put my mind at ease and advised me that our dog’s symptoms sounded like the result of a bite or sting and to give her an antihistamine. Finally after about 20 minutes, she was finally able to settle and the swelling went down considerably. We were lucky that our issue was a simple and quick fix, but without this knowledge, things could have been very different. Thank you so much to the staff who swiftly guided us. We cannot thank you enough. (Pictures were taken before the antihistamine tablet was administered). Delighted that our girl has spent today resting and is looking almost fully back to normal

Kayleigh F

a week ago

The service was “ok”, friendly receptionist but myself and my other half felt the vet was dismissive and standoffish. Taking in your pet in an emergency is distressing and we didn’t feel like we were dealt with compassion or reassurance. Our dog is also nervous and can bark at strangers (we keep him muzzled) and the vet commented on his behaviour which we felt was unnecessary given the already stressful situation. We were also given medication with the wrong dogs name on it…and to top it off a charity donation was added to our invoice which we weren’t asked about (it was a small amount but the principle remains the same). It was a lot of money to spend to be made to feel the way we left feeling. Thankfully our own vet the next day was extremely helpful and reassuring.

Emma Colwill

a month ago

The OOH team at Barton were amazing - we couldn’t faulted them. They were quick to help, kind, supportive, professional and kept us well informed of our pets treatment, care plan and costs at every stage. Thank you so much for taking care of Ruby. She’s back to happy!😊

nic Van rijn

Brodie was completely shook up after another dog went for him. We were treated straight away. Very attentive. The vet we dealt with put us at total ease and was amazing with Brodie.

Odrija Dansone

2 months ago

I had phoned in on Sunday and expressed my concerns for my cat, they provided me with advice instantly, helping me with costs already on the phone before I even left my place. As soon as I got there they took all my details and documents while in the waiting room. Of course as this was an emergency clinic for out of hours I had to wait around an hour before I got seen but still a pretty fast time as they were dealing with other patients. As I got seen they asked me for details on the events that had been happening, as well as any details on other vet visits. They proceeded to then check my cat, taking her temperature, measuring her heart rate, feeling the stomach and more. Once they’ve checked over my cat they discussed the plan of action that had to be taken. I had explained to them that I wouldn’t able to afford their services if my insurance wasn’t able to cover it due to excess and clauses that were in my policy. The vet then provided me with a service that I could cover if my insurance wasn’t able to pay the bill, the service wasn’t the suggested one but the only option I could proceed with until Monday morning when I could visit my vet. The workers here truly care about the health and well being of your animals, they’re understanding and helpful, talking you through every possibility, next step as well as helping you figure what’s best for your pet and yourself. At this time I’m struggling with my insurance, worrying if it will cover my bills as I don’t have enough funds to support any of these visits to the vet. I’m struggling financially as it is, working barely 16hours a week, living on no benefits until my studies restart and the vet saw my concerns. Doing everything they can by even phoning my insurance company to help me sort out excess and clauses, disregarding it’s a Sunday and the company is closed they still did their best to help me. I cannot express enough how kind the people are here, helping everyone no matter what situation you or your pet is in. I strongly advise this vet to anyone, wether it’s to call them for advice or to turn to for an emergency.

Wilma McDermid

I have to say the staff were terrific and very understanding and supportive however, a few pence short of £720 to have a 9kg dog euthanized is insane exploitation. Add the cost of cremation and I have spent £924 to have my dog put out of her pain. It's little wonder people are avoiding veterinary care and abandoning elderly or unwell animals.