Dog & Cat Vets in Sligo

## Summary Inishfree Veterinary Hospital describes itself as a long-established pet hospital (opened in 1981) offering care across a pet’s lifetime and accepting referrals from other practices (group ownership not stated). Based on the website and reviews, it appears set up for both routine work-ups and more involved medical/surgical cases, with in-house diagnostics mentioned (radiography, ultrasound, lab, ECG) and a “hospital” service. Concrete examples from recent and older reviews include: getting an appointment within an hour for an injured budgie and providing cleaning/sterilisation; treating an out-of-hours cat emergency (pain relief at 9pm) followed by x‑ray and surgery for a fractured jaw; and providing euthanasia support described as sympathetic. One review alleges unethical overcharging and an inaccurate late-pregnancy ultrasound result; this conflicts with multiple reviews describing prompt, professional help. ## Services From the clinic website and the written reviews available to us, services referenced include: - Surgery (review example: surgery after x‑ray for a fractured jaw in a cat) - Radiography / X‑ray (mentioned in a jaw fracture case) - Ultrasound (review example: pregnancy scan; one complaint about the reliability/appropriateness of the scan timing) - Laboratory testing (listed on the website) - ECG (listed on the website) - Dental care (listed on the website) - Hospitalisation (“Hospital” listed on the website) - Care for multiple species: dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and “small pets” (website); one review specifically mentions a budgie being treated ## People No individual clinicians are named in the information provided. What owners describe about the team: - Prompt handling of urgent situations: one owner reports being seen quickly for a small bird injury; another describes a vet meeting them late in the evening to provide immediate pain relief for a cat before further diagnostics the next day. - Communication/support in difficult moments: one long-term client highlights the team’s manner during euthanasia as making a hard situation easier. - A conflicting experience: one reviewer alleges the practice “drag out care” and misrepresented an ultrasound result; this is not echoed in the other written reviews provided. ## Reviews Google rating: **4.7 stars from 129 reviews**. “Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.” - **Fast access and urgent help**: examples include getting an appointment within an hour for a budgie injury and an out-of-hours response for a cat in pain. - **Diagnostics leading to treatment**: x‑ray followed by surgery is specifically described for a fractured jaw. - **End-of-life care**: one reviewer describes sympathetic support during euthanasia. - **Pricing perceptions are mixed**: one recent reviewer calls the charge “very reasonable,” while a 1‑star review alleges overcharging and unethical behaviour, tied to a disputed pregnancy ultrasound outcome.

## Summary St Benedicts Veterinary Hospital appears to offer both routine appointments and out-of-hours help, with multiple reviews describing staff meeting owners at the clinic late at night or on a Sunday during severe weather. Reviews include specific examples of a “wait and see” second opinion (after reviewing prior reports and advising no further treatment for a cat) and urgent assessment/treatment for a dog that became unwell after ingesting sand. Experiences are mixed: several owners describe calm, practical explanations and reasonable pricing, while a couple of reviews describe very negative encounters, including one that simply says “Avoid” and another alleging rude handling during an implant visit. ## Services - Second-opinion consultations, including review of existing veterinary reports and a conservative “wait and see” plan when appropriate (cat case described). - Out-of-hours / emergency call-outs described in reviews (e.g., being met after midnight; Sunday attendance arranged). - Treatment of acute illness, including assessment and medication for gastrointestinal-type symptoms after sand ingestion (dog case described). - Pet euthanasia discussions and end-of-life support are explicitly mentioned in one review (options explained for a very sick cat). - Implant procedure is referenced in one review (species: dog); the specific type of implant isn’t stated. ## People - **Conor**: Named in reviews as the vet who met an owner after midnight, examined a sick dog, provided medication, and gave advice. - **Emer** (name given as “Think her name was Emer”): Described as meeting an owner at the clinic on a Sunday during a storm, physically helping carry a sick cat inside, and patiently explaining euthanasia options. - **Unspecified male vet (review complaint)**: One owner describes a rude manner during a dog implant visit, difficulty placing the implant, use of a muzzle that the owner felt was unnecessary, and minimal answers about side effects (“there’s none,” as reported). ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.5 stars from 108 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - Out-of-hours responsiveness is a recurring point, including meeting owners after midnight and on a Sunday during severe weather. - Owners describe practical decision-making and not pushing treatment: one review says the vet reviewed reports, advised waiting, and the cat improved without further treatment. - Several reviews mention “reasonable” pricing, but no specific fees are given. - Negative experiences are also present: one review is an unequivocal “Avoid,” and another alleges poor communication and handling during an implant appointment (including a disputed decision to muzzle a dog and dissatisfaction with information about side effects).