Advanced veterinary care including referral centres, exotic pets and specialised services
About Specialist Vets in St Helens
Updated January 2026
Specialized veterinary services enhance the level of care available in St Helens.
Clinics offering veterinary nurse training, such as Bold Veterinary Clinic Ltd. and Haydock Veterinary Surgery, provide specialized services with expert staff capable of handling complex medical situations. These clinics are pivotal for maintaining high standards of care and offering advanced treatment options.
There are 6 veterinary clinics listed for specialist vets in St Helens.
Top Rated Specialist Vets in St Helens
Top-ranked veterinary practices based on quality, service, and customer reviews
## Summary
Bold Veterinary Clinic Ltd. describes itself as a family-run, independent practice that’s been caring for pets for over 30 years. Based on the website, it’s set up for routine care (vaccinations, microchipping) as well as diagnostic and surgical work, with on-site X‑rays, ultrasound, an in-house laboratory, and dental facilities. Recent reviews add concrete examples of what owners actually used them for: next-day assessment and treatment for a rabbit’s cheek lump that was diagnosed as an abscess, a puppy’s second vaccination visit with microchip details corrected, and supportive end-of-life care for a dog (a reviewer specifically mentions “Kelsey” making a difficult visit easier).
## Services
Services and capabilities mentioned across the clinic’s website and recent reviews include:
- **Emergency care**: the clinic states it provides emergency services and advises calling immediately in an emergency.
- **Vaccinations** (review example: puppy’s second vaccinations).
- **Microchipping** (review example: microchip mix-up identified and rectified).
- **Acupuncture** (listed on the website; also noted as a specialty).
- **Animal Health Certificates** (listed on the website).
- **Diagnostics and facilities** (from the website): **X‑rays**, **ultrasound**, **in-house laboratory**, **surgery/anaesthesia**, **dental facilities**, kennels, and multiple consulting rooms.
- **Species seen** (from the website): cats, dogs, and small animals; reviews specifically mention **rabbits** being treated (including for an abscess).
## People
- **Kelsey**: mentioned by name in a review for providing empathy and support during a dog’s euthanasia appointment, which the owner said made the experience easier for their family.
- **Vets and nursing staff (unnamed)**: reviewers repeatedly describe gentle handling (including with an anxious puppy) and clear reassurance; one rabbit owner highlighted “handling, care and treatment” during an abscess visit.
## Reviews
**4.7 stars from 473 reviews.** The clinic’s latest reviews focus on practical experiences such as quick appointments, gentle handling, and support during difficult visits.
**“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”**
- **Speed of access for problems:** one owner reports getting a **next-day appointment** for a rabbit with a cheek lump, later identified as an abscess.
- **Handling and reassurance:** multiple owners mention pets being handled gently and staff providing reassurance; an anxious puppy was “seen quickly” and settled with attention.
- **End-of-life support:** a reviewer describing euthanasia for a dog explicitly notes staff empathy, naming **Kelsey**.
- **Cost described as reasonable:** several reviewers call pricing “reasonable” or “competitive,” but no specific fees are quoted.
Why This Ranking:
Bold Veterinary Clinic Ltd. in St Helens excels with a high Google rating and extensive reviews, offering emergency services and VN training. Its comprehensive service range and complete data make it a trusted local veterinary clinic.
## Summary
Haydock Veterinary Surgery operates under the Rutland House Vets name and is listed as a veterinary nurse training facility. Owners most often describe straightforward, explanation-led consultations (including talking through treatment options in plain language) and a clear focus on avoiding unnecessary spend. Recent reviews repeatedly mention calm handling of nervous or anxious dogs, including taking time to help pets settle and using simple reassurance like treats after injections. Clients also refer to using more than one of the practice’s surgeries/branches and contacting the associated hospital.
## Services
Services and capabilities mentioned include:
- Routine preventive care: annual health checks, boosters and other injections.
- General consultations with treatment discussions explained “in an easy to understand way,” including outlining procedures/treatment before carrying them out.
- Support for anxious/nervous pets during visits (owners describe dogs staying calm during exams and injections).
- Practical wellbeing advice during appointments (e.g., tips for managing pollen exposure in summer).
## People
- **Charlie (vet)**: Mentioned multiple times for keeping anxious dogs relaxed during exams/injections, engaging calmly (asking for simple commands like sit/lie down/paw), and giving practical at-home advice (including pollen-management tips).
- **Jay (vet)** and **Rachael (nurse)**: Specifically thanked for being “so good” with a dog during an injection visit.
## Reviews
**4.7 stars from 145 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.
- Clear explanations of options and next steps, including describing procedures/treatment before doing them.
- Cost transparency: multiple owners say they weren’t pushed into spending money unnecessarily.
- Handling of nervous/anxious pets is a repeated highlight (dogs described as calmer walking in and staying relaxed for injections).
- Friendly, supportive staff across vets, nurses and reception; some reviews mention compassionate support during difficult situations.
Why This Ranking:
Haydock Veterinary Surgery in St Helens is highly rated with a solid review count. It provides VN training and has complete data, ensuring a high level of professionalism and engagement.
## Summary
Medivet St. Helens is part of the Medivet veterinary group and is led (per the clinic website) by partner and Veterinary Surgeon **Tom Evans**. The practice appears set up for routine care plus in‑house diagnostics: it advertises **15‑minute consultations**, an **in‑house laboratory**, **X‑rays**, and **ultrasound**. Recent reviews highlight a few specific, practical experiences: **spay surgery** care “from start to finish,” support for an older cat diagnosed with **thyroid problems**, and sensitive handling of **end‑of‑life euthanasia** decisions. Owners also mention organised **puppy social sessions (“puppy party”)** with training tips and socialisation opportunities.
## Services
From the clinic website and the latest reviews, services and capabilities mentioned include:
- **Vaccinations**
- **Parasite care**
- **Neutering** (including owner-reported **spaying**)
- **Microchipping**
- **Dentistry**
- **Nurse clinics** (the clinic is also listed as a **Veterinary Nurse Training** facility)
- **Home visits**
- **Animal Health Certificate** (for pet travel)
- Diagnostics and imaging: **in‑house laboratory**, **X‑rays**, **ultrasound**
- **Out-of-hours care**: the website states this is provided by **Medivet 24 Hour Alder (West Derby)**
Species listed on the website: **cats, dogs, rabbits**.
## People
- **Tom Evans (Veterinary Surgeon, partner)** is named on the clinic website as leading the practice.
- Reviews frequently mention the wider team (vets, reception, and staff) for concrete actions such as:
- Helping owners through **euthanasia appointments**, described as making a difficult day easier and giving an “honest assessment.”
- Supporting ongoing care for multiple pets, including older cats with health issues (one review specifically mentions a **thyroid diagnosis**).
- Running a **puppy party**: reviewers praise the “ladies that host the puppy party” for giving **training tips**, **socialisation opportunities**, and a **goodie bag**.
## Reviews
**Google rating: 4.5 stars from 262 reviews.**
“Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.”
- **Staff interaction and handling**: multiple reviewers describe staff and reception as welcoming and attentive, with pets being kept at ease during visits.
- **Surgery and procedures**: one owner reports a smooth experience with a dog’s **spay surgery**, praising care across the whole process.
- **Diagnosis and ongoing medical support**: one review mentions an older cat being assessed and found to have **thyroid problems**, with the team described as helpful throughout.
- **End-of-life care**: several reviewers reference **euthanasia** for seriously ill pets, describing supportive guidance and a focus on preventing suffering.
- **Puppy socialisation/training**: the practice’s **puppy party** is specifically credited with training advice, structured social time, and take-home products.
Why This Ranking:
Medivet St. Helens offers emergency services and VN training, with a strong review count and complete data. It is known for its compassionate care, making it a trusted local veterinary clinic.
## Summary
Vets4Pets is described on its website as a *locally owned* practice, and one reviewer also notes it is owned by the senior vet. The clinic appears set up for both routine care and more urgent presentations, with owners describing staff acting immediately for time-critical problems (for example, a dog choking and a cat brought in after a car accident). Reviews also repeatedly mention clear explanations and plans (“a plan, and even a back up plan”), with follow-up communication during stressful waits (messages and calls with updates) and practical help such as lending a crate during recovery.
## Services
From the clinic website and recent reviews, services and capabilities mentioned include:
- **Emergency/urgent triage during opening hours** (e.g., choking incident handled immediately; cat taken straight through for immediate treatment after being hit by a car).
- **Diagnostics and monitoring on-site:** in-house laboratory work (haematology, biochemistry), ECG, blood pressure monitoring, ultrasound, and digital X‑ray (including **dental X‑ray**).
- **Dentistry** (including dental imaging).
- **Surgery/anaesthesia:** operating theatre and anaesthesia listed on the website.
- **Hospitalisation facilities:** hospital ward and isolation unit; separate dog/cat wards and isolation units.
- **Preventive and routine care:** vaccinations (mentioned by an owner with a kitten), microchipping, nurse clinics, weight clinic, nutritional advice, prescriptions/medication.
- **Acupuncture** (listed on the website).
- **Species seen:** dogs, cats, and rabbits (website).
**Out-of-hours/emergency cover:** the website states emergency cover is provided through **Vets Now Liverpool**.
## Pricing
- **Out-of-hours emergency consultation fees** are stated on the website as starting from **£302.50** (via Vets Now Liverpool).
- A **pay-monthly plan** is mentioned in reviews (“pay per month really helps”), and “Health Plans” are listed on the website, but no specific prices or inclusions are provided in the inputs.
## People
Named team members mentioned in reviews:
- **Mehmet (vet):** described as friendly and concise; owners mention him explaining care clearly and being involved in cases needing tests and ongoing treatment.
- **Emily (vet nurse):** repeatedly mentioned for ongoing support and communication—calling regularly to help coordinate transfers and checking in during recovery, and being a “massive part” of a cat’s care after a road accident.
- **Michelle (vet):** mentioned in the context of end-of-life care; described as professional and kind, helping owners feel supported.
- **Sharon:** mentioned for compassion and practical help with arrangements during an euthanasia visit, including support while the owner waited in their car.
- **Becky (receptionist):** singled out positively in one review.
- **Clare (vet):** positively mentioned in one review.
Reception experience is **mixed**: several reviews describe receptionists as friendly and empathic (including during repeated phone calls), while one review reports two receptionists being rude and not acknowledging them.
## Reviews
**Google rating: 4.6 stars from 273 reviews.**
**Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.**
- **Fast action in urgent situations:** owners describe staff being ready on arrival for choking and severe injury, taking pets straight through to start treatment.
- **Clear explanations and structured decision-making:** reviewers mention being talked through results, receiving a treatment plan (and backup plan), and having procedures explained “in simple terms.”
- **Updates and follow-through:** owners describe messages/calls with progress updates, and staff continuing to help even after referral/transfer to a hospital.
- **Support during end-of-life care:** multiple reviews focus on euthanasia experiences, describing staff helping with arrangements and small details that mattered to the family.
- **Reception experience varies:** many describe the desk team as welcoming and empathic, but at least one review reports rudeness and feeling ignored.
Why This Ranking:
Vets4Pets in St Helens has a high Google rating and a large number of reviews. It provides a wide range of services and complete data, highlighting its commitment to exceptional animal care.
## Summary
White Cross Vets is part of a wider White Cross Vets group (the website references 21 practices). This practice is also described in the clinic data as a **Veterinary Nurse Training facility**. Based on the latest reviews, owners most often mention **prompt consultations**, **time spent answering questions**, and vets who help them feel **reassured during worrying symptoms**—including longer-term support through serious illness (cancer) and end-of-life care. One recent reviewer strongly warns against the clinic’s **Health Plan**, describing “hidden costs” and a “huge cancellation fee,” which conflicts with the otherwise very positive feedback.
## Services
Services and scenarios specifically mentioned by owners include:
- **General consultations and advice**, including “prompt consultation” and guidance that left owners feeling reassured.
- **Care for cats and dogs**, including support for an **elderly cat** and ongoing care for puppies “from 8 weeks old.”
- **Rabbit consultations**, with owners noting staff were informative and took time to answer questions.
- **Cancer care and end-of-life support**, described by one owner in detail around diagnosis, compassion, and dignity at the end.
- **Wildlife help (hedgehog)**: a reviewer reports bringing in a young hedgehog found out during the day, and the practice **contacted a rescue**.
## People
- **Radka / Ravka (vet)**: mentioned by name in multiple reviews. One owner says she was “brilliant” with their elderly cat; another describes her as gentle and compassionate while caring for a cat with cancer, and that she supported the family through a difficult loss.
- **Wider clinical team**: several owners mention staff taking time to explain things and answer questions, and that consultations helped them feel calmer about symptoms. One reviewer notes they “never see the same doctor or nurse twice,” suggesting continuity can vary even though their experiences remained positive.
## Reviews
**4.7 stars from 400 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.
- Owners commonly mention **clear advice**, **prompt appointments**, and leaving consultations **reassured** about symptoms.
- Several reviews describe staff spending **time answering questions**, including for **rabbits**.
- A few reviewers highlight **long-term support**, including care through **cancer** and end-of-life discussions.
- One recent 1-star review conflicts with the positive trend, strongly warning against the **Health Plan**, alleging **hidden costs** and a **large cancellation fee**, and saying it mainly covered consultation fees.
Why This Ranking:
White Cross Vets St Helens boasts a high Google rating with a significant number of reviews. It offers VN training and has complete data, making it a reliable choice for pet owners seeking experienced care.