Downland Vets - Hilsea

Staff are always helpful. Have always been able to get an appointment on the same day. Always lovely to my dog.

I wasn't looking forward to bringing my lovely Begal cat 'Soldier' for his blood test yesterday, as I know they are unpleasant, but I need not have worried as the nurse came and took soldier to the surgery and it was all over in a heartbeat. When he was given back to me, he was fine and didn't seem to have minded what went on at all. So, the receptionists as well as the nurses and vets are all lovely people and you could not have better people caring for your pet in my opinion. Thank you so much.

Extremely friendly vets. They definitely work to make sure the owners and pets feel happy and reassured. Cannot recommend these guys high enough

All the staff at the Hilsea branch are exceptional. Knowledgeable, efficient and so friendly. It is so good to know your loved pet is in safe hands.

Downland provided and excellent level of care in keeping my dog alive. The vets kept me up-to-date with her progress and kept me assured the whole time she was with them, even when she wasn't doing great, they kept my in the know with phone call updates. Very pleased with the care the give animals and owners alike.

Awful! Booked an appointment for a vaccination for my dog, I’ve been told that the booking has been made. When I came to the appointment, I’ve been told by the lady at the reception that we had no booking but she would talk to the vet. After 10 minutes, another client came, same situation, she couldn’t find their appointment. She then decided to prioritise the client that came afterwards, saying that she is sorry for us but we have to come another time, even if the other client had no emergency. That’s not the way you should treat new clients.

I brought my Doberman here last year with bloat — a life-threatening, time-sensitive emergency. Instead of rushing to help, I was told nothing would be done until I paid £2,000 up front. Once I managed to get the money, the amount was raised again to £3,000. While every minute counted, my dog lay on the floor in pain as I begged for help. The staff were cold, detached, and dismissive — I was even told I could “go somewhere else if I didn’t like it.” The vet spoke down to me, and the receptionist showed no compassion. It felt like a “computer says no” situation, with no urgency or care for what was happening in front of them. I sat in tears while my boy was slipping away. This was one of the hardest experiences of my life. My dog died on the table before the operation was even completed, yet they still demanded full payment. When I asked to see him the next day, I was told he had already been placed in the freezer. My family had to go back to collect his collar because I couldn’t face returning there. This nightmare didn’t just cost me my dog. It has left me with a CCJ, £2,400 in debt, damaged credit, and the loss of the home I had been saving for. In total they charged £4,400 for a dog who was left waiting over an hour without proper care. I understand bloat can be fatal, but time and compassion make all the difference — and both were absent here. I have since tried to resolve this with the company, but all I’ve received is the usual corporate runaround: passed from person to person and told I could “make a complaint” if I wished. Again, detached and uncaring. Corporate vets like this care only about money, not the animals or the families who love them. Please — avoid Vets Now and Downland at all costs. Trust independent vets who still put patients first.