Great Western Exotics

Reviews of Great Western Exotics

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  Nicola Rose Streak

  Google · 24 March 2026

  GWE provided us (and our rabbits) with the absolute best care and service on every occasion. We first heard of them when we were referred by a more local vet, who nearly killed our rabbit through poor care and inexperience. Once at GWE, properly checked over and treated, she was back to being herself in no time. Turns out that what our local vet thought was a twisted liver and told us we may need to PTS was just a bad bout of stasis. We then transferred both our rabbits here. Our other bunny started to go down hill at 9.5 years old, and after thorough investigation, they determined he had terminal cancer and we made the decision to let him go. We were treated with compassion, both by the vets and the receptionists, which made the whole process easier during such a horrible time. We recently had to make an emergency late night visit. We were seen quickly and our buns were admitted together right away. After a couple days of treatment, they came back home and all is well. Sadly, the same day they came home, we received an email telling us that GWE is closing. Genuinely don't know what we are going to do without GWE, I've not found care and expertise like this anywhere else. I wish someone would take over the practice and keep this much needed hospital running

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  Joanna Bedykowska

  Google · 8 February 2026

  On multiple occasions, I have experienced communication that was rude and patronising, particularly in the way she speaks to customers on the phone. The big lady at the reception. The tone used is condescending rather than helpful, which creates an uncomfortable and unwelcoming experience. I have previously addressed this directly with her, after which her tone briefly improved. Unfortunately, this change was not sustained. Each subsequent interaction has again been marked by dismissiveness and a lack of basic customer service skills. She also lacks empathy and compassion.

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  E MV

  Google · 18 December 2025

  I have waited a few months before giving this review to gain some perspective and ensure the review is objective. Bottom line is that with hindsight I would not have used this vet. I now know that they are owed by IVC (Private Equity) and that as with so many such vets they rack up charges at an alarming rate and the standard of care doesn't match the prices they charge. Firstly I had a poorly rabbit that was losing weight steadily through not eating. I was referred to GWE by my local vet who said he needed special care. After a few days of treatment he was discharged on the basis that he was on the mend but it was clear this wasn't the case as he still wasn't eating. The practice recommend bringing another healthy rabbit "friend" which I did (at extra cost). I was surprised that the vets would report that the unwell rabbit was eating well and hadn't checked if the healthy rabbit was eating the food. They simply assumed that because the food was gone it was eaten by both rabbits. On one call they also told me how well and entertaining the healthy rabbit was, apparently more focused on the healthy one than the ill one. I had to take the ill one back a second time and they fitted a feeding tube (that fell out after a couple days) and then discharged him again saying he was recovering. He got home and lost weight even more rapidly. Eventually I took him to the original local vet who said he would not survive and we had to let him go. At the time one tries to focus on giving GWE the benefit of the doubt as one wants the "experts" to help one's pet. But with hindsight I think the standard of care was poor, they discharged him in a poorly state to let him get worse at home, and were more than happy to charge a very large amount (£5000) to prolong suffering of a rabbit that was terminally unwell. I would never use GWE or any IVC owned vet again after this experience and will only use locally owned vets henceforth. The sooner the private equity backed vets like GWE go out of business and are transferred back to businesses that are run by partners who care more about animals than profits the better.

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  Sophie Lane

  Google · 12 November 2025

  Brilliant staff, very trustworthy and gentle with small animals. Elia and Sara have both helped with our gerbils recently (2 very different conditions/ issues) and demonstrated such knowledge, kindness and compassion. Appointments are not rushed. They explained options in detail and ensured we understood the risks involved and cost options. They offered us time to make informed decisions. Thank you.

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  cameron davies

  Google · 31 October 2025

  Beyond appalling. My beautiful rabbit was handled incorrectly and they actually broke her back. They left her for over 2hrs screaming in pain and pulling herself around on her front legs on a cold hard table. Given multiple different versions of events from multiple different people. After care for her and us was equally as terrible, treated like criminals for asking questions, complaints going round and round in circles with typical PR 'sorry not sorry' responses. The pain and trauma this practice has caused my family is beyond words. Avoid at ALL costs.

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  Brooke Neave

  Google · 27 December 2023

  Best avian vets we've ever dealt with. We had such a long journey ahead of us with our little sun conure 'Charlie' travelling from the UK to South Africa. Ashton and Tom were incredible throughout the whole process as well as making it a smooth success, and now we have our little baby back home safe and sound. Their efforts, kindness and most of all patience were so comforting for us. They really went out of their way to make this move possible for our little one and we are so grateful and appreciative of them. They were both so loving and attentive to Charlie. Thank you so SO much guys... we really couldn't have gotten through this journey without you both. God bless you.

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