Highcroft Veterinary Group Whitchurch Veterinary Hospital / MiNightVet Bristol

Highcroft Veterinary Group Whitchurch Veterinary Hospital operates as part of the Highcroft Veterinary Group, with an on-site out-of-hours service branded as MiNightVet Bristol. Based on its website, it’s set up as a small-animal hospital with in-house diagnostics (lab, X‑ray, ultrasound) and multiple referral services (including cardiology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, and keyhole/laparoscopic surgery), alongside a dedicated exotics GP service.

Owners most often mention exotics care (especially rabbits and guinea pigs), surgical cases, and end-of-life support. Recent reviews include specific positives such as next-day scheduling for surgery after an initial consult (guinea pig abscess removal), detailed explanations from the vet team, and a bereavement follow-up letter with scanned paw prints. There are also serious negative accounts describing inflexible processes and, in one case, a complaint about inadequate aftercare/advice during an out-of-hours situation following an anal gland procedure.

Services

Services and capabilities mentioned on the clinic website and in reviews include

•Consultations (including exotics consultations mentioned in reviews)
•Exotics GP service, with reviews specifically referencing rabbits, guinea pigs, and a parrot (necropsy enquiry)
•Surgery, with reviews referencing
•Guinea pig abscess removal (scheduled for the next day after consultation)
•Puppy surgery with post-op care discussed
•Anal gland procedure (described by an owner as an operation to clean anal glands)
•Dentistry
•Diagnostic tests & imaging (website also lists in-house lab, X‑ray, ultrasound; a review references “scans” for a rabbit)
•Referral services: cardiology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, orthopaedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, and keyhole/laparoscopic surgery
•Therapeutic laser therapy
•Nurse clinics, six-month health checks, blood pressure checks
•Vaccinations, microchipping, neutering, parasite control
•Grooming & nail clipping, anal sac expression
•Pet travel documentation (GB)
•Home visits
•Emergency/out-of-hours care: stated on the website as 24-hour emergency and out-of-hours support via MiNightVet Bristol (on-site dedicated emergency service). One review disputes the quality of out-of-hours care received in their case.

Pricing

•A necropsy was quoted at £400 in one review (the reviewer notes this was “not even with samples sent off”).

People

Named staff mentioned in reviews

•Sonya (exotics/rabbits vet, role inferred from context): owners describe rabbit-focused investigations and scans that helped them make an informed end-of-life decision, including arranging euthanasia at home (as described by the reviewer).
•Carolize (vet, role inferred from context): praised for explaining a guinea pig’s abscess removal plan “thoroughly” and for how the pet was handled during care.
•Hendie (role not stated): mentioned in relation to a puppy’s surgery and post-op care being explained in an informative way.

Reviews

4.5 stars from 323 reviews. - Strong exotics reputation in the reviews, particularly for rabbits and guinea pigs (owners describe informative exotics vets, “scans,” and being able to investigate further than other practices).

•Clear communication and thorough explanations are repeatedly mentioned (e.g., exotics consults described as informative and reassuring; surgery plans explained thoroughly).
•Aftercare and follow-up experiences are mixed: some owners describe helpful post-op care, while one detailed review describes perceived inadequate aftercare/advice after an anal gland procedure and dissatisfaction with how their complaint was handled.
•Emergency/end-of-life support is frequently referenced, including phone guidance during an emergency and being given time to say goodbye; one owner mentions receiving a handwritten condolence letter with scanned paw prints.
•Process and flexibility concerns appear in negative reviews, including being “passed from one person to another” and rigid procedures.
•Pricing concerns appear in at least one review, specifically around a necropsy quote.

Reviews for Highcroft Veterinary Group Whitchurch Veterinary Hospital / MiNightVet Bristol

Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 323 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Georgina Barney

a week ago

This was by far the best vets we have been to. We originally called and communicated through email. Everybody involved was very helpful. We then came in for a consultation. The staff at the desks were incredibly kind, helpful and professional. We were seen by both exotic vets who were so informative, friendly and very reassuring. 5 stars from us.

Sebastian Gapski

3 weeks ago

Terrible service. They have computers and equipment, yet no one seems to know anything. It’s all about procedures with zero flexibility and a complete lack of competence. You come in with a specific problem and they just follow scripts, passing you from one person to another. Total waste of time and nerves.

Mrs T

a month ago

The team here were fantastic with my guinea pig when he needed an abcess removed- Carolize was brilliant, explained everything thoroughly and showed tremendous care and respect for my boy. Initial consultation was great as he was scheduled for his much needed surgery the very next day! Cannot fault the team here at all- very happy client here 😀

Maddie Hartrey

After reading other reviews regarding losing their beloved pets to highcroft, we felt it is important to share what happened to our dog, Marlee. Marlee went into highcroft vets for an operation to clean her anal glands. A couple of days after Marlee started to be sick and blood was coming from her anus. We were very concerned and called Highcroft. We then came in for an urgent veterinary appointment where she was given an anti sickness jab and tablets. We were then assured that after a few days she would be okay. She was checked over by a vet at Highcroft and we were told she was very healthy. Just after midnight there was a significant amount of blood that Marlee was passing, so we called again for an emergency appointment for her to be seen. We were then again assured that this is normal. We stressed our concern where my dad even described it as like a ‘murder scene’ again we were told this is completely normal and to be expected and wait till the morning to see how she was. However, by 6:30 in the morning it was too late and we found her passed away in her bed. As her owners, we knew she was deteriorating and trusted the vets to guide us. We were not taken seriously, and the advice we received was, in our view, dangerously inadequate. Highcroft’s failure to provide proper aftercare following her operation had devastating consequences. When we submitted our complaint, the response addressed only the appointment from the previous day and made no acknowledgement or accountability for the phone call we made just after midnight. I would also like to say how we chose this vet for the benefits of the out the out of hours care, which we felt we did not receive. The only thing we had hoped to gain from speaking up was for meaningful changes to be made so that no other family has to experience the same heartbreak we have.

Tyrone Mayo

Brilliant service looked after my puppy Hendie very well through his surgery and post op care was informative and very helpful ! Definitely use this vet

wagonwheelgirl8

2 months ago

The care by our rabbits’ vet Sonya and her team is fantastic and we’re very happy to travel further from our home to see the exotics department here. I have also edited my review to 5 starts because after an error was made the vet’s insurance team rectified the issue swiftly and reception were a great help in resolving the matter.

Avian Angel

3 months ago

Absolutely shocking prices !! One of our foster carers had a parrot pass away suddenly we wanted a necropsy done they quoted 400 pounds !! And that's not even with samples sent off , our vets 80 pounds for the same procedure how can they justify an extra 320 pounds for the same procedure! On an animal that has died its not as if there using anaesthetic! Vets like this who charge stupid prices are the reason rescues are so full because people can't afford to treat there pets it's supposed to be about the animal's .

Alix Briskham

4 months ago

Take. Your. Rabbits. Here. They are exotic specialists with years of experience in rabbits under their belt. They will spot things other vets haven't and have the facilities to do more investigation if you are referred. Reading the other reviews it seems a lot of people like myself only come to highcroft hospital as a last resort when their pet is very old and the current vet can no longer do any further analysis without more tech on site. I brought my 10.5 year old bunny to Sonya when he was slowing down and showing symptoms with his eye. After scans it revealed a lot more was going on and it was his time to be put to sleep, at home, peacefully. We would not have been able to make that objective decision that was ultimately best for myself and my partner's peace of mind as well as our little old lad if it hadn't been for the care to detail and thoroughness that these vets took to understand what was going on. It's so hard to say goodbye but if you know you made the right decision because of facts and not guessing you will feel so much more at peace about it. So, thank you, highcroft team x

Hayley R

5 months ago

I can’t thank the staff at Highcroft enough for the care received for my beautiful Bengal cat earlier this year, who unfortunately past away minutes before I could get him there after another vet missed a fatal diagnosis only 2 weeks previously. The staff member I spoke to on the phone in this emergency knew exactly what was happening, very knowledgeable staff who were able to explain what had happened really helped me to take in and understand. The care and compassion I received during this traumatic experience was incredibly heartwarming. Thanks again to the staff who met us that day. I will be registering my spaniel with very soon

Nick Resnekov

10 months ago

While the reason we had to have our first visit to Highcroft Veterinary Hospital was awful, the care, consideration, and overall friendliness made everything easier to deal with. We received a really heartfelt handwritten letter from the practice today sharing our grief and including scanned paw prints of our beautiful dog which was incredibly meaningful. My partner and I are incredibly appreciative of the services you provided. We felt supported every step of the process and were given all the time we needed to properly say goodbye without feeling rushed at any point. We will only be using your practice going forward and it's a testament to your team's hard work and the fact that they clearly are all animal lovers!