Forest Veterinary Centre, Woodford Green

Have used this veterinary clinic for over 40yrs. I travel 45 mins now to get here. For a dog I wouldn't go anywhere else. Kind and caring. I always feel they put the interest of the dog and the owner before money and business.

Great staff, almost had a heart attack when my cat started losing her hair. They said she had an allergy and prescribed some antibiotics and she's fine now. To be honest I think she was stressed out because mum had bronchitis and wouldn't stop coughing at the time 😬

All I can say is avoid at all costs. We took our Labby to this place as we were not able to to get into another quickly. He is an old boy and has never been ill in his life. He had started to pant, bad breath, coughing, had two fits and we genuinely believed we were going to lose him. We went to this vets as we had used them years before and they had been great. Sadly not on this occasion. We ended up seeing an Australian woman. Not nice at all. She was pulling him about on the floor, trying to get a light down his throat and he was clearly distressed. I told her to stop. She then suggested that we bring him back for an examination under GA. I questioned this due to his age and ailments. I also suggested that maybe we try with antibiotics and painkillers. She said no its fine, we will clean his ears check his throat, x rays etc etc etc. Suffice to say we walked out with an estimate of £1500!!! Sadly Our dogs insurance did not cover all of this.

We ended up going for a second opinion to Vets for Pets in Loughton. Thank god we did. We were told that he had an yeast infection in his ears which was treatable with some drops, they also gave him Metacam for his arthritis and 4 codeine a day. They said it is not necessary to put him thro0ugh the tress of a GA as he is old and even if he had cancer it would serve no purpose. It is better to keep him comfy.

2 months on and he is like a new dog. He no longer coughs, his ear infection has gone and although he is stiff and wobbly (he is 15) he is happy and contented and hopefully we will have him around for a lot longer. The upshot to all of this is that the whole treatment with consultation worked out to around £100 for 3/12 worth of treatment. They monitor him on regular follow ups and he is happy.

Unlike this place they are not in it for the money!

Such kind and caring staff, always animals 1st. Highly recommended

Very rude receptionist!
I didn't have my card of me and said I would ring back once I get home to pay (I have been going to this vet for 9 years now without any issues), but the receptionist raised her voice at me in front of many customers in the clinic that she wouldn't release my dog until I paid. The vet didn't diagnose or tell me what's wrong with my dog but told me he has 3 months left to live... shocking and stressful experience. No empathy from the staff after receiving such news, I was in shock and they made me feel awful. I was 10 minutes late to pick up my dog (after informing them) and they made me wait 1 hour as a result. I am disappointed in the service here and will be taking my dog elsewhere for a second opinion. It feels like these people do not care and are only after money. DO NOT GO THERE!!!

My Cat Brandy had died the previous evening. I called Forest Veterinary at 8.00 a.m. They were so professional, sympathetic and caring. They said I could bring Brandy down to them. They were wonderful. I was so upset they showed so much sympathy talking me through the procedures of the cremation reassuring me . Two weeks later they sent me a beautiful sympathy card. Thank you all so much.

I have been using this vets for many years, all has been good until now!

I went to have my dogs booster done, I waited ages, it was cold, there was no one going in or out, so I phoned to say it was cold and I had been waiting 30 mins. I was surprised to be told the vet was probably on a call and I have a warm car, why don't I get in it. When I said that it was not for her to tell me, and the issue was I had been waiting a long time and should I rebook, all I got was talked down to and then told "go away" and the phone put down on me.

I did complain when I paid, I appreciate times are hard for us and stress levels appear raised. I got no response to my complaint, but they were happy to take the money!

After 40 minutes my dog went in for a very brief appointment.

Really disappointing and very poor service from the receptionist, and the practice in not responding.

I previously had two cats registered with this practise over a 9 month period and eventually transfered to Goddard for several reasons

1. Cat 1 had raspy breathing, Cat 2 had seizures as a kitten as well as scabs on her nose which would not go away - despite many consultations, scans, blood tests etc the vets were not able to accurately diagnose any of the mentioned conditions, this is even though the vets used the 'process of elimination'. Eventually all conditions/issues went away gradually, without vet assistance/remedies

2. On the majority of occasions, the reception staff were very rude, mainly due to constantly interrupting or using abrupt language, even on emails they seem only to read what they want to read and ignore everything else. Their communication could also be improved, i was registered with the woodford branch and one occasion turned up for an appointment, only to be told it was with the Epping branch, due to the nature of the appointment. nobody had informed me previously

In summary, i spent a lot of time and money for procedures which yielded no benefit, stressed my cats unecessarily and had to deal with receptionists who were always rude to me, the latter was the worst aspect