London Vet Specialists

London Vet Specialists operates as part of Linnaeus Veterinary Limited (a corporate veterinary group). It presents itself as a specialist referral centre with a multidisciplinary team, and reviews describe complex cases including cancer work-ups and surgery, and soft palate surgery with an intensive care stay. The website also highlights an orthopaedic pathway: TPLO cases seen within 48 hours (as stated) and a fixed TPLO price of £4,750 across all patient weights. Recent reviews are mostly positive about clinical outcomes and support, but there’s a clear conflict on service experience: some describe staff “going above and beyond,” while one reviewer reports slow responses to emails and follow-up requests alongside very high fees.

Services

Based on the website text and the latest reviews, services and capabilities mentioned include

•TPLO (knee/orthopaedic surgery): the clinic states it sees all TPLO cases within 48 hours and offers a fixed price (see Pricing).
•Cancer care (as part of referral/specialist work): owners describe ultrasound, surgery, and multiple check-ups following a cancer diagnosis.
•Soft palate surgery: one review describes an 18-week-old puppy undergoing surgery for serious soft palate issues.
•Intensive care: an owner reports their pet had a stay in intensive care following surgery.

Pricing

•TPLO fixed price: £4,750 “across all patient weights” (as stated on the clinic’s website text).
•Reviews also mention high treatment costs/fees, including one owner saying treatment would not have been possible without insurance (no specific amounts given).

People

•Sofia/Sophia (role not stated): repeatedly credited for guiding owners through difficult decisions, including talking through options in light of a client’s financial situation and providing reassurance during cancer treatment.
•Inge (role not stated): mentioned alongside Sophia as part of the team supporting an owner through a terminal cancer case, with emphasis on support during end-of-life/terminal diagnosis.
•Greg (reception; described as a “lead”): singled out by name for handling a puppy’s visit particularly well, suggesting a noticeable front-of-house role during a surgical/ICU episode.

Reviews

Google rating: 4.6 stars from 114 reviews. “”

•Complex case management described end-to-end: cancer diagnosis → ultrasound, surgery, multiple check-ups, with one owner reporting their dog is “now cancer free.”
•Support through serious/terminal illness: owners describe staff recognising how upsetting the situation was and providing emotional support alongside medical guidance.
•High costs are a recurring point: multiple reviewers mention very high fees, including one noting insurance made treatment feasible.
•Mixed experiences with communication/admin speed: one reviewer describes slow responses and unanswered follow-up emails, while others report very attentive, proactive care.

Reviews for London Vet Specialists

Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 118 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Elif Varli

2 weeks ago

We had a small operation with Dr. Kiki Tarvin and I am a nervous ”mom”. From the beginning to the end, she was so reassuring, so professional and calm, making some jokes to comfort me… My cat recovered in “no time”, incision scar was so neat, you couldn’t even see the iv entrance point. Such, such a good experience. Thank you LVS team.

Philip Deamer

4 weeks ago

We were thankful to have such thoughtful and kind people looking after our Smudge. Everyone was great. Unfortunately Smudge's condition deteriorated and the only option was to let her go. We were given ample information at every stage and were never rushed into making any decisions. Yes, it is expensive. I wish it weren't. (we will definitely be looking into insurance) Special shout out to Dr Sofia Ramos who has gone above and beyond for us. Smudge, we will miss you. We did everything we could for you.

Beth Cutting

a month ago

Despite spending thousands here taking multiple days off work also costing me hundreds, I never got a diagnosis for my dog. When she went for a scan she came out covered in her own vomit traumatised. I was told that my last appointment would be100% covered by my pet insurance, and despite being told this I received another invoice for £160 which then randomly went up to over £200. Some of the staff are nice but we never had any clarity on what was wrong with our dog and I feel they dragged out multiple appointments to make more money. Also tried to charge me over £500 for some painkillers that were only £40 online with a prescription. The mark up seems criminal.

Emma Wright

Our sweet girl (almost-8-year-old-Frenchie) had 2 seizures, presenting with no other symptoms, so our local vet suggested we go and speak to the Neurology department at London Vet Specialists (LVS) and get MRI and CSF testing done to try and diagnose the problem. We met them within 48 hours of her second seizure. I honestly cannot speak more highly of LVS. Of course their new hospital has wonderful facilities, comfortable waiting room, and many private consult rooms. But it is the staff that just shone. The reception team were kind and attentive. The nurses, consultants and Head of Neuro were beautiful. They explained everything at the right level. They were patient. They answered all of our questions, even when my brain was overwhelmed and had to ask the same thing multiple times. They gave us space, they gave us time, they gave us options. And even though we had to say goodbye to our sweet girl we were never, ever pressured into it, or rushed; we felt very supported. The care they gave our baby was just...no words. We'll be forever grateful. They tried everything. And when we saw her for the last time in the ICU she was snuggled up with a nurse, in a duvet, on a mattress on the floor having sweet cuddles. She wasn't scared and she was able to walk about to see us, lie on us, and kiss us while we said 'until we meet again'. They sent us paw prints and nose boops of our girl. They sorted the cremation and had her ashes home delivered to us. The invoice and paperwork was handled with care and compassion (again, never felt rushed or pressured). While we're unbearably sad to have said goodbye we are so grateful for the empathy and compassion shown by the LVS team. My heart has such a hole in it now, but knowing everything the vets explained to us, seeing how they tried everything, and witnessing how beautifully they treated Rizzy right until the end has been a great comfort. Cannot recommend enough. Thank you forever, LVS team x

The Londoner Collies

2 months ago

Hello, my name is Siena 🐶 I went to London Vet Specialists when I wasn’t feeling like myself at all, and I just want to say how kind everyone was to me (and to my human, who was very worried). From the moment I arrived, the team was gentle, patient, and spoke to me like I mattered — which I really appreciated. They took the time to listen, to explain things clearly, and to look at me as a whole, not just a list of symptoms. Even when things weren’t straightforward, I always felt safe, respected, and cared for. My human felt supported every step of the way, and that means everything to a dog like me. You could really feel how much the vets and nurses genuinely care, not just about finding answers, but about the wellbeing of both pets and their people. Thank you for treating me with so much compassion, kindness, and dignity. I may not love vet visits, but if I have to go, I’m very glad it was with you. Lots of love (and gentle tail wags), Siena 🤍🐾

Kat

in the last week

I took my dog to LVS after she was referred there after her cancer diagnosis. She was seen at the start of the month and by the end of month she had an ultrasound, surgery, multiple checkups and is now cancer free! We were looked after my Sofia who went above and beyond any vet ever has! She was just lovely and was able to give us sound advice on our options based on our financial situation. We felt very reassured and looked after by her, and confident in her expertise. The only downside, which is more of a systematic issue is the high cost of treatment compared to other countries, if we didn’t have insurance then saving our dog would not have been possible.

Elizabeth

a week ago

Sophia, Inge and the team are exceptional. My dog very sadly had terminal cancer and they understood how upsetting it was and were incredibly supportive, kind and caring. They are also extremely knowledgable. I am so glad I found them, especially at such a difficult time.

alexis h

MeeksR M

3 weeks ago

Disappointing level of customer care - incredibly slow at responding to anything, despite chasers. Extremely high fees, given the standard of service. Edit: There is little point - you have ignored multiple emails requesting information about a follow up appointment, so we have taken our business (and pet) elsewhere.

Sara Gorman

Our 18wk old puppy Paddie had quite serious soft pallet issues & underwent surgery & a stay in intensive care at London Vet Specialists Hammersmith. The care he recieved was 5 star! The staff are truly amazing, reception ( Paddie took a particular shine to Greg, whom is an excellent lead) & clinical. It's a no brainer if you get referred to them, we'd recommend them in heartbeat. Thank you for everything you have done for Paddie & us as owners. Sincere gratitude , S & J Gorman