Alder Veterinary Practice

Alder Veterinary Practice is an RCVS-accredited small-animal clinic (established in the early 1980s) with in-house facilities for surgery and diagnostics, including digital X‑rays, ultrasound, endoscopy, and in-house blood analysis. One long-term client notes the practice was later “absorbed” by the Linnaeus group, and another says pricing was described to them as being fixed by Linnaeus.

Based on recent reviews, owners often come here for routine consults and more involved procedures (dentistry and end-of-life care are both specifically mentioned). Experiences are mixed: some describe clear explanations in consults (including a named vet, Alexander, being “so informative”), while others report poor communication around aftercare/arrangements following a pet’s death. Pricing also appears to be a deciding factor for some owners, with one review detailing a large quote for a dental that they found substantially cheaper elsewhere.

Services

Services and capabilities mentioned on the clinic website

• •Small-animal veterinary care
• •In-house surgery
• •Diagnostic imaging, including digital radiography (X‑ray)
• •Ultrasound
• •Endoscopy
• •In-house blood analysis

Services mentioned in reviews

• •Dental assessment and quoted dental work, including anticipated extractions (one owner later reports their dog had plaque removal, polishing, and multiple extractions—performed elsewhere after getting a quote here)
• •Euthanasia and end-of-life support (“compassionate when it’s time to say goodbye”)
• •Discussion of FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) and treatment options (one owner felt they were steered away from treatment and sought treatment at another practice)

Pricing

Explicit pricing mentioned in reviews

• •Dental procedure estimate: one owner reports being quoted £1,860 for a dental “including anticipated extractions.”
• •The same owner reports another practice ultimately charged £580 for plaque removal, 11 extractions, cleaning, and polishing (shared as a comparison to Alder’s quote, not as Alder’s fee).

People

• •Alexander (role not stated; seen in consultation): praised for being “so informative” and for explaining things in an educational way.
• •Multiple reviews comment on communication, but in conflicting ways: some describe helpful, informative interactions, while one review describes “appalling communication” around bereavement/ash arrangements.

Reviews

Google rating: 4.5 stars from 375 reviews. “”

• •Clear explanations in consults: one reviewer highlights being talked through things in an “educational” way and calls out a specific clinician (Alexander) as particularly informative.
• •End-of-life care mentioned in both positive and negative terms: one long-term client describes compassionate support when saying goodbye, while another reports poor communication about what would happen with their dog’s ashes.
• •Price sensitivity, especially for dentistry: one owner reports a high dental quote including extractions and says they were told prices were fixed by Linnaeus; they recommend comparing options due to wide price variation.
• •FIP support/treatment approach is disputed: one reviewer felt discouraged from treatment and later sought treatment elsewhere, saying it cost much less and their cat recovered—presented as a key reason for their dissatisfaction despite otherwise positive long-term experiences.