Just dont go there, far better veterinary practices do exist,
The veterinarian believed the ideal option for an elderly friend of mine’s elderly dog of 11 years —who was otherwise in good overall health, apart from head shaking and ear scratching—was euthanasia.
The actual issue was poor gut health and collagen loss, which costs pounds, not almost a grand to treat, Banking on an inevitable worsening ear infection.
That particular dog is still well, live and kicking with nothing more than probiotics, collagen and a diet change.
I took my own dog there for a booster vaccination and ended up paying only for a consultation, as she wanted another one and a half to “treat” nothing more than a yeast build-up.
Avoid at all costs. If the owner reads this: get a better veterinarian not a scam artist.
Eerily I'm not the first person to say Orla or Ola has suggested putting dogs to sleep.
I was a client and supporter of Blackwater Vets for many years until recently. I couldn’t understand the negative reviews until it happened to me. Unfortunately their unprofessional and unethical spiteful behaviour forced us to move our three animals to a different practice.
My elderly parents who struggle to travel any distance have had an appalling experience. Their young dog was taken there with what appeared to be a minor skin rash. The vet gave the dog an injection (without discussing it with my mother) that resulted in a serious adverse reaction. Less than an hour after leaving, the dog swelled up to twice her size, was struggling to breathe and was extremely distressed. My mother rang the practice immediately. The receptionist told her she would ring the vet for advice as she had left for the day. The vet lives 2 minutes away from the practice. The receptionist rang my mother back, and told her the vet had said that “if she was that worried about it she’d have to take the dog to the emergency vet”. This is 15 miles away in Colchester. I then had to collect the dog and my parents and drive at breakneck speed to Colchester. Fortunately the emergency vet immediately gave the dog an injection that reversed her symptoms. Oh, and it cost several hundred pounds. When I collected my parents and the dog I was shocked and not sure the dog would survive. She was in a terrible state. It took a week for her to recover. When my mother attended the vets the next day to inform them she was moving vets they told her they wouldn’t transfer the dog’s medical notes to the new practice until she paid £17. She was told that if she cancelled her medical plan direct debit she would owe them this amount! She was clearly very angry and upset at the way she’d been treated and felt blackmailed, but she paid it - even though she was paying for future medication she wouldn’t be getting. She has since received a letter demanding more money (over £100) before they will sign the insurance claim form for the fiasco they’d caused the previous week. I’m furious at the stress and upset this has caused them. The “fee” is exactly same as the policy excess, so this is simply spiteful.
After some upsetting and unpleasant experiences with this vet (including being told I was an irresponsible owner) - this was the final straw that has forced a formal complaint. The vet prescribed medication for a shoulder injury for my Labrador which wasn’t making any difference, and wanted to give him additional monthly injections, and if I didn’t consent I’d be guilty of animal cruelty and would be expelled as a client. His new vet put him on alternative pain medication that solved the issue immediately. We had also previously consented to let this vet remove several of our young cat’s teeth - at huge expense - as we were told this was necessary. We were also told that if we got a second opinion it would be viewed as mutiny by the vet and we would be expelled. We have since been told it was completely unnecessary by another vet. I have since been told that other local cat owners have been told their cats need expensive dental extractions.
Blackwater Vets used to have a superb reputation and could easily be a centre of veterinary excellence, after all it’s the only vet on Mersea Island. The fact that people are prepared to travel miles to go to an alternative practice says it all. Their business model appears to be to try to get you to part with as much money as they can, and if you question their decisions or disagree, the vet then threatens to sack you from their practice for animal cruelty and disloyalty. There is only one vet who is also the owner, so there is no way to get a second opinion or view. It’s the owner’s way or the highway. I hate writing negative reviews and was very upset (after all my years of support) to be ultimately treated very badly, but until they change their attitude towards their clients, I can’t see how it can improve and get their former excellent reputation (that was built up by the previous owner over many years) re-established.
Ive had 2 dogs, 2 cats, guinea pigs and rabbits all with blackwater vets but because our last animal, a cat who was a house cat hadn't been in yearly for the last 4/5 years they refused to take her for cremation at the grand old age of 20. Blown away by this stupidity and unkind attitude. She had been vaccinated for 15 years of her life but as she was by her own choice housebound we decided to stop vaccinating yearly which is our choice. She was well to the day she passed but despite the thousands ive spent in this vet they chose to decline as they only do 'prevention' and cremations to those that are regular and not kindness to those that have used them for years for multiple pets. What an unkind and repulsive attitude to have.
Lovely staff. Very helpful
Dont have the option to give no stars otherwise would, totally unwilling to help when our dog needs the rainbow bridge and refusing to give an appointment, told to go find another vets!! Disgusting
Our jackapoo was in a bad way B-Hol Monday at 10pm, called their number & took him to their recommended emergency vet at Manningtree, 1st class treatment, tested bloods & electrolytes both normal, gave him an injection & meds & told us we were good to go & not to even bother Blackwater, as they felt confident he would improve!!!!!!, I dont begrudge a penny of the £500 bill, not claimable on our ins, ...... moving on we get a call from Blackwater to ask us to bring our dog in for a check up??? which brings us to this morning 27/8/25 the wife took him in & Ola then starts saying there was a need for further tests???? to which my wife drew breath & said well lets see, bearing in mind advice already received.....the retort was...."perhaps you should go to another vet then"..... No consideration as to the cost already accrued, or anxiety with situation surrounding the event, customer care with her is none existent, but the £70 it cost is ; ) So having defended the bad comments made by so many others, We will take her suggestion & "Find that other vet"..... 3 dogs now off her books/paid plan after 8/7/6 yrs respectively & now with a great practice,.... only down side to this ...wish we had left sooner,
Posting on behalf of elderly neighbour with no transport;
We rang the vets today to get treatment for our family pet, told to drive up to get it, so arranged for transport to do so, when we arrived we were advised rather sternly that we had been struck off the list of patients and wouldn't be able to offer treatment.
Not only was the way we were spoken to totally uncalled for and rude, it was a complete waste of everyones time and effort.
If they weren't prepared to see us, then simply advise when we called.
The staff are rude and I will not be recommending this service to anyone should they ask. AVOID AVOID AVOID
Mersea Island is very lucky to have such a compassionate, knowledgeable and caring veterinary practice.
I’m very impressed with how they cared for my elderly cat. I didn’t realise that my cat had arthritis and he was in some pain and discomfort until Ola the vet discovered this and suggested we start him on monthly pain relief injections. My cat is now more like his old self and enjoying life again. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a courtesy call a couple of weeks later from the lovely, friendly receptionist Holly enquiring how he was.
I have no hesitation in recommending this local practice to anyone needing an exceptional, experienced and skilful veterinary surgeon and her amazing team. Thank you All.
I have been a customer of Blackwater vets for the last three years. I’ve been taking my two cats there in that time. Neither of them are fans of going to the vet. The reception staff make you feel welcome as soon as you walk through the door and make sure my two cats are comfortable after the journey from home. Ola, the vet and her team couldn’t be more caring. They take the time to make sure your pet is in good health while keeping you informed about what she is doing. I have been lucky that we have only needed routine checks and vaccinations but I know if I need more, Ola and her team will make sure the highest quality care will be taken when needed. Great service and well worth the traveling, as I don’t live on Mersea!
