Serious concerns about post-surgical care, communication, and an inadequate complaints process
In August 2025 my five-year-old Dachshund, underwent emergency spinal surgery (IVDD, T13-L1) at Voo Vets Surbiton. I am sharing this review because I believe other pet owners deserve to know about our experience before entrusting their animals to this practice.
Despite being promised daily calls and photographs during hospitalisation, updates rarely came unless I chased them. On multiple occasions I received photographs showing my dog lying in soiled bedding. His nose became red, raw and bleeding — consistent with him trying to avoid the mess — pointing to inadequate nursing supervision. I was also called in twice to hand-feed him chicken because he had refused to eat, which raised further concerns about the level of care and engagement he was receiving. Following discharge, he still displays new fearful behaviours — recoiling when approached or lifted — that were entirely absent before his stay.
Three months later my dog developed the same symptoms and required a second, more complex surgery at another hospital. Their MRI and surgical findings confirmed that a significant amount of disc material had been left behind from the first procedure, making the second operation considerably harder. The contrast in care was stark: despite a more complicated surgery, his stay was shorter, communication was proactive and consistent, and we received daily calls directly from his surgeon.
Six months on from his second surgery, my dog is still in daily rehabilitation and has not returned to the fitness he had before August 2025. I believe the first surgery was not performed to an adequate standard, that the second surgery was preventable, and that the two consecutive procedures without adequate recovery time between them has been seriously detrimental to his long-term wellbeing.
I submitted a formal complaint to Voo Vets in April 2026. They did not reply within the 14 days they promised and I had to chase them for a response. When it eventually came, rather than addressing any of my specific concerns, they simply asked me to agree to referral to the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS). I would caution other owners: despite being presented as an independent, impartial body, the VDS is in fact an insurance organisation that represents veterinary professionals — not pet owners. At the time of writing, the VDS holds a 1.8 star rating on Trustpilot. I do not consider this a satisfactory or genuinely independent resolution process.
I have copied my complaint to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body for the veterinary profession in the UK.
I would urge any owner considering this practice for specialist or surgical care to reflect carefully on our experience.
1 juni 2026
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