Specialist Vets in Wellington

## Summary Cave Veterinary Specialists is a veterinary **referral centre** (owners mention being unable to attend without a referral), with **advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities** and **24/7 care for sick and injured patients** stated on its website. Recent reviews describe specialist-led workups including **scans** and an **MRI** for a suspected neurological problem/IVDD, with owners highlighting **long, option-focused consults** (one review mentions **over an hour** discussing choices) and **regular updates** during treatment. One recent reviewer reports being **turned away at night** for arriving without a referral/registration and says there was **no vet on site** at that time; other reviews describe prompt, organised care once seen. ## Services - **Referral-only specialist care** (multiple reviews reference being seen after referral; one review says walk-ins were not accepted). - **Emergency care stated as 24/7 for sick and injured patients** (website). - **Advanced diagnostics** (website mentions advanced facilities; reviews mention a **scan** and an **MRI**). - **Neurology/orthopaedic-type case management mentioned in reviews**, including a dog that suddenly lost use of the back legs and an **IVDD** case, with outcomes and ongoing support discussed. - **Discharge planning/support**: one owner mentions being supported to find **physiotherapy** after diagnosis and being released once the dog was fit to go home. - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (structured clinic data). ## People - **Sabrina (vet)**: in one detailed review, she is described as quickly narrowing a neurological problem to three likely causes, discussing the choice between MRI vs conservative management, and providing prognosis and next-step support. - **Kate and front desk team**: one reviewer credits them with “moving mountains” to help organise care and describes clear, honest communication from arrival. - **Tom (medical team)**: mentioned by name as part of the team looking after a pet and owner during a difficult visit. - Across multiple reviews, owners emphasise **clear explanations of medical terms**, feeling **listened to/not rushed**, and **time spent discussing options**; one review notes nurses **brushed the dog before discharge**. ## Reviews **4.7 stars from 358 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Detailed explanations and decision support**: owners mention scans/MRI being explained, options laid out, and prognosis discussed (including one consult lasting over an hour). - **Communication and updates**: regular updates during treatment and clear, honest communication from arrival are recurring specifics. - **Handling of serious neurological cases**: examples include sudden loss of back-leg function and IVDD, with owners reporting improvement and recovery (e.g., walking again). - **Staff kindness shown in concrete ways**: not feeling rushed, being listened to, and small discharge-care details like a dog being brushed. - **Conflict about access at night**: one very recent 1-star review reports being turned away for arriving without a referral/registration and alleges no vet on site at the time, contrasting with other recent accounts of responsive, organised care once under the team’s care.