Knocknacarra Veterinary Clinic

Knocknacarra Veterinary Clinic is part of Ark Vets Galway, a companion-animal practice with multiple branches and a referral service available (per the clinic website). Reviews describe both routine appointments and more complex work, including diagnostic imaging and an intestinal procedure referred in from another clinic. Owners most often mention fast access (including same-day availability), clear explanations of treatment plans, and supportive end-of-life care (including an out-of-hours vet in one account), alongside a minority of reviews raising concerns about bedside manner and high charges for imaging.

Concrete specifics owners mention include: a same-day cat assessment appointment; clinicians coming out promptly to collect clients from the lobby; costs being outlined before treatment in at least one visit; and a condolence card/paw prints being provided after a pet’s passing.

Services

Based on the clinic website and the reviews available to us, the clinic is described as offering

•Companion-animal veterinary care for family pets (website).
•Referral service availability (website).
•Online booking for appointments (review).
•Diagnostic imaging mentioned by owners: ultrasound and x‑ray (review).
•Surgery mentioned by owners: spay surgery (review) and a “complicated intestinal procedure” (review; described as a referral from another clinic).
•End-of-life support, including an out-of-hours vet involved in helping an owner say goodbye (review).

Pricing

•One reviewer reports being charged “almost €900” for an ultrasound and a “quick xray” for a cat (review).
•One reviewer states the vet “gave me the cost beforehand” when outlining what needed to be done (review), but no amount is provided.
•The website mentions a “Pet Health Club® Plus plan” where “consultations [are] included,” but no pricing is stated (website).

People

Named staff mentioned in reviews include

•Elisabeth (Veterinary Surgeon) — one owner describes her as “absolutely amazing” during a visit (review), without further clinical detail.
•Brian (vet) — described as professional and thorough, and “great with” a dog; the owner specifically notes he outlined what needed doing and provided costs in advance (review).
•Aidan — thanked in multiple reviews; one owner says he carried out a complicated intestinal procedure after referral and “saved her life” (review).
•Martin — credited with performing a spay surgery that resulted in a smooth recovery and minimal visible scarring months later (review).

Reviews also mention reception staff being kind and welcoming, and staff recognising pets over repeat visits (review).

Reviews

Rating: 4.7 stars from 422 reviews. - Access and appointment flow: same-day appointment offered for a cat assessment; one owner notes being seen promptly even when early (reviews).

•Communication and planning: owners describe clinicians listening to concerns, repeating the treatment plan when needed, and (in one case) providing cost information up front (reviews).
•Complex care and referrals: a referral case involving a complicated intestinal procedure is described as successful; another owner highlights spay surgery and a smooth recovery (reviews).
•End-of-life support: one owner describes an out-of-hours vet helping them say goodbye in an accommodating, reassuring way; another mentions receiving a condolence card and paw prints after a pet’s passing (review).
•Concerns raised by a minority: one review describes an abrupt/aggressive manner and feeling treatment wasn’t offered until requested; another reports dissatisfaction with a high bill for ultrasound and x‑ray when their cat was dying (reviews).

Reviews for Knocknacarra Veterinary Clinic

Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 422 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Catherine Larkin

3 weeks ago

With my cat

Arthur Gray

a month ago

The veterinarian was exceptionally accommodating, helpful and knowledgeable, even when attending to us late on a Sunday afternoon.

LeAnn Kirkpatrick

I was offered a same day appointment for an assessment of my cat. I no more than got settled in a chair and the Clinician came to the lobby to get us! And we were early! Our Clinician was very gentle, thorough, attentive and professional. He listened to my concerns and acted on them. He was willing to repeat the treatment plan when I needed. All in all, a great experience. Thanks!

Damian McDonagh

Another top class service and experience. The entire staff are so dedicated and provide a committed care for all the animals. Elisabeth the Veterinary Surgeon was absolutely amazing this morning. A heartfelt thank you to Aidan and all the team, they're the best. I'd highly recommend booking online as it offers great flexibility in appointment times and dates. Many thanks for everything.

Anne Lynch

2 months ago

Excellent veterinary practice. The girls at reception are so kind and welcoming. Brian is an excellent vet. Sp professional, thorough and great with Felix, my westie. He outlined what needed to be done and gave me the cost beforehand. A super, caring practice, for sure.

Saoirse Joyce

Ark was our vet’s for our last two dogs and they were honestly so lovely throughout each visit. Everyone at reception always greeted them as their own and the condolence card sent after each passing was honestly just such a lovely gesture. We hold it dearly on a little remembrance shelf for them both and it gives us such comfort seeing their little prints. The out of hours vet that helped us say goodbye honestly couldn’t have been any more accommodating and reassuring, it was appreciated so so much - he made us and junior feel as comfortable as possible when saying goodbye. Thank you!

Cassie

Beyond terrible experience at this clinic. The vet was very abrupt and borderline aggressive in manner, not what you would expect when dealing with sick animals and distressed owners. Instead of listening and fact checking first, he immediately assumed an aggressive stance. No treatment was offered until I specifically asked for it, which felt like pulling teeth just to get the bare minimum of care. Because of that, we now have to pay again to be seen at another Veterinary in order to actually get the help our pet needs. Unfortunately, compassion no longer seems to be part of the culture here. We will not be returning and will only use our other Veterinary going forward, where the vets consistently go above and beyond for both pets and their owners, treating animals as family, as it should be.

Gabriel Bourke

5 months ago

Nice staff but charging us almost €900 for an ultrasound and a quick xray of our dying cat 🐈, just to tell us that Fibbs is dying, was not a great experience. We won't be coming back

Tony Burke

a year ago

Top class Vets, Ivy had her Spay surgery with Martin in Mary's Road. It was hard to believe she even had surgery when she came home she was so happy. 3 month's on and hardly a trace of the scar, it was done so well. Thanks again

Kevin Newton

2 years ago

I was sent to Ark vets by my regular pet clinic who couldn't do a complicated intestinal procedure on my German Sheppard "Bella" and was met by Aidan the guy who carried out the procedure...long story short he saved her life and I'll be forever grateful! From my first visit to Ark to the final visit was all positive, very friendly staff who seemed very taken by my beautiful dog. A big thanks to everyone at Ark and I cannot recommend them highly enough...thanks for everything!!