Old Stone Vets

For pet owners across England, ensuring the health and well-being of our animal companions is a paramount concern. When it comes to veterinary care, we seek not only professional expertise but also genuine compassion and understanding. In the heart of the Durham Dales, specifically in Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, stands Old Stone Vets – a practice that has consistently received commendation for its exceptional care and empathetic approach. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Old Stone Vets, highlighting its services, unique features, and why it has become a trusted choice for local pet owners in the United Kingdom.

Old Stone Vets is a well-established veterinary practice dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care for small animals. With branches in Alston, Stanhope, and Allendale, they offer a comprehensive first-opinion GP veterinary service, ensuring that pets in the North Pennines region receive the attention they deserve. The practice is known for its team of skilled and caring professionals who are committed to making every visit as comfortable as possible for both pets and their owners. Their approach is rooted in providing up-to-date, caring attention for pets and prompt, reliable service for their owners, as evidenced by heartfelt testimonials from long-standing clients. Old Stone Vets prides itself on being a practice that understands the emotional bond between people and their pets, offering support not just in times of illness but also during life's most difficult moments, such as end-of-life care. They have evolved to focus exclusively on small animal services, from routine check-ups and vaccinations to complex operations and emergencies, ensuring a dedicated and specialised level of care.

The Stanhope branch of Old Stone Vets is conveniently located at Unit 1c&d, The Durham Dales Centre, Castle Gardens, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland DL13 2FJ, UK. This location within the Durham Dales Centre provides several advantages for pet owners. The Durham Dales Centre often offers ample off-road parking, which is a significant benefit when transporting pets, especially those who may be anxious or unwell. Stanhope is a well-known village in County Durham, easily accessible by car from Bishop Auckland and surrounding areas. For those residing further afield or needing specific directions, the practice’s phone numbers are readily available. While the Stanhope branch focuses on consultations, Old Stone Vets also has a main surgery in Alston where surgical operations are performed. They offer a service to transport pets between branches for surgical procedures, adding an extra layer of convenience for local clients. The practice also provides an "Out of Hours" service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ensuring that emergency veterinary care is always available, often at their main Alston surgery which has full operating facilities.

• Routine Consultations: Appointments with experienced vets and nurses are available throughout the day, covering general health checks, minor ailments, and preventative care.
• Vaccinations: Comprehensive vaccination programmes for puppies, dogs, kittens, cats, and rabbits, protecting against common and life-threatening diseases such as Parvovirus, Distemper, Leptospirosis, Calicivirus, and Feline Leukaemia Virus.
• Neutering: Surgical neutering for cats (queens and tomcats), dogs (male castration and female spay), and rabbits, offering benefits like prevention of unwanted litters and reduction of certain health risks.
• Dental Care: Professional dental examinations, cleaning, and treatments for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas, including digital dental x-ray facilities.
• Surgical Facilities: Full range of medical and surgical facilities, including two sterile operating theatres at their main Alston surgery, allowing for various procedures from routine operations to more complex surgeries.
• Diagnostic Imaging: Advanced imaging suite with digital x-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, and bronchoscopy to aid in accurate diagnosis of internal conditions.
• In-House Laboratory: Equipped for rapid analysis of most blood tests, allowing for quick diagnosis and prompt treatment initiation.
• Nursing Clinics: Dedicated clinics run by veterinary nurses offering advice on various aspects of pet care, including weight management, parasite control, and post-operative care.
• Hospitalisation Facilities: Separate wards for dogs, cats, and exotic pets, along with a separate isolation ward for infectious cases, ensuring comfortable and safe recovery environments.
• Home Visits: Available for various reasons, including end-of-life care, providing a peaceful and familiar environment for pets and their owners during difficult times.
• 24-Hour Emergency Service: Old Stone Vets provides its own "Out of Hours" service, ensuring a vet with access to your pet's clinical records is available for true emergencies, directing clients to the most appropriate surgery (often Alston).
• Puppy Parties: Socialisation classes for puppies, offering a positive experience for visiting the vets and providing additional support in the early months of a puppy's life.
• Old Faithfuls Clinic: Dedicated annual health check-up including clinical examination, vaccination, in-house blood and biochemistry tests, urinalysis, and diet/exercise advice for older pets.
• Pet Insurance Advice: Guidance on different types of pet insurance cover (Lifetime, 12-month, Accident Cover) to help owners make informed decisions about protecting their pets financially.

• Exceptional Compassion and Care: Consistently praised in reviews for their calm, caring, and sympathetic approach, particularly during sensitive moments like end-of-life care. The hand-signed card sent after a pet's passing is a testament to their thoughtful approach.
• Experienced and Knowledgeable Team: Staff are described as professional, calm, and highly capable, instilling confidence in pet owners even in stressful situations.
• Comprehensive Facilities: Equipped with modern diagnostic and surgical tools, including digital x-ray, ultrasound, and dedicated operating theatres, ensuring a high standard of veterinary medicine.
• Dedicated Small Animal Focus: As of a recent update, Old Stone Vets concentrates solely on small animal services, allowing their vets to specialise and provide focused expertise in this area.
• Multi-Branch Convenience: With surgeries in Stanhope, Alston, and Allendale, they offer widespread accessibility across the region, with transport services between branches for procedures.
• Genuine Care and Reasonable Charges: Customers commend them for their "genuine care and reasonable charges," indicating that high-quality care is provided without excessive costs.
• Personalised and Responsive Service: The ability to see a particular vet for continuity of care and the option for house visits highlight their commitment to individual pet and owner needs.
• 24/7 Emergency Provision: Offering their own out-of-hours service provides immense peace of mind to pet owners, knowing professional help is always just a phone call away.

For appointments, emergencies, or any enquiries, Old Stone Vets in Stanhope can be reached at:

• Address: Unit 1c&d, The Durham Dales Centre, Castle Gardens, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland DL13 2FJ, UK

• Phone: 01388 528866

• Mobile Phone: +44 1388 528866 (This is often the main line for both landline and mobile, directing to the appropriate service).

• Website: (Please check their official website for direct booking, repeat prescription requests, and further information)

For pet owners across England, particularly those residing in the Durham Dales and surrounding areas such as Bishop Auckland, Old Stone Vets in Stanhope stands out as an exemplary choice for comprehensive and compassionate veterinary care. Their commitment to treating pets with kindness and respect, as vividly described by a customer whose elderly dog received end-of-life care, underscores a practice that goes far beyond routine medical services. The sentiment of "Lovely, caring vets" and the "beautiful touch" of a hand-signed card are powerful indicators of their empathetic approach during the most difficult times.

Furthermore, their ability to handle acute situations with professionalism and positive outcomes, as seen with the whippet on holiday, highlights their clinical competence and calming presence. The praise for their "genuine care and reasonable charges" is a significant factor for many families, ensuring that high-quality veterinary attention is accessible. With a broad spectrum of services, from preventative vaccinations and dental care to advanced diagnostics and 24/7 emergency support, Old Stone Vets provides a holistic approach to pet health. Their conveniently located Stanhope branch, coupled with surgical facilities in Alston and inter-branch transport, ensures that local pet owners have reliable access to all necessary veterinary services. For peace of mind and the assurance that your beloved companion is in truly caring and capable hands, Old Stone Vets is undoubtedly a highly recommended and suitable choice for the local community.

Old Stone Vets

Unit 1c&d, The Durham Dales Centre, Castle Gardens, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland DL13 2FJ, UK