Shuttleworth Veterinary Group

For pet owners across England, entrusting the health and well-being of their cherished animal companions to a veterinary practice is a decision of immense importance. Finding a vet that combines clinical expertise with genuine compassion, understands the unique bond between humans and their pets, and offers a comprehensive range of services is paramount. In Rossendale, Lancashire, the Shuttleworth Veterinary Group has been a long-standing presence, serving the local community with veterinary care for over 40 years.

The Shuttleworth Veterinary Group prides itself on being an independent small animal veterinary practice, a characteristic that often allows for greater flexibility in clinical protocols and a more personal approach to patient care. Their enduring mission, stemming from when Mrs. Shuttleworth originally owned the practice, is "Working with you for the health of your pet." This ethos aims to foster a collaborative relationship with pet owners, ensuring that decisions about an animal's health are made with mutual understanding and trust.

They aim to provide a wide range of veterinary services, from routine preventative care to advanced diagnostics and surgical procedures, all within their modern facility. The team at Shuttleworth Veterinary Group is dedicated to offering a professional and caring service, aiming to ensure that pets live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

Shuttleworth Veterinary Group is conveniently located at 209A Bacup Road, Rossendale BB4 7PA, UK. This address places the practice in a prominent position within Rossendale, making it accessible for residents of Rawtenstall, Bacup, Haslingden, Waterfoot, and other surrounding areas within the Rossendale Valley and wider Lancashire region.

Being situated on Bacup Road, a key route through the area, means the practice is straightforward to find for those travelling by car. A significant advantage for clients is the availability of a dedicated car park at the back of the building. This eliminates the stress of searching for street parking, making visits safer and more convenient, especially when transporting pets who may be unwell or anxious. While specific public transport links would depend on individual starting points, the central location within Rossendale generally means it is well-served by local bus routes, further enhancing its accessibility for a broader range of pet owners. The practice aims to make accessing veterinary care as easy and stress-free as possible for their clients.

Shuttleworth Veterinary Group offers a wide array of veterinary services, designed to cover all aspects of pet health from routine preventative care to complex medical and surgical interventions. Their approach focuses on comprehensive care throughout a pet's life.

• General Consultations: For routine check-ups, assessment of general health, and diagnosis of illnesses.
• Annual Vaccinations: Essential protection against common and serious pet diseases, tailored to individual needs.
• Preventative Healthcare: Includes advice and products for flea, tick, and worm control, as well as guidance on nutrition, weight management, and dental hygiene.
• Pet Care Plans / Pet Health Plans: Designed to make preventative healthcare more affordable by spreading costs over monthly direct debit payments, often including vaccinations, regular health checks, and parasite prevention, with discounts on other services like neutering and blood tests.
• Nurse Consultations: Appointments with qualified veterinary nurses for a nominal fee, offering advice on a wide range of topics including microchipping, diet, grooming, pet insurance, and post-operative checks.
• In-House Diagnostics: Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including:
  • Digital X-Ray: For clear imaging of bones and internal organs.
  • Ultrasound: Generates 2D moving images of internal organs.
  • ECG: Electrocardiography to assess heart health.
  • Endoscopy: For internal visual examination.
  • In-house Laboratory: Sophisticated equipment for rapid diagnosis of various metabolic diseases, often within the same day or even 15 minutes in emergencies, covering biochemistry, haematology, and urine analysis.
• Surgical Procedures: A fully equipped operating theatre with gaseous anaesthetic facility for a wide range of surgeries, including:
  • General Surgery
  • Orthopaedics (e.g., Cruciate Surgery, Fracture Repair)
  • Soft Tissue Surgery
  • Airway Surgery
• Dentistry: Treatment and prevention of dental disease, often with discounts for plan members.
• Specialised Treatments: Including chemotherapy and cancer treatment, laser therapy, and cryotherapy.
• Hospital Wards: Custom-built kennels for in-patients, with separate dog and cat wards and isolation units to ensure a stress-free environment and care for contagious diseases.
• Behaviour Consultations: Head Nurse Janine offers in-house support and guidance for pets with behavioural problems.
• Home Visits: The practice tries to accommodate routine home visits when requested, scheduling them around surgery appointments. They also have a practice van for nurses to collect pets for treatment at the surgery.
• Emergency Cover: Even when the surgery is closed, they provide emergency cover through an out-of-hours service (Armac in Bury).
• Pet Travel Documentation: Official Veterinarians are trained to issue Animal Health Certificates for pets travelling abroad.
• Free Food Delivery: Offered at specified times by prior arrangement for purchased food.

• Independent Practice: Being an independent practice allows Shuttleworth Veterinary Group the freedom to tailor their clinical protocols and processes to best serve their clients and ensure the well-being of their team and patients, fostering a more personal approach.
• Long-Standing Community Service: With over 40 years of serving the Rossendale Valley, they have built a strong reputation and deep ties within the local community.
• Comprehensive In-House Facilities: The practice boasts a fully equipped operating theatre, digital X-ray, ultrasound, ECG, endoscopy, and an in-house laboratory. This extensive equipment allows for rapid diagnosis and a wide range of treatments on-site, reducing the need for external referrals for many conditions.
• Dedicated and Compassionate Team: Customers frequently praise the kindness and understanding of the vets and staff. Names like Kath, Chelsea, and Alice are highlighted for their caring approach, especially during difficult times such as saying goodbye to a beloved pet.
• Preventative Health Focus: Their Pet Care Plans demonstrate a strong commitment to proactive healthcare, making essential treatments like vaccinations, parasite control, and regular check-ups more accessible and affordable for pet owners.
• Focus on Patient Comfort: Features like separate cat and dog waiting areas and hospital wards are designed to minimise stress for pets during their visits and stays.
• Nurse-Led Support: The availability of Nurse Consultations and the role of Head Nurse Janine in behaviour consultations highlight the valuable contribution of their nursing team in offering advice and support.
• Convenient Services: Home visits, pet collection by nurses, and free food delivery (by arrangement) add layers of convenience for busy pet owners or those with less mobile animals.
• RCVS Approved Training Practice: Being an Approved Veterinary Nurse Training Practice demonstrates their commitment to high standards of care and the development of future veterinary professionals.

Address: 209A Bacup Road, Rossendale BB4 7PA, UK

Phone: 01706 225300

Mobile Phone: +44 1706 225300

For pet owners in Rossendale and the surrounding areas of Lancashire, Shuttleworth Veterinary Group offers a comprehensive and deeply rooted local veterinary service. The practice's long history, extensive facilities, and a team often praised for their compassion make it a significant asset to the community.

Positive testimonials underscore their dedication to patient care, particularly during challenging times. One long-term client shared, "I've used this vets for 10 years and the vets are always kind and understanding especially Kath, Chelsea and Alice. Very sadly I've had to say goodbye to one of my cherished cats... All the staff were really kind and caring and made the awful situation as easy as possible. I feel confident that my pets and I are getting a professional and caring service at all times." This speaks volumes about their empathetic approach and consistent quality of care. The range of services, including advanced diagnostics and the convenience of in-house facilities, further strengthens their position as a suitable local choice.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge and address all feedback. A contrasting review detailed a deeply concerning experience, "Please get a second recommendation before letting this vets kill your dog!... the vet took a 2 minute look at my dog an told me I had 2 choices pay 8k for an MRI scan or euthanize your dog... my dog has now fully recovered after around 4 weeks!" This account raises serious questions regarding diagnostic thoroughness, proposed treatment options, communication, compassion, and professional conduct, including claims of emotional blackmail and being asked to leave the premises. Such an experience, if accurate, is profoundly distressing and completely unacceptable in veterinary care.

While the practice has many elements that would typically make it suitable for locals—its independence, long history, breadth of services, and a team often described as caring—this critical review highlights a significant and concerning inconsistency in the level of care and professionalism. Prospective clients in the Rossendale area should consider both the positive long-term feedback and this serious complaint. It underscores the importance of clear communication with the veterinary team, asking questions about diagnostic options and alternative treatments, and seeking a second opinion if ever unsure about a severe diagnosis or proposed course of action. For the Shuttleworth Veterinary Group, addressing and learning from such critical feedback would be paramount to ensuring consistent, high-quality, and compassionate care for all pets and their owners.

Shuttleworth Veterinary Group

209A Bacup Rd, Rossendale BB4 7PA, UK