Ark Vetcare Dun Laoghaire – Vets in Dun Laoghaire
Clinic Overview
Ark Vetcare Dun Laoghaire operates under the Ark Vetcare brand; one reviewer says the practice changed ownership from a previous independent practice (“Paddy Traynor practise”) to a UK-owned company. The clinic is set up for both routine and complex cases based on reviews describing major surgeries (including BOAS airway surgery in a French Bulldog, a splenectomy, and hernia repair) as well as end-of-life care (including a home visit for euthanasia).
Concrete details owners mention include
- •Separate waiting/clinic areas for cats and dogs.
- •BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) surgery discussed as being recommended during a routine check-up, with reported improvement in breathing/exercise tolerance afterwards.
- •A house visit arranged for euthanasia, with the receptionist coordinating the visit and attending alongside the vet.
- •Ongoing care for chronic problems (inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis) and emergency surgery for foreign-body ingestion described by a long-term client.
Services
Based on the website summary and the written reviews available
- •Vet consultations / routine check-ups (BOAS surgery was raised during a “routine checkup” in one review).
- •Soft-tissue surgery, including
- •BOAS airway surgery for brachycephalic dogs (explicitly described for a French Bulldog).
- •Splenectomy (spleen removal) and abdominal hernia repair (described as “major surgery”).
- •Surgical removal of ingested foreign material (“bits of wood … surgically removed, twice”).
- •Diagnostics and lab tests mentioned by a reviewer: blood tests and urine dip testing.
- •End-of-life care, including euthanasia via house visit (arranged through reception; performed by a named vet).
- •Management of chronic conditions mentioned in reviews (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis, with medication/pain management referenced).
- •Medication/food ordering is promoted on the clinic website (“Order Medication or Food”).
Pricing
Pricing is only mentioned by a dissatisfied reviewer, who also describes the clinic as “very expensive”
- •Blood test: €100 (as stated in the review)
- •Urine dip stick: €28.50 (as stated in the review)
People
Named staff mentioned in reviews, with what owners specifically describe
- •Paul McCarthy (role not explicitly stated): thanked in relation to a successful BOAS surgery outcome and also referenced by a long-term client (“thank you Paul for running such a great practice”).
- •Leah (vet): performed a house visit and euthanasia; the owner highlighted her “gentle” and “professional” approach and the pet’s peaceful passing.
- •Julie (reception): described as understanding and empathetic; arranged the house visit and accompanied the vet.
- •Lisa (vet): handled a very nervous dog showing aggression; the owner valued her confidence and calm handling.
- •Lisa Henley (vet): described as a primary vet over many years for a dog with multiple chronic issues.
- •Shauna (vet): credited with “expert care” around a splenectomy and hernia repair; the owner also commented on the quality of the surgical stitching/scar.
- •Bri (role not explicitly stated): thanked for handling insurance claims “promptly.”
- •Carol (role not explicitly stated): thanked as part of the wider team.
Reviews
Google rating: 4.8 stars from 472 reviews.
- •Complex surgery outcomes are a recurring positive, including BOAS surgery with owners reporting improved breathing, exercise tolerance, and reduced/no snoring afterwards; and separate reports of splenectomy plus hernia repair with good recovery.
- •End-of-life support is described in detail in one review, including a house visit arranged quickly and a peaceful euthanasia experience.
- •Handling of anxious/aggressive pets is specifically praised (a vet continuing care despite the dog’s aggression, which the owner found reassuring).
- •Facilities/pet-flow: one reviewer notes separate areas for cats and dogs.
- •Cost and value are disputed: one reviewer describes the clinic as “very expensive” and criticises what they felt were unnecessary tests, while multiple other reviews describe long-term satisfaction with care over many years.
- •Continuity of care is also disputed: one negative review claims vets “continuously change,” while other reviewers describe returning over long periods and naming specific vets involved in their pet’s care.
Animals Treated at Ark Vetcare Dun Laoghaire
Animals We Treat
Companion Animals
Opening Hours – Ark Vetcare Dun Laoghaire
Opening Hours
Hours
Reviews for Ark Vetcare Dun Laoghaire
Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 472 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.
Ben Staves
2 weeks ago
Nice staff. separate areas for cats and dogs
Niamh Leonard
a month ago
conor graham
2 months ago
Hilary Murray
2 months ago
This is the Ryanair of vet practise . Very expensive only trying to get € . Vets continuously change ( new vets are young and foreign as in hard to understand ) . So lack of experience results in unnecessary tests . Blood test €100 ! Urune dip stick €28.50 - your GP would include this with a €70 consultation . I joined when this was paddy Traynor practise - now it is owned by an uk company who only wants €€€ . Only go if you have insurance 😲
Daryl Charmant-Dunne
3 months ago
Massive thanks to the team in Ark Vet and for everything they did for our 3 year old French Bulldog, Reggie. It's been a couple of months since Reggie was in for his BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) surgery and we can honestly say it's the best thing we could have done for him. Being a Frenchie, Reggie was beginning to snore a lot more when sleeping and had difficulty exercising on the warmer days of the year as his breathing was obstructed. We went into Ark Vet for a routine checkup and this surgery was advised by the team. We decided to go ahead with the surgery and everything from start to finish was excellent. The surgery was a complete success and Reggie's quality of life is so much better for it. Reggie's breathing is normal now, he can walk and run around for longer periods of time, he honestly no longer snores at all and the main thing is how he just seems so much more energetic and lively. Once again a massive thanks to Paul McCarthy and team for everything they did, life changing for Reggie and a surgery I would highly recommend for anybody considering this for their Brachycephalic dogs.
Daryl Charmant-Dunne
2 weeks ago
Massive thanks to the team in Ark Vet and for everything they did for our 3 year old French Bulldog, Reggie. It's been a couple of months since Reggie was in for his BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) surgery and we can honestly say it's the best thing we could have done for him. Being a Frenchie, Reggie was beginning to snore a lot more when sleeping and had difficulty exercising on the warmer days of the year as his breathing was obstructed. We went into Ark Vet for a routine checkup and this surgery was advised by the team. We decided to go ahead with the surgery and everything from start to finish was excellent. The surgery was a complete success and Reggie's quality of life is so much better for it. Reggie's breathing is normal now, he can walk and run around for longer periods of time, he honestly no longer snores at all and the main thing is how he just seems so much more energetic and lively. Once again a massive thanks to Paul McCarthy and team for everything they did, life changing for Reggie and a surgery I would highly recommend for anybody considering this for their Brachycephalic dogs.
Barginhunter Irl
a month ago
We have been going to Ark for the last 10+ years, they have always given us the best of care and attention every single time we visit. The Staff are wonderfully friendly, efficient and caring. Nothing is ever a problem. (Snuggles loves her pampering 😉)
Syl Bailey
4 months ago
My beautiful girl had to be put asleep 3 weeks ago. I had her 13 years. She was a very special dog. Over that 13 years,she was so well looked after by Ark Vetcare Dun Laoghaire; from the very efficient girls on reception to Paul and all of his colleagues. I knew by looking at Jasmine that day that she was really unwell so I called Ark Vetcare Dun Laoghaire. Julie,on reception,was so understanding and empathetic and arranged for Vet Leah, to do a house visit. Julie, knowing me as a client of the practice for many years,kindly accompanied Leah on her visit. On looking and assessing Jasmine, lying listlessly on my bed, we all knew what the best,and kindest course of action for Jasmine was. So,on 25th April, Jasmine closed her eyes for the last time, with me at her head, petting her and telling her how much she was loved,and Anto scratching her tail end (which she always loved!),Leah gently and professionally,gave her an injection,and she went to sleep. Her passing was so peaceful. I will never in my lifetime forget the kindness, compassion and empathy shown to us that day by Leah and Julie. Jasmine was in the very best of hands in Ark Vetcare Dun Laoghaire for all of her life,and,most especially,on her last day. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart,Leah and Julie. Kind regards, Sylvia Bailey
Aidan Boyle
a year ago
Ollie is an old dog who is very nervous when visiting Ark always. He was treated by Lisa who wasn’t at all daunted by his show of aggression. This aggression is not his normal demeanour. He is usually quite docile. It is very comforting and reassuring as the owner of a sensitive pet to have someone as confident and capable as Lisa attend to Ollie.He may have a few years left and it would be great to have this continuity of care with Lisa if possible. Thank you again to ark for such wonderful care and service.
M E Q
2 years ago
I attended Ark Vetcare for 14 years with my beloved Charlie. Charlie is gone now and it is hard to put into words how wonderful everyone in Ark has been to Charlie, and me, over all these years. He had a number of ailments including inflammatory bowel disease and bad arthritis, apart from many other things such as eating bits of wood which got stuck inside him and had to be surgically removed, twice! Through every little thing Ark attended to him like he was the most precious animal in the world, which he was to me! He had a wonderfully happy and charmed life and a lot of that was due to Arks attentive care ensuring that he was pain free and on the right meds and getting the right treatment. They are a caring, professional and very empathetic team. Thank you Ark, especially to Lisa Henley who was Charlie's primary vet. Thank you Paul for running such a great practice, thank you Bri for looking after my claims always so promptly, thank you Carol, Julie and all the wonderful and kind nurses, I'm sorry I can't remember everyone's name but I owe you all a huge debt of UPDATE!!! After an absence of 2 1/2 years , I’m back with Ark and my new (older lemon10 year old) dog, Mindy. Mindy had a lesion on her spleen and a big lump on her abdomen. Spleen was removed and what turned out to be a hernia, repaired. So major surgery! I everyone in the practice was wonderful, just as I found with my last little angel, Charlie, whom they cared for for 14 1/2 years. Shauna is so kind, empathetic and ever so gentle. She took expert care of Mindy and now my Mindy is like a new dog! The care before, during and after her surgery was just the best! As well as that, I really have never seen anything like the stitching job Shauna did ! The incision was huge, all along Mindy’s abdomen and seriously, it is invisible! Shauna could easily have a second career as a high end seamstress in a haute couture fashion house! But I would insist she stay with Ark as a vet! 😃 so thank you, thank you and thank you again to the whole Ark team and in particular the wonderful Shauna. 🌺👏♥️ Read Less
