Farm & Large-Animal Vets near Killerney

## Summary Hillcrest Veterinary Services (also referred to on its website as Cloverhill Veterinary Surgery) opened in January 2011 under John Finnegan, with the practice described as catering for small animals while continuing large-animal work at another site. The clinic highlights on-site digital X‑ray, and it also runs veterinary boarding kennels with specific vaccination requirements. Reviews commonly mention quick appointments (often seen within 5–10 minutes), staff who answer questions and reassure owners, and one review describing a fast in-clinic test to rule out FIV/leukaemia and treat with “a simple dose of flu.” There is also a complaint about kennel charging being misleading (charged for 3 days when the dog stayed 2 nights). ## Services - **Small-animal veterinary consultations/treatment** (stated aim is to cater for small animal clients; multiple dog and cat visits referenced in reviews). - **Large-animal work** is mentioned as continuing at another location (no further detail provided). - **Diagnostic testing**: one review describes a **quick test** used to rule out **FIV/leukaemia** in cats. - **Digital X-ray** (website lists a digital X‑ray machine). - **Microchipping and registration (dogs)**: the website posts about microchipping legislation and references microchipping/registration processes. - **Neutering/spaying information** is posted on the website (procedure itself isn’t explicitly listed as a service in the extracted fields, but the topic is covered). - **Boarding kennels**: the clinic advertises **heated “luxury” boarding kennels** (6 large single kennels and 4 double kennels). It states pets are cared for by the practice’s own veterinary nurse and that **full up-to-date vaccinations including kennel cough are required** (and can be arranged by the clinic if needed). - **TNR (trap–neuter–return) support** is mentioned in a review (“especially helping with TNR programs”). ## Pricing - One reviewer reports being charged **€37.50** for a kennel stay they believed was **2 nights**, and says they were instead charged for **3 days** after being told the owner charges “for each day not night.” (This is presented as a complaint about pricing clarity.) ## People - **John**: mentioned by name in a review as “going above and beyond” to help. - **Claire**: named by a reviewer as providing excellent care for their dog, alongside a co-worker. - **Sarah Louise (veterinary nurse)**: named on the website as caring for pets in the boarding kennels. - Reviews repeatedly highlight staff who **answer questions**, **reassure owners when pets are unwell**, and **keep close to appointment times** (often with minimal waiting). ## Reviews **Rating: 4.2 stars from 18 reviews.** Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us. - **Short waits/appointments kept on time:** one owner reports rarely waiting more than **5–10 minutes**, and sometimes being seen early. - **Reassurance and clear answers:** multiple reviews mention staff being quick to put owners at ease and taking time to answer questions. - **Practical problem-solving:** one detailed review describes a **quick, inexpensive test** to rule out FIV/leukaemia and treatment with a simple medication for flu. - **Boarding kennel complaint:** one 1‑star review alleges **misleading pricing** for a kennel stay (charged for 3 days for what they considered a 2‑night stay).