Vita Referrals

Vita Referrals is a surgical referral clinic in Wetherby focused on small-animal orthopaedics and neurosurgery. Its website lists advanced imaging and surgical support facilities including CT, digital X-ray, arthroscopy and fluoroscopy, alongside minimally invasive options. Recent reviews highlight clear communication through PetsApp, structured aftercare, and a clinical approach that does not default to surgery when conservative treatment is more appropriate.

Services

• •Small-animal surgical referrals, with referral routes listed by phone or email.
• •Orthopaedic surgery, including total hip replacement (THR), TPLO/cruciate surgery, patella luxation correction, fracture management, pan carpal/tarsal arthrodesis, and angular limb deformity surgery supported by CT and planning guides.
• •Elbow work-up and treatment, including elbow CT and elbow arthroscopy; recent reviews also mention an investigative CT scan followed by arthroscopy for sudden severe lameness.
• •Neurosurgery, including hemilaminectomy and ventral slot procedures, with CT myelogram noted on the website where needed. One recent review also mentions a spinal injection as part of treatment.
• •Lameness investigations using CT, X-rays and joint samples.
• •Facilities and equipment listed on the website: CT scanner, arthroscopy, fluoroscopy and digital X-ray.
• •Post-operative communication and aftercare, including PetsApp updates, quick replies to owner questions, written recovery instructions, and follow-up appointments with X-rays.

Pricing

A very limited amount of published pricing suggests the clinic may sit above average, but this is based on very few comparable services. Recent reviewers also describe pricing as competitive and say costs were clearly explained; one owner compared Vita with a quote elsewhere that was £3,500 higher for the same operation.

People

• •Rob is mentioned repeatedly for assessment and surgery, including bilateral TPLO. Owners describe him as reassuring, thorough in examination, gentle with anxious dogs, and clear about recovery planning; one review also praises him for recommending crate rest instead of surgery for a suspected disc problem.
• •Nick is named in reviews covering hip replacement surgery and an investigative CT consultation that led to elbow arthroscopy. Reviewers describe him as kind, patient and professional.
• •Stuart is mentioned as lead surgeon for both hip replacements in one case, and in another review for carrying out a spinal injection, with praise for clear explanations and a calm manner.
• •Reviews also speak very positively about the nurses, reception staff and wider surgical team, with one owner noting good support from all three vets involved in their dog’s care.

Reviews

Vita Referrals has 5.0/5 stars from 90 Google reviews.

• •Recent reviews are consistently positive about major orthopaedic procedures, especially TPLO and hip replacements, with owners describing marked improvements in comfort, movement and confidence afterwards.
• •Communication is a recurring strength: reviewers mention PetsApp updates, quick responses to post-op questions, and clear explanations before and after treatment.
• •Aftercare is often described as well organised, with written recovery plans, next-day updates, and follow-up X-rays where needed.
• •Several reviews also highlight the team’s calm handling of nervous dogs and an approach that feels honest rather than sales-driven, including one case where surgery was advised against in favour of conservative management.