The Coppins Veterinary Practice

- Emergency care is praised in some accounts: one owner says their beagle was treated urgently on a Sunday, kept overnight, diagnosed, and given extensive notes for their own vet; another says the practice saved their Great Dane's life. - Dr Ken Gradwell is a major positive theme: several reviews praise his calm manner, thorough examinations, and personal follow-up, including a phone call to discuss a dog's prognosis. - Communication is the main source of complaints: recent negative reviews mention being spoken to rudely, talked over, feeling dismissed, and one dispute around records and being removed from the practice list.

The Coppins Veterinary Practice is an independent clinic in Wotton-under-Edge that says it has been established for over 60 years, treating small animals as well as farm, equine and camelid patients. Its website advertises 24-hour emergency cover, including a surgical team for caesareans and major trauma. Recent feedback is mixed: some owners describe compassionate urgent care and strong follow-up, while others report rude communication, missed callbacks, and concerns about continuity after Dr Ken Gradwell's death.

Services

•24-hour emergency care and surgery: The practice website says it offers round-the-clock emergency support, with a 24-hour surgical team for caesareans and major trauma. Recent reviews include a dog being seen on a Sunday, kept overnight, diagnosed, and sent home with detailed notes for the regular vet.
•Small animal care: Consultations, diagnosis and advice, routine neutering and surgery, vaccinations, microchipping, and dental care. The website also lists in-house diagnostics including x-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, blood analysis, and an in-house laboratory.
•Home visits: The website says home visits are available by appointment. One recent reviewer says they requested a home visit for an elderly cat, were told the practice was too busy and would call back, and did not receive that callback.
•Farm and camelid work: Website-listed services include pre-movement testing, disbudding, dehorning and castrations, fertility and lameness examinations, herd health planning, calving and lambing problems including caesareans, worm egg counts, and camelid treatment and care.
•Equine services: The practice website lists routine health visits and vaccines, equine dentistry, lameness workups, and access to endoscopy and x-ray.
•Facilities: The site also mentions a dental suite, ops suite, x-ray suite, and scanning suite, and lists the practice as a Veterinary Nurse Training facility.

Pricing

No published pricing information is currently available for this clinic, though one recent reviewer described the practice's charges as excellent.

People

•Dr Ken Gradwell: The website says he had over 30 years' experience. Recent reviews remember him very warmly for careful examinations, compassionate follow-up, and emergency care, and say that he has since passed away.
•Amie Gradwell: Named on the website as living on site with Ken to support the practice's 24-hour care.
•Harry: Named in one recent review as a temporary vet, in a complaint about manner and consistency of care.
•Wider team: Recent reviews suggest some clients are concerned about continuity, with one reviewer saying the practice is now using temporary vets.

Reviews

Google rating: 4.7 stars from 171 reviews.

•Emergency care is praised in some accounts: one owner says their beagle was treated urgently on a Sunday, kept overnight, diagnosed, and given extensive notes for their own vet; another says the practice saved their Great Dane's life.
•Dr Ken Gradwell is a major positive theme: several reviews praise his calm manner, thorough examinations, and personal follow-up, including a phone call to discuss a dog's prognosis.
•Communication is the main source of complaints: recent negative reviews mention being spoken to rudely, talked over, feeling dismissed, and one dispute around records and being removed from the practice list.
•Some newer concerns focus on consistency: one reviewer reports a promised callback for a home visit never came, another worries about standards after Ken's death, and one owner says their dog later needed referral care after they felt the first consultation was inadequate.

Reviews for The Coppins Veterinary Practice

Note: Showing the 10 most recent Google reviews out of 171 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Lucy G

1 month ago

My previous review was 5 stars plus but since owner Ken sadly passed away the vets are all temporary and the place has sadly severely dropped its standards. I've had to move my animals to where I can have them looked after with consistent reliable care. If you do go avoid Harry as he is a temp but very patronising and condescending.

Zachary Bird

I was introduced to this veterinary practice by my then girlfriend, I was always a cat man, and my now wife and I have a cat. The magnificent Michael. At the time I was put in charge with taking Michael in for a check up. The dear Dr Ken was still practicing then and never had I seen a man so good at his profession. Having lived in Bristol I was used to the “Zetland Road” approach. Shove your beloved pet in. Take a look, charge a minimum of £110. This was something quite different. Dr Ken knew Michael, and carefully examined him. Finding that he was in good health for a boy of 14 (at the time), I thanked Dr Ken and went around to pay at the desk. I was told there was no charge. This is a practice that works on decency and humility I thought. Three years later, Dr Ken sadly passed away. This was a terrible loss. The man was a true gentleman. My mother was also very upset by the news. My parents now took their cat (Stanley) as they were so appalled by the treatment at Zetland Road. Some time has passed now (and dear Staley), but we still take Michael to The Coppins, and it continues to be an excellent practice. Some of Dr Ken’s magic has left, but we still trust this practice implicitly, with our most precious person.

Dan B

7 months ago

Very rude. I was trying to see if a vet closer to my work could do the operation so I didn’t have to leave work for so long. The new vet asked for the information grom Coppins but didn’t get back to me so I phoned Coppins up again and she said she struck me off and there not taking anyone back on. Said she will see what the vet says, told me that I only done it because I wanted another price and overtalked me multiple times. Really not appreciated

Pete Eastwood

8 months ago

Ashley Moore

Cynthia Morton

9 months ago

I have nothing but praise for this practice Our beagle George was taken poorly whilst on holiday on a Sunday ..We took him to Coppins tended him kept him overnight diagnosed sadly a marcel tumour gave us extensive notes to pass to his vet the way forward . Sadly we lost him but only after he had had a fantastic beach holiday made possible by them Although we live hours away from the practice and were not regular clients Ken phoned and chatted to me George,'s chances and showed such compassion A truly caring vetinary practice

Mary Clarke

10 months ago

Asked for a home visit for a 22 yr old cat. I would pay upfront. Advised too busy..They will call. Of course they didn't. Good insight. Im glad I found out how they operate. I give lots of care to get a cat to 22. They don't get this.