Laurence Behrens BVSc MRCVS [OV]
Veterinary Surgeon
We’re always delighted to welcome new clients. If you’re a pet owner considering a new vet, please feel free to pop in anytime to say hello—no appointment needed! We’d love to meet you and your pet and introduce ourselves.
Established in the 1980s, our Dagenham veterinary practice is a trusted and familiar name in the local community. When you visit our branch, you can expect to see a team of dedicated professionals who have been with us for a long time.
Our Dagenham vet practice is equipped with excellent on-site facilities and equipment to deliver optimal healthcare for your pets. The highly trained team can conduct routine operations, x-rays, and assist you with obtaining an Animal Health Certificate. Additionally, they offer expert consultations and complimentary initial health check-ups for kittens and puppies.
Click on the fee tab to see prices for our standard vet appointments and neutering. See Vet and Nurse appointments for more information on the types and length of consultations available in practice. Fees for other appointments and treatments are available by speaking with us in practice.
Our Dagenham vet practice is in the East London Borough of Romford. The surgery building is located just off Oxlow Road roundabout and is easily accessible by both car and public transport.
The nearby 174 bus route which passes Oxlow Lane from the Heathway. There is no on-site parking.
Please note this practice is located within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
If your pet requires medical attention outside regular hours, we have a few emergency pet hospitals based across London. The nearest emergency vet to our Dagenham surgery is Wanstead Veterinary Hospital, which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To book an urgent appointment, call 020 8989 7744. To ensure continuity for your pet’s healthcare, their medical history is available at every branch of our vet branches or hospitals, any time of the day or night.
This branch is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), following a diligent assessment the RCVS is satisfied that we maintain the highest standards of veterinary care and has also been awarded the internationally recognised Cat Friendly Clinic Status for our work in reducing the stress cats experience when attending veterinary practices.
Official Veterinarians are able to issue Animal Health Certificates enabling you to travel with your pet. There are a number of requirements that must be met before travel, so we recommend getting in touch with your local practice as early as possible if you might need your pet to travel abroad.
Our laboratory offers a rapid and efficient service with fast turnaround of results. Many branches have state-of-the-art in-house equipment for an even faster service. In addition to testing for the disease in an unwell patient, we also offer screening tests before your pet undergoes an anaesthetic to ensure that we identify any previously unknown problems, helping us to ensure the anaesthetic is as safe as possible.
We are members of the International Society of Feline Medicine and many of our practices have been awarded the internationally recognised Cat Friendly Clinic status. We take great care to ensure that our feline friends feel as comfortable as possible in our practices. Please ask us for help if your cat is particularly nervous about visiting the vet.
We offer 15-minute appointments as a standard for most consultations, giving you plenty of time to discuss your pet’s healthcare and ask any questions you may have. We are able to provide a range of services during the consultation and are always on hand to see your pet in an emergency if necessary.
Taking care of your pet’s teeth is vitally important for their overall health. Just as we brush our teeth each day and get regular dental check-ups, our pets also need regular preventative care, dental check-ups and dental treatment for a range of dental diseases or trauma. We recommend keeping up-to-date with your pet’s dental health and, as with any aspect of their wellbeing, we see prevention as a much better outcome than a cure.
We offer a referral service for diagnosis and treatment with CT scans, advanced x-rays and ultrasound. These imaging tests can be offered as an outpatient service, or as part of the treatment for patients hospitalised with us. We employ a number of specialists and certificate holders who are able to provide an expert opinion in interpreting these tests.
Flea and Worm control is not only important for your pet’s health but also for public health. We provide Prescription-Only Medicine, so if we have not recently examined your pet and prescribed a Prescription-Only parasiticide, you’ll need to book a formal consultation with your vet so that we can supply you with the product. We are always happy to provide advice on the best preventative care for your animal so please call in if you have any questions.
Enjoy a FREE new pet health check on us!
If you’ve recently added a new pet to your family, or if you are moving into the local area and looking for a new vet, we’d be delighted to meet you both and offer your pet a free health check by one of our vets*
We’d love the opportunity to introduce ourselves and our patient-first approach to veterinary care. We can then meet your pet as well as giving them the opportunity to look around our practice.
What’s included?
We’ll:
Budget monthly and save money on all your pet’s preventative healthcare needs. Our affordable plan allows you to pay a monthly direct debit to spread the cost of your pet’s vaccinations and parasite control products throughout the year. The costs are much less than our full retail price, and the plan offers a number of other benefits on top.
Pet neutering is a hot topic among owners across the UK with some non-medical theories and myths making people doubt the procedure for their dog, cat, rabbit or any other household pet. All Goddard Vets encourage owners to consider neutering their pets for a range of medical and behavioural benefits.
Our nursing team play a central role in the care that we provide you and your pet. In addition to assisting our veterinary surgeons in providing care for your pet, they are also able to answer questions for you directly and provide a range of nurse-led services such as puppy classes, weight management clinics and senior pet care consultations. Speak to your local team for details of classes and clinics available.
People tend to think it’s only older pets that get ill and therefore younger pets don’t need pet insurance but we know from the patients we see each day that that is not the case. In fact, the younger your pet is when you insure them the better as it means you are less likely to have any existing conditions, which may not be covered by the policy and you can then receive more help covering the cost of any future treatment your pet needs.
A microchip is a tiny glass capsule, about the size of a grain of rice, which is filled with electronic components giving a unique 15 digit number. Giving a pet a microchip is a relatively simple procedure.
Please contact your veterinary surgeon to discuss your pet’s vaccination requirements along with the possibility of saving money on these and many other benefits by joining our preventative healthcare plan, ProActive Pets.
Vaccinating your pet is an essential part of being a pet owner and looking after your beloved dog, cat, rabbit or any other animal you choose to bring into your home. Vaccinations are a vital part of the process used by millions of pet owners to keep their pets safe.
Just like humans, pets require regular vaccinations to create a biological defence against some of the nasty diseases that can be picked up in everyday life. If your pet is unvaccinated and catches one of these illnesses then the symptoms could be fatal or cause long-term harm, meaning that staying on top of your pet’s vaccines is very important.
Our knowledgeable team can offer support and advice on managing your pet’s weight and diet.
Spotting potential health issues before signs appear can help protect your pet from serious disease.
All of our branches have access to x-ray facilities for ease and speed of diagnosis. Many of our practices benefit from the latest technology in digital X-rays, which provides exceptionally clear images very quickly, ensuring your pet is under anaesthetic for the shortest possible time.
Veterinary Surgeon
Veterinary Surgeon
Laurence is originally from South Africa where he graduated as a veterinary surgeon in 2010. After working with small animals and some exotics for 7 years, he moved to the UK in 2017. Laurence’s passions are working with and advising owners on the correct husbandry of reptiles. Laurence is an Official Veterinarian [OV] which means that he is authorised to issue pet passports and complete export health certificates. Laurence was a breeder of Sphynx cats in South Africa and is proudly owned by two of these beauties, Calvin and Declan. He loves travelling and is looking forward to exploring the UK and Europe.
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Dianne joined the practice in 1993, to later qualify as an RVN and she is also a qualified Pet Nutritionist. She is totally dedicated to animal welfare and often spends her spare time hand rearing abandoned puppies and kittens, and giving talks to schools and other groups. Dianne owns a Lurcher called Chester, a Slovakian rough coated Pointer called Flo as well as four cats and various parrots.
ISFM Cat Friendly Clinic Cat Advocate
Nursing Assistant
Nursing Assistant
Regional Manager
Regional Manager
Philippa joined the Goddard Group in 1999 and has seen it develop and grow over the years. Originally from a veterinary equine practice, Philippa now manages ten branches in the East London area. Philippa achieved her management certificate Cert B&PS in 1999 and her Certificate Veterinary Practice Management CVPM in 2013. Philippa lives with her husband, son and her rescue cats Duncan and Sydney. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering projects, was an Olympic Games Maker in London 2012 and helps out at Saturday Park Runs. Philippa has a passion for photography and participates in many charity runs (as long as there is a medal at the end!).