Veterinary Surgeon - Mixed Practice

Ardee, Louth, Ireland / Dunleer, Louth, Ireland
Primary Care - Vet Surgeon – Mixed /
O'Dowd Veterinary, Ardee Hospital [4043] /
On-site
Veterinary Surgeon – Mixed Practice 
 
O’Dowd Veterinary Hospital | Co Louth 
Full-time, Permanent | Salary up to €65,000 DOE 
 
 

A Genuine Mixed Role for Confident Practitioners

O’Dowd Veterinary Hospital is a long-established, progressive mixed practice in County Louth, and we’re seeking an experienced Veterinary Surgeon to join our close‑knit and collaborative team.

This role is not suitable for new graduates. We’re looking for a vet with at leas a couple years’ experience in practice, ideally with exposure to mixed caseloads, who is comfortable working independently while valuing clinical discussion and team support.

The position offers a true 50:50 split between small and large animal work, appealing to practitioners who enjoy variety, continuity of care, and autonomy within a well-supported rural community practice.

 

The Role

This is a full-time position working 40 hours across five days, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm. The workload is evenly split between small and large animal duties and includes consultations, surgery, farm visits, TB testing, and medical work-ups.

Out-of-hours is shared fairly on a one-in-four weekend rota, with time off in lieu provided. Bank holidays are also shared across the team. There is always backup available, and no one is expected to manage complex situations in isolation.

A full, clean driving licence is essential due to farm calls and out-of-hours responsibilities.

 

Facilities & Team

O’Dowd Veterinary Hospital is a modern, purpose-built hospital located just off the M1, making it easily accessible from both Dublin and Belfast. The practice is well-equipped with digital radiography, ultrasound for both small and large animals, a fully equipped dental suite, and in-house IDEXX laboratory facilities.

You will be joining an established team of seven Veterinary Surgeons, including three Clinical Directors, supported by six experienced Veterinary Nurses and a dedicated administration team. The practice culture is supportive and collegial, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, open clinical discussion, and maintaining high but realistic clinical standards.

We have strong ties to the local community, work closely with local charities, and host an annual charity event each year.

 

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a VCI-registered Veterinary Surgeon with a couple years of experience in clinical practice. Previous experience in mixed practice is preferred, and candidates should be comfortable working across both small and large animal caseloads.

You will be approachable, team-focused, and committed to delivering good medicine while contributing positively to the wider practice culture.
 
 
 
Why Join O’Dowd Veterinary? 
This is a role where you’ll be trusted, supported, and encouraged to grow. You’ll have the chance to develop your skills across both disciplines, work cases up to a high standard, and enjoy a sustainable work–life balance in a practice that values its people as much as its patients. 
 
 
Benefits – Subject to Pro Rata 
 We recognise that our people are fundamental to the success of our business. Investing in our staff, premises and processes is at the heart of what we do. In addition to a competitive salary, you will also benefit from:   
 
Work Life Balance   
*Enhanced Annual Leave  entitlements 
*Birthday Leave (paid day off on your birthday)   
 
Focus on Employee Wellbeing    
*Paid Maternity Leave Package   
*Paid Paternity Leave   
*Cycle to Work Scheme   
*Full access to EAP and Wellbeing Centre   
*Paid Bereavement Leave   
*Company Sick Pay   
 
Development   
*€1300 annual CPD allowance with 5 days paid CPD days pro rata   
*Funding of any Certificates / Diplomas / PhD’s you may want to pursue   
*Career Progression Opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical   
*Care Fund – Annual contribution of €1,100 to use on a case of your choice to ensure a successful outcome with your patient   
 
Professional Memberships   
*VCI membership paid   
*VDS cover paid   
 
Additional Benefits   
*Annual Pay Reviews   
*Pawesome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers   
*Employer Pension Contributions   
*Free Flu Inoculations   
*Discounted Veterinary Fees   
*Opportunity to join company programmes (LGBTQ+, Wellbeing Champions, Nurses Committee, Clinical Board and many more) 
€0 - €65,000 a year
Up to €65,000 DOE
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.