MORE CATS! (seeking vet recommendations)

[thismightbejess.livejournal.com]

I am a relatively new pet owner and I would like some advice on local veterinarians. My cat is young and healthy and just needs a wellness exam, and maybe some help with some sudden itchiness. Very routine. I am, however, "living on a budget" as they say. There are rave reviews for many vets in the area; Porter Square, Union Square, Winter Hill and Huron all have 4 to 5 stars on The Yelp, but I suspect they are all rather expensive. Also, since I am a new pet owner, I don't actually know what "expensive" is.

Do you have any suggestions for a reasonably priced cat vet in the Davis-ish area?

Could any of you tell me what to expect to be charged for a basic exam?

Also, I'm curious if any of you have tried the Merwin Memorial Free Clinic in Allston. It seems you just show up with your pet, are seen on a first-come-first-serve basis, and are only charged for medicines and materials (though they encourage donations). The downside is that there can be a crazy-long wait. I, personally, wouldn't mind waiting, but I suspect Pickwick might consider it An Ordeal. I also think it might be better to establish a relationship with a nearby vet, who would then have all of the cat's information on hand. But super-cheap vet visits are mighty tempting....

Comments

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

You want Dr. Bujowski at Porter Square Vet. Good vets are more important than cheap vets and he's a star.

I have no basis of comparison for cost, because Hubble is the first cat I've owned in the US, but they're prompt, thorough, and very good. I went in today for an "emergency" (Hubbs ripped a stitch from her spaying) and I only had to pay 20 bucks for the meds she's going to need.

[enveri.livejournal.com]

We use Porter Square Vet Clinic and my husband (roho) was very impressed with the facilities. Since he used to work as a vet tech, I take his word for it that they've spent their money where it counts.

They were prompt, contientious and very considerate of humans dealing with sick 4-legged family members (I know your kitty is just getting a Wellness check right now, but if s/he DOES get sick, it's nice to know that you aren't going to be faced with brusque rudeness).

Pricewise, they were comparable to the rural Illinois vet clinic we were seeing before we moved to Somerville. I can dig through our receipts later and see how much our dog's last checkup ran.

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

And crap, I butchered his name real bad. It's Dr. Bujalski.

/shame

[veek.livejournal.com]

I second that recommendation. I like all the vets I've seen there (3-4?), but Dr Bujalski is the one I've seen the most. He's fantastic.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

I have been very fond of Winter Hill Vet. The people who work there are very nice, and have been very good about keeping me fully informed about my cat's health. I can't remember the price I've paid for a routine annual visit & rabies vaccination, but it's under $100.

[dreda.livejournal.com]

The prices mentioned above are pretty inline - and I would also second the idea that a good vet is the most important part. And that a good vet will understand that pet care can be spendy (just as people care is without insurance) and will work with you on that.

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Ulrich at Huron - he is AMAZING with cats, an excellent guy, and very understanding about working out how to pay for things in a possible manner.

[genarti]

Seconding this -- I love Dr. Ulrich! Very much recommended.

[kdsorceress.livejournal.com]

I know nothing about vets, but I appreciate that you named your cat Pickwick.

Merwin

[violet-helix.livejournal.com]

I've done Merwin in the past. The care is very basic, but they won't hesitate to refer you to someone else if they discover something that seems to be more copmplicated than they're equipped to deal with.

You have hit the nail one the head with the downside, though. You don't develop a relationship with you vet, you just see whoever is volunteering that day.

Another thing, last time I was there it wasn't just a matter of having a long wait. The demand for their services had gotten so great that they had to turn people away, if thy knew they could only see 25 patients in a given day and there were 26 people in line when they opened, #26 gets sent home. I don't know if this is still the case, but I wanted to make you aware.

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

Porter Square Vet

[upsidown.livejournal.com]

Ditto

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

I've got 2 cats and a dog with Dr. Champaigne at Porter Square and they've been great. One of our cats is elderly and not-in-great-shape and they've been helpful about finding a way to work within our budget to pick a course of treatment ("well, you COULD do surgery, but let's try this liver-flavored chewable medication first...")

Definitely PSV

[ursomniac.livejournal.com]

We have two cats, and have used PSV.

We're extremely happy with them.

One of our cats has had several medical issues. PSV has always been EXTREMELY caring (to her and us), attentive, prompt, etc. They are VERY good at explaining things, outlining options, etc.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

I have been to Merwin, and yes they are good, but as has already been covered, you won't be forming a relationship with a vet, and you might have to wait or even be turned away, and it can be a long way to drive with a cat who doesn't like being in the car (which is every cat in my experience).

I used to use Porter Square Vet and they are fine, but now I go to Winter Hill and love them. I think the prices are probably fairly comparable. I paid somewhere around $350 last time I was there, which included having my cat neutered, plus standard well-cat exam, all the shots, and the microchip inserted. I had no issues with the cost; the location is convenient for me; and the staff were all very nice and competent.

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

Based on price I'll warn against VCA City Cats (Arlington). It's not a general dis-recommendation; we like them for a number of reasons, but cheap they are not. Generally speaking, VCA hospitals have a reputation for being expensive. (We think about switching every now and then, but we do have an established relationship...)

[lheena.livejournal.com]

While not in Davis, you can get there by the T - I can't recommend the http://www.arlboston.org/ (Animal Rescue League of Boston) enough. They're clean, friendly, SUPER knowledgeable, non-profit, run a shelter as well, AND they're cheap; my cat had stomatitis (which means he was allergic to his own teeth, poor baby) and had to have them ALL pulled. All the vet visits, vaccinations, exams, follow up, medications, surgery (he had to have almost all his teeth removed), anesthesia, etc was less than $1300, when I was quoted between $1800-$3000 for vets in Boston and Quincy (including Angell!)

They are so wonderful, and DEFINITELY inexpensive, and really really close to Back Bay.

[upsidown.livejournal.com]

This is where we adopted our cats from! I can't speak to vet care, but I can speak to the fact that they are awesome, kind, and that our cats were in perfect health when we adopted them.

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

I see Dr Parker at porter square vet for the cat who will tolerate the long drive to get there. Of the other vets at the practice, most have been great, one was not so much.

I've gone to some cat-only places and that's way spendy. At one I felt judged for not wanting to spend a lot and not wanting to put my cats on steroids. A general vet is cheaper than one that specializes in cats. I haven't compared PSV to other general vets (I probably will soon; one of my girls won't tolerate the drive to Davis) but I'd be surprised if it were significantly more expensive.

Dr Parker saved my cat's life, and after the required surgery when she needed a followup visit, they didn't charge me because they viewed checking the sutures (which she was allergic to) as a part of the procedure.

You will have to get a rabies shot unless there's a medical reason to postpone. If your cat's had a rabies shot in the past year and you can document it, bring it with; the three year shot is cheaper but they can only use that if they know for sure that the cat's had a one year shot in the past year.

Oh! I forgot to say, you can totally call them and ask for the price of a general checkup, find out what vaccinations they recommend (more if it's an indoor-outdoor cat), and price all that. Most people are paying out of pocket instead of through pet insurance, so vets tend to be able to answer that question.

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

Since you're new as a pet owner, I'd also suggest you take a non-pet visit to one of the 24 hour vet facilities in the area. Angell (http://www.angell.org/) is in Boston proper, and the Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital (http://ivghospitals.com/) is in Woburn (close to the intersection of 93 and 128 and easier to get to by car). It's best to know where these places are before 3 am when your critter is experiencing an emergency.

Both charge about $150 to just bring your pet in the door, but are invaluable since critters don't need emergency care only when your regular vet doors are open.

[sd210.livejournal.com]

Dr. O'Donnell at Winter Hill Vet is excellent. I've been going there for years with my 2 cats. If your cat ever has a serious medical issue, she will refer you to Angell Memorial and is great with follow up with the specialists there. Also, she is very good with my female cat who is positively EVIL when she's at the Vet.

Finally, my friend has been going there with her cats for many years. During this time, my friend had to put one of her elderly cats to sleep after a long illness. The cat took a turn for the worse over the weekend and Dr. O'Donnell came in on a Sunday to attend to the cat. I happened to be there with my friend (I drove as she was understandably upset.) Dr. O'Donnell was compasionate and understanding during the difficult decision to put the cat down. (Sorry this post turned into a downer, but I cannot say enough good things about Winter Hill Vet).