Vet recommendation

[skreeky]

I didn't see anything recent in the #pets tag, so here goes.

We're newly moved to Davis Square, and our 21-year-old kitty would probably prefer a vet closer to our new home - her old one is a 45 minute drive.

She needs a minor invasive procedure every couple of weeks to drain fluid that builds up in her belly due to chronic conditions. It does require some sedation. We think most well-equipped clinics and pet hospitals could do this.

I know many cat lovers in this community - who do you recommend?

Thanks!

Comments

[enveri.livejournal.com]

We use Porter Square Vet Clinic (http://portersqvet.com/). Which... in spite of the name, is right across the street from the VFW building.

We haven't had to take our geriatric kitty there- she's as healthy as a little horse still *knock on wood*, but they were great with our elderly dog, and they've done just fine with our younger kitty.

And when the time comes to say goodbye, they are wonderful; both for the pet and the owners.

[bobthemadmidget.livejournal.com]

I don't have a pet so I can't vouch for their services, but I did notice the Union Square Veterinary Clinic just moved to 314 Highland Ave.

http://www.unionsquarevet.com/

[dancingdeer.livejournal.com]

It used to be only a few doors down from Wheelworks, closer to the Star Market, and they kept the name when they moved closer to Davis Sq.

We used to take our old cat there and were happy with their care, but that was quite a while ago.

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

I use the Looby Vet group in Medford, at the Arlington border off Salem St (rte 60). http://www.loobyvetgroup.com/

Also, you should be aware of the Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital, a 24 hour place just up highway 93 in Woburn. Really easy access, very nice staff, and if you're dealing with a critter emergency after hours it's a much less complicated drive than trying to maneuver the streets of Somerville/Cambridge/Boston to get to Angell. They have all the services that Angell has (and sadly the prices are comparable too). http://www.ivghospitals.com/

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Porter Square Vet is excellent. We have taken our animals there for... wow, it's 13 years now. When our late geriatric kitty was ailing, they helped us keep him well as long as he could be kept well, and then were very considerate about helping us figure out when it was time to let him go.

I also hear good things about Huron Village Animal Clinic.

For emergencies, nights, Sundays, and a fully-equipped hospital, Angell Memorial over in Jamaica Plain is the go-to.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend doing a bit of research on them though--it's been 4 years or so since I've used them but there used to be one guy there who was *awful*. I believe some of the review sites online warn about him (no clue if he's still there).

In general it's a great place though!

[dphilli1.livejournal.com]

MVRH was able to reboot our kitty after we broke her.

Even with all the blood tests, opiates are basically the only safe pain meds for kitties.

[tikva.livejournal.com]

Dr. Rebecca Schoenberg is doing Mondays at Winter Hill Vet, but honestly, I'd go to her even if she were on Jupiter. And I say this as a guide dog handler who needs her animal to be in top shape at all times.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

Oh does she also work at Porter Sq Vet (or used to?) I know I she used to take care of my monkeys(cats) and was great.

[cfox.livejournal.com]

My dogs go to Porter Square Vet, one of them has a long term chronic condition, and has always gotten excellent care there.

The caveat for PSV is that they're on the cheap end of the spectrum; they've had fairly brisk staff turnover, and they've biased towards saving me money rather than solving the problem quickly. I've taken to asking what the more aggressive or expensive options are, at any decision-making juncture, which absolutely gets me what I want.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

My kitty has received excellent care from Winter Hill Vet. I'm not sure if they're set up to do the kind of procedure you mention, but it is certainly conceivable. They do sedation there for dental cleanings for my cat.

[sd210.livejournal.com]

I take my elderly cat to Dr. Jane O'Donnell at Winter Hill Vet. My cat has a kidney issue and needs semi-annual blood work done to monitor it. She hates all Vets, so she needs to be sedated for her check ups and blood draws. I have found Winter Hill Vet to be excellent, both to my elderly cat as well as to my younger boy cats. Winter Hill also has some excellent Vet techs. My understanding is that they do appointments requiring sedation mid-week, to avoid the busy weekends (and when the more experienced Vet Techs are on duty).

Plus, Dr. O'Donnell does not hesitate to refer you over to Angell when something needs to be investigated further (she referred my cat there for an ultrasound when her blood work came back with certain numbers too high). She also follows up with the folks at Angell to get all of the results for her file, which is great.

I was referred to Dr. O'Donnell through a friend who has brought her cats there for 10+ years. Sadly, I accompanied my friend to Winter Hill Vet when she had to put her very elderly cat down. Dr. O'Donnell opened the clinic up on a Sunday and met us there to assist with the dying cat. She was excellent during the whole thing, which is very tough. I highly recommend Dr. O'Donnell and her practice.

[skreeky]

Her regular vet has been at Angell - that's the 45 minute drive. I know some people have just awful horror stories, but Dr. Kaye has been lovely and we must have been lucky re the emergency staff and specialists because she's always gotten good care there.

[teko.livejournal.com]

When my dog was extremely sick in awful ways, Porter Square Vet sent me to Mass Vet Referral Hospital, and they saved her life. Worth every penny.

[shadow.livejournal.com]

My cats haven't needed surgeries (knock on wood), but I've been pleased with the general care they've been getting from Union Square Vets.

[elements.livejournal.com]

I have had very positive experiences at Porter Square Vets, with my previous cat who I got as a senior, so he had some health issues throughout. I really appreciated that they were happy to talk through all the ramifications of any potential interventions - not just on cost, but on his quality of life.

For example, I had multiple (unbilled) phone consultations with one vet after we determined that my last cat most likely had liver cancer. He talked me through everything, including helping me process my emotions over making life and death decisions for another being. Once we talked over what we could realistically do even if we did know for sure what was going on, it became clear that I didn't want even to put my elderly cat through the invasive tests needed to know for sure what he had. They helped me plan for doing what we could to extend not just his time but his quality of life, and he had many more months with me before it was time to let go. And as enveri says, they are wonderful with that part too. Their front desk staff are fantastic and exceptionally empathetic, and good at helping you go from distraught and sobbing to thinking coherently about what your pet needs. They also remember you - when I came back several weeks later to pick up my cat's ashes, the woman at front desk who'd been my point person on the day we put him down recognized me right away and had someone else take over what she'd been doing so she could be the one to get me through that last bit. Similarly, the vets remember your animals from visit to visit. I can't speak highly enough of them.

I am already signed up for them with my new kitty.

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

I 3rd/4th or 5th Porter Square Vets- I use Dr.Parker and he is great with our dogs and has cats of his own he has told me

[beinneighe.livejournal.com]

I go to Huron with my two (young) cats--one has atopic dermatitis, and Dr. McGee has been great with phone/email discussion over all the different treatment possibilities. I think they're a little more expensive than Porter Sq, but they also seem to have a reputation for being straightforward about cost/benefit ratios and understanding of limited bank accounts.

[tikva.livejournal.com]

She has, but I'm not sure she still does.

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

I really like Winter Hill Vet, which I switched to a few years back after a not-so-great experience with Porter Square Vet. However, given your location, Porter Square Vet (which, as previously mentioned, is actually in Davis) is probably a lot more convenient for you. And I've come to think that my experience was an aberration, given how generally positive the reviews are for Porter Square Vet here and elsewhere.

[dahdahdahdancer.livejournal.com]

The doc at Porter Square Vet who has cared for my cats over the years is Dr. Bujalski. He is a competent, caring person and I can't recommend him highly enough. He has built a long-term relationship with me and my cats, and knows their idiosyncracies. While some vets are "dog people," Dr. B. is more of a "cat person" - he has four himself and takes occasional trips to Africa to care for the big cats in a wildlife preserve.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I take my girl to City Cats in Arlington, and would recommend their work. They tend to be thorough and on the pricy side. I am considering a change to a rec from a coworker to a place I hear is on Beacon St, but have no personal info on it. Coworker has 3 geriatric cats and recommends it highly.

[freetobeme18.livejournal.com]

Porter Square Vet on Summer

[coffeekitty.livejournal.com]

interesting; he's the one vet there that i avoid. my nervous cat took an extreme dislike to him. may just be a personality clash.
my cats see dr. champaign at porter square vet, and i have had nothing but good experiences. they are also not afraid to refer to Angell if something is beyond their ability to cope.

[incandes-flower.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we take our dog to Huron and I really like the vet there. He is great with our dog. We even moved to Waltham and still take her back there.

[skreeky]

Thanks for the recs, everyone. My husband and the cat are headed for an appointment this morning at Porter Square Vet.

[miraclaire.livejournal.com]

If the place on Beacon St you're thinking about is Beacon St in Boston, that's Boston Cat Hospital, which is excellent, but sadly moving to JP. My parents have taken their cats to Dr. Gallo at Boston Cat Hospital for about 30 years, and when we got a kitten a few years ago started going there too until it was just too much to deal with getting there on the T with a freaked out cat and a toddler.

We just started bringing our (3 year old) cat to Mill Brook Animal Clinic in Arlington, which was ok, but I'm not totally thrilled with (the vet I saw really pushed me to think about making my own cat food... no thank you. I didn't make my own baby food, and with kid #2 on the way I really don't have the energy to cook for the people in my house half the time, let alone my cat). It's very close to our house though, so we'll probably stick there for now.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Actually no, I think it's Beacon St Somerville. Sorry. I would not take my poor cat on the T, she is tooooo heavy for that.

[genarti]

Since I moved to the area six years back, I've taken my cats to Huron. Both Dr. Ulrich and the newer Dr. Leef have been great; I don't have any experience with Dr. McGee. And yes, when my old cat was dying Dr. Ulrich was very compassionate and straightforward about our options and both the cost/benefit ratios and the financial considerations at the time.

I don't have any experience with the kind of regular procedure you're talking about, since none of my cats have needed that, but in general I'd gladly recommend Huron Veterinary Hospital.

[blinkidybah.livejournal.com]

We also use City Cats and though I'd agree they're on the pricier side, I would highly recommend them! Cats-Only means they can focus much more on feline health issues and everyone there has shown nothing but warmth and a high level of care for our three kitties.