Comparison of two nearby vets?

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

I've heard excellent things about both City Cats in Arlington (particularly Dr. Leavey) and Porter Square Veterinarian (particularly Dr. Parker) on this community. Is there anyone who has been to both and can compare them in terms of price -- is one much more "upscale" than the other? Failing that, is it easier to park at one than the other? It's possibly that they're really very comparable to one another, and it's just a matter of personal preference or familiarity... but it can't hurt to ask (especially since I'm poor).

Comments

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Gosh, I feel like City Cats is totally upscale and that this reflects in the prices. that said I didn't have any problem with the care, just that it felt a bit steep.

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

Parking is easy at Porter Sq. Vet, especially if your appointment is early in the day. There are metered spots right by the door, plus the small lot in front of the Rosebud usually has spaces in the morning.

[jadelennox]

Neither is cheap, and they're equivalently non-cheap. We saw many vets there, but fell hard for Dr. Leavey, so we followed her to City Cats. Neither's great for parking, though City Cats is slightly easier. City Cats has no dogs, which might be easier on your cat.

[hoppzor.livejournal.com]

I really like Dr Parker from Porter Square Vet. Last time I made an appointment I forgot to specify and I got a very cold woman who didn't seem to be interested in my cat very much.

However, I wouldn't say its inexpensive at all, though... and I know nothing about City Cats.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

I think I got that woman when my Harri had to be put to sleep.
I wanted Dr. Parker, though...but it was a sort of last minute thing and I didn't have a choice.

I used to see Dr. Leavy at Porter Square before she moved to City Cats and I liked her. But I live about 5 blocks from Porter Sq. Vet, and I don't drive, so I wasn't one of those to follow her when she left.

I do, however, like the staff at PSV, especially the Irish woman, who I think is named Colleen. She remembers me.

[cold-cold-water.livejournal.com]

i can't speak to PSV's prices, but a basic visit at city cats is $60. my cat's yearly checkup with all his shots etc was like $150. but he was a stray and might have needed more than yours will. they also have payment plan options if you can't pay then, and they're interest-free (as long as you make your payments on time).

you can't put a price on dr. leavey's greatness, though! i like her a lot.

[magpiefirefly.livejournal.com]

I haven't been to the City Cats one (since I have a bunny), but the people at Porter are extremely nice and it is fair pricing. It is also a very clean facility. There is plenty of on-street parking (though Summer is under construction) and it is right near the T (Davis) and off a few bus lines (96, maybe?).
I highly recommend them.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

I credit Porter Square Vets with killing my beloved cat, though I don't know the particular doctor's name.

She had a heart disease that killed her, but I had taken her in there twice because of troubling symptoms, and they said there was nothing to worry about. When she went critical and I took her to an animal hospital, they said the disease was quite easy to diagnose and treatable with drugs (if caught before heart-functions start failing), and they were quite surprised that no one at Porter Square Vets caught it and had her on medication years before.

Unfortunately I don't have a better suggestion to make.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Oh, and after her death I got an incredibly inappropriate, defensive letter written in a condolences card. If I had saved it, I would be able to give you a name. Sorry.

city cats is expensive

[bbqisgood.livejournal.com]

We were a bit leary about City Cats wanting to rush our cat into surgery(no xrays, etc). Their quote was $1300. We ended up taking a friends advice and went to Weston Veterinary Clinic. The quote was $750 and we felt they gave us more options and talked with us about them in-depth (~40minutes or so as opposed to ~10 at City Cats). My $.02

Weston is a bit of a haul, especially if you don't have a car. In our case it was well worth it!

-Brian