I went to Vet at the Barn for a long time with my geriatric cat. We were seeing Dr. Binkowski who was kind and concerned, although I do believe that she messed up at the end. Unfortunately for my ca... Read More
I went to Vet at the Barn for a long time with my geriatric cat. We were seeing Dr. Binkowski who was kind and concerned, although I do believe that she messed up at the end. Unfortunately for my cat, the last vet she saw at Vet at the Barn was Dr. Cappel, the practice owner. I immediately brought my 19.5 year old cat to Vet at the Barn when I saw she was having extreme difficulty walking (she had been in to see Dr. Binkowski twice in the previous 3 months immediately before this). Dr. Binkowski was out sick that day so my cat was seen by Dr. Cappel.I described to Cappel the problem my cat was having walking, as well as that she had begun to urinate outside the litter box and had a poor appetite. Without taking my cat out of her carrier, Cappel said she that was going to prescribe steroids for her.I had to ask Cappel to look at my cat. At my insistence, Cappel examined my cat (for less than a minute). She indicated that one of my cat's kidneys was enlarged. At this point, I asked her if blood work should be done to test for kidney function. Cappel said that it wasn't necessary, that my cat could do okay with one kidney. Cappel then put my cat on the floor and watched her (attempt to) walk. In a matter of seconds, Cappel concluded that my cat was still "interested in life". She said that the steroids would "reinvigorate" her very quickly.By the next morning, my cat could not move at all. I knew my friend's time had come. I called Vet at the Barn and said that my cat was dying and I needed to bring her in immediately. I was told that Cappel was running late (based on these other reviews, this seems to be a given for Cappel). I was told to call back. When I did, the receptionist relayed a message from Cappel saying that I needed to give the steroids time to work. I reiterated that my cat was dying and I needed to bring her in immediately. I was told to keep calling until an opening could be found. Eventually I was told to bring her in at end of the day. I told the receptionist that I was not going to allow my cat to suffer any longer and I was coming in immediately.When I got there, no other patients were present. Yet, Cappel made me wait for some time as she flounced around the reception area discussing the hospital phone system being repaired with the office staff.When she finally saw my cat, she acknowledged that she was dying. Cappel said that she was "surprised" by how this had turned out. When I went back to the hospital a few weeks later to pick up my cat's ashes, I was given a bill for the euthanasia.Clearly, my one interaction with Cappel was a nightmare. I still feel guilty that I allowed my friend to suffer longer than she needed to. In my opinion, Dr. Cappel is glib, uncaring and, worst of all, an incompetent veterinarian. I urge you not to bring your animal companions to Vet at the Barn. Read Less