I had to bring my cat in for a routine exam. He's a little overweight, so I wanted to know what to do to get his weight down. I'd seen Dr. Handke and he sort of joked that one of his cats is a little ... Read More
I had to bring my cat in for a routine exam. He's a little overweight, so I wanted to know what to do to get his weight down. I'd seen Dr. Handke and he sort of joked that one of his cats is a little overweight as well, which was nice since I was expecting to be chewed out!, but I didn't really get a plan on what to do to help out my cat. Obviously I should play with him more, but what about feeding him?
Prices seem to be okay compared to others, though it stinks to be paying almost $50 to walk in the door and feel like you're a bit rushed through the appointment.
They do push the prescription diets a bit more than I was comfortable with. I've heard stories about how Science Diet prescription dry foods are filled with fillers and things that cats don't need to eat. I'd enjoy seeing some grain-free/byproduct free options as well. There were a few cases of natural cat foods on a bottom rack in the waiting room, where they have a lot of their cat (and dog) foods. When I inquired, I was told the foods on the bottom rack were for the office manager. Maybe try selling some natural cat foods alongside the prescription ones.
All in all, I've been going here for a long time, when Dr. Babick was the owner. The décor hasn't changed at all, save for the front reception desk. It's nice, to me, because I like the old-time feel. I'm a sucker for nostalgia! However, they don't have all of the top notch equipment and you might be referred elsewhere for more high-end tests and /or treatments.
My biggest gripe is that they will push AVETS and PVSEC as THE number one ER vets to go to. However, PLEASE shop around! I found that there were a high number of complaints and gripes with those two; mainly unnecessary treatments, extremely high bills that surpassed estimates, and lack of sympathy if a pet were to die from treatments/whatever the emergency was.
I went to the VCA Northview ER on Siebert road in Ross township when I had a cat emergency. It's right off of McKnight road where Ross Park Mall is at, but before it if you're coming from downtown. It's a really great ER vet service with friendly staff and the lowest ER walk-in fee in Pittsburgh. I very highly recommend them! But DO look at their location on Google maps before going. It can be a little awkward to find them in the dark, especially if you're already distraught over your pet.
Give this place a go if you're in Greenfield/Squirrel Hill. The staff is super friendly, and that includes the vets. However keep a few things in mind:
-Not to sound rude, but know the hours and don't think that they'll keep the door open for you. I saw a review about a couple that drove an hour to visit and Greenfield vet was closed. Sorry, but if you're driving from an hour away, maybe try a vet closer to you.
-It's a small, outdated (to most people) in their décor clinic.
-You might get there on time, but you might wait a while in the reception area, and then you might wait a while in the exam room after you get in there. You might be seen by a vet tech right away, but you might wait a while after the vet tech leaves and says "Dr. will be right in." Trust me, that vet will more than likely NOT be right in! I've waited as long as nearly a half an hour before being seen. Being that I've experienced that with my own doctor, I wasn't too mad, but I was getting a bit ticked.
-They don't do time payments. It'd be nice, but I've never found a vet who does that.
-You can say no to vaccines. I did this for one of my pets who I knew was under the weather. The vet didn't have a problem with that.
-Don't let them get pushy. They may try to push a flea spray or collar your way if you say you have a flea problem. Don't be afraid to say no thanks. They won't bite your head off!
I've been going there for a while and I haven't had any huge problems, thank God and knock on wood. If I ever did, I'd try the VCA Northview, which is a normal vet in addition to being an ER vet. There's also a cat's only vet in Shadyside, though the parking situation looks a bit iffy.
Hope this helps! Read Less