vet recommendations?

[cellio]

I called VCA to schedule the annual checkups and shots and things, and found that, yet again, the vet I've seen for the last couple visits is no longer there. This seems to be routine with them -- vets stay for a year or two and move on.

For several years I had a regular vet with this practice (pre-VCA). Then VCA bought them out and the continuity of care declined. I haven't had bad experiences with VCA; I've just failed to have good ones. I much prefer to build a relationship with a specific service provider, one who will remember (when I forget) that Baldur is sensitive to this drug or that Erik should be monitored for kidney problems or whatever, and it appears that I can't build that kind of relationship with anyone at VCA. Yeah, this stuff gets written down, but checking the records doesn't seem to happen as often as I'd like. I should request my own set of copies.

I'm wondering if I can do better. If you're in Pittsburgh and like your vet, please let me know. Proximity to Squirrel Hill (or house calls -- I can dream, can't I? :-) ) and evening/Sunday hours are important. Price is not, especially; quality of care is much more important. No rush; I made appointments for this year. I'm just scoping out the options for later.

Comments

[ralphmelton.livejournal.com]

I think Lori's been pretty happy with the Cat Clinic in Bloomfield, but I don't know how the turnover is.

[tangerinpenguin.livejournal.com]

Sweeps went to the Cat Clinic in Bloomfield, too. Dr. Bebko has been there as long as I remember and I suspect is "the senior partner" or some such; there's at least one other vet that's in some days but we almost always saw Dr. Bebko. Decent after-work hours, straightforward about what's optional but maybe a good idea (especially if it'd be expensive) versus what Needs To Happen Now, partnerships with various other clinics and/or cat hospitals for emergencies after hours. Plus Dr. Bebko actively sought second opinions to "vet" his examination of Sweep when the allergy started showing up and we weren't sure what it was, rather than just acting all-knowing.

[cellio]

Sounds like a great place. Thanks!

[moose]

Three for the Cat Clinic. I took my first cat Fred there to see Dr. Bebko back in the mid-80s.

Jenny Ladd uses a traveling vet who only does house calls. She (the vet, not Jenny) used to work out of the Cat Clinic's south branch but then went off on her own. I don't have the name & number offhand but I can ask her if you'd like.

house calls

[cellio]

I would appreciate contact info if this person is still out there. Thanks!

Re: house calls

[moose]

Dr. Barb Smith (House call vet service) - 278-2111

(i'm pretty sure that's 412)

[fiannaharpar.livejournal.com]

This sounds like something that our boys would probably like (especially because Hank, my fearless predator of the humidifyer, is terrified of the vet). I wonder if there's anywhere like that for dogs. I used to take my dogs to the Schenley Animal Hospital, but the guy who started it retired and I started taking my animals to VCA.

Any dog people know of a place that has pretty much the same deal?

[indigodove.livejournal.com]

I have been really happy with the Cat Clinic. It's less stress for the cats, because at least the place smells only like other cats. Dr. Bebko seems very nice, and Dr. Grable (I think that's his name) has seen our gang twice now and seems to really care about them and works with their personalities. He also was a saint when Duke broke from his usual "laid back alpha cat" mode and went into "frightened puma who will bite your hand off" mode.

Also, the office is very nice, and has been super the two times I've called with "overprotective cat mother" questions. Gave me the info. I needed and didn't make me feel stupid for calling -- a big plus!

Good luck. Check them out for yourself here: http://www.catclinic.net/index.html

[mrpeck.livejournal.com]

I love my vet at Point Breeze Veterinary Clinic. They saved Sinbad's life and have helped me give him two years (and counting!) of extra time. They aren't cheap but often give me little breaks like only charging me for a short visit when I go with Sinbad. I know they don't have Sunday hours but I'm not sure about evenings. I don't think they've been accepting new patients for a long while though.

[cellio]

Thanks to everyone for the recommendations! It sounds like I can easily improve on VCA.