Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital

Reviews 4

A

A Private User

I brought my baby boy (cat) who was 18 years old and clearly suffering and dying. It was clear to me because I knew my cat. I had him for over 10 years and I adopted him as an adult. The vet I saw, Dr. Garcia, did a check-up and offered several possibilities of what it could be. He wanted to run tests that would have cost over $1000 (including an ultrasound) in order to get a precise diagnosis. My cat was skinny, tired, and clearly in pain. He had difficulty sitting. Dr. Garcia surmised that it was Renal Failure which is universally fatal in cats at 18 years old, read the literature. He neglected to inform us that the vital signs showed that the body temperature of my baby was abnormally low. That is a sign that a cat is in the END STAGES of Renal Failure. That is a death sentence. However, he neglected to let us know that fact and instead tried to guilt me into doing all of those tests and treating my poor old sick baby who was dying using any means necessary to keep him alive. At what quality of life? He was suffering. I took him here because it was a weekend and our normal vet Cheshire Cat, who is the best for cats, was not open. This vet had the utter audacity to tell me a story about spending thousands of dollars on his puppy just so that his puppy could run with him again. Attempting to guilt me into doing "whatever is necessary" to keep my cat alive. My cat was no kitten. So, we decided to allow him to put a fluid pouch under the skin of my cat (to hydrate him and make him more comfortable) and gave him palliative medicine for his upset stomach and lack of appetite (he was dying!). Instead of recommending the right thing for my suffering baby, a dignified and peaceful death, he charged us over $250 for all of this palliative care. When our regular vet at Cheshire Cat saw the condition of my baby only a few days later, he did not even question what should happen. We had a very peaceful ceremony to send my baby into eternity. Our vet would not comment on the treatment we received at Berkeley Dog and Cat (but I read his face). So I called to complain. The office manager was rude at first and defended Dr. Garcia to the end. She redeemed herself when she called on her free time the next day to assure me that the head veterinarian would be calling me. When the head vet called me I told him how hard it was to let go of my baby. I told him the entire story and let him know that his employee, Dr. Garcia, was uncompassionate and wanted to do anything to keep the ongoing suffering of my baby going as long as possible. The head vet actually said, "Well at least you only had him 10 years, just imagine what it is like when you say "Goodbye" to a cat whom you raised from kittenhood and had for 20 years." I was stunned into silence. I realized I could not teach empathy to these clinicians and I gave up. The insensitivity, the willingness to run very expensive and traumatic diagnostic tests on a dying cat, and the willingness to prolong suffering for my cat as long as possible makes me swear to never, ever, ever take any pet of mine back to that place. And I swore to make sure others knew about my story. So, here it is. Your experience may vary... The one star is there only because the place is spotless, clean, and the customer service people are very friendly. The office manager went out of her way to help me in the end. I would never recommend any of the doctors over there though. I just want to make that very clear.

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Brendan

I used Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital for 7 years while I lived in Oakland, caring for my three cats and two rats. They were friendly and cost effective and they cared. My three cats were cared for by Dr. Amy Benjamin, and for a couple years I also had two older rats who were cared for by Dr. Ken Harkewicz (their "exotics" specialist). The staff are warm and friendly and animals did not experience much anxiety or fear in the company of their doctors and technicians. The only reason I stopped going to Berkeley Dog & Cat is because I moved to San Jose. My furry family members were brought to Berkeley Dog & Cat for everything, including preventative care and emergencies, as well as to pick up specialized food and prescriptions. My eldest cat, back in 2006, had very serious urinary tract issues and was actually hospitalized with Berkeley Dog & Cat for many days. They took excellent care of him and he fully recovered and is still alive today. Back when I had two rats that I was caring for, for a friend who had moved back to her home country and could not take her rats with her (due to very old European laws around rats), their exotics specialist, Dr. Ken Harkewicz, helped the two rats survive through their old age, removing tumors from them and giving me advice on diet and environmental conditions to ensure their comfort and longevity. I dont remember how much the various visits and treatments were for the rats, but I remember being surprised how low cost they were. If I still lived in the East Bay, Id still be using Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital today. I highly recommend them.

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A

A Private User

I agree the clinic is expensive, but you get what you pay for...EXCELLENT CARE! A whopping $2,300 is what I paid to help my very sick dog Frank. The new dentist Dr. Yelland was outstanding. Dr. Benjimin had advised we see Dr. Yelland, but it was a bit long of a wait for him to start his practice--but thank GOD he did. Frank smelled awful, I did not even realize how run down he had become. Frank also has IBD which makes him vomit quite a bit. anyway, Dr. Yelland and his team were very loving to my old dog Frankie--10 years old we think. Frank lost his eye to glaucoma 2 years ago and it can make him shifty with strangers, and unfortunately he nipped at one of the Techs but the clinic and techs still gave my pooch great attention. Frank is diagnosed with a condition called CUPPs a genetic disorder of the mouth and gums and I think the acid from vomitting makes his gums worse. Dr. Yelland removed 14 very precarious/rotting teeth affected by the gum disease CUPPS and he gave me the simple answer no vet has given to date, thousands of dollars later...brush Franks Teeth, care for his gums and give him a pepcid to help with upset stomach. I paid thousands of dollars and medications for the IBD since 2001 NIGHTMARE bills and no Doctor ever mentioned pepcid. Thank you Dr. Yelland! Frank is happier without the sore teeth and the acid stomach is in better control! He smells wonderful and he enjoys giving kisses again, without people being repulsed by his once awful bad breat. That was worth every penny. I love my boy!

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NI

Nick A

Ive been bringing my pets here for years. I first brought in my 10 year old bearded dragon who lost his tail to Dr. Ken Harkewicz who was amazing. He bandaged him up and the service was great. Since then, I had 3 cats Ive brought in. The first cat, Midnight, I inherited from my mom and he was already 18 years old. He developed hyperthyroidism two years later and Jennifer McBride was just amazing. He lived for another year and a half before passing on. Incredibly, I was sent a grievance card from my doctor with a personalized note. My next cat Ive taken in twice during after hour for random emergencies. The first time I had to wait an hour before anyone was able to examine her (luckily it wasnt life threatening) but that was because they were dealing with another emergency so it didnt bother me much. The next incident she fell off my loft bannister and when I brought her in @11pm, they immediately examined her and ran some tests and turned out she was fine. I was out of there in under an hour. And my third cat Ive taken in twice, once for a runny eye and another ear infection. Service was great and quick -- no complaints. I know some reviews mention the front desk staff and they do seem disorganized at times but Ive never had any issues with them. The only negative thing I can think of is they are expensive,but never once have I felt taken advantage of or felt like my pets care was rushed or overlooked in any way.

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