Especially Cats Veterinary Hospital

Reviews 3

MA

Marlow Alix

I drove across the city with my cat who hates car travel to this practice thinking that (based on the name of the practice) he would receive exceptional care. I arrived early for the appointment and sat in the cramped waiting area. I noticed my appointment start time pass and continued to wait without any explanation from the staff as to what was taking so long. More than 20 minutes after my cats scheduled appointment time, Dr. Carter emerged from the exam room with a couple and their cat. Once in the exam room, I began to tell her why I had brought my cat in (she didnt bother to ask) and she looked up at the clock and in a very condescending tone and with raised eyebrow, told me that we were already past 20 minutes into the appointment. The appointment started late because she went past time with the last patient! My cat did not get a full exam or appointment and I was not allowed to ask anything because of her lack of time management. The entire time I was there she was incredibly rude and even rolled her eyes when I tried to ask her a simple question. I emailed my cats health history in advance because he was a new patient, per their request. When I mentioned I had done so she interrupted me to say "there were a lot of pages, he has a lot of health problems and I didnt have time to read it because we are 20 minutes into the appointment." My cat is a very healthy young guy with no health issues. His file contained all exams, etc. since adoption including 2 exams to prepare him for flying across the country when we moved. She couldnt be bothered to glance at his file and made an incorrect assumption instead. And if in her mind a lot of pages equals unhealthy that would have been even more reason to *actually look at the paperwork*. I realized then that this woman had no intention of providing the service I was paying for or answering any of my questions or even treating me with basic dignity so I gave up and sat quietly in the corner and waited for the "exam" to end. I was told I would get a call by close of business that day regarding the stool test and have a chance to speak with a doctor regarding any follow up testing. Of course, no one ever called me. I called them and somebody working the front desk emailed me the results; no chance to speak with anyone. I paid over $100 (not incl. stool test fee) for an appointment that was half the time it should have been conducted by a very rude and abrasive woman with no chance to address the concern I brought him in for. I was on time, sent files in advance per their request, and my cat is the worlds best patient (purrs throughout exams and wouldnt hurt a fly). Unless she treats everyone in an awful manner I can only guess that she treated me so poorly because I am a young woman of color. Moreover she failed to carry out a proper exam and/or answer any questions. She spoke to me in a manner which you might speak to a naughty child. I even had to hold my cat myself despite the fact that there appeared to be at least 2-3 vet techs in the reception area. She began the appointment 20 mins late and midway through she left the exam room for another 5 minutes. She wouldnt make eye contact with me and I just felt uncomfortable in her presence - she didnt do anything other than waste my time and cause my cat stress because he had to travel by car round trip for no reason as the appointment was pointless. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Total waste of time and money and something felt off about Dr. Carter. The entire experience was disconcerting to say the least. A week later, I found a great mobile veterinarian and redid the entire process and re-spent the money I wasted at Especially Cats. I am writing a review because I made the appointment based on reviews and what I experienced was the opposite of what I was expecting - unprofessional and unacceptable.

MA

Margaret Bruno

Awful. I hadnt gone there in a couple of years because my cats are young and everything was up to date and they go through such anxiety when taken out. However, I had called many times for minor things, and always identified myself so they knew I was current. When I got there with one cat (Vixen) they informed me they purged all of my cats records! I was horrified! Why not send them to me at least?? It was because I hadnt been there for a formal appointment they said. It didnt matter that they knew I was a client, I had to have gone in there more often (why if if you have young cats?) So, no records. Both cats. And were snotty about it. I bought my other cat (Villain) the next month - and they made an appointment for 8:30 am on Saturday. I got there parked in front. They were closed. I banged on the window. It was bad because I had to wait for a vet to arrive and Villain was already upset. However, they reprimanded me and continued to reprimand me throughout the entire appointment taking no responsibility for their error in scheduling. They were defensive and wouldnt get off the subject during the whole examination They didnt care for my cat properly - he had issues that werent addressed because Vet Carter would not stop bringing up that I should have know that they werent open at 8:30 am on a Saturday. I dont work there how should I know? It was enough stress to bring a 30 pound Maine Coon to the vet!! I had to borrow a dog crate! I told them this over the phone they knew my situation thats why i was scheduled for the first appointment. They also lied and said I got a call I did not. They should have apologized to me and got on with the appointmnent My cat, Villain was not cared for properly. Then she said she found a flea. I didnt believe her. She gave me the routine "scary story" that someone could carry a flee in on their pants to my indoor cats. I didnt believe her. Why didnt she find one on Vixen? She had to dose him - it was a different brand than what I used many years ago, She should have told me. He slept the rest of the day it was too strong fro him. I worried so much. I would have told her to use Advantage had she informed me what she was giving my baby. She never bothered to tell me it was a different brand. I had to buy two one for my other cat. I still dont believe he had fleas. Both cats had no symptoms at all - neither did their beds. All through the appointment she was annoyed. Very unprofessional. Never just admitted they scheduled me wrong and get on with it.My cat Villain was not well and it wasnt addressed. I called back they said to bring him back in. It is too much of a stress on him and me to do that - and it should have been a good appointment to begin with. Why two visits for one exam.

TE

Terry Natsume

My experience has been great with the new ownership at Especially Cats. The office staff is warm and friendly, and I feel very comfortable entrusting my cats care to Dr. Buttar, the very kind and gentle new owner. My cat Mitzi has recently had significant and rapid weight loss and seemed to be very uncomfortable. I took her in to see Dr. Buttar, and he spent a lot of time carefully examining her (particularly her belly), reviewing her blood test results with me, and explaining a preliminary diagnosis of IBD or possible early lymphoma. He went over treatment options, and provided a detailed estimate for an ultrasound, should I decide to have it done. I requested that the ultrasound be done to rule out a tumor, and was pleasantly surprised that they first tried it without anesthesia--much better for her. (It also lowered the cost for me.) I really liked that Dr. Buttar first wanted to let Mitzi try to get better on her own by giving her a high-calorie diet, rather than moving directly to steroids. When she didnt show any response, he then moved to the more aggressive treatment of steroids. Dr. Buttar has been open and honest in our discussions of Mitzis prognosis, and I am hoping that her positive response to steroids means that she will be feeling better for a very long time. I feel very confident that she will receive the best of care by Dr. Buttar. 4/1/2015 followup to above review. Over the past year, I have been very happy with Especially Cats. I have frequent communication with both the doctor and office staff, and they are available by telephone or email. Pet care and special cat food is expensive no matter where you go,and I feel that their fees are in line with other clinics in the SF area. Now, if I could just catch Mitzi more easily on medicine night!