CityPaws Animal Hospital

Reviews 5

A

A Private User

Overall, I would recommend City Paws to anyone in the area. The good: Dr. Teich is our vet and is great. He takes his time with the exam, sits down on the floor with the dog, and I feel very comfortable asking as many questions as I need to and discussing different concerns Ive had about my pets and medications. Hes frank, kind, and seems to genuinely like the animals. The vet techs Ive interacted with were also great - super friendly, willing to explain what theyre doing. These are the reasons I will keep using City Paws. The average: Prices are normal for the city. $65 for the initial exam is better than some other vets in the area; vaccines and medicines seem average, too. Nothing is cheap, but for me it is worth it to be able to go to a vet in the city, have an appointment and a vet I can reach by phone during the day (unlike Petworth, which seems to be the cheapest in the city). The bad: Ive had very mixed experiences with front-desk staff. Two women Ive interacted with were (as mentioned in other reviews) rude, didnt say hello to me or the dog, acted put out when I asked for an itemized list of my charges, and seemed sarcastic when I had a question. BUT there are two other women who work the desk who are wonderful, and I love to see them there. Just depends on who is there that day, I guess. Also, City Paws could be much much better about letting me know what I will be charged for things, OKing it with me, or just letting me know the basis for the fee rather than just "telling" me I owe them $300. Generally, a great office, and Id recommend it.

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A

A Private User

I just came from City Paws after calling and telling them my dog needed minor surgery scraping away necrotic infected tissue. They made an appointment with me but failed to inform me that they could not perform the necessary surgery (or any surgeries) until Monday at the earliest. After checking his wound, the doctor informed me that he would indeed need surgery and that it should be taken care of as soon as possible, although it is not necessary to take him to urgent care. Still, I am going to take him to Friendship Animal Hospital now and pay $145 for their urgent care examination and the additional surgery costs. The bill at City Paws was $162, just so they could tell me what I already knew. Obviously miscommunications happen, but the front desk staff should have informed me on their surgery schedule. I could have avoided their charges and wasting an hour of my time. As an aside, during the examination the doctor continually questioned how I treat my dogs chronic ear infection. He has had it since his adoption and have I kept close watch over it and good care. While questioning my ability as a dog owner, she never actually examined his ear. She stated the solution (acetic acid & distilled water) I have been using to clean it could irritate his skin. A good doctor would have examined his ear, found the irritation, and pointed it out to me. I was extremely excited about finally having a local animal hospital in this neighborhood, but do not recommend bringing your animals here. The place functions more as a business rather than hospital.

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MA

Matthew J. Viator

Dr. Alan Power has got to be the greatest vet I have ever visited, and Im including my childhood nostalgia for Dr. Brumfield way back when. Dr. Power has been treating my two cats, one for a persistent anxiety disorder (she was abused before I rescued her), and one for triaditis. He is always, always available to help me. I get responses by email from him promptly, and he really, genuinely cares for his patients. Maybe its the luck o the Irish? Hes not just a great heart in there who cares, but also a rigorous scientific mind. Two dear friends of mine are both Medical Doctors, and I shared Dr. Powers extensive write up on my cats blood work with them. They both looked at me and said "Wow, who is this guy? His science is spot on, and just crazy impressive." I cannot recommend Dr. Power enough. Even though you see vets when things are hitting the fan, Dr. Power has been a kind, soothing, and persistently vigilant care giver to my cats and to my own peace of mind. Thank you Dr. Power. You make what is a hard time with my pets a little easier, a little less scary, and have made me feel like Im not facing this alone. The care is expensive -- hey, these are seasoned professionals -- but I dont begrudge them the money at all. They are worth it, and Dr. Power certainly proves himself time and again with me. If you need vets, you should see Dr. Power. Hes the best of the best.

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KA

Kate Johnston

My dogs have been patients here since they opened their doors and I can not say enough good things about my experience with City Paws and all of there Doctors and Staff. I have two dogs. One needs constant care and the other barely needs a check-up annually. City Paws has treated all sorts of aliments for us over the last 7 years. Massive ear infections, cancer, liver infections, knee surgery, teeth cleaning and I have always felt the care I received was attentive on every end. The vet techs are patient and incredibly nice, the front desk staff is friendly and kind, the doctors never rush you (in fact the ones that complain about waiting and appointment delays should probably count themselves lucky to have waited and not been in the room where the vet was- dealing with emergencies, or drying a tear when delivering bad news). As for cost. I have always found them fair, helpful and honest when it came to all care that was necessary to treat my guys. Just a thought to keep in mind when people issue negative reviews about these costs- having a dog is a responsibility. You have agreed to not only feed, care and pay their bills- you have agreed to owning a dog in a thriving expensive city. Rents are high, there are additional vaccines, etc. All of the Vets and Staff at City Paws have been exceptional in every way. I can not say enough wonderful things about them.

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A

A Private User

Some of the detractors reviews are just shocking and downright untruthful on the whole. Ive been trusting the vets and staff at City Paws with caring for my 4 animals in all stages of their development (from infancy through death, sadly) almost since the day they opened. I came to them after trying nearly every single DC based vet (in my 15 years of living in DC) and they -- by far -- were the least costly, most thorough, budget conscious, competent and compassionate facility Ive experienced as a pet owner. I have had a wonderful experience with two doctors in particular, dr. hamilton and dr. knightly. I would, however, trust anyone on the staff...especially the front desk folks who always remember my husband, my pets and I by name. Does it cost money (and good money at that) to take care of animals? absolutely! but we signed up for it and as Ive said before ive found them to be the most budget friendly and, more importantly, caring facility in the area. as for their facilities being unsanitary, thats a bunch of bunk or a true anomaly. i practically lived at city paws for a year with a very sick kitten and never felt the place to be anything but spic and span. city paws has my full gushing endorsement. im a real fan, city paws!!!

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