Veterinarians
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Nov 2007
We are looking for a new vet, as we just can't seem to find a knowledgeable, honest
vet in the area for our Boston terrier. We've been misdiagnosed by 2 vets and one was
so expensive that he gave us a brochure for pet health insurance on the way out! This
was all for a routine skin issue for Bostons that, once we got the right medicine from
breeders, cleared up immediately. We live in north Richmond but would gladly travel
to Berkeley/Oakland areas for the right vet for our pup. Thanks!
-happy mom of a Boston
We've been very happy with the care that we've received at Claremont
Veterinary Hospital on College Ave. We had a bad experience with VCA
on Solano, which I know a lot of people rave about. We may have just
run into a couple of bad vets there, but I can't say for sure. We had
some new puppies and brought them in because they were scratching a
lot. I asked if it could be fleas, and the vet insisted that it was
just that puppies tend to have dry skin. After another week, we
switched to Claremont Vet and they immediately said that they obviously
had fleas, gave us some medication and the problem was resolved. It
just bugged me that this wasn't even such an unusual thing, yet the VCA
folks didn't catch it. The vet at VCA also (absurdly) insisted that
our male dog's testicles were descended, yet it was obvious that they
were not. We were recommended to Claremont by our neighbor whose
previous dog had cancer, and it was misdiagnosed until she took it to
Claremont Vet. Claremont Vet doesn't look as flashy as VCA, but the doctors and staff
really are excellent.
Anon
We are very satisfied with El Sobrante Veterinary Clinic. We have 3
cats and a dog and have worked with Dr. Patricia Bacchetti and her
partners for many years.
Robert
Dr. Foor Paws on San Pablo in El Cerrito is excellent. His prices are
very reasonable and he doesn't seem to go overboard on services. Also,
he's a nice guy and has a great staff. We used to go to University Vet
on University in Berkeley, and they would nickel and dime us on
everything - and they were very expensive. Also, they didn't seem to
have a regular crew of vets, so we never really knew who we going to
see.
anon.
Have you tried Dr. Foor yet?
Dr. Thomas Foor (Dr. Foor Paws) has always struck me as very
knowledgeable, compassionate and reasonably priced. He's in El Cerrito
on San Pablo Ave. His number is (510) 524-4551
happy cat owner
Not knowing who you have used I can just give you the ones that I use
since Robert Lammers retired. Richmond Veternary Hospital - I believe
he is very honest and won't do more work than you require. I also use
Mike Evans at Animal Care Clinic - BUT ONLY MIKE EVANS. The other vets
there try to push extra items which are costly. Dr. Evans will easily
go along with saying no on the extras. Good luck this is a difficult
issue.
jh
Montclair Vet has good doctors - I have a bird, not a dog, but everyone
I've met who uses them is happy with them.
Talia
I have been taking my dogs to Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital for
the past 23 years, and highly recommend them. Dr. Richard
Benjamin has been our primary veterinarian throughout that time.
He is caring and compassionate, knowledgeable, and experienced.
He is always willling to discuss diagnosis and treatment
options, and answer all questions. He is very thorough,
recommends conservative treatment options, but does not
automatically recommend high-tech, high-cost measures.
I have also appreciated the services of the other veterinarians
there, especially Dr. McBride, with whom we have had the most
experience.
Also, they have emergency hours, and are open 24/7, so you don't
have to use a stand alone emergency hospital. They also have
Special Veterinary Services there, for any speciality you might
need, wonderful vet techs, and receptionists who are on top of
things.
They are not the closest to my house, and I've heard (but
haven't confirmed) that they charge more than others, but my
peace of mind about my dogs' care is what keeps me going there.
They are located on Haste St. between Oxford and Shattuck,
848-5041.
My first four dogs lived to be 13, 18, 17, and 17 years of age,
thanks in part to my good working relationship with Dr. Benjamin
and Dr. McBride, and my now 4-year-old is recovering well
following emergency surgery from a vicious attack by another
dog.
Dog lover
Nov 2007
We are searching for a vet for our dog which practices holistic
medicine. We live in the Berkeley area. Would love to hear about any
recommendations for a vet or sources of where to find one. Even
interested in vets who are more holistically minded, but maybe don't
necessarily consider themselves holistic. Our pup, Sugar, thanks you!
anastasia
They're quite pricey, but if you can afford them, I recommend:
Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Center
2501 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland
510/530-1373
Very caring and you don't feel like you're on an assembly line when there for
an appointment, i.e. unhurried, attentive, and thorough.
Joan A
I recommend Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Center in Oakland. They are
a little pricey for the initial appointment, but it is an hour long and they
are very thorough! They combine holistic and western medicine, so Sugar will
get the best of both worlds. I think that they are terrific!
http://www.creaturecomfort.com/
Kat
I highly recommend Jenny Taylor at Creature Comfort in Oakland! She is
amazing. The other vets that work with her however are not that great.
Especially Dr. Johnson. She's a waste of time and money. But Jenny Taylor
is fabulous.
Another vet who isn't ''holistic'' per se, but who is supportive of holistic
treatment and great is Dr. David Grant at Codornices on San Pablo in Albany.
And lastly, but perhaps my best tidbit, is to go to Holistic Hound in
Berkeley and speak with Hiedi, the owner. She is an incredible source of
information. She is smart and kind and has recommended many great
suggestions for my dog who has cancer. She is truly fabulous and a great
community resource.
Good luck.
.
We are in Berkeley but we take out pets to Creature Comfort Holistic
Veterinary Center at 2501 MacArthur Blvd. in Oakland. (510) 530-1373. I very
much value their approach to healing and they have provided sensible,
harmonious care for our pets for several years. That is in the Fruitvale
area.
Barbara
Sept 2007
We are looking for a Berkeley vet for our two terrier mixes. (I didn't
see any reviews past 2004; sorry if I'm repeating a question
here.)Ideally a practice that is very skilled and has a good admin
staff. One of our dogs has several chronic health problems and so we
sometimes need to get in quickly without terribly long delays. Very
much appreciate any feedback on who you like or don't like.
ariel
I've been going to Campus Vet for about 15 years now. Dr. Yen took over the
practice a few years ago, and while I loved, loved, loved Dr. Berger, I like Dr.
Yen even better. He listens to me babble away at him, reserves judgment, is kind
and calm and my dogs really like him (as do I). He obviously really cares for the
animals and it shows so much in his demeanor. Other vets in the office are likewise
great, but Dr. Yen is my fave. The staff there are marvelous, and Dr. Yen holds
staff meetings two or three times a month which is a good sign; he's keeping his
staff up to date and clearly cares about their education and dedication as well.
This shows in their attitudes and knowledge.
I have been to other vets in the area, but have not been nearly impressed. I do
have to add that Abbey Vet Hospital in El Cerrito is horrible, both me and my
friends have had terrible experiences, including picking up our pets with weird
injuries, feces stuck to their fur, etc. A vet there even went so far as to
dispute the breed of my dog at one point, scratching through what I had written in
favor of what HE thought the correct breed to be! Unbelieveable!
Do give Campus Vet a try. At least one visit. They're not cheap, but they're worth
it. And, I've always been able to get appointments quickly and conveniently.
Heather
I don't think you can do better than Berkeley Dog & Cat hospital on Haste. We
switched from Campus Vet to them and I have never met better, more compassionate
veteranarians. Their hours are good and they also offer boarding.
My two great experiences there were
1) treating my dog's bone cancer. He eventually died but they understood that
quality of life was the #1 thing, and
2) recently informing me that our adopted stray cat was positive for Feline
Leukemia, in front of my 5 year old daughter. The vet handled it so gently and
compassionately, I will be forever grateful.
Hope this helps.
rb
Sept 2007
We recently acquired a Russian tortoise and are in search of a good but
affordable vet who specializes in reptiles, preferably in or close to Berkeley.
Thanks.
Friends of Mr. Tortoise
Dr. Harkowitz in Berkeley is the tortoise guy. He saved our sulcata's
life. I believe he was at the Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital. This was
about 7 years ago. You could call the East Bay Vivarium in Berkeley
and ask, they were the ones who recommended him to us. Good luck with
your tortoise.
Mara
the vivarium gave us a name of their favorite reptile vet though I don't have it handy. They are an excellent resource though and you could call to get a vet recommendation.
lizard's mom
Try Dr. Kenneth Harkewicz at Berekeley Dog & Cat on Haste, near Shattuck. He is our dogs' vet - and they both love him as much as they can since he gives them shots and yucky medicine to take - but he speicalizes in reptiles.
Jay
I own the East Bay Vivarium in Berkeley and have experience with tons
of vets. I've found that there are many many vets out there who have
never kept a reptile and know precious little about them, but are
perfectly happy to gain experience on your animal and on your dime,
and will claim they work on reptiles to do so. On the other hand,
there's Ken Harkewicz. He's got more than thirty years experience
keeping and breeding reptiles (particularly tortoises), and is a kind,
gentle and forthright doctor. He works at Berkeley Dog and Cat
Hospital, which is not cheap. However, having a doctor who will
honestly present you your options, and who will not hurt your pet
through his or her own ineptness... I think that saves a lot of money,
and heartache. He's also a particularly fine dog and cat vet; I take
all my kids to him.
Owen Maercks
Nov 2006
Re: Claremont Vet for dog who gets sick a lot
Hi there,
I have had 8 year experience raising my own dogs (I have 4) from
puppyhood and doing a significant amount of rescue work. The
bills can really add up!
The first thing I'd recommend is getting dog insurance for the
first 3-5 years or so and then in the dog's older years. I
thought it was incredibly ridiculous at first, but it literally
saved one of my dog's lives and saved me hundreds of dollars. One of my dogs ran
away from a friend who was caring for him. He
was subsequently hit by a car. A stranger who saw it happen took
him to a vet emergency room. The only reason they could start
treatment on him before getting in touch with me is because he
had a tag that said he had insurance.
This is an extreme example of course, but I also saved so much
money in other ways for the many small crazy things that happens
to dogs in the first 3 years of puppy/young adulthood:-)
Second, I'd recommend getting a veterinarian dog care handbook
for dog owners(costs about $75). In it, they have the most
common (and less common) ailments for dogs and you can look up
lots of stuff yourself. They also have remedies for the common
stuff that's not serious, but is gross enough to you and
uncomfortable enough for your dog that you want to treat it asap
(diarhea!!!) Puppies and dogs have runny stools farily
frequently (especially if they go to Pt Isabel/Ohlone alot) and
you don't need to take them to the vet for every incident. For
example, the book gives you the dosage of pepto to give your dog
and how much cooked white rice/cottage cheese you give and for
how long - that alone saves you almost $200 in vet bills by the
tim eyou do the fecal sample and get the dog version of pepto.
Finally, I recommend highly PetVet
/PetFood (near Broadway Vet). It is a clinic
that is open Friday through Monday (only open Sun
and Mon at the Broadway location) from about 10-4. They used to
be a free vet clinic started by two vets (married couple) who
were very popular in the Bay Area. When they retired, their
clients were so upset, that they agreed to continue serving the
community on a volunteer basis in a limited capacity. They are
no longer free, but they only charge $12. They do not do x-rays,
blood work, fecal exams etc, but they are SO EXCELLENT and will
tell you when you need to take your pet to a full hosptial for
tests. After taking my dog to two different vets who could not
find what was wrong with her leg USING x-rays, they figured it
out by a hand exam! They are GOOD and have seen just about
everything (they also do vaccinations etc)! The
meds/prescriptions are sold at cost (even frontline and advantage
is as cheap there as it is on-line).
For anything that they suggest I get an x-ray for etc., I've
always used VCA Albany. I know people don't think highly of the
VCA system and it can be costly, but they're down to earth,
always fit you in and are nice folks. I found the hospital and
vets to be more to my liking (and cheaper!!!) than Broadway Vet
and Montclair Vet. I have not, though tried Claremont.
Hope this helps!
August 2006
I was told by my vet I need to bring my dog to an opthamologist
because she is no longer making tears. Does anyone have any
experience with this? Or can you recommend an opthamologist in
the East Bay? The Berkeley Cat and Dog hospital doesn't have a
free appointment til the end of the month and I would to have
this looked at sooner. Thanks
Elsa
I took my dog to Dr. Dennis Hacker, 10324 San Pablo Ave., El
Cerrito (near the Guitar Center) 510-559-1755. He is a
veterinarian ophthalmologist and seems to know his business
Barbara S
Dr. Hacker has a practice in El Cerrito. I have no idea how
booked he is, but here is a link to his Web site that has
information about him and directions to his office.
http://www.animal-eye-specialists.com/
I skimmed the Web site, and it looks like there may be
some helpful information there.
Good luck
Janet
June 2006
Hello. I'm looking for a veterinarian good with rabbits for my
lop-eared love who I've adopted and is about one year old (and
is an altered male). Ideally, I'm looking in the
Richmond/Albany/El Cerrito area. Thanks!
--Hippity, Hoppity Easter's Now Every Day
Even though this may be a little far for you, I would strongly
recommend VCA Bay Area Animal Hospital
at 4501 Shattuck Ave. in North
Oakland, tel no. (510) 654-8375. They are open in the evenings and on
weekends, and have several excellent rabbit vets. Rabbits are fairly
delicate creatures, so it's good to have a vet with a lot of
expertise. In the last 9 years that I've owned rabbits, two nearly
died from unique bunny problems (blocked gut and bunny flu) but the
vets at VCA saved their lives. It's unlikely that your little guy
will have any problems, but just in case he does, it's better to go to
a vet with lots of experience. I noticed on the House Rabbit
Society's web site,
http://www.rabbit.org/rabbit-center/resources/vets.html that they also
recommend Dr. Stephen Gardner at VCA in Albany.
Nancy O
Hi, Dr. Harvey is in the VCA Bay Area Animal Hospital
in Oakland. I believe hr
first name is Karolyn. She's like the premier bunny doc in the
country! I would absolutely bring your bunny to her. Sylvie
If you are willing to travel to Oakland, Dr. Carolynn Harvey at
VCA Bay Area Animal Hospital on
Shattuck/Telegraph is one of the best bunny doctors around. She is
also president of the House Rabbit Society which is located somewhere
in Richmond. Dr. Harvey is kind, gentle and has specialized in
rabbits. I know it's a bit further than you intended, however it is
worth the drive for the best in care. She's also great with other
animals as well and is versed in TTouch and other gentle methods.
Dr. Harvey is at VCA America. The number is 510/654-8375
Friend of furry friends
We have always taken our pets (including guinea pig, and bunny) to
Abby Pet Hospital
at 11070 San Pablo in El Cerrito. Our vet has been
Lee Prutton since 1983. He and the staff are really great and very
sensitive. BTW we used the ''Cat'' door whenever we brought in our
small animals.
Contact the House Rabbit Society in Richmond! www.rabbit.org.
They recommend (and so do we) VCA Bay Area Animal Hospital's Dr.
Carolynn Harvey (!) or Dr. Bynum 510-654-8375 (North Oakland).
They're not quite so near you but are EXCELLENT and SUPER
KNOWLEDGEABLE w/bunnies. Good luck!
House Rabbit Grandparent
I think the House Rabbit Society (in Richmond) can give you a good
recommendation. They are a wonderful rabbit rescue organization.
chris
Try VCA Bay Area Pet Hospital on Shattuck in Oakland. Dr. Harvey is
one of the top rabbit experts in the country. You can find more vet
recommendations online from the House Rabbit Society.
www.rabbit.org
anon
Montclair Vet is the place to go. Dr. Cynthia Lynn or Dr. Amy
Boxberger at Montclair Vet see bunnies
Stu S
March 2006
I'm pretty sure that my cat is diabetic since I can smell ketone
on his breath. He has an appointment at his regular vet on
Wednesday, but I'm wondering if anybody can recommend an
inexpensive vet in San Francisco who would be willing to work
with me to minimize the cost of managing feline diabetes. I love
my cat, but I'm supporting a spouse and child on a postdoc salary
already and don't think I can add the cost of long term cat care
to our budget.
Erica
A lot of people like Pets Unlimited on Fillmore.
anon
Dec 2005
Does anyone have any experience with either Veterinary Surgical
Associates or Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital for ACL repair
surgery on a dog's knee? We're leaning towards the former, but
any information on either would be helpful. Thanks,
ljz
I've just been through an ACL repair with my Norfolk Terrier, a show dog. He's in his fifth month of recovery and is almost fully back. I strongly recommend Dr. Gary Brown in Fremont (I know, it's not as close, but worth the extra few minutes of driving, believe me). He is considered the industry expert among show dog people. I currently have Gabriel, my Norfolk, in Canine Rehab here in Walnut Creek and the vet here said if she did not have his Xrays she would never know by how he moves or how the leg feels that he ever had the surgery. His only issue now is a slight weakness when he stands (which if he were not being shown would not be a problem!)
Our dog also has a torn ACL and we've been trying to figure out which of several procedures we should use to repair it, the TPL (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, a relatively new procedure in which they fix the slope of the joint bones), or the traditional ligament repair (in which they use a suture to repair the tear). If anyone has experience with either of these procedures, Advice Please!!!
If we choose the TPL, we'll go to Dr. Andrew Sams in Mill Valley (415-380-0500). If we go with the other procedure, we'll go to our regular vet, Dr. Mike Sozanski at VCA Albany Vet (510-526-2053). We've worked with both Vets on our dogs dysplasia and would not hesitate to recommend either of them. Please contact me as I'd like to share notes. Martha
May 2004
Anyone have a recommendation for a good veterinary surgeon in
the Bay Area? Specifically I'm looking for someone who is
competent in the area of canine knee surgery. All it took was
one wrong twist and my dog tore his ACL. Thanks!
patrice
Recommended:
Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital
May 2005
My dog
has been diagnosed with aggressive bone cancer and all the vet
can say is be prepared to let her go. As she is eating and
getting around ok, I am looking for a vet who can help me with
palliative care. I don't want extreme measures to extend her
life, but I do need help in assessing her comfort/pain and in
giving her whatever pain relief she needs. I need some support
and guidance on when to put her down. Any suggestions?
grieving dog mama
Recommended:
David Grant, DVM
Lake Vet Hospital
Marina Pet Hospital
Oakland Veterinary Hospital
VCA Albany Veterinary Clinic
I'm so sorry you and your dog have to go through this. I don't
have specific vet recommendations as I'm sure many BPN-ers will
have some but one great resource you might want to check out is
Rainbow's Bridge. The site is actually a memorial site with info
about grieving, etc. but there is a section with information,
support, etc. specifically for pets with cancer. There is a chat
room moderated by some veterinarians re: pets w/cancer that can
answer your questions.
http://rainbowsbridge.com/New_Beginnings/pets_in_need/pets_with_cancer/cancer_default.htm
May your remaining time together be filled with some good dog smiles.
Re specific vets, I can recommend any of the vets at both Codornices Vet Hospital,
and Berkeley Dog & Cat- I have had very good experiences with both.
Re putting her down, in my (fairly extensive) experience, you will know when it is
time. I have found that animals reach a point where it is clear that they cannot enjoy
life anymore. It may be, especially if it is your first time (but it always is), a hard and
sad decision to make, but the kindest thing is to not wait until she is truly suffering
and in obvious pain.
There are vets in the phone book who will come to your home to put her down, and
unless my animal was already hospitalized, this is what I have chosen- not to drag
them into the coldness of a vet's for their last moments. All of you will be more
comfortable at home. All of these vets will take the body away for you, and you will
have choices about what to do with her remains- burial in a pet cemetary
(expensive), cremation, and cremation with her ashes returned to you.
I have not had to deal with this for several years, so cannot recommend a specific
traveling vet, but the most important question I have asked is how much time they
are willing to spend. You will want time to say a final good bye, and personally, I
have wanted some time to spend with the body after they have passed- another
kind of good bye.
You do not mention her size, but it is illegal to bury a large animal on your
property- you need to bury them very deeply (like 5'), and there is the possibility of
contamination of the water table. I have buried cats, very small dogs, and ashes in
my garden, at least 3' deep if it is a body. It is nice to have a little service of some
sort if you choose a burial either of body or ashes. And dig the hole ahead of time.
Be prepared to question your decision about ''when'' for some time after. I have
always been sure of my decision, but nonetheless have found that I have had to
review that decision many times after the fact. And be prepared to experience deep
grief for a beloved pet.
You have my deepest sympathy and good wishes.
Cecelia
March 2005
Seeking a nice vet in San Leandro or South Oakland for 5 year
old outdoor cat who may have a tapeworm. Would like someone who
respects animals and does not disapprove of letting cats
outdoors. Thanks!
Sara
Recommended:
Creature Comfort Oakland
Oakland Veterinary Hospital
May 2004
I'm seeking recommendations for a veterinarian (for two darling
young cats) in the Pinole/Richmond/El Sobrante area. Any advice
greatly appreciated.
Jennifer
Recommended:
Pinole Pet Hospital
May 2004
Can anyone recommend a Berkeley-based vet, for my dog, who is
excellent and compassionate and who runs on time. We're
Our current vet is great but the waits have resulted in my being late for
other appts. as well as having gotten multiple parking tickets.
As well, checking out, paying and getting medication after the
appt., has been a major 20-25 ordeal, so any recommendations for
punctual and efficient great vets would be hugely appreciated.
Growing old waiting
Recommended:
All Seasons Mobile Vet Clinic
Disney Pet Hospital Concord
Richmond Veterinary Clinic
I am a local vet, and definately have days where I run way
behind. I don't really know a good vet that doesn't, as our
jobs are full of unexpected emergencies and things that seemed
like they might be simple appointments that actually turned out
to be major issues. A good vet will spend the time educating
and answering questions for clients which may get them behind- I
know I spend more time with my clients than my doctor or child's
pediatrician spend with me, and although I schedule myself more
time with clients, I still often end up behind. If being on
time is really important at any office I would suggest the
following steps. First schedule the appointment first thing in
the morning or immediately after lunch or a break in the
schedule. Secondly, call if possible before coming to make sure
that the doctor is running on time. If they are running too far
behind, reschedule for a different time. If there are
medications, find out if you can come back later to pick them up
or work out an alternative. (After I go to a human doctor, I
then go to a pharmacy to wait for hours to pick up my
prescription- in a vet's office, we do the whole thing as one
visit.) Good luck with your search.
a local vet
Match 2004
Our cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes. While we've
learned how to do an ear prick to test blood and give
injections, does anybody know of a pet sitter who already
knows how to do this or has treated an animal on a fairly
regimented (not time consuming) medication schedule?
Boarding is not an option as it is too stressful, we will be
gone for a month and we have other cats. Maybe a vet tech?
Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks.
Amy
Try Marilynn Hanson - she's a vet tech, and very capable,
responsible, and caring. The best way to reach her is on her
mobile. Good luck, LZ
Our cat also has diabetes, requiring injections twice a day.
We use Marilynn Hanson when we go on vacation. She is an
experienced vet tech. She works at Hercules Pet Clinic and
lives somewhere between Hercules and Berkeley, so she may be
willing to come down to the Berkeley area. Good luck.
Marie
Try calling Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital. When we had a sick cat a
couple of years ago they said there was someone there (a tech)
who did housecalls. We ended up not needing it so I don't know
how much it would cost.
Sonia
July 2003
It's become time to spay our little girl pup and we'd like to
establish a relationship with a vet that has good experience
with spaying -- someone with whom we can continue quality, low-
cost treatment into the future. Does anyone have any
suggestions? The ideal vet would be located in or near Berkeley.
vlim
Recommendations received:
Abbey Vet Hospital (2)
SPCA Vet Clinic
April 2003
We recently moved to Redwood Heights and are wondering
if there's a good, affordable veterinarian closer than Broadway
Pet Hospital, which is our current vet but a little far
for emergencies now. Is anyone familiar with Dimond
Pet Clinic? Or the one in Montclair near Albertsons (although I
fear that one might be pricey)? We live about four blocks from
the Redwood Heights Community Center and have both a cat and a
dog. Thanks very much.
Recommendations received:
Dimond Pet Clinic
Oakland Veterinary Hospital (3)
Skyline Vet Hospital (2)
SPCA Vet Clinic
Jan. 2003
I just moved to the east bay and I need a good vet for my little
cat. I'm particularly concerned about vaccine associated cancer
sarcoma, so I want a vet who is aware and responsive about this.
I've heard good things about Cheshire Cat in Oakland. Anybody
have any other recommendations?
Chiara
Recommendations received:
Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital
Cheshire Cat
Oakland Veterinary Hospital (2)
Lamorinda Vets
2001
We recently moved to Orinda. Can anyone recommend a veterinarian for our cat and dog? Thanks.
Vivien
I can recommend Bob Hagler at Mount Diablo Veterinary Medical Center in
Lafayette. I've known him for about 6 years, and worked with him for 2. I
think you'll like him, and I know you'd be in good hands with him.
S. Martin
My mother takes her 8 year old black lab to Jerry Dendzel (sp?), 254-0211.
She just LOVES him.
Jenne
Dr. Jerry on Orinda Way in the back of the shopping center where Siam Orchid is. Jerry is his first name; his last name is so unusual and unpronounceable, no one uses it (and I have forgotten it). Leslie
I reccomend the Four Seasons Pet Hospital..They are located at the
far end of Laffayette near the Pleasant Hill exit. The staff there was
very nice and accomodating to me and my cat when we were there. Good Luck
2001
I live in San Ramon, and use Dog and Cat House Calls. The Doctor's name is
Tracy Williams, and her phone number is (925) 7357387. She's very good
about scheduling appointments, and good with handling the animals. We have
a cat that CANNOT be taken to the vet, and goes a bit crazy when it comes
time for shots. She knows him and knows he is a bit "off" (launches WW3 on
her every time she arrives) but she is still very patient and gentle with
him. She is also very knowledgable about long term side effects of any
medications you might give an animal, and will not prescribe anything that
will potentially have negative effects. I highly recommend her.
Susan
We have used Bruce Feldmann, a home vet based in Berkeley (we live in
Oakland). He has been great with our 11yearold cat who completely freaks
out in a regular office. She still fusses but the whole experience is much
less traumatic (especially for us!). He comes with an assistant, Annie, who
is lovely and quite soothing with our kitty. His number is 5251404.
Carolyn
Bruce Max Feldmann, DVM is a Berkeley vet that makes house calls. I had
him come once, to euthanize a cat quietly at home. He was very sensitive
and helped us all through the experience. His number is 5251404
Louise
Vets who practice alternative medicine
Feb. 2000
My 10-year-old mixed-breed dog seems to be having the canine equivalent
of anxiety attacks. He has always been a bit nervous in a quiet sort of
way but he has lately begun have trembling fits for no discernible
reason. I'd like to make an appointment with a veterinarian who is
experienced with both herbal and prescription type remedies. Anyone have
a recommendation? Thanks.
Jamie
Recommended:
Codornices Veterinary Clinic
Other recommendations:
Robert
I have two recommendations for a holistic vet. The first is Dr. Ann-si Li
of Assisi Acupuncture Veterinary practice. She is the practice and only
makes house calls. She does both acupuncture and herbal remedies and has
many years of experience both as a conventional and holistic vet. The fee
is costly but it's always worth a try before resorting to strong
medications. She treated our cat who was 18 years old. It helped for
awhile but sadly my cat was just too old and passed away. She spends
several months in China as a visiting vet but it's usually in the Fall so
she should be available now. Her number (510) 540-7387.
The practice Ann-si used to be with is Telegraph Ave Veterinary Hospital.
I went there once and they gave some good advice but I still preferred the
house calls! Their number is 652-1003. They treat with acupuncture as
well as conventional treatments.
Stacey
As an alternative to medication for animals with behavior problems, I'd
like to recommend animal communication. An animal communicator will
exchange telepathic images, sounds, feelings, and intuition with your
animal companion and interpret these. One practical application is to
get at the root of sudden or chronic behavior difficulties. I'm a pretty
skeptical person, but I've seen many, many successful outcomes that have
greatly enriched people's relationships with their animals. All this said,
I can highly recommend my husband, Sam Louie, a Columbia University JD who
practiced law for 12 years, including 10 as a public defender for Alameda
County. He's been doing this full-time for 4 years now, and is an extremely
grounded, gifted psychic and telepathic communicator. You can check out his
website at www.samlouie.com and reach him at 644-1583.
June 2006
Re: Vet for a rabbit
We have always taken our pets (including guinea pig, and bunny) to
Abby Pet Hospital at 11070 San Pablo in El Cerrito. Our vet has been
Lee Prutton since 1983. He and the staff are really great and very
sensitive. BTW we used the ''Cat'' door whenever we brought in our
small animals.
Re: Good but inexpensive vet for spaying (July 2003)
try calling Abbey Vet hospital in El Cerrito. I trust Dr.
Prutton's advice and he has worked with me and my budget re:
prescriptions for my aging rottweiler. He has a wonderful manner
with animals, very low key and gentle. He does low cost spaying
and vaccinations. #529-0777.
Kerri
Re: Good but inexpensive vet for spaying (July 2003)
We've been going to Abbey Pet Hospital in El Cerrito (yes, it
seems like such a trek from Berkeley, but we have found it well
worth it). Lee Prutton is the main vet and does a lot of good
work in the community. The practice is small (there is another
new vet who's wonderful but I'm blanking on his name), and they
are quite reasonably priced for their services. We've been
taking our cats there for 12 years.
nzh
Albany Veterinary Clinic
Re: Vet for dog with terminal illness (May 2005)
I feel for you and your dog. We went through the same thing.
Dr. Terri McGinnis at VCA Albany was very understanding, and
worked with us on controlling our dog's pain and other issues.
There is a morphine-based pain patch that lasts for 3 or so days,
and other pills that you can administer. Nausea was an issue for
us, so ask about side effects. Your dog will let you know when
he/she is feeling bad and needs help, and your vet can give you
specific clues to look for -- appetite, mobility, eyes, emotions
-- all the things you'd look for in people. Be gentle and loving
to your dog and your family so all of you can make the best of
his/her life while he/she is with you.
dog lover
Timothy (3/00)
I recommend the vets at VCA Albany Veterinary Hospital (526-2053), at Solano
and Peralta in North Berkeley. This is Terry McGinnis' old business, new
name, same folks. See the recommendations online. I should say that I have
dealt with several of the vets there and like every one of them. Staff's
great too!
From: Letelliers (4/99)
I heartily recommend Dr. Terry McGinnis at the Albany Veterinary Clinic (I
think that's the name) - it's on Solano Avenue & Peralta. She's a wonderful
vet, very caring and thorough. She has written (at least) two books: The
Well Dog Book and The Well Cat Book. We don't have a dog, but we have used
her for years for our cats.
From: Letelliers (4/99)
I heartily recommend Dr. Terry McGinnis at the Albany Veterinary Clinic (I
think that's the name) - it's on Solano Avenue & Peralta. She's a wonderful
vet, very caring and thorough. She has written (at least) two books: The
Well Dog Book and The Well Cat Book. We don't have a dog, but we have used
her for years for our cats.
From: Tonylisa (4/99)
I second the recommendation of Terri McGinnis, a vet at the VCA Albany
Vet on Solano Ave. 'Aunt Terri' has taken care of our greyhound and our two
cats for several years now and we are consistently impressed with her thorough
approach to medicine, her client education skills and her awareness that
we're not made of money. When decisions about which course of treatment
to take have to be made, she carefully lays out the burdens, benefits and
costs and helps us make an educated decision.
Re: Vet who runs on time (May 2004)
Another option I use when I don't want
to drive to Concord --for instance, if I have a pet that needs to
be euthanized--is All Seasons Mobile Vet Clinic--Dr. Mckinney
runs it and he's great. Comes right to your house, can do
surgeries, exams, treatments, meds, all in one housecall. You
have to pay extra for the call, but everything else is
competetively priced. And the convenience can't be beat.
pet lover
March 2003
I haven't seen any recommendations, good, bad or indifferent for
Arlington Veterinary Clinic in Kensington. What has been your
experience? We need to have our female spade.
Thanks.
Harlan
We've been going to Arlington Vet for years with our cat and 2
dogs. We've dealt with the standard stuff of spaying/neutering,
shots, etc as well as the emergency stuff like the dog trying to
eat a battery or blowing out a knee chasing squirrels. Our cat is
high maintenance - up in years and diabetic. Dr. Sesline has been
great about answering questions and explaining things, helping us
manage the cat's health. 3 years into this the cat is still happy
and rules over the dogs. Negative - only 1 vet, so if he's on
vacation or something you deal with a different office who covers
for him. Postive - only 1 vet, so he knows you and knows your
animals. We've been really happy.
Cathy
Sept 2007
Re: Reptile Vet
Dr. Harkowitz in Berkeley is the tortoise guy. He saved our sulcata's life. I believe he was at the Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital. This was about 7 years ago. You could call the East Bay Vivarium in Berkeley and ask, they were the ones who recommended him to us. Good luck with your tortoise.
Mara
Try Dr. Kenneth Harkewicz at Berekeley Dog & Cat on Haste, near Shattuck. He is our dogs' vet - and they both love him as much as they can since he gives them shots and yucky medicine to take - but he speicalizes in reptiles.
Jay
I own the East Bay Vivarium in Berkeley and have experience with tons of vets. I've found that there are many many vets out there who have never kept a reptile and know precious little about them, but are perfectly happy to gain experience on your animal and on your dime, and will claim they work on reptiles to do so. On the other hand, there's Ken Harkewicz. He's got more than thirty years experience keeping and breeding reptiles (particularly tortoises), and is a kind, gentle and forthright doctor. He works at Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital, which is not cheap. However, having a doctor who will honestly present you your options, and who will not hurt your pet through his or her own ineptness... I think that saves a lot of money, and heartache. He's also a particularly fine dog and cat vet; I take all my kids to him.
Owen Maercks
May 2005
We have seen Dr. Benjamin and Dr. Shriro at Berkeley Dog and
Cat since I moved to California more than twenty years ago.
They are located on Haste, just above Shattuck in Berkeley,
phone 848-5041. They are great with the animals. Plus it is a
full service hospital so there are specialists on site as well
as 24 hour emergency care if your animal requires more than the
regular check-ups.
aki
May 2005
We like Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital on Haste 848-5150. We see
Dr. Shriro and Dr.??? (can't recall the name), and have been very
happy using them or out dogs and cats since 2000.
Jessica
Re: Veterinary surgeon for dog's knee (May 2004)
The surgeons at Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital on Haste in
downtown Berkeley are excellent. My golden retriever had knee
surgery there several years ago and two other surgeries later
before she passed on last fall at the age of 13.
ak
Re: Just moved here, looking for a vet (Jan 2003)
I've used Dr. Benjamin and Dr. Shriro at Berkeley Dog and Cat
Hospital on Haste in Berkeley since I moved here from Boston in
1977. They are wonderful, very thoughtful, not overly aggessive
in prescribing care. Also very sensitive when my first pet
needed to be put down. Also, they are full service hospital so
have specialists on staff when needed. My 12 yr. old golden has
had two major surgeries there and is still going strong.
akiversen
Myriam (3/00)
A lot of people like Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital and while I believe
as a group they are very strong technically I found them extremely
difficult to deal with administratively and had a somewhat wrongheaded
view of treating my cat's illness. Had we simply let our cat die more
naturally it would have been better for everyone concerned, however, they
did expensive, painful surgery and recommended chemo. Unfortunately, not
only did it not work, it made the poor, much beloved animal absolutely
miserable for the last three months of her life. This, of course was
mostly our fault for going along with the recommended surgery rather than
simply letting her die, but still traumatic.
From: Brenda (4/99)
I think Dr. Benjamin @ Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital on Haste (tel
848-5041) is excellent. He took care of our dog for complications
after a routine spaying at Abbey Pet Hospital in El Cerrito (that's
another story & definitely a do not go recommendation). This may not
be North Berkeley, but I bring our dog all the way from El Cerrito &
think it is well worth the drive!
From: Dawn (4/99)
We take our 2 cats to Berkeley Dog and Cat Hospital. (It's not North
Berkeley, but it *is* just south of campus.) We have seen both Dr. Shriro
and Dr. Benjamin, and like both of them. They are not cheap, but the care
is excellent, and they are *the* place to go for more serious stuff
(surgery, cancer, etc)--though I hope you never need that! (FYI: They
also deal with other animals besides dogs and cats.)
Broadway Pet Hospital
June 2006
Re: Vet near Montclair
I HIGHLY recommend Broadway Pet hospital on 51st and Broadway.
They are wonderful there and have amazing hours, esp. for
working parents. We have always had great vets for our dog and
they are helpful, follow up if there are problems and always
call you back when you have questions. We have been going there
for years now with our dog and it is worth the extra few minutes
drive if you live in Montclair.
Happy pet owner
I would like to recommend Dr. Gutlaizer (sp?) at Broadway Pet Hospital
in Oakland. They're located on Broadway at 41st so it is very
convenient. Dr. Gutlaizer, who I believe is the owner of this rather
large animal hospital, personally treated our 17 year old cat for the
last two years of his life. He was knowledgeable, gentle and
compassionate. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Kristi (2001)
I have been a client of Dr. Arnold Gutlaiser at the Broadway Pet Hospital for
14 years, 653-0212. I think he is wonderful, and can't say enough good things
about him. He really cares about my animals(s), and spends as much time as
necessary talking to me to give me information, advice, and counsel. Broadway
Pet Hospital is on Broadway, just north of Mcarthur. He has cut back his
hours of practice in the last couple of years, but he is still there a couple
days a week, and sometimes has night hours. The clinic is also open on the
weekends, but Dr. Gutlaiser doesn't book too many weekend hours any more.
Regardless, he's great, has a wonderful way with animals (although I have a
cat, and can't really speak to his demeanor with dogs), and I'm sure the
other doctors who work there are very competent, but I confess I only see Dr.
Gutlaiser (unless in an unfortunate emergency).
Amy (10/99)
May 2004
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with Campus Vet
Clinic now that Dr. Berger has retired. Is it still as good?
We still go to Campus Vet and it seems fine. I have been there for my
dog's annual check up and one other time for a skin issue.
Anon
A VETERINARIAN who does HOUSE CALLS - used to work at Campus Vets.
(see reviews for David Grant, DVM).
I took all of my animals to Campus Vet for years, and liked Dr.
Berger and Dr. Dave very much. The building may not have looked
fabulous, but I always felt comfortable with the care. I very
recently took my older (14-year-old) cat to see the new vet, and
I have to say that I wasn't very pleased. In fairness, it was
sort of a worst case scenario situation -- my cat had been a bit
listless for a couple of days, but I didn't have a reason to
think it was very serious. It turned out to be terminal kidney
disease, which was just an awful surprise, and obviously not a
good time to meet a new vet. What made me uncomfortable,
however, was that the vet didn't seem to hear me when I
expressed concern about the cost of the various procedures. He
suspected kidney stones, and said that if that were the problem,
she would require a $2,000+ operation; I immediately stated that
we would not be able to afford the operation. I have never had
pet insurance (although now I'm thinking about it!), so all the
costs were out of pocket. That first day, the bill came to
almost $300, and I specifically asked him to wait on the x-ray,
which would have been $100 more. The blood and urine tests came
back with suspicious results, and I did take the cat back the
next day for the x- ray. The vet pushed for an ultrasound
($400), and when I asked what the ultrasound would show that the
x-ray had not (bilateral kidney stones), he said, ''Well, it
would be good to have it for the surgery...'' I again stated
that I could not afford the surgery, and asked if there was
anything else I could do for her. He then said that I could give
her pain pills, fluids and a diuretic, to see if we could push
some parts of the kidney stones through her system. I opted to
do this, and in fact the fluids and meds cost me another $200,
but I felt that at least I was doing something, and was keeping
her reasonably comfortable. She seemed a bit better for the
first two days, and then suddenly she was much worse (I suspect
one of her kidneys became completely blocked), and she died at
home less than a week after our visit to the vet. I don't think
he did anything wrong, in terms of medical diagnosis, etc., but
I have to say that I did not feel listened to, or at all
assisted with what was essentially end of life decision making.
The front desk staff was pleasant and kind (they sounded
genuinely upset when I called to say that the cat had died), and
the whole office, including the vet, signed and sent a
condolence card, which I did appreciate. I was left with a
feeling that perhaps the new vet is used to a clientele with pet
insurance, or at a different stage of life (i.e., if I didn't
have small kids with all of their expenses, maybe I would have
paid for the surgery). I guess I wanted some more attention paid
to the practicalities of the situation, not just to getting an
exact analysis of what the medical problem was. Or maybe I just
miss Berger and Dr. Dave!
Signed: Switching to another vet
April 1999
I highly recommend Dr. Berger who runs Campus Vet at 1807 Martin
Luther King near University. Their phone number is 549-1252. I've
taken our cats there for 3 years (they're so good I drive there from
Oakland). I believe you can best evaluate a vet by how they deal
with emergencies and really sick animals. It's those times that
their competence, experience and compassion really get put to the
test. Our cat of ten years recently died of a sudden illness and the
entire staff at Campus Vet really came through in the care they gave
our cat and in the compassion they showed to our family. I can't
recommend them highly enough.
Harlan Family
Chabot Vet Clinic
5/00
H T
The UCB Parents web site has Veterinarian recommendations, but only in the
Albany/Oakland area. Can anyone recommend a Veterinarian in the Castro Valley area?
Melody
We have been taking our cat to Chabot Vet Clinic for 14 years. We have
always felt that we were receiving very good care. We have dealt with
both Dr. Marmolejo and Dr. Susan (?) and liked them both. The staff
seems happy there as well - there has been little turnover in the time
we have been going there. They are located just outside Castro Valley,
on Foothill Boulevard in Hayward. Their number is 538-2330.
Re: Just moved here, looking for a vet (Jan. 2003)
Cheshire Cat is a wonderful place, and I have taken 3 cats there
over the past 10 years. I love that they only take cats,
because 2 of my cats are deathly afraid of dogs. Mark Youdall
is very caring and seems to be healthily skeptical of the need
for vaccinations these days given the recent research on cancer,
etc. Once my cats became indoor-only he was pretty okay with
skipping some shots or spacing them farther apart. He runs a
small practice--it's just him, so the upside is that his prices
are incredibly reasonable and you will see him every time. He
is wonderful for routine care. However, my experience has been
that if your cat has any kind of serious or complicated
condition, you may very well be referred to a larger practice
(eg. Albany Vet VCA on Solano), where they have many doctors
and therefore more experience with certain conditions, but are
also more expensive. Of course, it is always good to have a 2nd
opinion. As happy as I am with Cheshire Cat, I have had to
switch one of my cats to Lake Vet on Grand Ave. because they
have all women vets and my cat is deathly afraid of men. They
are very good but VERY expensive!!! I recommend Cheshire Cat if
your cat is relatively healthy. You can always get a referral
from Mark if the time comes where that is necessary, and he is
very open to that (in fact, he will suggest it).
cat lover
Claremont Vet
Re: Do you have a good vet you really love? (May 2007)
I've been going to Claremont Vet for many, many years and I think they're great.
Never
a bad experience. They're on College near the Rockridge Library.
Letitia
Nov 2006
We have a 1.5 year old dog who seems to get sick with a variety
of things quite often, thus racking up quite a vet bill for us
in the short time we have had him. We went to Broadway Pet,
but found it to be very expensive so we changed to Claremont
Vet. There is only 1 review of them dating back to the 90s. I
was wondering if any other BPN people take their pet to
Claremont Vet on College Ave and if so, what your experience
has been? Do you find them communicative, attentive? Do you
think they do unnecessary testing just to make extra money on
office visits, do you trust their assessment and judgement?
Thanks,
Worried dog owner
Although we have not had a ton of experience at Claremont Vet on
College, every experience that we have had has been positive,
which is a huge difference from our experience at previous Vets.
I trust them more than anyone else.
Claremont Vet fan
I've been taking my pets to Claremont Vet for something like 25 years -- rabbits,
cats, dogs. I've never had a bad experience with them, always felt that they were
''shooting straight'' with me. They take an ''as-needed'' approach to certain
types of vaccinations, for example, the feline leukemia -- they gave us a choice,
based on whether our cats were typically fighters and/or how often they stay out
at night. The doctors are very kindhearted people, and the staff, most of whom
have been there as long as I've been a client, are efficient, warm, and
matter-of-fact. I think it's a great place.
An added note -- people have commented that it's hard to find a parking place
along College. I've found that probably 80% of the time that I've had an
appointment, one of the three spaces on their lot has been available. I think
it's because they schedule the appointments effectively.
So -- full recommendation from me.
Letitia
See also: Managing expenses for dog who gets sick a lot for additional
advice.
June 2005
We really like Naomi Fein at Claremont Veterinary Hospital (on
College Ave. between Manila and Broadway). She's been very good
with our miniature weiner dog for the past 4 years.
anon
We've been going to Claremont Vet for years with dog, cat, & rabbits, and
have never had anything but positive experiences. They're at 5331 College,
near/across the street from the new Rockridge Library, phone 652-5835. They
even have a few parking spaces out front, which is pretty important in that
neck o' the woods.
Letitia (10/99)
Re: Do you have a good vet you really love? (May 2007)
I go to Codornices Vets on San Pablo in Albany. They are
FANTASTIC! I love them and have sent many people (and dogs and
cats) to them and have yet to hear of a negative experience.
Anon
Re: University Veterinary Hospital (May 2004)
After searching for a long time for a reasonably priced vet who I really like and trust,
who is smart and who my animals love, I have found Dr. Regina Yoo at Codornices
Veterinary Clinic on San Pablo near Marin, 524-3062. In the meantime, I have been
taking my animals to UC Davis for anything serious (the cost of an average vet, just
very time-consuming), and moving from so-so to so-so local vet for regular stuff.
Not only is Dr. Yoo excellent, but one of my dogs requires a quarterly test and at
Codornices it costs me one-half what I paid at one vet, and one-quarter of what I
paid at another.
Cecelia
Re: Vets who practice alternative medicine (Feb 2000)
We go to Drs. Allen and Hack at Codornices Clinic. Our dog has very bad
separation anxiety
and they gave us a prescription for doggy-type Prozac when we went on
vacation. It worked
quite well. They have been great for all of our pets (we have cats too) .
We've had a lot of bad
vet experiences in the past and we trust them . They take the time to
confer with with eachother
and specialists, are very honest about what care is necessary and what is
not, and seem to
really care for animals. They're on San Pablo Ave. between Marin and Solano.
Geraldine
From: Stefanie (4/99)
For the past nine years, I have taken my two cats, and now my standard
poodle puppy, to Codornices Veterinary Clinic on San Pablo near Solano Ave.
They are wonderful, kind, knowledgable, and responsive. I don't think they
are the least expensive in the area but I know that they are not the most
expensive. They have one of the most popular practices around. 944 San
Pablo, Albany (510) 524-3062.
Re: Veterinarian - San Leandro/Oakland (March 2005)
Without question, I recommend Creature Comfort, a vet clinic in
Oakland run by several women who are UCDavis Vet School grads
and have also trained in Chinese medicine. My favorite is Dr.
Reed. But all of them work with alternative less invasive
approaches when possible AND combine them with Western vet
med. It's a great place. I wish that my family had these
kind of doctors with multiple perspectives and such openness!
Phone # is 530 1373.
D. Wolf
Re: Vet near Redwood Heights (April 2003)
We used to use Dimond Pet Clinic and they were fine. They are now
a homeopathic vet clinic, so they don't do more traditional
medicine as much. They seem nice, though.
Re: Vet who runs on time (May 2004)
I live in Piedmont, and I go all the way to Concord to see Dr.
Larry Rothe at Disney Pet Hospital. They have a parking lot,
they run on time, they're WONDERFUL, and they're less expensive
than vets in my area.
pet lover
Re: Do you have a good vet you really love? (May 2007)
OMG! No one you knew could recommend their vet? We adore ours!
David Grant
510-499-9204
dgrantdvm[at]aol.com
David makes house calls and also works at Codornices Vet
Hospital on San Pablo in Albany. We first went to him when he
was at Campus Vets with Charlie Berger.
We always have pets, currently three dogs, and it's important
to me to have a vet I trust and respect. David has seen us
through many crises.
Jessica B
May 2005
When it comes to veterinarians here in the bayarea i can highly
recommend Dr David Grant.He actually used to work with Charlie
Berger and i consultated him after Dr Berger left....right now
he works at Cordornices vet clinic on San Pablo but he also has
his own housecall business and has been very helpfull with my
animals(dogs and cats)...he is very thourough and reasonable and
always has an ear for me and takes his time even though i know
he is busy and has a new little family...
or you can reach him at 510-499-9204
i,ll always trust him with my sweethearts.
liissaUSA
May 2005
For the woman missing Charlie Berger, and wanting someone ''calm,
thorough, practical, reasonable'':
David Grant used to work with Charlie Berger before Charlie sold
the practice. We have been diehard David Grant fans for a long
time - you will love him. It is so important to me to have a vet
I trust and respect. David fits all your adjectives and more.
(And he and his wife have an 8 month old baby girl, Emma)
David works both privately (he comes to your house) or a few
days a week at Codornices on San Pablo in Albany. Either call
him directly or ask for him at Codornices.
David Grant, DVM
510-499-9204
dgrantdvm[at]aol.com
As for the woman looking for a vet with a payment plan or
reasonable prices, $800 doesn't sound bad for an emergency. The
only payment plan I know of is to use my credit card and
diligently switch from 0% to 0% plan.
Jessica
Re: Vet for dog with terminal illness (May 2005)
I'm so sorry about your dog. I have lots of experience with a
vet I *adore*:
David Grant - 510-499-9204 - dgrantdvm AT aol.com
He saved one of my dogs, and helped another of my dogs with both
palliative and cancer care for a number of years (we had
sufficient narcotic to make sure our dog was not uncomfortable).
Most recently, we had to finally put this beloved pup to sleep
because his kidneys failed.
David is sensitive, *so* competent, and lovely to be with. He
works both independently, coming to your home for the visit (he
came to my house to put my dog to sleep and did the same for a
friend recently), and works a few days a week at Codornices Vet
clinic.
You also might want to consult with Cecile Siedlecki at Bay Area
Vet Hospital in San Leandro. She is a veterinary oncologist with
whom we consulted a few years ago when our dog was first
diagnosed with a nasal sarcoma. She pointed us in the right
direction for his care and I am so grateful we saw her.
My best to you.
jessica
Re: Campus Vet (May 2004)
A VETERINARIAN who does HOUSE CALLS - used to work at Campus Vets.
To people who went to Campus Vets while Charlie Berger and Dave
Grant were there, Dr Dave Grant (whom I adore - he saved the
lives of two of my dogs) is back in Berkeley. I am *thrilled.*
Dr. Dave is a *wonderful* vet.
In a couple weeks, Dave will be a house call vet. He made an
offer on a practice in Kensington but that fell through. I am
having him come to my house soon to do check-ups and give rabies
vacs to two of my dogs.
He and wife decided to move back because his wife is pregnant
and they didn't want to be in the boonies while pregnant and
then with a young child because their health care is at Kaiser.
I think we are lucky to have him back!
Sept 2007
Hi.
Getting a new puppy, a small dog. I liked what a friend said about their vet, Dr.
Foor. Wondering if anyone has had experience with him regarding small dogs
(Berkeley's mostly a Big Dog town...). Any input and /or exprience/feedback is
appreciated!
dana
We take all of our animals to Dr. ''Four Paws'' and he's been great with all of
them. I've had a lot of experience with pets and vets and Dr. Four has been my
absolute favorite. He has a very down-to-earth attitude and the animals seem very
calm around him, like he puts off good animal vibes. His rates are also VERY
reasonable. Congratulations on your new puppy!
El Cerrito Pet Lover
Dr. Foor was great with my neighbor's small dog, a cockapoo. He is great with
all of the cats we have had over the last 12 years since we started using him as
our vet. He takes a caring and reasonable approach to treating your animals. I
wouldn't trust any other vet, and we have tried several in the bay area before we
found dr. Foor.
Juliet
Dr. Foor Paws is where we take our dog, and we see Dr. Bridgeforth there. We
love her, she is knowledgeable and has good communication skills, and her manner
with pets is exceptional, so I highly recommend her.
yes on Foor Paws
Re: Do you have a good vet you really love? (May 2007)
Yes! Dr. Gail Vial at Kensington Vet! 528-0797, She's cared for
my old cat (for 15yrs) and my new kittens. She is compassionate,
SMART, very thorough, deeply caring, and I trust her completely.
Here's the best testimonial: we were bragging to our neighbors
that we had the best vet ever, they said no they did, the next
door neighbor said no she did, and it turned out that all three
households were talking about Dr. Vial. We all drive across town
to her. Good luck.
Luv The Kitties
Re: Do you have a good vet you really love? (May 2007)
I take our two dogs (Whippets) to the Kensington Vet Clinc in Kensington. I have
had
several great years of service with Dr. Vial. She isn't too much of a people
person, but
your animals will love her and she is a fantastic vet. I used to go to Campus
and VCA,
but Dr. Vial is really a whole lot better in my book. She is worth the slightly
longer
drive from Berkeley.
Tara
Re: Vet for dog with terminal illness (May 2005)
I use to work for the Lake Vet Hospital on Grand Ave in
Oakland. I worked there for 3 years and have never met such a
caring and understanding person with animals as Dr Eleanor
Dunn. She listens to her clients needs and becomes involved in
the animals care. She is very experienced and highly
qualified. Please call Lake Vet at 510 452 1255 and ask for
a consult.
helen
I went to Lakeview Vet several years ago, on Grand Ave. and would still be
going there if we lived in the area. There were 2 women vets at the time who
were great. I know several people who have gone there who are also big fans.
They were extremely competent, caring and sensitive. I highly recommend
them.
Karen (2001)
We use the Lake Vet Hospital, on Grand Avenue in Oakland. There are 3 vets,
all women. We love Dr Eleanor Dunn. She is the greatest vet, an incredibly
sensitive doctor, both for patients (pets), and parents (owners). We have 2
dogs, and everyone just adores her. She is also a surgeon.
Their phone is 452 1255
Jodie (2001)
Re: Vet for dog with terminal illness (May 2005)
I am so sorry to hear about your dear dog's condition. We had
to say good-bye to our beloved family dog of 13 years in
October after a valiant struggle with Cushing's disease and end-
stage renal failure. Although it is far to travel, our vet,
Debra Melcon at Marina Pet Hospital in SF (2024 Lombard St
San Francisco, CA 94123-2809 (415) 921-0410) was very
supportive of our choice to provide palliative care to him as
long as possible. She usually runs late, can be rather frank
about end of life issues, and isn't the most warm-and-fuzzy,
BUT, she is very smart and was willing to teach us at home IV
care, give us meds to administer to make him comfortable, and
helped us to know when it was more merciful to let him go. You
may also consider the oncologists at Berkeley Dog and Cat
Hospital. While I do not know how they are regarding end-of-
life care, they were great when our other dog had cancer. My
thoughts are with you in this difficult time.
alesia
Re: Do you have a good vet you really love? (May 2007)
We've had excellent, expert care for our dog at Montclair Veterinary Clinic,
1969
Mountain Boulevard-- 339-8600. Our vet is Dr. Amy Boxberger... she is a nice
person,
knows her stuff, is compassionate towards pets and people, and has a wonderful
way
with animals. And the front desk staff is great, too.
anon
Montclair Vet Hospital is great. Dr. James Harris is a very competent vet
and I know
people who have been going to him for 20 years or more. It's a good practice.
Barbara (2001)
The Montclair Vet Clinic (adjacent to the Albertson
supermarket) is very reputable. The doc's and staff
are very conscientious and nice. They've cared for my
two 12-year-old cats for a decade or so (including one
who now has diabetes) and my impression is they're
also very good with dogs (and birds). (2001)
Re: Vet for dog with terminal illness (May 2005)
I recommend Dr. Maureen Dorsey , who owns/operates Oakland Veterinary Hospital
(MacArthur & High). We've gone through kidney failure with two old cats, and although
they had different needs, she worked with us to keep them comfortable. She also told
us when it was time to let go, and ensured that we were able to do so quietly.
Betsy
Re: Veterinarian - San Leandro/Oakland (March 2005)
I highly recommend Dr. Hart (as well as Dr. Brownsey sp?) at
Oakland Veterinary Hospital. I have been going there about 5
years but have known Dr. Hart for at least 15. Wonderful, caring,
straightforward, and not liable to recommend expensive tests.
Very flexible with my wiggly Labrador and my hesitant cat.
Everyone there loves animals and is terrific to work with.
Jennie
Re: Vet near Redwood Heights (April 2003)
We live in the Laurel District (right below Redwood Heights),
and have been really happy with the Oakland Veterinary Hospital
on the corner of High and Macarthur, 530-1353. There are 2 main
vets, Maureen Dorsey (I think she owns the business) and Cecile
Hart, both who are caring, patient, well-informed, and very
competent in treating both our cat and dog.
Martha
Re: Vet near Redwood Heights (April 2003)
I highly recommend Drs. Maureen Dorsey and Cecilie Hart at Oakland
Veterinary Hospital, 4258 MacArthur Ave (at High) in the Laurel
district (a quick zip down the hill from Redwood Heights).
Everyone on staff is warm and caring; they are great at returning
phone calls and following up with test results; and I've been very
pleased with both routine care and two surgeries. Their number is
530-1353.
Janet
Re: Vet near Redwood Heights (April 2003)
Hi,
I go to Oakland Veterinary Clinic on MacArthur near High St.
The two vets, Maureen and Cecile are great and the office staff
are very nice. They even call you back a day or two after a
visit to make sure that your animal is doing better. (My own
doctor has never done that!)
Their prices seem reasonable, and when I have had an emergency
with one of my two dogs, they have been able to fit in same day
appts. every time.
denise
Re: Just moved here, looking for a vet (Jan 2003)
I wholeheartedly recommend my vet, Ceci Hart at Oakland
Veterinary Hospital. The whole staff there is welcoming and cares
about animals. Ceci's partner, Dr. Dorsey (I'm blanking on her
first name), is also very good. They both are great listeners,
very caring and easy-going (one of my dogs is very excitable and
Dr. Hart takes it completely in stride), and not pushy about
treatment.
I've been going there for several years. Dr. Hart is a personal
friend but also a great vet.
Jennie
Re: Just moved here, looking for a vet (Jan 2003)
I highly recommend Oakland Veterinary Hospital located in the
Laurel District (MacArthur at High St). Dr. Maureen Dorsey and
Dr. Cecilie Hart provide excellent care (I've been happy with
routine check-ups and two successful cancer surgeries); they are
great at follow-up with test results or to check in about how
well a medicine is working; and the office staff is always lovely
to both animal and human children! I had to put my 16-yr-old dog
down last week, and their compassion made a difficult situation
much easier. The number is 530-1353.
Janet
Pet Emergency Treatment Center
Sept 2007
A few months ago, I had to put down my cat ... the vet I used
was absolutely fantastic and I can't recommend them enough.
Pet Emergency Treatment Service on 10th and University took us in right away and were
professional yet sympathetic. They explained the procedure and gave us as much time as
we needed between steps and after it was all over. I will always call them first when
my regular vet is booked or closed.
Anon
March 2000
I found the vets at the Pet Emergency Treatment Center down
on University to be really first rate (they have a regular vet service during
normal hours) and the Humane Society Vet (the one down near Juan's) to be
really quite good and rational about pet care in general: Perhaps it has to
do with so many animals who desperately need homes, but they were consistently
very kind but not expecting us to spend huge amounts of money on care.
Myriam
Feb 2007
Re: Good, inexpensive vet for old dog
I have used PetVet on Broadway in Oakland before and they are
super cheap! During certain times on the weekends you can just
drop in and get a basic check up for your pet and any shots &
meds that you might need for almost wholesale price (it seems).
The veterinarian is adjacent to the pet store and the
consultation takes place inside the pet store.
JOJ
Nov 2006
Re: Managing expenses for dog who gets sick a lot
Finally, I recommend highly PetVet/PetFood (near Broadway Vet). It is a clinic
that is open Friday through Monday (only open Sun
and Mon at the Broadway location) from about 10-4. They used to
be a free vet clinic started by two vets (married couple) who
were very popular in the Bay Area. When they retired, their
clients were so upset, that they agreed to continue serving the
community on a volunteer basis in a limited capacity. They are
no longer free, but they only charge $12. They do not do x-rays,
blood work, fecal exams etc, but they are SO EXCELLENT and will
tell you when you need to take your pet to a full hosptial for
tests. After taking my dog to two different vets who could not
find what was wrong with her leg USING x-rays, they figured it
out by a hand exam! They are GOOD and have seen just about
everything (they also do vaccinations etc)! The
meds/prescriptions are sold at cost (even frontline and advantage
is as cheap there as it is on-line).
Re: Cat vet, Pinole area (May 2004)
We live in Pinole and, for 18 years, have taken our cats to the
Pinole Pet Hospital, located at 1400 San Pablo Ave (510-724-
8766). They even have Saturday morning hours. In particular, I
like how they have helped keep my white cat healthy. He is my
darling, but more sensitive in many ways than my other cats. (We
had four at one point in time, but the two older sisters have
passed on recently, so now we have two seven-year-old brothers,
a grey one and the white one.)
Bonnie
Re: Vet who runs on time (May 2004)
Dr. Sang Han at Richmond Veterinary Clinic is great and I have found I am usually
seen on time. Yes, the emergencies can arise. He has his own parking area and the
office staff are efficient in checking one out. Another place I have used is Creature
Comfort in Oakland. While they are expensive, their care is holistic and
comprehensive. I have always been seen on time and check out, while a little slow,
is tolerable.
Not one to wait
Re: Do you have a good vet you really love? (May 2007)
Not good vet - GREAT vet. Hands down. Dr. Braun at Skyline
Veterinary Hospital. The address is 11883 Skyline Blvd. Oakland -
It's up the hill off highway 13 - Redwood Road exit.
He cares about your pet and your financial situation; he knows
his limitations (surgery for a tibial crest evulsion was beyond
his expertise, but the diagnosis was not) and he really cares
about pets and their families. He helps children understand and
read x-rays and creates a low stress environment for pets and
their people. He waited to spay our toy poodle because he
believes the stress of anesthesia on a dog under five pounds is
not necessary as long as she was not outdoors or around male
dogs when she was in heat. He invited us back in for free weigh-
ins and the surgery is now scheduled.
Dr. Braun's wife is in charge of the books and scheduling and is
also very nice.
Fan of Dr. Braun!
Re: Vet near Redwood Heights (April 2003)
I know our friends use the vet hospital at Redwood Rd & Skyline
intersection (just a few blocks up the hill from where you are)
and prefer it to what's closer to their home.
Maria
Re: Vet near Redwood Heights (April 2003)
Hi,
I would highly recommend Skyline vet hospital. It's at the top of
redwood road where it intercects skyline. You make a right and
another right into the parking lot. They are affordable and very
friendly. I think it's only dogs and cats though.
Darl
Re: Good but inexpensive vet for spaying (July 2003)
I know your post mentioned you wanted a vet so you could
establish a good relationship with them, but I wanted to still
suggest the Oakland SPCA for spaying.
http://eastbayspca.org/
They do many spays so I would think they know what they are
doing and have lots of experience. We had our dog spayed at the
SPCA 3 years ago. The web site says spaying is between $70 to
$140 depending on the weight of the female dog, and currently
the web site says there is a 20% discount if you print the page
and have the appointment on Tues or Wed appointments.
Anon
Re: Vet near Redwood Heights (April 2003)
It's a little further down 580 from Redwood Heights, but the
SPCA vet clinic (on Baldwin off of Hegenberger) has been
my vet for many years now. Their care is good, and their
prices are reasonable.
Patty
June 2006
Re: Vet near Montclair
We've been using Thornhill Vet Hospital since we moved to
Berkeley two years ago and love them. Dr Young has seen us
through the sickness and death of two older cats and now cares
for our two kittens.
When our older cats were sick I found that they gave us all the
options available from the cheapest to the more expensive and
explain very well what the possible outcome could be. They never
steered us to the most expensive solution. They even sometime
suggested we try cheaper options.
When our older cat passed away we were in Europe and they were
very accommodating in making arrangement for his cremation.
Francoise
May 2004
University Veterinary Hospital is conveniently located near our
new home. We have a 12 year old, insulin-dependent cat. Any
recommendations for (or against) the UVH or any of their vets?
Thanks!
UVH were excellent at stitching my poor old cat together
whenever he would get in a fight. If you call ahead for an appt.
(even 20 min. or so)it saves about $30. Otherwise, in an
emergency, you can just show up with your cat, day or night. I
found the doctors and nurses there were really sweet, good bed-
side manner.
kl
I've been using UVH since 2000. It's not the most personable
environment (different staff every time), but I have received excellent
service nearly every visit (that's probably 6 visits, including check-ups
and emergencies). Once, when my cat dislocated several toes, the doc
was appropriately empathetic and took a great deal of time to go over
the pros and cons of various treatments and their costs. He ended up
suggesting the least invasive option, and my cat has been fine ever
since.
The one time it wasn't excellent, the doc on duty failed to show up but
came as soon as he was paged. Despite this, I was only set back 1/2 an
hour. I wish I could speak so well of my primary physician!
If you want someone who will baby-talk to your pet, UVH is not the
place. Since I prefer less chatty vets anyway, this clean, professional,
and 24-hr office is perfect for me.
Eli
In my experiences with them, University Vet Hospital was very good and very
expensive- way above average.
After searching for a long time for a reasonably priced vet who I really like and trust ... I have found Codornices Veterinary Clinic ...
I don't know the needs of an insulin-dependent cat, your financial situation, or
whether you have a car or not, but I'd look around a bit. You have the advantage of
being located near to Pet Emergency at 1048 University for any after-hours
problems.
Cecelia
We stumbled on this practice when our then puppy was hit by a car one
evening. The practice is open 24 hrs., and the owner is an orthopedic surgeon,
and I'm sure he gets quite a bit of business from late night accidents : ( He
got our business, that's for sure - first the cast and weeks of healing, and then
surgery when our dog's leg was growing crooked. Overall, our pets have been
well taken care of there, but there seems to be quite a turnover of the vet staff
(except for the owner). The staff haven't turned over quite as much, and
they're very nice. The practice generally runs on time, and care is very
thorough and carefully explained.
Maryl
VCA Bay Area Veterinary Clinic
Re: Do you have a good vet you really love? (May 2007)
Well, I HAD the best vet ever and was devastated to recently
find out she moved to San Diego!!! I won't bother going into
everything I loved about her. But I will tell you that I still
like the office she was at a lot. It's VCA Bay Area Animal
Hostpital 510-654-8375. It's right where Telegraph and Shattuck
meet. The vet I'm using now is Rebecca Arntz. She's good. I've
also had good experiences with the other vets there (mostly
women) as well as the friendly staff. Hours are also very open,
which is helpful. So I still recommend them even though the
best vet ever is gone. Good luck!
shoshana
June 2006
Re: Vet for a rabbit
Even though this may be a little far for you, I would strongly
recommend VCA Bay Area Animal Hospital at 4501 Shattuck Ave. in North
Oakland, tel no. (510) 654-8375. They are open in the evenings and on
weekends, and have several excellent rabbit vets. Rabbits are fairly
delicate creatures, so it's good to have a vet with a lot of
expertise. In the last 9 years that I've owned rabbits, two nearly
died from unique bunny problems (blocked gut and bunny flu) but the
vets at VCA saved their lives. It's unlikely that your little guy
will have any problems, but just in case he does, it's better to go to
a vet with lots of experience.
Hi, Dr. Harvey is in the VCA Bay Area Animal Hospital
in Oakland. I believe hr
first name is Karolyn. She's like the premier bunny doc in the
country! I would absolutely bring your bunny to her. Sylvie
If you are willing to travel to Oakland, Dr. Carolynn Harvey at VCA on
Shattuck/Telegraph is one of the best bunny doctors around. She is
also president of the House Rabbit Society which is located somewhere
in Richmond. Dr. Harvey is kind, gentle and has specialized in
rabbits. I know it's a bit further than you intended, however it is
worth the drive for the best in care. She's also great with other
animals as well and is versed in TTouch and other gentle methods.
Dr. Harvey is at VCA America. The number is 510/654-8375
Friend of furry friends
June 2005
You may want to try the new VCA hospital that opened on
Shattuck (near 51st and Telegraph): VCA sometimes gets a bad
rep as the McDonald's of veterinary care, but we recently had a
pet emergency when Claremont Vet was closed, and we were very
pleased with the care and service there (can't remember the
woman doctor's name who treated us -- sorry -- but she was kind,
patient, and thorough; she even called us a week later --
personally -- to see how things were going with the recovery).
anon
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