After I realized that I no longer had a reason not to get a dog, my family recently adopted a five-year-old rescue dog named Stella. I’ve fallen in love, of course, and want to provide her with better medical care than I ever gave my children. I want someone who is going to get to know her since we don’t know much about her.
Any suggestions? I don’t mind leaving Newton but the closer to Newton Highlands, the better.
I use Commonwealth Vet in Auburndale. Friends have used Rotherwood in the Highlands. No matter where you go around here, be prepared to pay a lot of money. I wanted to have my kitten neutered last fall and Comm Vet quoted me a price of $545.00! I was outraged. I called around to several different vets and was quoted prices anywhere from $200 to $600 dollars! I would come to learn that pricing has everything to do with location. I ended up taking my kitten to a vet on Cape Cod (Board certified/Animal Hospital) where they kindly agreed to do his initial office visit and the procedure all in one day. The total cost to me was $185.00 for everything! Quite a difference. I realize driving to the Cape is not a great option but it worked for me. I dropped him off in the early morning and then spent the day with my niece who lives in Dennis. Gas, breakfast, lunch and the vet all together cost me about $300. Getting to spend the day with my niece was priceless. 😉
I have to recommend Dr. Kate Wissel at Commonwealth! She is fantastic. Best vet in town for sure. A miracle worker. (also, she’s my wife).
We go to Angel MSPCA over in JP. Having a closer vet makes a lot of sense, but keep these folks in mind if you have an animal with a chronic illness.
On another note, good work adopting, Gail!
Jake Tedaldi. The guy comes to our house for appointments. His website is Vetcall.com He’s been Best of Boston a few times and that title reflects our experience.
Dr. Hawk at Commonwealth Vet has been great for our Great Dane. Right next to Marriott so it’s easy to get to.
I have also gone to commonwealth Vet almost exclusively since living in Newton. No complaints, and I get a thrill every year watching them try to wrestle our 23 pound cat to give him his shots. I bring popcorn for those appointments.
23 pound cat? Wow. That’s almost three times the size of one of my cats (the one who still isn’t acting very welcoming toward 62-pound Stella!).
…oh, and just saw the comment about Angell. Have always had good experiences there (well, good treatment I should say)
@Doug – Well stated. Good treatment in the face of difficult experiences.
Commonwealth Vet, for sure. Expert, friendly service over the decades. Dr. Kate Wissel there is great, as are others.
Gail, for a while we went to a vet closer to where you live, but never again. I’m happy to discuss that offline. I wood rother not discuss that here.
While not in Newton, Highland Animal Hostpital in Needham (literally a 1/4 mile outside of Newton on the Upper Falls side of Newton) is a great choice. I’ve been bringing my pet dogs there for years now and have always been extremely pleased with the care and service provided, not to mention the very reasonable prices charged.
As the Newton Police Department K9 Dog handler, I also have to throw out that they donate veterinary care for free to the Newton Police Dept K9 Unit. Dr. Giles, Dr. Floyd and the others are extremely well at what they do and I would certainly recommend you check them out!
Ugh, excuse the typo above …*Hospital*…
I think we need to see a picture of the 23 lb cat. WOW. (Doug do people in your neighborhood warn the coyotes to be on guard?)
Highland Animal Hospital is wonderful. I had been taking my animals (both cats and dogs) to a Newton establishment for many years until one of the vets horribly misdiagnosed one of my dogs a few years back. Told me a cancerous growth way back in his mouth was a bug bite, and prescribed benadryl for the swelling…..I went for a second opinion to Highland and that doc had only to open my dog’s mouth and he knew what was happening. As Officer Valente has mentioned, Highland also donates vet care to Dakota. They are kind, compassionate and knowledgeable.