I'm writing to express my deep disappointment with the care my cat, Wicca, and I received at your…read moreclinic. This experience was not only frustrating, it was frankly unacceptable for any facility that claims to care for animals and their well-being.
I first called your clinic on 5/22/25, desperate to get my Sphynx cat seen due to some concerning facial spasms. I made it clear to your receptionist that I was searching for a compassionate, trustworthy veterinarian to form a long-term relationship with, for all three of my cats. I wasn't just looking for a quick appointment; I was looking for a partner in my cats' health for life. When your receptionist said you could squeeze Wicca in same-day and highly recommended Dr. Beiting based on my needs, I was beyond relieved. That relief didn't last long.
Red flag #1: I walked in to find adorable cats roaming freely in the waiting room. While charming in theory, this setup is completely impractical and inconsiderate. Strange cats approaching a cat in a carrier? No thank you. My cat was visibly stressed, and most cats would be, especially sick or nervous ones, trapped in a carrier, being approached by unfamiliar animals. It's not just an emotional risk, it's a health risk, too. In what world is free-roaming animals a sound practice in a vet's office, where illnesses could easily spread?
Red flag #2: Once we were in the exam room, the vet tech immediately tried to hold Wicca without any need or invitation. Let me repeat, I have a Sphynx cat, and yes, I get that people are fascinated by her. But fascination does not give you permission to violate her boundaries, especially when she's clearly growling and hissing at you. When I asked to hold her myself because she was obviously uncomfortable, the vet tech almost refused to give her back. Her response? "I'm not scared of her." Excuse me? This isn't about your fear, it's about respecting an animal who is clearly showing you she doesn't want to be touched. I had to physically take my cat back to avoid further distress.
Then came the vet, Dr. Beiting, who admitted she didn't know what was going on. She speculated it might be focal seizures, but wasn't convinced. I'm not upset she didn't have an immediate answer, medicine is complicated, but here's where things really fell apart. She said we'd do bloodwork, monitor over the weekend, and touch base Tuesday. If Wicca was still having spasms, we'd try Gabapentin.
Tuesday comes and... nothing. No call from the doctor. I leave a message. Eventually, I get a call back from the receptionist, who breezily tells me on my voicemail that Wicca's blood work looks fine except for the part where she has a heart condition, and I should "probably call a cardiologist." That's it. That's the call. No details. No explanation. Just a casual suggestion that my cat might have a serious heart problem.
Frankly, I was left in tears. That's not just unprofessional, it's inhumane. A receptionist should never be the one to break news like that, and with such a flippant tone? I work in animal care. I would never let an unqualified person call a client with upsetting or unclear medical results. The doctor promised to speak to me personally on Tuesday. Instead, I had to call again, beg to speak with the doctor, only to be told she was "busy" and might not get back to me that day.
Luckily, because I work with vets, I was able to get Gabapentin elsewhere and review the emailed blood results with people I trust. If I didn't work in the field? I would be freaking out. Wicca was still having spasms on Tuesday, and I had no guidance from the person I paid to provide it.
The doctor didn't call me back until Thursday, two full days later. I couldn't answer during work, and her voicemail said if I didn't call back right away, she wouldn't get back to me until tomorrow. I called back and left a voicemail at 2:45 PM which was 15 minutes after she called me. Again, no response. Honestly? I wasn't surprised. This was now a pattern. And let's not forget, I had to ask four separate times just to get a receipt, rabies certificate, and doctor's notes.
So let's tally this up: I paid nearly $400 for a "we don't know," a traumatic experience for my cat, a rabies vaccine, bloodwork, and days of stress and unanswered calls and voicemails. I had to do my own legwork just to understand what was wrong. I had to educate the doctor about the Sphynx breed. I had to be the one leading the appointment, not the other way around. There was no compassion, no proactive care, and no follow-through.
This entire experience was infuriating and heartbreaking. I came in ready to start a lifelong relationship with a veterinary team I could trust. Instead, I left feeling disrespected, disregarded, and deeply disappointed.
Sincerely,
Wicca's Very Tired and Rightfully Annoyed Mom