The Cat Practice

Warning: This review mentions tapeworms, squeamish readers be advised. I have to say I'm pretty surprised at all the great reviews of Dr. Dougherty and The Cat Practice. I brought my cats here because one cat had extremely foul-smelling poops as well other symptoms that clearly indicated the presence of tapeworms. I'll start with the good: The office is clean, well-decorated, and felt spacious.

The receptionists, vet techs, and other staff were kind and clearly loved cats. Dr. Dougherty was adept at handling my cats. The problem is that Dr. Dougherty was extremely dismissive of my concern that my cat had tapeworms. For weeks I had been noticing small rice-grain-like bits squirming around my cat's anus that caught my eye because they definitely DID NOT look like litter or anything else.

They looked exactly like the images of tapeworm proglottids (aka reproductive segments) found on cat butts on the internet, so when I took my cats in, I told Dr. Dougherty that. Unfortunately, there didn't happen to be a piece of tapeworm on my cat's butt during the appointment, and Dr. Dougherty told me that it was very unlikely that my cat had tapeworms because they're supposed to be uncommon.

He told me that the things I had seen on my cat's butt were probably roundworms. He gave my cat a dewormer that does not affect tapeworms, as well as some probiotics and instructions to bring in a fecal sample for a lab test. I went home and looked up what roundworms looked like, which as it turns out look completely different from the white things that were appearing around my cat's anus.

I looked up again what tapeworms on cats look like, and re-confirmed that they looked exactly like what my cat had. A few days after, I actually saw one actively squirming its way out of my cat's anus, and got a video of it. I also got a video of one that fell off when my cat sat down that was wriggling on the table. I then looked around for more evidence on the table and found several dried-up golden specks that, once again, looked exactly like the images of dried-up proglottids on the internet.

I emailed the videos and pictures I took to The Cat Practice and called to let them know what I sent. Their response was that I still had to bring in a fecal sample first. No acknowledgement of the email I sent. So I brought a fecal sample in and paid the $90 to have the lab test it. The receptionist called me the next day to tell me that it came back negative. Fecal tests are known to have a high false-negative rate though, and I had seen enough of my cat's symptoms to be determined to advocate for him, so I insisted that I get the tapeworm medication anyway.

She put me on the phone with Dr. Dougherty, and I again told him that the symptoms I saw matched exactly with tapeworm symptoms, and mentioned the email I had sent to him containing the videos and pictures. I don't think he looked at it at all because he just started telling me again how tapeworms are uncommon and that it's much more likely to be roundworms, even though the white grains looked exactly like tapeworm proglottids and nothing like roundworms!

I really insisted that I get the tapeworm medication even if roundworms are more common, so he finally agreed to get me some. It cost $50 and I gave it to my cat at his next meal. 2 days later, there were no more white things squirming around his anus, and now almost 2 weeks later I still have not seen a single one, so I'm pretty sure that a) my cat had tapeworms and b) the tapeworm medicine killed the tapeworms.

After all this, there was still more salt in the wound: I looked up the tapeworm medicine and found out that it costs $9-10 online for the dosage I got for my cat. I understand that the vet provides more value than the cost of their supplies in the form of knowledge and expert judgment, but I am not pleased that I spent over $300 to have my cat diagnosed by me and not the vet, and that the charge for the drug alone (literally me going to the office to pick it up in a pouch and administer it at home) cost 5x the retail price.

So what are the lessons learned? 1. Advocate for your cat when you know something is wrong. 2. Investigate your options for purchasing pet drugs. 3. Get a vet who listens to your concerns.

I'm a cat lady, nothing against dogs but cats are my people. Unfortunately I've believed these magical creatures are self sustaining and invincible. They're not. If your beloved cat ever falls ill, please RUN, DON'T WALK to The Cat Practice. There you will find Dr. Dougherty, a vet who totally gets cats. A compassionate, fair and honest doctor (and team) who understands that a cat only practice is beneficial for cats. Dr. Dougherty diagnosed our sweet Red in no time, after he'd seen another vet whose diagnosis was inconclusive.

He delivered the unfortunate news, age related kidney disease, and advised me of my options. He didn't push any service to make money - his concern was for Red and us. I've never seen that in a vet. We spent our last days with Red and went back to Dr. Dougherty where he and his team were so kind as we let our beloved Red go. Anyone who's ever truly loved a cat knows how heart breaking this is.

The Cat Practice's team was very sensitive and caring throughout the process. They didn't rush me to retrieve our Red's ashes-it hurt to go back. When I did, there was no judgement - just compassion. They get cats and cat parents. When we're ready to rescue and love another magical cat, we're going back to The Cat Practice to start off healthy and stay that way as long as possible. I can't recommend them highly enough.

The best cat vet I've ever seen. Everything is set up for an optimal cat experience - no complaints at all

Dr Dougherty is the BEST! Super nice, helpful and knowledgeable. Couldn't recommend The Cat Practice more!

Every time I come here I am reminded of how much Dr. Dougherty cares for his feline patients and their humans. He's very knowledgeable about cats -- I can certainly see a clear advantage to seeing someone who specializes in one animal. Every time there's been a wait he has been profusely apologetic, showing that he genuinely values your time. He charges reasonable prices for the area and I trust my kitten in his care. I would sincerely recommend his practice to any cat parents out there.

The veterinarian was nice and the appointment went smoothly but after the appointment it was impossible to ever speak with him again. We kept missing each other on the phone and despite calling back immediately after seeing the calls, he was unavailable. This still could have been fine if I had been sent a copy of the results but I never received them despite requesting them. Edit: I have now received a copy, 2 months after the original appointment. Doctor was apologetic. I don't believe he is not an adequate vet but being a one doctor practice has its downside

I have mixed opinions about The Cat Practice, I'll start with the good. Staff has always been good to me. I never once had a bad experience with them and only have good things to say. They always answer my questions and have been great at looking after the well being of my cat. Unfortunately I do have some negatives. It seems like the cat practice is limited in what they do on site.

My cat recently had something that needed to be looked at and they were my first call. As mentioned above, I received good service as expected. Eventually it was determined that he would need surgery. Unfortunately it appears that they do not do his surgery on site or aren't confident in their ability to do it. I was recommended a specialist and I've also done some searching around.

All of this would be fine if I didn't have to shell out another couple hundred dollars for an exam at another vet. Turning this into a more costly endeavor than it has to be. Had I known that maybe they wouldn't perform this surgery I would've looked elsewhere. That way I would've saved $300 and just paid for the exam and surgery else where.

I do like the Cat Practice but it could be time for me to move on or use them as a second option. I would recommend them for vaccinations, wellness exams, and bloodwork. Also read carefully on their website to see what they offer or reach out to them yourself.

Doctor Eric and the team are just the best! They will always be available to answer any questions you have and will be always transparent with you. Ps. Don't forget the give some pats to scruffy the cat;

Best. Vet. Ever. honest, real, super smart, and saved my cat's life!

After an exhaustive Google search, we decided to bring our sick bestie to The Cat Practice. It was a bit daunting as it was literally sight unseen since they currently have a pickup/dropoff system in place. We were quickly made to feel at ease. From the receptionist to Dr. Dougherty and everyone in between, you can feel the compassion and genuine concern. Dr. Dougherty explains every single step.

He offers knowledgeable options and his expertise is immediately apparent. He offers FAIR AND TRANSPARENT PRICING! We will never take Groucho anywhere else. If you love your cat like we love ours, this is the place for you!

I literally cannot recommend Dr. Dougherty and the staff at The Cat Practice enough. They helped me through putting my sweet cat Pepper to rest. By the time I visited The Cat Practice I had been through several other vets and no one could give me a solid treatment plan or even tell me what was wrong with my cat. Dr. Dougherty finally was able to tell me that Pep had cancer and was unfortunately close to the end, and prescribed her some pain meds to keep her comfortable until it was time to make the decision to put her down.

When that day finally came, he reassured me that I was making the right decision, gave me plenty of time with her before it was time, and walked me through every step of the process. It was a very difficult appointment but it went as best as an appointment like that can go. The next day after the appointment I got a call from Dr. Dougherty just checking in and seeing how I was doing.

He told me that I can reach out any time. That phone call was so beyond the call of duty and it's why I'm writing this review right now. Dr. Dougherty and his staff are all so incredibly professional and they lead with empathy. When I'm ready for another cat, they're going to be my first choice in veterinary care.

Finding Dr. Dougherty and his team at The Cat Practice has been a godsend. We have two seven-year-old cats who are our absolute world and have unfortunately each experienced quite a few health concerns in recent years. The Cat Practice has been a tremendous breath of feline-focused fresh air in a world of veterinary offices with intimidating, . barking-dog-packed waiting rooms and doctors who clearly didn't have specialized expertise in diagnosing and caring for cats like they do at The Cat Practice.

We found them online and figured it was worth a shot to take a drive in to the city we live in NJ and had visited a number of more local vets, none of whom had been able to really make a.

I thought my cat may have had a problem so I took him here. Even during my initial call Dylan explained SO MUCH to me about my cat and put my worries at ease. Even though my cat ended up getting past his problem after a few days I took my cat to this practice for a checkup. Literally Dr. Dougherty stopped and took my cat up to the practice even though he was on his break picking up his coffee.

Him and Dylan were so nice and explained everything and were very clear about pricing and expectations. They were so thoughtful and thorough that I had to leave a review. They gave me extra resources about my cat and I feel really comfortable bringing him back to see them from now on.

If I could give additional stars, I would. I've been coming to The Cat Practice for many years. Dr. Dougherty and his staff are amazing. Back in March during the stay-at-home order in NYC, Simba and I had to make an emergency visit to see Dr. Dougherty who diagnosed him with Stage 1 kidney disease. Not only was he informative and caring about Simba's diagnosis, he promptly submitted a prescription to Chewy.com for the veterinary cat food Simba needed.

When it was time to euthanize my cat of 16+ years, not only was he caring and compassionate, he also demonstrated his commitment and love of cats with the personal and detailed attention he provided to my cat. I would highly recommend The Cat Practice to anyone who wants a vet/facility that understands the bond between humans and cats and treats their patients like their own cats.

Upon check up, they advised two teeth to be extracted from my cat and that I'd receive a call back for scheduling. With no action from the vet despite several follow up calls from me, the blood work was nearing 2 months. I could not wait longer and chose a different vet. Eventually my cat was able to save one tooth and get the operation done within days.

I am happy with the decision not to move forward with this place -additional note after call- I appreciate the sincere call from the Dr. Hope the best for the equipment / operating model to be back in good condition!

Dr Dougherty has been our vet for 4 years. His love for cats is incredible and it really shows in the way he connects with them. He is giving them the best care possible, he shows a ton of empathy. I love that his cats are walking around the office, it makes the place very welcoming. In times of covid-19, the technician comes to pick up your cat downstairs but I'm confident that my kitty will not come back stressed out because I know that she'll feel the love! Highly recommended!

Dr. Dougherty and his wife were absolute life-savers as we prepared to move our two cats from New York to Hawai'i. The necessary paperwork is very complicated but they took care of all of it - and they were incredibly patient and accommodating throughout the process. We will miss them a great deal now that we've been able to move over. We've been Cat Practice regulars since 2017 and ever single visit has been a pleasure.

If you are looking for medical help for your cat, we cannot recommend Dr. Dougherty highly enough. (The photo is of our cat Miki at JFK, about the board the first of our flights.)

I just spent almost a thousand dollars on my nine-year-old cat who I brought in for one issue and was told he had a lot of other issues. I am a NYC high school teacher and spending that kind of money was hard enough and I was also told that it was just the beginning. First I paid for medicine that did nothing, and then another medicine for 75. dollars that made him have pure liquid diarrhea which he only came in with soft stools that had a really bad odor.

I called back the next day and left a message with someone at the office who promised the dr. would get back to me. He never did, and this bizarre liquid diarrhea kept getting worse. I called after hours and left another message. I took him off the second medicine and at first the liquid diarrhea got better but now it is back. It has been two days since i left a fairly urgent message. I do not understand why not one person has the courtesy or compassion to call me back.

The Cat Practice has helped both cats recover a number of times in the last decade. The Dr. and staff are all very patient and caring

The staff there are excellent! They take such great care of my 18-yr-old cat, Audrey, it's like I'm taking her to a spa whenever I take her there to have her boarded! They're amazing!

The positive reviews sound promising, but they don't resonate. I was disappointed after my most recent experience and although I had brought my cat here a few times, the last time went so poorly that I have opted to find a different vet. To put it simply, they seemed too swamped to give my cat a proper assessment and fully address her health concerns.

Here is what happened: With some health issues and my concern something seemed really off, I called and made an appointment for my cat. The receptionist made note of all my concerns. Everything went fine (considering COVID conditions, dropping her off felt smooth). However when I briefly spoke with Dr. Doughtery following my cat's exam, it seemed there was a disconnect between the reasons for the appointment that I had relayed to the receptionist and what was done during my cat's exam.

And although they were familiar with my cat and that she typically needs to be sedated, I felt disappointed to learn that they would only sedate pets in the morning - meaning that after stressing my cat out with the first consult when I could tell she already wasn't feeling well on top of paying for the exam and the Uber round trip, I'd have to circle back with her another day and put her through it all over again if I wanted the initial concerns I had relayed to the receptionist addressed. Obviously, I felt frustrated!

But the follow up to this appointment was where they convinced me to find alternative care for my cat. I realized that some of my cat's symptoms were consistent with her getting into something poisonous. Her symptoms had been improving, but I still wanted to be sure she was ok. I called an emergency vet, however they said it didn't sound like an emergency and I was better working with the vet who had done the initial consult and had her lab work.

So I called the Cat Practice to relay the new information to the vet. I wasn't expecting to the speak to the vet, I just wanted to leave a message with the new info for follow up. All I wanted from this call to the clinic was confirmation that my message would make it to the vet so the vet could assess the lab work with her history in context and get back to me with next steps for the care and wellbeing of my cat.

It should have taken 5 minutes! Instead my multiple attempts to clarify my message would make it to the vet were met with indirect lines like "oh don't feel bad!" or "this kind of thing happens" or "kidney issues are common in older cats and sometimes they come out of nowhere" followed by a lot of TMI unrelated information (that they were short staffed and couldn't fill the positions (because of covid), and that they have stained glass windows in their home).

This call took an hour (!) before I was finally assured that the vet would get the info, with the lady's offering to share it when he returned home. The vet did return my call that same day in the evening, but he had not received the simple message I had tried to pass along to his office from my hour long call earlier that day. He volunteered that he would take my cat's file home and review it with the new info.

He would get back to me with next steps, if not the following day then the day after. I never heard back again. and with all the time on the phone already passed with the unfortunate prospect of having to a book a redundant appointment for a full exam I'd already paid for. well, I felt spent and that wasn't the experience I wanted to put myself or my kitty through again.

One more thing, they also recommended different food for my cat given the kidney levels of her labs. But they shrugged off that her current diet is grain free for allergy reasons. The sample foods they recommended are full of grains. I wasn't given any alternatives, I was left with the impression that her only option was prescription diet food heavy on things I'd worked hard to eliminate from her diet.

We moved here to the city in August and I was always a bit concerned about finding a good vet for our cat Jubilee. We have been so used to our vet in Florida and California before that. We took our puss cat for her annual shots and a wellness check. Both the vet and Dylan were amazing! Such a fabulous practice. We didn't get to see inside due to Covid as it was curb side pick up etc, but I trust from the photos it was clean and safe. They really are a great vets and so happy we found them. Thank you for being so kind to our cat.

This vet is the BEST vet for cats in NYC. We tried so many other vets and they were all so disappointing. Dr. Eric is very patient and he has amazing staff. Our cat was really really really sick when I brought him in and after our consultation we were able to find the best medical care for our cat. Our cat is now very healthy and happy! We also had to reschedule multiple appointments and the staff were very very accommodating. Thanks cat practice

Have been coming to the cat practice for a few years now my cat Pandora is in such good health I love the office it is cat friendly and Doctor D is so nice with her she can be somewhat a little difficult sometimes I would highly recommend DR D highy I would never go anywhere else Thanks DR D

If you love your cat look no further for a vet. Dr. D is phenomenal and I guarantee that you will never find another veterinarian or practice better than this one. The team truly loves cats and it shows (I mean the only see cats!). We have been going here for about two years now and I only wish we had started going sooner as this is hands down the best place for your feline friend! We have also referred several friends and they have all had great experiences.

This is the only vet I will take my cat to. I've taken her to other vets, who've described her as having severe anxiety, and she's always very uncomfortable and uncooperative with them. However, the Cat Practice is very gentle with her, and you can tell that they truly love cats there! At our first visit, she was immediately picked up and loved on so nicely before realizing that they were strangers!

They can get her to do any exam without stress or discomfort, and exams are always thorough and efficient. Dr. D is knowledgeable and extremely patient with answering all questions, one of the nicest guys.

Dr. Dougherty and his team provide the kindest, most humane and supremely expert care to their little feline patients. They are truly extraordinary, both personally and professionally, and I have been grateful every day to have such a trusted and knowledgeable group of people to care for my cats.

Dr. Dougherty and his team provide the kindest, most humane and supremely expert care to their little feline patients. They are truly extraordinary, both personally and professionally, and I have been grateful every day to have such a trusted and knowledgeable group of people to care for my cats.

Just moved to nyc and needed a new vet! This place was quick, easy, friendly and I love that it's just for cats. The front desk was very friendly as well. Later on, when my cat seemed sick, they gave me some awesome free advice over the phone. I found them through Yelp and got a big discount for being our first visit! Thanks for taking care of Milos!

The Cat Practice doesn't disappoint. It's very clear that everyone there is passionate about taking care of cats in particular. I love both cats and dogs, but it's sometimes hard to find a vet that gives as much care to cats as they do to dogs. So The Cat Practice is a fantastic experience! Dr. Dougherty is so exceptionally kind and professional. He's very upfront about what his thought process is, and he was very thorough in his evaluation of my cat. Overall, it's so fantastic to have a caring, personable vet and staff in my area. If you live anywhere near this place and need a cat vet, definitely check these guys out.

The best veterinarian experience that my daughter and I have ever had! Dr. Dougherty is not only the consummate professional in the care of cats, his bedside manner is equally kind to the pet and their owner. You can feel your cat is in completely safe hands and that this doctor is really about the complete welfare of your cat, first and foremost.

He will take the time to explain everything so that you understand the recommended path of treatment without intimidating you for having asked your questions. You leave your visit feeling like you have him on your team when it comes to the care of your pet. That being said, I've loved 3 past cats in my life and he helped to care for my most.

The best veterinarian experience that my daughter and I have ever had! Dr. Dougherty is not only the consummate professional in the care of cats, his bedside manner is equally kind to the pet and their owner. You can feel your cat is in completely safe hands and that this doctor is really about the complete welfare of your cat, first and foremost.

He will take the time to explain everything so that you understand the recommended path of treatment without intimidating you for having asked your questions. You leave your visit feeling like you have him on your team when it comes to the care of your pet. That being said, I’ve loved 3 past cats in my life and he helped to care for my most recent, Sweetie Pie who left us Thanksgiving.

We talked about the future when I will bring another darling into my life(when the time is right) and I asked about declawing. This is what I had always done with my cats. I was told that if they are domesticated they don’t need their front claws. I also know it is big business for vets to perform this operation of declawing the animal. Not only was I surprised to learn that Dr. Dougherty does not perform this operation, but that he is 100 percent against it for cruelty reasons.

I had no idea the intensity of the method used until he explained it. Had I known what is involved I never would have declared my last three cats. I also learned that there are terrific alternatives which he offers to manage their nails, even in so far as a “gel” – type manicure they can do every couple of months for you that will coat the nails painlessly, in any color that you would like it is completely safe for the animal and you.

That was when I really understood the humane level of love and caring this veterinarian believes in. If you’re in New York City, Dr. Dougherty is the only vet you need to see. Ever. And if you live in the outer boroughs it’s worth making the trip in to the city for him to care for your cat. Heartfelt thanks for everything Doc!

Dr Dougherty helped us when we were in FL with our beloved 12 year old cat and could not find the medication we had brought for him. We are so grateful to have him as our cat's vet! Our beloved Miko had a peaceful trip back to NYC thanks to DR Dougherty!

Dr Dougherty helped us when we were in FL with our beloved 12 year old cat and could not find the medication we had brought for him. We are so grateful to have him as our cat's vet! Our beloved Miko had a peaceful trip back to NYC thanks to DR Dougherty!

Doctor Dougherty is the best vet Pandora had successful dental work and yesterday she had a rash and we had to take samples and send to the lab she is doing very well and is sitting in the window The cat practice is like no other vet office it is like a home and has no hospital feel There are windows so you can see what is being done to you cat and there is a fire place that is seren I will be back in 7 days