The Cat Hospital of Durham and Chapel Hill

Reviews

Hannah Holtz

Dr. Szymkowski is an incredible doctor and all the staff are wonderful. I have an elderly cat named Kyle with a few medical problems and they are always very attentive to his (numerous) needs. Dr. S is also really responsive when I have questions about Kyle's care needs and takes the time to thoroughly explain his test results. Also, I absolutely love that they only see cats as patients because I can tell that really reduces the stress of vet visits for Kyle and my other cats. For instance, it is usually stressful taking my cat Derek to the vet, but the first time I took him here, he was not stressed out at all. This made for a much more pleasant visit for him. I highly recommend this vet hospital!

Ganine Van Alst

I had an appointment yesterday, May 14th, for a second opinion for my cat. Appointment was at 3:00 pm. Shortly around noon I get a call from the receptionist telling me that the vet reviewed the records I had sent over from my previous vet and my cat would have to have a rabies booster when seen that afternoon for "the protection of the staff." If I didn't agree to the booster I'd have to reschedule for a time after he obtained a booster. I explained that he was in a lot of pain in his legs and back (why I was getting a second opinion) and I didn't want him to get a booster right now. Receptionist was insistent. My cat is indoor only and extremely low risk for rabies. I asked how getting a booster that afternoon would protect the staff anyway if he did bite someone at the appointment (he isn't symptomatic for rabies, either, and from my understanding an animal can only transmit the virus when symptomatic). Receptionist said she didn't understand medically how a booster would help and said she'd get the vet on the phone to explain it. The vet got on the phone and repeated that it was for the protection of the staff. I again asked how his getting boosted that afternoon would protect the staff from rabies. When she couldn't explain how she then changed the explanation to it was for insurance reasons and mumbled something about her insurance provider not being happy if a staff member was bit by an unvaccinated cat. Again, I don't understand how boosting him during the visit would help. She said in the eyes of the law it did make a difference. I again explained he was in a lot of pain and I didn't think it would be good to give him the vaccination right now. She then told me if he was in so much pain to take him to an emergency vet. I explained they were expensive, that he already has seen at a vet, and I just wanted a second opinion. She replied with a snicker that it wouldn't be too much more expensive to take my cat to an ER than my taking my cat to her. She told me to find another vet that didn't have the policy of requiring a rabies booster. I told her to find another profession and hung up. I feel it was very unprofessional to call me the day of the appointment and mandate I have a booster given at the appointment that day. After her explanation of why a booster was required I question her clinical judgment and feel she did me a favor. Requiring a rabies booster for a cat in pain doesn't seem like sound medical judgment. She lied initially about it being to protect her staff from rabies, then pivoted to it being about insurance when she couldn't explain how medically it would protect her staff. Her quip about an emergency vet being not too much more expensive than taking him to her practice was insensitive to the realities of what many pet owners are dealing with today in the form of extremely expensive veterinary care. Having to now wait for an appointment at another vet might result in my having no choice but to go to an ER if my cat further declines. I'm not happy at all with what happened. Update to address owner response: I was not specifically seeking "emergency pain relief." I was seeking a second opinion for my cat in chronic pain. Not the same thing. To phrase it as "pain medication seeking owners" is to try and frame me as some sort of drug-seeking client, which I am not. I was going to you to hopefully find/treat the source/cause of his chronic pain. Also, I never said my cat was imminently "dying." He is gradually declining; I was trying to find out why to stop him from getting to the point where emergency care was needed. The comment about being "irrespective of cost" shows just how out of touch/insensitive you are to the reality many pet owners face when needing care for their pets now-a-days. Many pet owners love their pets; it is devastating to have to consider finances when trying to help them, but costs of veterinary care has sky rocketed and costs at emergency clinics can quickly get very high. So, for many, it cannot be "irrespective of cost" since the costs can be outside their reach.

Samantha Walker

Worked for cat vets for over 10 years and I wouldn't bring my cats anywhere else! We moved to Burlington and making the drive because it's HARD to find really good vets Dr. S and Dr. E are both AMAZING! Very compassionate for both humans and cats but honestly it's clear your cat is their priority and when it comes to a vet I personally want it that way!!! They also deliver exceptional customer service so it's perfect in my mind

A K

I love coming to this vet. Since it is cats only, it’s a much calmer experience for my little kitties because there are no big noisy dogs in the waiting room or in the back. All of the staff here is very nice, vets and vet techs and front desk staff. Everyone is courteous and helpful. They were even sweet and friendly after dealing with my very nasty young cat who gave them a hell of a time in the back! Dr. Szymkowski has seen us through three cats. She always gives us the information we need to make a decision and lets us know the costs upfront so that we can be informed. She doesn’t try to sway us to do anything we’re not comfortable with and explains the risks/expectations involved with all our decisions. She saw us through the loss of our precious Lenny and has helped us with MewMew’s various adventures and health scares. I recommend this vet to all of my cat mommy friends! Thank you Cat 🐱 Hospital!

Pam Fuqua

They saved Henrys life. I can't tell you how amazing this place is.Thank God I found them.

Ronald McKenzie

Literally saved my cats life. I had been taking my cats to another vet and watching them slowly deteriorate. One cat was beyond helping but the other has been put on a special diet and is growing and gaining weight again. They also are wonderful with the feral cat that I adopted. Tiger doesn't object to going to the vets. They've managed to figure out a great way of keeping the clients healthy and safe during the covid epidemic. I can't say enough about these wonderful caring people.

Write review

Name*

Email Address*

Rating* 1 ⭐ 2 ⭐⭐ 3 ⭐⭐⭐ 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review

Send
 

Business Hours
Monday:08:00AM - 18:00PMTuesday:08:00AM - 18:00PMWednesday:08:00AM - 18:00PMThursday:08:00AM - 18:00PMFriday:08:00AM - 18:00PMSaturday:08:00AM - 12:00PMSunday:Closed

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot
• Wheelchair accessible restroom

Amenities

• Restroom

Planning

• Appointments recommended

Categories

Services