You can email Dr. Fede at dogncatgirl@yahoo.com to find out where she's working now.

Good luck with your kitty.

Does anyone know where Dr. Cynthia Thornton, newly named Cynthia Fede, relocated? She used to be at the animal hospital on Westside. She saved my cat's life last year even while getting married and honeymooning. My little FIV kitty is fighting for her life once again. The hospital won't tell me where she went only that she had a baby and relocated to another hospital. This is an urgent matter so if you have any info., please respond. I know Dr. Santiago, another former JC vet, who is now in EAst Orange is good also, but I trust Dr. T with surgery and my little one may need surgery.

I actually have to give a thumbs down to Westside. My dog was acting really sick a few months ago, in obvious pain put still eating ok. I took him in and he was examined by the doc, then the tech came in with a list of possible things to do - blood test, xray, urine test etc. I appreciated the cost-consciousness, but I was given absolutely no guidance and the vet wouldn't give me any ideas on what the problem could be or which procedures would be most valuable.

In the end I opted for the less-invasive things, went back twice and still the vet couldn't tell me what was going on. My poor dog was deteriorating and shaking from serious pain.

Finally we rushed him to an emergency clinic in manhattan where the vet quickly diagnosed him with disc disease and gave him some major painkillers and prescribed crate rest. Why couldn't the westside vet even give us an inkling that this could be the problem? We wasted $500 and two weeks with them.

Maybe they're fine for routine visits but I wouldn't trust them for anything more serious.

I also recommend Westside. I've seen a few of the vets there with my dog, and they're always very nice and clearly care about the comfort of the animals. After the vet examines your pet, the assistant comes in with an itemized list of recommendations and what they will cost. You have the option to choose which ones you'd like to do that day, so there are no surprises when you get out your credit card to pay. And they've never argued with me when I've opted not to do something (though thankfully I've never been in a situation that's life threatening at this vet's office).

My one complaint is that they have you wait a long, long time. Then they'll call you in and have you wait a long, long time in the exam room. And there are no magazines to read. Minor, I know.

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Tudor used to care, or at least seemed like he did. I sang his praises for years because I thought he went out of his way not to nickel-and-dime me to death with extra fees and useless blood tests.

Now it seems he's done a complete 180. The last time I went there (and believe me, it was the last time) he recommended some pricey bloodwork for my healthy-but-old cat. When I questioned the necessity of such extensive tests, he fixed me with an icy stare and spat out something to the effect of "well, if you don't care about your pet..."

What makes this so obnoxious is the fact that he had been treating my chronically ill dog for over a year, to the tune of $500 or more a month. I'm the last person he could accuse of skimping on a pet's health.

Dick.

For Emergencies late at night there is also a 24hour vet in NYC at 5th Ave. and 15th Street. The exact address is 1 West 15th. Street. 212-924-3311. Probably closer than most places if there is no traffic.

http://www.fifthavevetspecialists.com/

For basic services (non emergency) the only places I would ever bring my dog within Hudson County is..

Dr Fedi (Westside Animal Hospital) She is my long term vet and is proficient the breed I have and her rare genetic disease. I interviewed over 15 vets before I decided on her and I have zero regrets. My Akita is now close to 14 years old.

Dr Hatch (Secaucus) Dr Brady was my long term vet for my prior dog and sold the practice to Dr Hatch. I have only heard positive things.

* For basic shots I must give some +1's to Dr Bloom who is doing the wellness clinic at Liberty Humane. Smart, kind, gentle man. I brought my diva kitty there for her routine shots and a nail trim and she was all lovie- dovie with him.

If you don't mind traveling East Brunswick is excellent.

If you ever have a serious emergency especially after hours
Oradell
Lyndhurst

Thanks Vigilante!

Really?!?
Wow this guy really cares doesn't he?
Its frustrating because I think most people only end up going there because its within walking distance.

Thanks i_love_toricos and croft for the recommendations.
I've heard a few good things about Westside now, so I think I'll be heading there.

I go to a great vet in East Brunswick. They are also cheap compared to anything around here. I have heard great things about Dr. Santiago in East Orange. Others have spoken highly of the doctors at Westside and in Secaucus. BTW? In a case of possible poisoning for dogs you can call the ASPCA hotline at 888-426-4435. They will charge your credit card but they are great at guiding you through inducing vomiting when it's necessary and advising you went it is not.

What is it with this guy?

Our black lab ate a pound a half of grapes last year (TOXIC), and when my husband brought her in to Tudor's office at 1 pm on a Wednesay, Tudor informed him that we'd be billed for an emergency visit ($75 extra), because this was during the office's lunch time. (Lunch time lasts 2 hours at the office.)
When my husband gently protested (pointing out that time was of the essence and we didn't have the option of returning after lunch), Tudor said something like, "look, we don't have to treat your dog" and told him to go somewhere else.

We wound up going to Tudor's Hoboken branch and got the same stupid $75 charge, but at least Tudor himself wasn't there. The staff in Hoboken is much nicer.

That said, we now drive to the vets over on Westside. They're VERY nice and more affordable. (Of course, when you're talking about pet care, "affordable" is a relative term.)

We'll never go back to Tudor's office if we can help it.

Dr. Santiago at East Orange Animal Hospital...he's a drive, but worth it. Read his reviews online.

We had a very weird experience at the the Downtown Vet on 1st Street this morning. Our dog is allergic to either the Rabies shot or Distemper (we don't know which one because both prior times they have been given at the same time). On Saturday, I took him in to get just the Distemper. Instead, they decided to do blood work (known as titers) to see if he already had the antibodies so that he didn't have to have the shot. Unfortunately, the vet forgot to mention that the bloodwork is three times as expensive as the shot. My wife is a newly stay at home mom, so every penny counts, so we opted for the shot since she would be at home and able to watch him for any reaction (We did this the previous time when Rabies and Distemper were given together, and they were fine with it). The vet said no problem and told us to bring him back today to get the shot.

We brought him back this morning to get the shot and were told they would only do the titers. After some question asking and some research into our bank account, we said to go ahead and do the titers. Then the director, Dr. Michael Tuder, decided we were being too much trouble and said they wouldn't perform anything. He nor the doctor came in to let me know this, they instead sent the office manager in to tell me this. And she wasn't able to answer why I was no longer able to get the titers. She instead just offered me my dog's records with a letter of other vets that I could go to.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? He also runs the Hoboken Animal Infirmary. Anyone else find it crazy that I can't ask questions without getting kicked out of the vet? Any recommendations for a new vet? We have a car, so it doesn't have to be within walking distance.
By the way, I have been going to this vet with my two dogs for 4 years now. I would think he would at least want to try and keep my business.

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I didn't used to feel gouged at Downtown. In fact, I would sing their praises for being so reasonable. But it seems like lately it's getting out of hand. I questioned the need for an expensive blood test recently (after spending - literally - many thousands of dollars on pet care there) and Dr. Tudor had the gall to give me that "well, if you *cared* about your pet's health..." routine. I wanted to throw my wallet at his head.

I still think their quality of care is good, but I'm ready to check out some place equally capable but less spendy. Thanks for the recommendations, everybody.

I also recommend Secaucus Animal Hospital. I have seen both Dr. Hatch and Dr. Cavedo, and they are both great vets. Better than most human doctors. They look at the whole picture, and a more holistic approach to care. (And by that, I mean they look at what is going on with the entire body, and working from there, rather than just the obvious issue.)

You can tell that they both love animals and really care about giving the best treatment.

Also, although the office visit fee is the same as Downtown Vets, all in all they are less expensive, because they seem to take a more wait and see approach. I took my animals to Downtown for a long time, and the standard there was to test for everything, and then see what happened. I love my pets, but it did wind up being very expensive, and a lot of what they did felt unnecessary. Also, a lot of the vets there would push products on you, which I didn't like.

There was a thread on this some time ago worth reading. I no longer bring my pets to Downtown either, (I explain in the thread below). I now go to Westside. Good luck!

http://jclist.com/modules/newbb/viewt ... =ASC&type=&mode=0&start=0

My friend took her 7 year old dog to the Downtown Vet for a teeth cleaning. The Vet ordered a series of pre-tests one week before because the dog was "older"and had to be put under for the procedure. The day of the cleaning, she gets a second bill for the same pre-test. When she asked about it, she got a hostile response and a totally negative attitude. She never did get her money back so a routine teeth cleaning cost more than $500. She never went back.

I don't think any dog owner who truly loves their pet would EVER compromise their dog's health. But there are super expensive vets who order ever procedure under the sun, and there are responsive vets who know how to heal a sick pet. Super expensive is not always better. But, if super expensive makes YOU feel good, then go for it.

...for my dog, I would have spent whatever I had to. I went to Downtown Veterinarian Associates twice with my dog, and both times I found the Doctors rude. I think it's about the chemistry between the owner, the pet and the vet as well.

I don't know how much people are expecting to spend at the Vet but it's is just expensive. I go to the Downtown Vet and I really like it. They know us and our cats. They are really nice and the prices are pretty standard. I have been to vets in Massachusetts, Long Island, NYC, Chatham, and here in JC and they are all about the same price.

I have never had inconclusive tests. They are always really good about getting back to us very quickly. I found out my cat was sick and they actually brought me into the back, sat me down and spent 20 minutes going over what everything meant and what we could do to help the cat. We did it and the cat is healthy now. They air on the side of caution but I think when it comes to your pet you would prefer that.

They are probably my favorite vet I have ever gone too. I wouldn't go discount shopping for a vet. If you can find a great one for less money great but don't compromise the animals comfort or health to save some money.

I HIGHLY recommend Secaucus Animal Hospital. Dr. Cavedo is wonderful and thorough, and they treat your pets as you would. Reasonably priced as well. Dr. Cavedo and her staff are very compassionate. We had to put our dog to sleep and the staff and Dr made it as painless as possible for both my dog and for us.

Dr. Michael Santiago
East Orange Animal Hospital
973-676-7799

Excellent vet, extremely attentive, and great personal service

Dr. John Hatch
Secaucus Animal Hospital
(201)867-4795

The absolute best!! Kind. Compassionate. Patient. Knows his stuff and knows when to recommend treatment.

He seems to have a very special connection (empathy) to the animals he treats. He never pushed a treatment or a medication. And when needed, he is an excellent surgeon. He removed a tumor from one of my dog's eyelid's and it healed perfectly. You would never know there was a problem. Been going to him for years now and never regretted one moment.

He actually manages to calm down my more skittish dog right before my eyes. And this is a 100 lb dog who is absolutely terrified of the hospital's front door!!!

Tell him that Remy and Marty said Hello! We can't say enough good things about Dr. Hatch and Dr. Cavuto.

x1000!

Dr. Hatch is the best vet ever! And Dr. Cavito is awesome too.

Highly, highly recommend them both.

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Reasonable... Doesn't "nickel and dime" clients into getting every treatment, vaccine, and special food.

They treated my rescue foster dogs for everything from parasites to severe injuries. Both doctors are highly competent and compassionate.


Dr. Hatch and Dr. Cavito
1250 Paterson Plank Rd
Secaucus, NJ 07094
(201) 867-4795


http://www.yelp.com/biz/secaucus-animal-hospital-secaucus

I'm on the hunt for a new vet for my pup. One that's reasonable, kind and caring. I've been going to the Downtown Vet in Jersey City and am not willing to keep going there. Any good vet recommendations in the area?

Go to JC Animal Hospital on West Side ave, we use them for our dog and they are always good with him even though he is not friendly with strangers. Whatever you do, stay away from the animal hospital in Hoboken, they will rip you like crazy.

Yes, Dr. Hatch from Secaucus Animal Hospital is wonderful.

If you have a car, I highly recommend Secaucus Animal Hospital. There are two vets there, Dr. Hatch and Dr. Cavedo. I really like them both. Dr. Hatch is a bit more on the holistic side, if that matters to you. You can tell that everyone there cares deeply about animals.

I used to go to Downtown Vets, but left when the vet I really liked moved. You tend to get shuffled around to several different vets there, and it definitely is pricey there.

I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Cynthia Fede at JC Animal Hospital. She's smart, compassionate, super nice, and completely reasonable re: fees. I took my kittens for an initial checkup and when I took them back a week later, she didn't charge me b/c I had just been there and it was more of a making sure they were ok. Love her!

Thanks, triscuit & aurora. I appreciate the feedback. I guess we'll take her to Downtown Vets and just think it through if it seems like they're trying to pump us for money.