Veterinarian in Austin, Texas?

June 2, 2009 6:34 PM

Recommendations for veterinarians in Austin, Texas please? Ideally somewhere I can get an appointment after 5:00pm or on a weekend. Someone who is good at recommending food for a kitty with a sensitive tummy would be great.

I just need a rabies shot and checkup for my indoor cat, who is about 2.5 years old. She does not have any health problems that I know of, though there is a bit of a food issue that I could use some guidance on. Namely, I tried switching her from Iams kitten to adult food (tried two different kinds, Iams adult and Natural Balance) and she ended up puking all over the place so I put her back on the kitten food. This probably makes me a terrible cat owner, but I've kept her on the kitten food for a couple years now, since she seems like she's still doing well on it. I'm nervous about trying something new, for I fear she will puke her guts out again and be miserable.

So, know any good low-cost vets that offer appointments in the evening or on the weekend? We have a moratorium on using vacation hours at work right now, and I can't use my sick time for kitty-related issues. I have heard of a place, I think it's Animal Trustees of Austin or something, where you can go on the weekend and wait to be seen, but I really want a place where I can make an appointment.

I live in Hyde Park near 45th and Guadalupe, so something closer to me rather than farther would be nice.

posted by marble to Pets & Animals (8 answers total)

We've taken all three of our cats to Burnet Road Animal Hospital and we've been very pleased with them.
posted by puritycontrol at 6:41 PM on June 2, 2009

I'm a big fan of Allandale Veterinary Clinic, which has Saturday hours (and saw my cat in a pinch when we had an emergency). They have great Yelp reviews, which is why I picked them.
posted by snafu at 6:54 PM on June 2, 2009

I absolutely LOVE Dr. Cotnam at the University Animal Clinic on Guadalupe & 37th. He is kind, sweet, loves animals, and is very reasonably priced. The best part? Walk-in hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I've never had to wait for longer than 15 minutes to be seen. I took my cats to him for six years until I moved away. He is one of the best vets I've ever known and he is extremely gentle. He has seen me through putting a cat down and some serious illness in another cat. I highly recommend him.
posted by cachondeo45 at 7:14 PM on June 2, 2009

Crossing Animal Clinic is not too close, on Anderson Mill, but they are open on Saturdays and the vet, Dr. May, is great. He has been treating my family's pets for something like 20 years, dogs and cats. You an often get an appointment on the same day. The most I've paid there (for my dog) is $80 and that included a shot, pills, and an exam including gland expression, but YMMV depending on if something is wrong with your pet.

Animal Trustees is specifically for low-cost care, so if you are on a very tight budget, they may be your best bet.
posted by ishotjr at 7:20 PM on June 2, 2009

I highly recommend Dr. Benaryeh at Spicewood Animal Hospital. You can make appts Saturdays from 8 to 1 pm.
posted by mattbucher at 7:32 PM on June 2, 2009

We used to go to Northwest Hills Animal Clinic (now called "Northwest Hills Animal Hospital") and always had good experiences there. It's in the Far West area.
posted by jayder at 7:42 PM on June 2, 2009

I have previously used University Animal Clinic, where I felt Cotnam was too laissez-faire about treatment, and Brykerwood, where I felt the various vets were prone to make speculative diagnoses with expensive treatments ("try this and see if it works").

I'm now using Austin Veterinary Hospital on I-35 at 32nd, and I like them a lot better. Unfortunately, their hours don't mesh well with yours.
posted by adamrice at 7:33 AM on June 3, 2009

I use Abraham Veterinary Clinic on 18th St., not very far from you. I have been going to them for years and absolutely love them. My cat had a vomiting issue and Dr. Chan recommended a specific food and we've seen great results.
They have appointments available every other Saturday and are open until 5:30 on week nights.
posted by Brody's chum at 4:17 PM on June 3, 2009