Veterinary Services, Animal Hospitals, Veterinarians, Emergency Vets, Small Animal Practice
| Recommended: | yes | 0 | no | 0 |
I've taken my dog here a few times and agree with the reviews saying this is a vet is better for experienced pet owners, and that it's common to leave confused about follow up instructions. When I'd call back with questions (when you can get through--frequently you get the answering machine during business hours because they're on the phone with others) depending on who answered the phone I'd get conflicting information about what my follow up instructions were. When I've gone to pick up medications for my dog I've also been treated as if my questions about how to administer them are a huge inconvenience. While I've heard good things about many of the doctors and certainly some on staff are well-intentioned, I need a vet who's more open/supportive in terms of communicating with clients about their pet's care. I'll be taking my dog elsewhere.
Posted 09/01/09 | Report Abuse
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Due to a move, we recently transferred our dogs veterinary care to the Point Breeze Veterinary Clinic (Dr. Lawrence Gerson). We have been exteremly happy with the move.
We have found Dr. Gerson to be extremely devoted, compassionate and competent in the care he gives to our dogs. It is so nice to find a veterinarian who is willing to take the time to discuss any issues or concern you may have with your pets. Thank you Dr.Gerson for all you do!!! We highly reccomand Point Breeze Veterinary Clinic!
Pros: Exteremly Competent, Commited, Caring Veterinary Practice
Cons: None
Posted 03/19/09
I had a major issue with my cat over the Christmas holidays in 2007 (urinary tract blockage). After spending $2500 at the animal hospital in Monroeville, I picked this vet clinic due to some decent reviews. I liked Dr. Gerson at first. When I brought my cat in, he treated him with medications because he didn't want to do invasive surgery. With it being right before New Year's, he said if my cat had any issues to call him at home. Cat developed a blockage and I didn't want to call him at home, yet I didn't want to spend another $1500 at the 24/7 animal hospital. Well, I called him at home I spoke with his wife and asked for him. She handed him the phone and I proceeded to explain who I was and the situation. He quickly cut me off and told me very rudely that there was nobody named Dr. Gerson, even though I specifically asked his wife for him. I even verified that I dialed the correct number. How rude after telling me to call him at home! What a pompous Richard Cranium. Well, thanks to him, I spent another $1500 at the animal hospital and then went to another vet to do surgery and that cost me an additional $800.
Pros: Office Staff Friendly
Cons: Pompous and rude vets.
Posted 02/10/09
Initially, I took only my rescue dogs to Dr. Gerson because his reputation in the rescue community is superb. As a breeder, former trustee of our breed health foundation and national rescue organization, and a Ph.D-trained researcher, I liked what I saw in the way that Gerson cared for these tragic creatures -- a competent professional who is compassionate but direct, who keeps up to date with changes in veterinary medicine and regularly introduces improvements into his practice (e.g., minimally invasive surgery). As a result of seeing him care for my rescues, I eventually transferred the care of my own 7 Bernese Mountain Dogs to him (I drive in from Mars, PA to do this). The following experience best illustrates why my own dogs, in addition to those that I rescue, are now under his care.
I rescued a very small and very ill Berner pup from a dog auction in Ohio. Gerson quickly diagnosed an intrahepatic liver shunt (thought at that time to be virtually non-existent in the breed - we now know that is not the case and Gerson was part of that discovery process). Because surgery was the puppy's only hope, he referred us to local surgical specialists who said that she would not survive traditional surgery. Gerson remembered a lecture he had heard by a faculty member at U Penn about an experimental surgery for shunts. He called Penn. The pup was accepted into the experimental program and her shunt was corrected successfully with the experimental surgery. Gerson's diagnosis brought national attention to IHPSS in Bernese Mountain Dogs, which stimulated an international (University of Utrecht) hunt for the gene causing the defect in the breed.
Gerson is intellectually curious, careful, not afraid to ask for help, does not play games, and goes the extra mile. I trust him fully with the care of my show, breeding and performance dogs as well as my rescues.
Pros: Quality of care, well trained staff/vets, use of minimally invasive surgical procedures
Cons: The drive in from Mars, PA
Posted 09/09/08
I've taken my animals to Dr. Gerson for the past 10 years. I've always had good experiences there and feel like the staff really cares about me and my pet. The doctors are very compassionate and knowledgeable. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. I would never go anywhere else!
Pros: best doctors and service
Cons: none
Posted 09/01/08
Some very good doctors -- namely Matthias and Simard. But Gerson, however, is a pompous blowhard who enjoys lacks the same depth of knowledge as his staff. I've also had to reject unnecessary procedures that appear only to inflate your bill. Gerson's personality defects pale in comparison to his rude and contemptuous staff. So if you can arrange to only deal with the competent doctors and can avoid the unpleasant staff, this is the place for you. Otherwise, try your luck elsewhere.
Posted 08/09/08
I knew something was wrong with my dog "Mamie," but I didn't realize how bad. The receptionist, Lexi, asked me some questions over the phone, and from that, she determined that I needed to bring Mamie in immediately. She made sure Mamie was seen by a doctor immediately, and I learned later that Lexi's actions saved my dog's life.
The staff at Point Breeze is amazing. This girl isn't a vet, but she knew exactly what to do, and I will forever be grateful to Lexi for her efforts, which have given me more time with Mamie. Thank you, Lexi, and thank you, Point Breeze Veterinary Clinic!
Pros: Lexi, the receptionist, is amazing!
Posted 07/04/08
Dr. Mathias saved my dog's life more than once. She remains calm and tells you like it is. She's honest and thorough. She's not an alarmest. She works very hard and has never let me down. Even if something is suspect with one of my pets, she does the necessary testing to put my mind at ease. I would follow her anywhere. You cannot have a pet and not use her as your vet. I just feel very strongly about that. She has also helped me on many personal endeavors as has Dr. Gerson. I'm telling you, they are like family. Dr. Mathias is young and has basically seen and done it all as far as animal medicine is concerned. If she doesn't have the answer, she will put you in touch with a doctor who does. I've had many emergencies between my dog and my rescue cat and she has always made the time, even when she was booked solid. She is golden in my book. I don't know what I'd do without her.
Posted 04/18/07
After experiencing the care and treatment of the veterinarians at Point Breeze, I would never trust anyone else with my pets. Their level of committment to my pets is evident each time I take one of them in. They are very patient with my constant calling in need of advice or if one of my animals sneezes too many times in one day. They have become like family. You know the saying, if you have children be glad you have Childrens, referring to Children's Hospital? Well, if you have pets, be glad you have Point Breeze Vet Clinic. I've been to a lot of vet hospitals, none compare to that of Point Breeze. Try them, you will see what I mean.
Pros: Highly trained, highly knowledgeable group of professionals, prices are more than fair, very close to my home
Cons: Parking can sometimes be a pain
Posted 04/18/07
My family has been going to this clinic for the last 5 years because its close to where we live, and here's the deal. The vets do know how to treat animals medically. We never doubt that our pets are getting very good medical treatment. But it's true that the vets are not good at communicating with people. We have been willing to give up the later for the convenience of how close this clinic is to our home. But we have had animals for many, many years and know a great deal about them, so we rarely have any questions. Bottom line: probably a very good place for seasoned pet owners who know what they're doing already, but probably not the best place for newer pet owners who need more guidance.
Posted 01/08/07
My parents and I have been going to PBVC for about 20 years. They have 5 cats and I have 3. The staff is friendly and helpful, always willing to squeeze you in if you have an emergency. I am a poor student and the vet always remembers and makes sure not to charge me for the office visit, only for the medicines and vaccinations. Over the years, yes, some of the vets are not people people, but they do know what they are doing and they care for their work. We've had to put down 2 cats over the years and they always are sympathetic and send nice notes after. Give them a chance, they are good vets.
Pros: Good location.
Cons: Small waiting room
Posted 12/28/06
I have visited this clinic 5 times and have had appointments with 2 different vets, and I have had a bad experience every time. The people who sit at the front desk are friendly, but the vets are not at all. They act impatient and flustered if you ask questions, as if they do not have time for you or as if you are questioning their competence when you are really just concerned about your animal. Even if you are intimidated into not asking any questions and only listen, they don't explain anything clearly. They seem to assume you should already know everything and rush you out the door. Every time I visited this clinic in the past year, I left feeling uncertain about how to care for my cats and feeling bad about my experience there. Then when I made a mistake with one of my cats because of the lack of clarity, I was blamed for it at my next visit. I love my cats like I love my children and would follow every instruction to the tee if I were given any clear ones. The vets at this clinic do not seem to understand that people's animals are family members who are loved dearly. People skills are certainly lacking. No where else have I ever been treated as badly or felt as minimized.
Posted 08/31/06
The vet that I saw didnt seem to even like animals. I gave this clinic a few opportunities to prove this initial impression wrong, but they did not. The vet was late to work one day that I had an appointment and seemed completely out of it. If you love your animals like part of your family, dont bother with this place. I was extremely turned off by this vets demeanor.
Posted 08/10/06
We have been using Point Breeze for over 20 years and have no complaints. The doctors and staff know their animals, explain things to you and are friendly. They're terrific.
Posted 07/23/06
This is the first time I haven't felt overcharged at a vet's office. They were really great about not charging me for unnecessary items. (in part because I am a student and I just rescued my cat) But everyone there was so nice and very well informed. They caught my cat's Tape Worm when a lot of places wouldn't have. Both vets that I have dealt with have been very nice.
Pros: Good Value, Freindly
Posted 12/22/04
"I've been in the Pgh area for three years now, and when ..."
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