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January 2024 by Andy C.
I much appreciate the work of the Vinegar Hill vet team, as they treated my dog when she ate some bad food. However, they stopped "being able to" prescribe her medication (not related to the bad food) after a few months because I hadn't taken her in for a full check up during that time. I don't think my dog needs a full check up, as she was very healthy from her last check up -- I think the vet just wanted to make me pay for another appointment.
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December 2023 by Leah N.
I've been taking my dogs to Vinegar Hill for years now. Between three dogs, ranging in age over the years from tiny puppy to geriatric, we've seen every doctor in the practice and been to both offices. This is my favorite of all the veterinary clinics I've been to in my lifetime, and my family has always had dogs so I've known a *lot* of vets. Every veterinarian at Vinegar Hill has been knowledgeable, and patient with my (sometimes lengthy, nervous) questions. Sweet, gentle, and caring to my dogs. It's extraordinary to me, in fact, the high level combination of professionalism and kindness across the board, with this number of vets. Even seeing different vets at different times, the care still feels very personal. Vets are accessible, and have always called me back very timely when I've had a question. The vet techs have all been lovely without fail! The front desk staff, especially at the Columbia Place location (our usual) is warm and welcoming and extremely reassuring. Pricing is scrupulously transparent. They take time to explain estimates for procedures. I've never been jump-scared by a bill at the end of an appointment! Most recently, I took my dog there for a necessary tooth extraction and dental cleaning, which required full anesthesia. I was so nervous about having my tiny dog "put under," but the vet and staff at Vinegar Hill took such good care of Suki (and of me, the worried dog mom!) that my worrying was totally calmed. And now Suki is in fine fettle, less one deciduous tooth that refused to come out on its own, with sparkling white teeth and way better breath. I trust Vinegar Hill to take care of my most precious best friends; I'm so relieved to have this trustworthy, experienced practice to rely on!
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December 2023 by Maxwell D.
Absolute joke of a practice. Clearly run by a business person, not a vet. Charge for things that never happen, charge for drugs that are not given. Performed an exam to check for a tumor on the wrong part of the body, had to go back. Have spent thousands here, yet they still insist on charging $50 if I need to move my appointment around.
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August 2023 by Jessica P.
Do not recommend this place for avian services. Took our small bird and while there asked for a wing trim. Technician cut wings incorrectly. After 5 years of flying, our bird can't properly land and therefore can't fly anymore without injury as a direct result. Will take a year for the feathers to grow back and recover. It's really basic avian knowledge and their staff should've known better.
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July 2023 by Alfonso J.
If you want a place that prioritizes your pets over money, then please look elsewhere. This is not the place. The doctor spent 3 minutes with me out of the 120 minutes I was there and charged me $300 in additional charges. Prior to my appointment, I called to ask how much it would cost for my dog to be certified to travel internationally. The receptionist said it would be $220 for the two appointments and would not include any additional charges. They initially told me that they would charge me $110 per appointment, but I got slapped with an extra $300 only after the second appointment. Imagine calling a business to inquire about costs and receiving a figure that's only 40% of the total. Not even after the first appointment did they send me an estimate or mention the additional $300 fee. This business is super efficient at collecting their money, way more than any other vet I've been to, but they lack transparency and integrity. They send you texts with links so you pay in advance for all appointments or deposits. When I disputed this surprise $300 fee, I only asked for them to refund one of the appointments ($110). I would still give them the $110 for the first appointment and the $300 for the USDA, but they still refused. They wouldn't even budge for $100 dollars despite their lack of clarity throughout the whole process. And this is the part that broke my heart. They told me they would not be moving forward with the certification because they didnt feel "comfortable" -- effectively stranding my dog for three months without me. I asked the manager how she felt working for bosses that were this callous about putting a dog on the line for 3 months because they couldn't even recognize $100 (I wasn't even asking for $300). I asked her if she felt this was unethical and how she felt working with people like that. She was shaking, and I could tell she wasn't happy there. It was clear she was just in a tough position of being the messenger. What kind of veterinarian office tells you that you need to pay this surprise $300 fee because there is no option to go to another vet anymore? An exploitative one. The vet had already witnessed my dog taking his anti tick medicine, so I couldn't go to another vet and repeat that. If I didn't pay the fee, I would effectively be forced to leave my dog in NYC while I would need to be on another continent for 3 months. I had no choice but to sign the waiver they presented, stating that I would not dispute the bill. I repeat: If you want to go to a place that cares about your pets and not about money, don't go to Vinegar Hill. The doctor spent 3 minutes with me out of the 120 minutes I was there (yes two hours, the first with lots of waiting and the second with back and forth between the manager and me as she went to compare notes withe her bosses). Just avoid this place. It's not for people who love their pets.
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June 2023 by Rodrigo N.
After trying out a couple vets in Cobble HIll/Brooklyn Heights, I found Vinegar Hill to be the champion in the area. Until today. I took my dog to an exam on 09/07/2022. Three months later, on 12/12 I took him back for a vaccine. Pay attention to this part because it's important: had I NOT asked the price they would have charged me for the vaccine AND $110 for another exam, which he obviously didn't need. I politely said: "I only need the vaccine." And that was that. Cut to June 2023. I made an appointment for a vaccine. Not a consultation, a vaccine (see picture!) I even wrote on the notes VACCINE ONLY, to avoid what happened in the last visit. After all, it's been LESS THAN A YEAR since his exam . I got a text confirming the appointment and asking me to fill out a form. I replied saying I had already filled out the form and, once again, stressed that I was taking him for VACCINE ONLY. But when I got there, they wanted to charge me for an exam. When I said I didn't want it, they REFUSED to vaccinate my dog. I was dumbfounded. The receptionist, extremely kind as always, told me it was their policy (which, by the way, was NEVER mentioned to me.) I got angry. Please understand, I wasn't pissed-and-yelling-angry. That's not my style. Just indignant-New-York-angry whenever people are trying to charge you for something you didn't ask. I asked the vet if he agreed with the policy and he said he did. But when I asked him what exactly was the policy... "Six months?" He DIDN'T KNOW the answer (even though he agreed.) I kindly said that I would try to get a vaccine elsewhere. For real. I was kind. I even asked them for a referral, which they gave me! Then, I asked if I could have my deposit back. And that's when the practice owner comes out: she doesn't even talk to me, she barely looks at me, and says: "We will keep your deposit and you go take your dog somewhere else." I was flabbergasted. First off, I tried to de-escalate the situation. I volunteer teaching children with learning disabilities, so I know a thing or two about de-escalation. I explained to her that this was news to me and that I wasn't prepared to pay $110 for an exam now. I was indeed planning to bring for the exam in September, but now I couldn't afford these extra $110 since I'm unemployed I'm on a budget. "I'm not interested in my personal story," she said. And then she threatened to deny me service. This is the part where I SCREAM from the top of my lungs, angry at someone who was clearly using her power... No, I didn't do that. Like I said, it's not my style. Also, leaving would just be more costly for me. May I remind you she refused to give me back my deposit. So I took a deep breath, succumbed to her and decided to pay for the whole thing. And this is where it gets worse. Because I don't deal well with negativity, I tried to bury the hatchet before leaving. I tried to explain to her that their policy wasn't clear. I tried showing her my phone with the text saying that I only wanted the vaccine. I even tried to apologize saying "I'm sorry if I upset you..." But I couldn't finish the sentence because she turned her back and walked away. As I'm writing this review, I'm still puzzled about what happened. I could imagine she was having a really bad day because something awful happened to a loved one. I could imagine that this privileged, rich straight white woman just couldn't stomach a queer Latin immigrant telling her about his financial reality. I could imagine she thought she was right even though I communicated many times I didn't want an exam AND didn't know about the policy. I could imagine many things, but I guess I'll never know. The only thing I can do is hope. Hope that this person grows from her actions and doesn't do this to another person like me. It's not the first time that a straight white woman uses her privilege to belittle a queer Latin immigrant an
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June 2023 by patricia g.
TLDR: These people essentially killed my dog and keep sending us appointment reminders. About six months ago, We brought my best friend Shirley, an 11 year old mixed breed in on an emergency visit. After being a normal active dog only the night before, she woke up, vomited and was shaking. We called immediately and they told us we could come in for an emergency appointment-- with an emergency fee. This was our vet for routine care, and we paid the premium prices here for instances just like this. I should have walked away when another customer came in during our wait, saying they had ripped him off, or when another patient next to me called the young male vet "dr death" like an idiot, I stayed, trusting the Dr. We then waited precious hours on what was supposed to be an emergency visit to receive an X-ray that we were told might be indicative of cancer. We were asked to wait for an ultrasound. HOURS went by. Our dog was put last at the end of a line of long term patients with chronic issues (we know, bc our friends happened to be their w their beloved cat, known to be in kidney failure, for a follow up ultrasound and went before us) We were seperated from our dog this entire time. When I tried to peek in the room to see my dog , only to see her writhing in pain as they tried to give the ultrasound these people covered the window with paper. Over an hour later, our dog was returned to us a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT much sicker animal. We were told to rush to AMC. The docs at AMC did their best-- but Shirley had pancreatitis. 2 days, 20k, and a massive surgery later, our best friend died. TIME WAS OF THE ESSENCE and this was not at all explained to us, or we would have immediately left the practice. We were told we had a dog with cancer or an intestinal blockage and asked to wait. I never made an issue out of this-- paid the large bill they sent for their irresponsible "care" and everything-- but I have continually been getting notices for check ups and continuing services for her despite asking them to stop. Is it their fault my dog got pancreatitis? Of course not. Could they have predicted it during our routine care? Likely no. But did they have a responsibility to tell me the worst case scenario of what could have been wrong w my dog as soon as they got that first X-ray? YES. Should they have provided true emergency care with emergency triage after advertising (and charging for) their service as such, YES. There is a good chance that if those hours weren't wasted, our girl would have lived. I will never ever forgive myself for trusting them. Please, if you love your dog DO NOT GO HERE. Also, as I learned, if your dog wakes up suddenly ill, go to AMC -- do not use your regular vets emergency services. I wish I had known this, it might have saved my girl.
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December 2022 by Sabrina A.
Worst Vet ever! They do not care about the dogs health but only about money. I took my dog in because he had something on his paw. Dr Neuman tells me is most likely cancer without testing and if it was not cancer that it was something else that I was not understanding. When I asked her to clarify she did not want to tell me and told me to google it. We discussed doing an Xray only. When I went to pay the bill was so high, and I asked them to clarify and they told me they did a biopsy to his paw without asking my permission. They let my dog come out with a bloody paw, and after they did the biopsy the foot was infected and took 3 months to heal. Turns out it was not even cancer. They also try to get more money from you for international certificates by telling you they have a new procedure which consist of you telling them where you are traveling and they want to charge you an extra 110$ (another grab for money) but then they tell you they have a very low success rate at getting it endorsed by the usda. Do not recommend at all. Dr Neuman and Dr Adelman are rude and entitled and the worst vets ever
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December 2022 by Robert V.
Absolute horror show. They charge you for the full amount of the appointment in advance, calling it a "deposit to secure your appointment" without telling you how much they are charging you. I had to ask how much the charge was and for me it was $110.00. They also don't share with you that the same day appointment "deposit" is not refundable. I had to ask AFTER they took my money. When I got a call back from the doctor, I complained about the practice. I was told that since "I was not respectful by telling them how much to charge for a deposit" they cancelled my appointment, knowing that it could mean the death of my pet. Completely unethical and unprofessional. I would give 0 stars if I was allowed by Yelp.
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September 2022 by Richert S.
I brought my cat in for a checkup, and I feel like she aged 5 years in the 15 minutes she spent with the doctor. My cat came home with a limp that hasn't cleared up in the months following. I have left messages that haven't been returned, I was told they'd look into a house visit for follow up care and never received a call. When I've called to tell them what was going on they seem to have no feelings whatsoever about it. I called to get her records so find out which leg they would have drawn blood from to see if that may have correlated to the limp and they don't even record it. You've done actual harm to my cat and shown no interest in helping me diagnose or treat what you caused. Don't go here, honestly you may regret it and be in a very difficult position with very little power to prove wrong doing even though you see it everyday when your cat can't put weight on her foot.
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September 2022 by Jen S.
WORST VET EVER I brought my guinea pig here a year ago because he wasn't eating they gave me medicine and the next following day he was throwing up blood. I contacted them and they told me to bring my guinea pig back in so I brought him back in and they continue giving him medicine after medicine the day after my guinea pig PASSED I called them and contacted them regarding the passing and all they can say is they have a crematory package for me to pay for ,they did not say sorry . I would never recommend anyone to bring anything that they love to this place
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September 2022 by Doe S.
I've been taking my beloved fur companions to Vinegar Hill since 2008 (yes 2008) and am very pleased with them. In particular, Dr. Neuman seems to have what I call the "skill of diagnosis": I've had her examine my pet and instinctively know what is wrong. Believe me, this is a gift. Often times vets shy away from a firm diagnosis, leaving the patient to go from specialist to specialist ($$$$$) to obtain a diagnosis. This is not to say Dr. Neuman doesn't refer to specialists. She does. The irony is that after I've seen the specialist, Dr. Neuman was right. The vets there are all wonderful: Dr. Adelman, Dr. Pallat, Dr. Gowda. They treat my animal companions with respect and allow me to be a part of the decision making process concerning their care. The vet techs are skilled, polite and efficient. And the support staff are equally polite and professional. When deciding on someone as important as a vet, remember you get what you pay for. If you cut corners with cheap pet store vets, you may very well find yourself going to a place like Vinegar Hill for a professional exam. Now you've spent twice the money! Thank you to everyone at Vinegar who has treated my precious fur companions and me with love and respect.
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August 2022 by Patricia K.
See photo. Other review took the words out of my mouth. Do not even think of asking a question there. Or care about the spelling of your name... because according to front desk, it doesn't matter anyway. Some other reviews here mention their disregard for proper records as well. I'm simply disgusted with their disregard for animal guardians, their clients, their patients and animal rescues as well. So much disgusting detail to include. Please feel free message me here to call me direct. When I gain some time to explain here, believe I absolutely will. They will gaslight you and you will feel like you are in a mad circus please stay away. There's a greater veterinary world out there. L some words of Dr. Neuman, an owner, included "...I will rip that contact lense out of that dog's eye...". Same contact lense she put in that made his eye bloodshot red anyway. and that was the least of it. Dr. Neuman threatened a huge animal rescue to discontinue her work with them if I post this review as I told Dr. Neuman in a whispered tone outside her establishment that she has left me with no other way to express myself than a yelp review. Which she replied to in a hormone raged teenage girl tone "well then I'll be writing one about you too!" (Proofs available) I was not going to post this. Until, recently, I had someone else call in for vet record of visit to avoid any more insanity. They gave it up actually without even asking the caller for their name or relationship to the dog. Upon reviewing it, the record had about three paragraphs reporting their internal drama. I called back asking to simplify the record so it can stick to only the medical history (none taken or asked about) and notes on diagnosis and treatment. ask to correct the name (asked for my name on phone, not a rescue I simply mentioned I work with, And the notes on intake were incorrect !!) so whoever answered goes oh it's you!!!! No!!!!! We are not correcting a thing !!!!! Again, you can not finish a sentence there. You will be stampeded. And I had to use this UNIQUE record as the animal was my main concern and waste time explaining some other vet's chaotic and malicious environment. More soon when I'm relieved by helping the currently 22 animals Ive rescued to a loving home. Please note, as an animal rescuer I've for sure been to over a hundred vet visits from here to deep in NJ this year alone. The entire staff at vinegar hill has not a care in a world for you or your pet. their egos are both humongous and fragile. They really do have a crazed rage about them all like the other reviews say. It's hard to describe and believe unless you suffer their lunacy. Again, as this review began, do not speak, offer an opinion or ask questions. I truly have worry for the animals that they take behind those swing doors. I remember hearing my rescue dog foster (noted as my own pet in their notes) scream as they picked him. He is the gentlest mush ever- so from the start they have rough energy. Fun fact: vinegar hill has long history of declawing cats. So when the reviews constantly say they are in it for the money, believe them.
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June 2022 by Sharlamaine W.
Absolutely love this place. Staff are very meticulous. My Guinea pig Simba, is never in distress after being seen. And the most important part is the price of services are very reasonable.
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April 2022 by Jillian M.
I just saw Dr. Palatt for an examination of my beautiful golden hamster. Finding veterinary care for small animals, like hamsters, is surprisingly challenging, as most clinics cater to dogs and cats. But I was very impressed with the friendliness of the staff, and the knowledgeability of Dr. Palatt. She gave my hamster a wonderful examination, and offered to prescribe medicines if his symptoms change in the coming weeks without having to rebook an appointment. Wonderful! She was also very kind and said many nice things about my hamster. And so, I highly recommend Vinegar Hill Veterinary Group for small animals care!
