Cats Only Veterinary Hospital — Local services in Norristown

Dr. Ask is an awful human being, in my opinion, based on my one and only interaction with him and the "Cats Only Veterinary Hospital". I was driving my husband to work on 9/17/15 when we came across a kitten in the road who had been obviously hit by a car. It was writhing around, struggling to move. I stopped my car, peeled off my favorite hoodie (an expensive Christmas gift) and wrapped the bloodied kitten up in it and put it in my car. Frantically, I searched my phone for a nearby Vet's office...it was too early, and none would be open for at least an hour. I then thought of this place - Cats Only Veterinary Hosp. I was sure they would help and RUSHED this kitten there. However, when I got there, the front desk person ended up telling me unless I paid the vet bills, I had to leave WITH the kitten. I again explained that this was not my cat and I was only trying to get it someone who could help it- trying to do the right thing. As they say, "No good deed goes un-punished." At a loss for what to do, I simply apologized and left the office. Before I could get to my car in the parking lot, Dr. Ask comes running out, kitten wrapped up in his hands, and then literally tries to SHOVE this INJURED KITTEN into my chest repeatedly, screaming "Take the cat!" Meanwhile, this injured kitten is meowing and shaking while Dr. Ask is ramming it into my chest. Keep in mind, this kitten had (from what I could see) a broken hind leg, open wounds on it's hind end complete with maggots crawling in and out of the wound, and it had soiled itself pretty badly...and this "Dr." is shoving it, violently, at me. I was so shocked, I called the police!!! (So did the Vet's office). The police came - Officer Anderson of the Norristown Police Dept. deserves PRAISE and CREDIT for being the one to actually take ACTION to help. She contacted the local S.P.C.A. (which Cats Only Vet never bothered to do), to see if they would come pick this kitten up. However, they couldn't pick the kitten up but Officer Anderson made sure this kitten got help by facilitating my delivering this cat to the Montgomery County S.P.C.A.. Now, I understand there are laws and rules that Veterinary Hospitals must follow - no argument from me on that. My problem is the NASTY and VIOLENT actions of Dr. Ask. I have never seen someone who is supposed to care about the welfare of animals carelessly shoving an injured kitten around like that. It was beyond absurd. There was a client in the office during this whole event. She drove out of the parking lot looking like she was in shock (as she had seen the injured kitten when I first walked into the office - and heard what happened to it). Dr. Ask awkwardly waves at her with a fake smile and she just kept going. I was glad someone was there to witness how Dr. Ask treated me and this injured helpless kitten. I would STRONGLY recommend against dealing with this man as he showed NO compassion, NO tact, and acted shamefully and violently. I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone at all. Anyone who cares about animals would have been totally appauled (just like that client who left the parking lot). ...

Friendly, knowledgeable, staff who really know cats personalities very well. I wouldn't go anywhere else for cats.

I have a very timid cat who, with me alone is very rambunctious and outgoing, but cannot take more than two people at a time or he will be too afraid and hide (aka a CAT!). I was very surprised when the vet tech carried him down to get his blood sample and he didn't squirm at all. They really know how to handle cats here and it's a very calm atmosphere. I've been to a bunch of vets and got no answers to any of the fur and teeth problems with Quinn, just more shots and it'd get better for a few months and then we're back with more shots. In a very short time with Dr. Ask he told me that it was classic signs of a food allergy, and that removing the teeth (Quinn is 2 and has stomatitis) was a permanent fix for his mouth pain. I was given a realistic quote for the surgery, when I asked when I should get it done he advised he would do it in the next few months if it was his cat, because Quinn has had it for 2 yrs. I had no idea that surgery was a 'fix' for this and could not decide on scheduling it that day, I received no pressure at all when I only got the food and did not take any steps toward the surgery. After thinking about it, and wondering what I was waiting for since Quinn was in pain, I scheduled the surgery and both the very knowledgeable vet techs and Dr. Ask were so helpful the whole way. I was really afraid and even after the surgery Quinn seemed to stop jumping on things and playing as much. I waited, afraid I made a huge mistake, but it is obvious that now, about 2.5 months later, Quinn has no pain because he runs and plays more than ever, he is slimmer because he is so playful again, he doesn't have any trouble eating whatsoever and after everything that I tried for his fur, the food did the trick! I am shocked how they had the answers for me right away and how easy it was (no more costly shots every few months!). The surgery was costly but no more than anywhere else I'm sure (check up, etc here was cheaper than my last vet) and their quote was just about right on, they also take Care Credit which I decided to use. The food is less expensive than anywhere I've found online or elsewhere. I think my favorite thing is that while they're not physically looking at Quinn they let him hide under the chair or wherever he is comfortable in the room. I've been to vets where they don't understand why the cat is squirming and I have to hold him down on the table the whole time. It's nice to have a vet that doesn't deal with dogs 95%...

AVOID!! Please read and TRUST all the other negative reviews - so many more bad reviews about this “vet” on YELP!! Even read Dr. Ask’ s condescending and rude replies to legitimate reviews, he writes these and makes EXCUSES (even for the cat his incompetence killed and the diseases and cancer cases he overcharged for but didn’t even identify) rather than taking all complaints as serious suggestions for improvement to better serve animals/ his customers. Dr. Ask is NOT a USDA certified vet and does not seem very knowledgeable, as many other reviewers have stated. I let the office know that I would be traveling outside of the country and needed a health certificate and they waited until the day of my appointment to tell me in person ( the day before my flight) that Dr. Ask is NOT certified so the health certificate may not be valid. Just like others have stated, they overcharge and add additional charges at the last minute! Originally I was quoted $115 for a exam, vaccines, nail trim, and bath. Then on arrival was told my cat needed a fecal sample (never mentioned before - based on reviews this surprise charge happens often) in order to have a bath, which was an extra charge. Then I was told I needed to pay for ALL services prior to any of them being done, which I feel was discriminatory as Dr. Ask told reception that I might not pay (this could not have been on the basis of anything other than overt physical characteristics) and ultimately the cost for an exam, two vaccines, a nail trim without the bath ended up being almost 2x more than with the bath. It seemed like they were making up prices on the spot. Dr. Ask was exceedingly rude, unprofessional, and not very gentle with my cat. His exam was brief and he actually didn't even notice / mention the hair lost around my cat’s neck. My exchanges with him were unpleasant and the way he conducts himself and his business is absolutely unacceptable . Also, I’d be remiss to not mention the vile exam rooms that possess a strong odor of urine, I suspect they are never cleaned and you yourself feel in need of a bath after leaving. An overall awful experience. Please do yourself a favor and bring your beloved cats elsewhere and avoid this prejudice, unqualified/uncertified, rude quack of a vet. Please check all the other 1 star reviews (which his service doesn’t even merit, “ Dr” Ask should really...