VCAHospitals Reviews

VCA - THE WOODLANDS - TEXAS :
PUSHING PUSHING SPECIFIC MEDICATION.... IN BED WITH SUPPLIERS ! RIP OFF ! BAD UNFRIENDLY STAFF ( BLUE HAIRED LADY ). UNNECESSARY EXAMS.... RIPOFF ! STAY OFF !

Today said goodbye to our dog. Hard decision. The staff were so supportive of not only our dog but also us

The staff are extremely attentive & kind, the vets r very understanding & patient w/families. All are willing to answer any questions!

We have used the VCA hospital in Ridgecrest California for almost 20 years. We have seen quite a few doctors come and go, but the care and love of our our animals has never changed. They are always compassionate and professional. The staff remains fairly constant and they too are friendly to humans and loving to fur babies.

I don't even feel comfortable giving Knightswood 1 Star. We visited Knightswood on 8/30/2018, one day after he was at VSEC emergency. Our dog had paralysis in the hind region when we brought him into Knightswood.(Dr Meyers was our vet) The day before at VSEC he had mobility and was prescribed 3 meds. Knightswood said an MRI was our only option and believed he needed surgery to either remove a mass or surgery on his spine. Neither of which we could afford. They said the meds may possibly begin to work and we left with our dog in tears because they gave us a grim prognosis and went home to make the agonizing decision to have him euthanized with lap of love (dr Brad). Overnight he began to use his back legs and stood unassisted although a few seconds. Saturday I went to knightswood by myself to ask if there was hope. Melissa the vet tech stated prolonged use of prednisone could be a detriment to the dog and read me a note left by dr Meyers stating euthanasia is the humane action for pacino(I also have this message on my phone) I left crying again and went home to await dr Brad and say goodbye to our Pacino. While dr Brad was here Pacino got up and WALKED! We began a very well planned regimen of change of diet, (Hills j/d) supplements, massage, probiotics and range of motion exercises. Little be little, day after day Pacino is getting better. I'm on leave of absence from work and am by pacinos side all day. At this point we need a med refill as they combo of prednisone, tramadol and methocarbamol are going to be administered for at least 4 weeks with decreasing the amount over time.
Knightswood REFUSED to refill his meds due to them being "controlled substances". So, because PEOPLE evidently misuse this medicine my DOG will be in pain during his recovery. I BEGGED for an alternative that's not a controlled substance and Melissa said not without bringing our dog in. (He can't walk!!!! They don't offer mobile vet service!!!!!) So here I am concerned that my dog may soon begin to experience pain which may hinder his recovery. Thankfully Dr Brad from Lap of Love took over and called in his rx as he realizes how important they are in his recovery plan and pain management. Pacino quite possibly has IVDD which in many cases can be helped with rest, therapy, steroids and pain mgmt. There is hope!!! Not all cases end up in a costly surgery!! We've been using Knightswood for over 25 yrs but they made a huge error, used poor judgement and lacked compassion for our Pacinos care! I shudder when I think of what could have happened had Pacino not stood up when Dr Brad came to the house!!

VCA will probably get this removed or have one of their vets post a positive review above it about some cats he doesn't have. But be aware they are thieves and if you bring your pet to them you will endanger it's life & limbs.

How VCA Roswell animal hospital caused my German Shepherd puppy to lose a leg & foot

MY German Shepherd dog puppy went in with a dislocated hip and is losing part of his leg and foot as a result of having his leg wrapped too tight at

VCA ROSWELL ANIMAL HOSPITAL
1112 ALPHARETTA ST
ROSWELL, GA 30075
*******031

Aug 12th
Saturday
Our 10 month old German Shepherd Puppy was walking on three legs holding his rear left leg up.

Aug 13th
Sunday
He wasn't better his vet was closed.

Aug 14th
Monday
Attending Vet Jessica Corley
He dislocated his left hip.
It just needed to be set back in place & wrapped and we'd be on our way. He'd have to wear the wrap 1 or 2 weeks.
(as a sidenote it was suggested we get x-rays confirming whether or not he had hip dysplasia $400 he does)
I was told to watch his toes, make sure they didn't spread or cross, that would mean the wrap was too tight.

Aug 16
Wednesday
For 2 days my puppy was in obvious discomfort & while his toes neither crossed or spread he cried, I brought him back to VCA at that appointment facility director Roper D.V.M. checked if the wrap was too tight, he took it off the foot & cut slits in the leg.

Aug 18th
Friday
5pm my dogs toes were clearly swollen I put him in the car & as I was driving back to VCA to have (now by the layperson's eye), a painfully tight bandage reassessed the front desk clerk Danielle told me not to bother coming they were closing in 30 minutes. She stated I should go to the emergency vet, I drove home and removed the bandage myself.
My puppy's foot began to ooze watery blood immediately. His circulation had been cut off. HIS FOOT WAS ALREADY DEAD IT WAS TOO LATE

Aug 19
Saturday
I CALLED VCA SATURDAY & THEY WOULD NOT SQUEEZE MY PUPPY IN INSISTING THE DRAINAGE WAS NORMAL & They made me an appointment for Monday AUG 21

Aug 21
Monday
WHEN I GOT THERE, HE HAD A FEVER AN INFECTION WASN'T GETTING CIRCULATION TO HIS FOOT. THEY APOLOGIZED SAID THEYD TRY TO REESTABLISH CIRCULATION AND HED BE THERE 12-15 DAYS. HE WAS ON AN ANTIBIOTIC PUMP & ID NEED TO PICK HIM UP BY 9 & DRIVE HIM TO A 24 HR VET , TO BE WATCHED OVERNIGHT SO THEY COULD Attempt to bring some circulation back to his leg and he could be monitored. Then I would have to pick him up at 6 AM when the emergency vet closed and bring him back to VCA for the next 2 weeks.

AUG 22
TUE
A DAY LATER HE WAS RUSHED TO BLUE PEARL IN SANDY SPRINGS GA BY VET AMBULANCE FROM THEIR FACILITY TO SEE A SURGEON AT WHICH POINT I LEARNED HE WOULD LOSE A LEG..

Aug 25
MY German Shepherd dog puppy went in with a dislocated hip and is losing part of his leg & foot as a result of being wrapped too tight.
My dog has been at VCA on heavy sedatives and an antibiotic pump this entire time with each passing day I take my son to visit the dog.
AT 11 AM
I took my dog to The University of Georgia where he is having a partial leg amputation and being fitted for a prosthetic.

VCA will probably get this removed or have one of their vets post a positive review above it about some cats he doesn't have. But be aware they are thieves and if you bring your pet to them you will endanger it's life & limbs.

How VCA Roswell animal hospital caused my German Shepherd puppy to lose a leg & foot

MY German Shepherd dog puppy went in with a dislocated hip and is losing part of his leg and foot as a result of having his leg wrapped too tight at

VCA ROSWELL ANIMAL HOSPITAL
1112 ALPHARETTA ST
ROSWELL, GA 30075
770-993-9031

Aug 12th
Saturday
Our 10 month old German Shepherd Puppy was walking on three legs holding his rear left leg up.

Aug 13th
Sunday
He wasn't better his vet was closed.

Aug 14th
Monday
Attending Vet Jessica Corley
He dislocated his left hip.
It just needed to be set back in place & wrapped and we'd be on our way. He'd have to wear the wrap 1 or 2 weeks.
(as a sidenote it was suggested we get x-rays confirming whether or not he had hip dysplasia $400 he does)
I was told to watch his toes, make sure they didn't spread or cross, that would mean the wrap was too tight.

Aug 16
Wednesday
For 2 days my puppy was in obvious discomfort & while his toes neither crossed or spread he cried, I brought him back to VCA at that appointment facility director Roper D.V.M. checked if the wrap was too tight, he took it off the foot & cut slits in the leg.

Aug 18th
Friday
5pm my dogs toes were clearly swollen I put him in the car & as I was driving back to VCA to have (now by the layperson's eye), a painfully tight bandage reassessed the front desk clerk Danielle told me not to bother coming they were closing in 30 minutes. She stated I should go to the emergency vet, I drove home and removed the bandage myself.
My puppy's foot began to ooze watery blood immediately. His circulation had been cut off. HIS FOOT WAS ALREADY DEAD IT WAS TOO LATE

Aug 19
Saturday
I CALLED VCA SATURDAY & THEY WOULD NOT SQUEEZE MY PUPPY IN INSISTING THE DRAINAGE WAS NORMAL & They made me an appointment for Monday AUG 21

Aug 21
Monday
WHEN I GOT THERE, HE HAD A FEVER AN INFECTION WASN'T GETTING CIRCULATION TO HIS FOOT. THEY APOLOGIZED SAID THEYD TRY TO REESTABLISH CIRCULATION AND HED BE THERE 12-15 DAYS. HE WAS ON AN ANTIBIOTIC PUMP & ID NEED TO PICK HIM UP BY 9 & DRIVE HIM TO A 24 HR VET , TO BE WATCHED OVERNIGHT SO THEY COULD Attempt to bring some circulation back to his leg and he could be monitored. Then I would have to pick him up at 6 AM when the emergency vet closed and bring him back to VCA for the next 2 weeks.

AUG 22
TUE
A DAY LATER HE WAS RUSHED TO BLUE PEARL IN SANDY SPRINGS GA BY VET AMBULANCE FROM THEIR FACILITY TO SEE A SURGEON AT WHICH POINT I LEARNED HE WOULD LOSE A LEG..

Aug 25
MY German Shepherd dog puppy went in with a dislocated hip and is losing part of his leg & foot as a result of being wrapped too tight.
My dog has been at VCA on heavy sedatives and an antibiotic pump this entire time with each passing day I take my son to visit the dog.
AT 11 AM
I took my dog to The University of Georgia where he is having a partial leg amputation and being fitted for a prosthetic.

Since VCA seems to be in a habit of getting legitimate reviews removed from the internet for BS reasons, let me state at the outset that everything in this review is a matter of public record. There are NO privacy concerns.

VCA San Francisco Veterinary Care Specialists and Drs. Catherine Stevenson and Kristine Chan ("VCA"), and The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Drs. Richard Chu, Randy Bowman, Emily Adamson, Kathy Gervais, Anne MacFarlane, and Shelly Harrington ("SFSPCA"), are jointly and severally liable for $10,000 for mistreating my cat, Harvey. Causes of action include: Veterinary malpractice; Fraud, deceit, fraudulent concealment, intentional/negligent misrepresentation; Gross negligence, negligence; Intentional/negligent infliction of emotional distress; Breach of contract. Actual damages likely exceed $100,000.

This case is simple. What should have been a straightforward hyperthyroidism case costing less than $1000 and with a rapid recovery, turned into a months-long nightmare for which I was charged more than $5000 (not including large additional costs for pharmaceuticals and rehabilitation) due to defendants' incorrect diagnosis, fraudulent concealment of options, and numerous medical mistakes. Lost earnings and extreme emotional distress made these losses far greater.

Facts: On June 20, 2016, Harvey suffered a thromboembolism (saddle thrombus) and was paralyzed from the waist down. Saddle thrombus is a symptom of heart disease. He had just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. It is well established in veterinary science (including VCA's published articles) that hyperthyroidism causes secondary heart disease, "[h]yperthyroidism is the most treatable cause of cardiomyopathy [and] complete resolution of the heart disease is possible." vcahospitals.com/main/pe. In addition to the saddle thrombus, Harvey was also suffering from other life-threatening consequences of heart disease secondary to hyperthyroidism, including respiratory distress, hypertension, heart murmur, cardiomegaly, cardiomyopathy, and congestive cardiac disease. Harvey should have been treated immediately for hyperthyroidism.

Instead, SFSPCA and VCA failed to identify the likelihood that Harvey's heart disease was secondary to hyperthyroidism and easily treatable. They falsely told me there was no effective treatment for Harvey and pressured me to euthanize him. They fraudulently concealed the fact that hyperthyroidism causes heart disease, failed to inform me that heart disease is reversible when hyperthyroidism is treated, failed to treat hyperthyroidism, prescribed 25% of the recommended starting dosage of thyroid medication with no instructions for increasing the dosage, warned me not to give even this pitiful dosage, and fraudulently concealed the fact that this was too low a dose to control his hyperthyroidism.

As both SFSPCA and VCA knew, Harvey was also at risk for congestive heart failure ("CHF") and pulmonary/pleural edema. They should have given me guidance about what CHF is, how treating hyperthyroidism could reverse CHF, how to recognize the symptoms of CHF/edema, and how to increase the dosage of the life-saving diuretic Lasix in response to those symptoms. VCA fraudulently concealed this information, prescribed an inadequate dose of Lasix, warned me against giving this inadequate dosage, and failed to return urgent phone calls when a life-threatening situation was unfolding. SFSPCA failed to provide Lasix at all until weeks later. These and other wrongful acts caused delays in treating Harvey's highly treatable condition, ultimately resulting in catastrophic harm to Harvey and me.

Imagine how shocked I was to discover, months later, after applying my own research to the situation, that we actually had a simple problem with what should have been a simple solution. Harvey's dire situation began to stabilize with a simple, affordable, at-home treatment protocol. Harvey was not hopeless and did not need expensive and stressful echocardiograms and other expensive treatments that had been pushed on me. What Harvey needed was a proper dosage of the thyroid medication, methimazole. When Harvey finally got a higher dosage, the other problems started to resolve. Not only did Harvey's breathing stabilize with adequate thyroid medication, but also his anorexia and weight loss resolved. His appetite returned, and after many months he was finally restored to his original weight of 11 pounds.

Message me if you want a copy of what I filed (it's a matter of public record) in court.

Great Vets and pet care. A little expensive.

THIS VET DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOUR PET!! The doctor was incredibly rude and insensitive to my emotional situation. She insisted on me euthanizing my pet when I asked for an alternative treatment. She then persisted in arguing with me over the phone and refused to come out and talk to me personally about my pet's condition, THEN proceeded to kick me out of the vet hospital! DO NOT TAKE YOUR PET HERE IF YOU WANT YOUR PET TO LIVE. There are plenty of other vet hospitals whose staff truly care about animals and their profession.

RE: VCA METROPLEX ANIMAL HOSPITAL IN IRVING, TEXAS

I do not recommend the VCA Metroplex Animal Hospital in Irving, Texas and
I do not recommend Dr. Bischofhausen, the Veterinarian there, either.

Last year, Dr. B. misrepresented the Cancer treatment for my dog. We relied on his gross misrepresentation when agreeing to let him operate on our dog. Our dog received a useless operation and within hours after coming home following the surgery, he was sick to his stomach, gagging and couldn't breathe properly and then was ultimately diagnosed with Laryngeal Paralysis LP - Dr. B. implied that it was a coincidence but we don't buy it! And despite spending lots of money and trips to his office, it wasn't Dr. B. who diagnosed the LP or who successfully treated our dog for the Cancer.

VCA Metroplex Animal Hospital treated us poorly, as well!

After questioning the practices of Dr. B. and his tech; we requested our dog's medical records and shortly thereafter; they fired us as patients/customers after 4 years of faithfully paying their bills.