VCA All About Pets Animal Hospital

Summary：Professional, but Expensive and Missed Details I recently took my cat to VCA. Dr. Hata diagnosed a swallowed foreign object based on vague symptoms and arranged an x-ray - a correct call. However, the x-ray cost nearly $700, much more than the ~$300 I am used to in San Jose. Additionally, we discovered mild gingivitis on the report that Dr. Hata did not mention. Although Dr. Hata's knowledge was impressive, I was taken aback by the high costs and missed details in our communication. Improvements are needed for a better customer experience.

Took our cat to this hospital nearly 3 years ago on Sunday when most of the other pet hospitals were either closed or booked. Our cat wasn’t feeling well, he received an exam and medical treatment right away. The doctor and the staff were friendly and professional, listened to all my consents and took time to answer all my questions. Couple days after the visit we received a call from the hospital - they wanted to make sure that our boy was getting better (he did get better in few days). Very sweet of them. And just today, almost 3 years after the visit, I reached out to the hospital via email asking for the copy of my cat’s medical records from that one visit and they emailed me a very detailed after visit summary within 30 minutes! Honestly, I’m impressed because I also asked for my cat’s medical records from another local veterinary about 3 weeks ago, called them 3 times to remind about it and still haven’t received any of it. Thank you VCA for doing great job!

I initially chose VCA All About Pets Animal Hospital some years ago because they had great hours, friendly staff, and what I thought was a good doctor. But when my 1 year old cat suddenly became ill, VCA really let me down. I took him in right away, which was on a Wednesday. They did an exam and sent him home, with what I later discovered was a misdiagnosis. Then by Friday my cat had become even more sick. I took him back, and we discussed the tests that they wanted to do: an x-ray and blood tests. Now, because I live on a limited income, I could only afford one test or the other, because part of my vet fund had already been spent on the visit 2 days previously, and VCA absolutely refused to set up a payment plan for the $100+ for the second test, so I was forced to choose which test to do. Having said that, I felt, based on my personal knowledge and experience, that a blood test would provide more information than the X-ray, and this is the test I was pushing for. However, VCA felt differently based on their expertise and ultimately talked me out of the blood tests I wanted and into the x-ray they wanted. The x-ray revealed nothing of any value and I was sent home with a laxative for my cat and prescription food, which he absolutely refused to eat. And my precious vet fund was now wiped out. Another 2 days passed and now it was a Sunday. My cat was severely ill by this time, and I had no choice but to rush him to the emergency vet. Because I didn't have the funds for this, I was forced to increase my credit limit on my Care Credit Card, which I knew I could not afford. After running blood and urine tests, my cat was FINALLY given the correct diagnosis of renal failure. Sadly his BUN and creatine levels "were inconsistent with life" at this time. I truly believe, that the severity of this condition could have been avoided or his kidney failure even been prevented all together had VCA properly diagnosed my cat from the beginning. But, they misdiagnosed him TWICE. Sometimes it is not such a bad thing to listen to a pet parent, or do as they ask. Sometimes we know a thing or two as well. I've since changed vets to a place that is far more concerned about the animal's welfare over profits, take the time to actually listen to the pet parent, are very respectful to the human and compassionate to both the human and animal. Live in peace my baby at the Rainbow Bridge. Edit to respond to the response of my review: I found it interesting that I was referred to speak with the very same person who denied me any assistance with a payment plan for my now dead cat. Somehow, I just feel like talking to Jennifer would be a total waste of my time. She was very well aware of my situation and still refused the help I needed. BTW, I am a pet sitter for residents throughout this area, and when pet parents do not have a vet, I do refer them to other vets, and make sure they steer clear of this vet. So...do not think for one minute I am taking the death of my cat lightly.

Dumbest front office personnel award. They also threatened me. She told me it wouldn't matter if I put this on Google their office has a way of taking off bad reviews. Playing on their phones, chewing gum with their mouths open uncaring, unprofessional and yelling at clients.

Very pricey and long wait, the vet bill costed almost twice as much than other places. Appointment visits still have to wait another 30-45 min. after checking in to see vet.