Corona del Mar Animal Hospital, A Thrive Pet Healthcare Partner

This was my first visit to Dr. Jennifer and I was a bit disappointed. First, the price is outrageous. I brought Toby, my golden, in for two vaccines, a heart worm test and to discuss arthritis meds as he ages. The bill was $415, which I assumed included heartworm medicine. Nope, I was supposed to pick that up the next day for an additional $185*, so grand total if I bought the meds if $800 oops $600. Really? A bit pricey, no? Oh, and even though my dog runs and jumps every day and had parents with hips rated excellent, Dr. Jen wanted to sedate him and take X-rays the same day for hip dysplesia (sp.?). Really? That would have upped the bill for a ROUTINE VISIT to $1000 at least, I am sure. Also, she did not do or at least did not do in front of me or tell me she did it(sure she would have charged!), the test for golden retriever pigmentary uveitis. It is an essential test for all retrievers over 6[my last dog had it at 6 and we caught it early and saved his eyes). It’s a simple test of examining the whites of the eyes for inflammation aka pink eye and checking for high eye pressure (glaucoma). For shame, Dr. Jenny. Also, some on the staff have a lot of attitude-one lady who “helped” me when I came in for the heartworm medicine, was very snippy when I questioned such a high bill. I have been bringing dogs to vets for over thirty years and this was theONLY bill that left me speechless. Finally, the doctor and her staff act like hairdressers, not professional women. My hairdresser, Heather who is in her 20s, has pink oops blue hair as do the other 20 something hairdressers. On young ladies it’s a cute statement of individuality (though they all have it so they are conformists) but on a bunch of female professions much closer to sixty than twenty, it’s trying too hard to be hip and young. So, assuming she’s pretty competent (but missed an important test), she’s still way out there on pricing. Even in Newport Beach, money doesn’t grow on trees. She shouldn’t use people’s love of their dogs to fleece them. Do the right thing, Dr. J. *** Heartworm medicine without extra add-one, is $62 at Chewy. She never asked if I wanted the triple formula or basic. My dog gets sick on strong medicine and we already have a prescription for flea and tick, so the $186 med was unnnecessary and dangerous. Let me guess-a referral fee for prescribing the med? All the vets that are money oriented seem to prescribe the expensive, strong formulas. I miss the days of James Herriot.

posted: 07/09/2023

A picture is worth a thousand words -see my 2 star review under Ann F. Maybe this is why I thought the heartworm pills were included in the already outrageous bill for a simple vet visit with 2 vaccines (estimated cost-$200-$250 max). By the way, whoever heard of charging $100 oops $10 for poop disposal when they insisted I bring one, even after I told Miss Snippy on the phone that his poop was totally normal. Surprised they didn’t charge me for printing the bill, sitting in the office, the glass of water I asked for, etc.

posted: 07/11/2023

I've been going to CDM Animal Hospital for 24 years. This recent visit was my first time since new ownership took over. I brought my golden in because he had something in his paw (or, as it turned out, a broken nail). The new "owner" insisted it was a knee problem and insisted on x rays and insisted he would need orthoscopic surgery. I asked her to simply look at the paw, but she knew better. An hour later I was charged $775 for her services... and (because Dr. Aten happened to be on the premises) they confirmed a broken toe nail. No consideration to NOT charge me. I will NEVER return. I cannot stress this enough: do NOT go there! You will get fleeced.

posted: 04/24/2023

My dog usually goes to a different vet, but CDM Hospital accommodated me due to an emergency. They were very busy but found time to see my sweet Lily even though she had never been here before. The customer service here is exceptional as well as the care and concern for my dog.

posted: 08/05/2022

I have seen Dr Cruz twice now, both times she was amazing. She took the time to listen to us and was very thorough checking our dog. I am confident my dog is in good hands. Huge fan, ask for Dr Cruz

posted: 07/21/2022