VCA TLC Pasadena Veterinary Specialty and Emergency

I am a first time dog owner and adopted my pup during covid. With everything being closed, it was extremely challenging to find a vet, ask questions, or navigate the needs of a 95lb German Shepard. I had 2 incidents where I was terrified my pup was going to die. The first was in 2021. I took my pup to the emergency care here and was initially shocked by the kindness and patience they had with me. I had so many questions! My pup was better within a few days of visiting. While the costs for the medical treatment he needed were pretty steep, they walked me through the worst case scenario. All charges were consistent. Recently I had to take my pup back and had a similarly excellent experience (in light of how sick my dog was.) Dr Jenny Nguyen was so kind to us and treated my large baby with compassion. She gave great directions, and I was able to treat him at home with her help! It’s been 3 days and he’s feeling much better. We look forward to going here for his yearly checkups! Thanks again!!

posted: 04/05/2023

I made the tough decision to put my dog down after being seen by her vet a couple times they suggested this clinic. The first tech I talked to was very sympatric but then the second one came in and suggested I take me pet home and see her own vet because the TLC services were more expensive. Now I'm not sure she thought that out but telling me to take my dog home in the state she was in and wait for another appointment with its regular vet seems a bit rude.

posted: 08/15/2023

I do not recommend anyone taking their dog here for an emergency I had a horrible experience where I taking my dog to see my vet first thing in the morning and was told to get her to an emergency hospital I called several hospitals and got their answering machines and when I got ahold of VCA they said come on in you'll have a wait but she'll be seen. Well I was there for 5 and 1/2 hours still hadn't been seen we were seen by vet tech in the lobby 2 hours in who told me well if your dog has a serious problem she'll need surgery and it's going to cost about $5000or $6,000 , very unprofessional especially from a vet tech I asked well it can she be seen can anybody see her soon and he said yes you have one dog ahead of you well several hours later still hadn't been seen finally got a hold of my animal emergency hospital and they said we can get her set for surgery the next day Will charge $1,600, well by then she was so septic the next morning I had to have her put down . I guess my dog wasn't that big of an emergency to them for waiting five and a half hours and she was very septic and maybe something could have been done!

posted: 12/20/2022

I'd like to say a big thank you to Dr. Wong and Dr. Barnes for their care of my dog, Maverick (7YO golden retriever). I took him in on a Saturday because I was worried about his airway. Separate from his airway, Dr. Wong found a foxtail in his back leg. He did surgery and removed it. We were back on Tuesday for Dr. Barnes to assess the breathing (by that time I'd taken a video and shared it w the hospital). Dr. Barnes was absolutely super. He explained what he observed and recommended in a very clear and thoughtful way. We went ahead and he performed a rhinoscopy that very day, Tuesday. Dr. Barnes removed an 8" long piece of grass from my dog's nose. I am grateful to all of the staff and doctors at VCA who provided excellent care 2x over one week.

posted: 08/10/2023

WORST VET EXPERIENCE. Here is why: Came in at 10am, left at 2pm after finally getting a quote of $1600 to $2300 when all I asked for were for x-rays and blood work. In those 4 hours I did the same assessment 3 times, one of those being to the actual Dr who apparently didn't get the 2 first. Dr Nguyen seemed completely clueless of what could possibly be happening with my cat, suggesting checking on his kidney stones while doing x-rays while I m explaining to her he has been cleared of those since 2019 and isn't showing any symptoms about that. I was bringing him in for a cough... I don't believe kidney stones ride all the way up to the throat. So basically during those 4 hours my cat was put somewhere in the back for 2hours while I waited in the front room (while they told me on phone i could be with him during exam). Then someone asked me for the same question and scanning his medical folder (that was already done 2hours earlier). Then an hour after I finally saw the Dr who told me a technician would be "right with me" with the quote. This took 1 more hour (and 10 minutes to be precise). Obviously by that time I was seriously annoyed so when they came up with that ridiculous pricing I checked out. Cost me $165, a half day of work and my cat meowing was heartbreaking as he barely had any voice left. All for nothing. Might be great with dogs (who kept coming and going), but don't take your kitty there. Ps: please at least swipe your exam room if you're gonna make me wait in there forever.😖

posted: 05/02/2023