Village West Veterinary

I've been taking my dog to this vet for nearly a decade and in her senior years we go quite frequently. Since last spring the vet care as well as the customer service from the front desk staff has plummeted. The vet my dog had seen regularly for a few years disappeared one day last spring and since then it's been a revolving door of vets that don't seem to genuinely care about your pet. The last vet my dog saw (Dr. Li) didn't believe me when I listed all the medications my dog was taking despite the fact that everything I said matched the charts in front of him. He wanted to start treating her for a heart murmur she's had for at least 6 years that no vet (including the cardiologist) has ever wanted to treat. He was harsh in the way in which he spoke to me and made me incredibly uncomfortable. The front office staff, particularly Victoria, is rude to pet owners and not friendly to animals. I have several texts and emails to prove the lack of compassion and empathy. When you walk into a vet office you want to feel like you and your pet are in a safe and loving environment. That is not how you feel at this office. As I picture the inevitable truth of what will come to happen one day with my pup, I cannot picture saying goodbye in that facility, surrounded by those people. You know it's bad when you'd rather take your pet to the emergency vet and pay at least double. I will not be returning to Village West.

posted: 10/09/2023

I recently moved to Chicago and I’m very happy that I chose this spot for my cat. They have been incredibly thorough, responsive, and thoughtful. I brought him in for both a general check up and then a sudden illness and both instances went extremely well. Thank you Victoria and all the doctors for providing such great care! Theo (my cat) and I greatly appreciate you all!

posted: 09/14/2023

Front of office staff was great, but overall really disappointed with my experience here. We came to get our 9 year old cat seen for a checkup and to receive an estimate for a dental cleaning. Within the first few minutes of being seen by the veterinarian and checking her vitals he stated our cat was underweight (10.3 lbs) and dehydrated and recommended to us to have a full blood panel and fecal. When I tried to ask questions or ask for clarification due to several factors (medication she was on, age, etc) I was met with a combative attitude. When I stated we wanted to be more conservative in our approach I was met with more tension and told that this was the conservative route. My partner and I were extremely uncomfortable and I felt like I had to constantly defend myself. What could have been an opportunity to educate or collaborate on a treatment plan felt like an angry vet just asserting to us that he was not trying to gouge us for money. We were still interested in an estimate for a dental and we’re told we would receive one via email. It’s been over 24 hours and still no estimate. I’d rather spend two times the money for a friendly vet.

posted: 09/22/2023

My last visit with them was not great, but I could understand it. They made me feel like I was overreacting to the weight loss my cat was experiencing, when I knew it was close to his time. I actually apologized to them. The worst was when I called when Logan's back two legs were paralyzed and he was in severe pain, and I was looking for my options to put him at peace. They would not let me know the procedure, and just told me that "the doctor has a process" and I need to come in. They were very cold and indifferent. I insisted that they give me some sort of an idea what we would do, and they just had someone else call me back to say again, that I needed to come in, and the doctor will let you know the process when you arrive – still very dismissive. I have never had to do this, so I was just trying to understand what will be done. The last thing I wanted to put this poor cat through, was to bring him into that waiting room and wait for them an exam, without really knowing what was going to happen. That's torture for him. It was clear that there was nothing we could do to prolong Logan's life, and that would just be selfish and cruel. Which I expressed all of this. I understand that they witness a lot of animals passing, but I think the indifference, callousness and to be seemingly annoyed with my questions, was unacceptable.

posted: 09/19/2023

I can't say enough good things about this facility! I've been coming here for years and have seen several different doctors as their staff has changed over time, but the quality of care has remained the same. I wouldn't trust anyone else with my dog. Even after moving to the other side of town, I still make the trip back to see them every six months. The best!

posted: 06/15/2023