VCA Lakewood Animal Hospital

We received excellent care for our pup during her first ever vet visit! She’ll be returning for vaccine boosters and any future needs.

posted: 10/05/2023

I brought in my cat, Barney, about 25 minutes before closing with a hurt paw and they were absolutely fantastic. I’m a first time cat mom and just super freaked out by any little difference in Barneys behaviour so when I came home from work to find her in pain I almost broke. I came to VCA Lakewood animal hospital and they were so kind the entire visit. Dr.Kirkpatrick reassured me that because he couldn’t feel anything wrong and because she wasn’t showing any signs of serious pain that it was most likely fine, and she was! The nurse whose name I forgot gave my sweet girl some good pets while I talked to the doctor and even when my cat nipped her a little gave no reaction and still let her know she was okay. The front desk people were quick to help and give me any info I needed, and they had a third party payment service that allowed me to cover the full cost of our visit. All in all, if I could give more than five stars, I would. Best vet hospital ever!

posted: 06/14/2023

These guys had a rough call with my baby which led to her untimely and very miserable death. 1. I scheduled an appointment for 7:30 on the 27th and the screen said it was booked. I did not get a confirm or anything, but I didn't know that I would as this was my 1st appointment with them. 2. I arrived and there was no record of me but they were kind enough to squeeze me in. 3. For the full exam fee, I probably saw the doctor for maybe 15 minutes at the most, but really not even that. 4. He said my baby could've torn her all but he can't confirm without an x-ray. This could lead to knee surgery at about 4000 - 7000. Said she would be fine if she didn't get it, but he recommended. Also noted he would give her some medicine for inflammation and pain. I told her she was a bit lean and recommended to leave her that way as it would be better for the tare. 5. That was literally it, other then a tech checking her tempature and scanning her body which is where she noticed the inflammation. She also asked me some questions about what was going on. 6. I paid the full exam fee and was prescribed carprofen and told half a pill a day and that my dog would enjoy the taste so hide the pill. I asked her about the taste as my dog hates medicine and ive had to force her to take some antibiotics and pain pills in the past following a surgery. I'm thinking great my baby can get some relief. 7. A very rude man checked me out and I was sent on my way. 8. My dog hates the pill so I hide it in meat. She begins to urinate a lot for several days. On the 6th of the next month she refused to eat. Mind you this is normal behavior for my dog in the summer and especially if her stomach is upset. I let the tech know this. So, this is how I'm processing what's occurring. On the 7th, my dog began having profuse diarrhea and welping in pain. I immediately called the vca once I was able to get her comfortable. The tech said if this is happening I should schedule an appointment and I said hey I did a quick search online and the site said this is the small side effects of this medicine, so why did I need to come in. She says well the doctor is busy now and I will have him call you this afternoon and I'm like great. I bathe my dog, oil her up, and try to position her for comfort and to poop the wet poop out. I'm also currently working from home. I finish up my work and note that the vca is now closed. Mind you I called at 12:30 ish and between work and checking on my dog the time sped by. I was upset but my dog had relaxed at this point and finished the diarrhea which seemed to be causing her pain. I propped her up for sleep and went to the gym. Once I got back my dog was dead. 9. The medicines real name is rimidyil and all the "small side effects" actually point to a major side effect of liver failure or poisoning and death. 10. I'm upset with myself because I should've researched it. Mind you the vet I took her before gave me a full run down of all her medicines and the signs to look for her and i was over contacting them about changes in her behavior because I was made aware. VCA did not inform me of anything or I would've known that after she start urinating from the first pill to discontinue its use. My dog died horribly when really she just could've gotten a wheel chair and been just fine or put down if that's what a proper examination exposed the need for. 11. It's the 9th and I was told I would hear from the vet and I have not heard anything. When I called another tech said there was no notes in the system for the doctor to call me on the 7th. My baby could've been fine, but a lot of short comings on there part and also me just assuming the vet knows best. I'm hurt. 12. If they prescribe your pet carprofen, urination, loss of appetite, and diarrhea are signs of looming death. Discontinue use a at excessive urination. Ask a lot of questions at your appointment even if they seem to be busy, protect your baby, know the facts. I contacted them at the e-mail as noted in their comment below and again no one has reached out to me.

posted: 08/18/2023

Dr.Kirkpatrick was very reliable! I called with my cat in an emergency/panic state. He did everything to work me into his already busy schedule. He even followed up with me the next day to make sure my cat was on the up and up! Was very pleased with him and his staffs service. My cat was actually more calm than usual in his clinic as well. Picture of him as a happy guy.

posted: 07/28/2021

My son got a new dog from the Dallas Animal Shelter and she started coughing a few days after he adopted her. The shelter gave us a voucher for $250 for vet bills. Anyhow, I called and asked if VCA Lakewood accepted the voucher and they said yes. I got an appointment for the next day and my son and I took the dog in. From the first moment, the receptionist was friendly and helpful. They scanned the paperwork we had from the shelter and that save us from loads of paperwork. We were taken into an exam room so the dog would not have contact with any others. The assistant came in and then the main vet. The vet was friendly and professional and we got the medication and were out the door in good time. A week later and the dog is without a cough and doing great. We will take her to this vet for the foreseeable future.

posted: 02/16/2023