Bay Area Veterinary Surgery

My dog jumped off the back porch, screamed in pain, went limp, and eventually started putting weight on his leg again. He didn’t walk without pain for several weeks. Our regular vet referred us to Dr. Dassler who couldn’t see us for 3 months…Fine, we’ll wait for the specialist so we can feel better about moving forward. At the appointment, Dr. Dassler proceeds to lecture me on how “there is nothing to diagnose”, the radiographs didn’t merit his surgical expertise, and in a round-about way said that it was a waste of his time for me to bring my dog in now because he’s walking. Look, if I could have, I would’ve been here 3 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE INJURY HAPPENED. Just because my dog isn’t lame or limping TODAY doesn’t mean the injury didn’t happen. He also rhetorically asked me: “if you injured yourself and then those symptoms went away, would you still go to the doctor?” Of course I would! Aren’t we supposed to be proactive about health and injuries? Isn’t it doctors who then later lecture us when we don’t get injuries or symptoms looked at when they present? It felt like I was being lectured on how idiotic it was to bring my dog to see an orthopedic specialist for something that happened months ago. Guess what? We didn’t want to be there either, but I’m not a doctor and I can’t determine if an injury is nothing to be concerned about anymore. Also though: we were REFERRED to this practice. My vet thought it warranted further investigation! My guess is that this guy is a fantastic surgeon, but this interaction was so bizarre and off putting. Also, his nurse and scheduler both seemed miserable. It was an all-around not-so-great human interaction experience. Do not go to this practice unless you have the knowledge beforehand that it’s worth Dr. Dasslers time.

posted: 08/28/2023

Dr Dassler was excellent. Very knowledgeable, responsive, and answered all questions thoroughly. My dog's surgery was successful, the staff were friendly and professional, and the facility is nice as well.

posted: 10/26/2022

My cat Tag was having breathing problems and couldn't walk. He quit moving on the way there and they tried to do CPR. he didn't make it. The staff was very professional and caring and I believe really felt bad. I recieved a sympathy card a few days later.

posted: 10/25/2022

If I could give 0 I would. They don't care. They pretend they don't get the referral and you have to have it resent 10x or just take it yourself. What business doesn't have a working fax machine? They make you wait months for an appt. and then cancel on you when you show up. Gave me a bogus excuse said I didn't respond to the text. I definitely did. Then they tell you that you have to wait months again for another appointment. The receptionist was rude and unbothered that my appointment was canceled. Will be driving my dog to any other place no matter how far it is.

posted: 08/11/2022

Well this is unfortunate to write because I’m sure the other surgeons are awesome. But Dr Christine Watson was not... my girlfriend brought our pit bull Willow in to see what needed to be done to help our dog... and she knew absolutely nothing. They took our dog to the back and tore her fur off the area and the skin that came with it. The before and after photos are horrendous and our dog is in sooo much pain. She claimed Willow growled at her when she touched it, however I can highly suggest she didn’t. She’s the sweetest dog and Dr Watson kept making comments degrading her as a pit. When you’re tearing skin off who wouldn’t react poorly? It looks ten times worse than it did when we brought her in. We paid over $100 for her to not read our files or give any care about our dog. Now we have to find another place that’ll take her and do her surgery. I do not recommend Dr Watson if you go to this establishment. I suggest the others who are more educated and care even if you have a pit or not. The dog is in enough pain and didn’t deserve to have her skin tore. Below I have posted before and after... ridiculous!!! They should have at least told her they were doing so. Talking about how aggressive pits are yet... look how aggressive she was.

posted: 03/05/2020