LAASER Los Angeles Animal Specialty, Emergency & Rehabilitation

LAASER, also known as Los Angeles Animal Specialty, Emergency & Rehabilitation, is a prominent veterinary care facility located at 2500 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90065, USA. As a dedicated Pet Hospital, LAASER plays a crucial role in providing advanced and emergency veterinary care for cats and dogs in the greater Los Angeles area. Their services are designed to address a wide spectrum of medical needs, ranging from urgent life-threatening conditions to long-term rehabilitative therapies, all while striving to maintain a compassionate and supportive environment for both pets and their owners.

LAASER's operational philosophy is centered on guiding pets and their human companions through every stage of treatment and recovery. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technologies, which are often beyond the scope of a standard primary care veterinary office. While the intent is to provide seamless and effective care, particularly in emergency situations, the practical experience can vary. Some customer feedback indicates that managing patient flow in a busy emergency setting can lead to significant waiting times, especially during peak hours. Currently, LAASER operates with a "curbside care" policy. This means that pet owners typically wait outside the facility, communicating with staff via phone once their pet has been brought in for evaluation. This measure is implemented to manage patient volume efficiently and ensures that the clinical team can focus on providing direct care to the animals inside.

The facility itself is designed to support a wide range of specialized procedures and critical care. While specific details about the waiting room aesthetics or individual examination rooms are not available, the emphasis is clearly on the medical capabilities and the expertise of the staff. The environment aims to be one where advanced medical interventions can take place, supported by technology and a team of dedicated specialists.

LAASER offers an extensive array of specialized veterinary services, ensuring that pets with complex or urgent medical needs can receive comprehensive care. These services include, but are not limited to:

• Emergency Medicine: As a 24/7 emergency facility, LAASER is prepared to handle all types of urgent medical situations and life-threatening conditions at any time. They recommend that pet owners call ahead if possible, which allows the staff to prepare for the pet's arrival and offer immediate guidance. This proactive communication can be vital in emergency scenarios.
• Critical Care Medicine: The hospital features a team of board-certified critical care specialists who provide advanced, compassionate treatment for pets in severe or unstable conditions. Their capabilities in critical care include advanced monitoring techniques such as central venous pressure monitoring, continuous ECG monitoring and telemetry, and direct blood pressure monitoring. They also offer essential life support like mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy, pulse oximetry, and various transfusion therapies.
• Neurology and Neurosurgery: This department is dedicated to diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles. Diagnostic tools available include brain and spinal MRI, CT myelography, comprehensive CT scans (brain, bullae, skull, spine), myelography, and advanced spinal radiography and fluoroscopy. These technologies enable precise diagnosis and targeted treatment for neurological disorders.
• Surgery: LAASER provides a broad spectrum of surgical services, encompassing both emergency and planned referral surgeries. This includes complex procedures such as bone and joint surgery, intricate brain and spinal surgery, minimally invasive surgical techniques, reconstructive surgery, and various soft tissue surgeries. The surgical department also emphasizes comprehensive peri-operative and anesthetic monitoring to ensure the utmost safety and well-being of the animal during and after procedures.
• Cardiology: The cardiology department focuses on the diagnosis and management of heart diseases in pets. They offer crucial diagnostic services like echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart), electrocardiography (ECG) to assess electrical activity of the heart, and Holter monitoring for continuous cardiac rhythm assessment.
• Dentistry and Oral Surgery: Recognizing the importance of oral health, LAASER provides specialized dental care and oral surgical procedures. This addresses a range of conditions from routine dental hygiene to complex oral pathologies.
• Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine: This specialized team aims to improve the quality of life and support the overall well-being of pets through a combination of traditional and alternative therapies. Services include underwater treadmill therapy, laser therapy for pain management, acupuncture, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy/joint mobilization, and therapeutic massage. They also assist with the fitting and use of orthotics, prosthetics, and other assistive devices. This comprehensive approach is particularly beneficial for conditions such as osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), hip and elbow dysplasia, post-operative recovery, and degenerative myelopathy.

A standout feature of LAASER is its commitment to being a 24/7 emergency and specialty animal hospital, ensuring that advanced veterinary care is always accessible. The facility is staffed by a highly qualified team of board-certified specialists across numerous disciplines, including emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, dentistry, cardiology, anesthesiology, and surgery, along with certified rehabilitation/integrative medicine practitioners. This interdisciplinary approach allows for holistic and integrated treatment plans for complex cases. Furthermore, LAASER offers an online check-in system for emergencies. This allows pet owners to reserve a spot in line and receive text updates, potentially reducing anxiety and improving efficiency during stressful emergency visits. The acceptance of CareCredit™, a popular healthcare credit card, provides pet owners with a flexible financing option for managing the costs of potentially expensive specialized and emergency veterinary treatments.

Customer experiences at LAASER, as with any emergency veterinary facility, can vary significantly depending on the circumstances of the visit and the volume of cases. One customer shared a frustrating experience involving long wait times and a lack of communication during an emergency visit. Despite arriving early in the evening, their dog, Frankie, was not examined for several hours, and the owners received minimal updates, even as other pets who arrived later were seen and discharged. This highlights a potential challenge with patient flow and communication during high-demand periods, which can be a source of considerable stress for pet owners. The customer noted that no care was actually provided during their five-hour wait, and they ultimately had to seek care elsewhere.

In contrast, another customer recounted a profoundly positive experience, despite their pet's critical condition and eventual passing. This individual emphasized the empathy and compassion demonstrated by every staff member throughout their pet's multi-day stay. They specifically praised the clear communication and the team's willingness to engage them with the scientific details of their pet's condition, which helped them make difficult decisions regarding treatment and costs. This review underscores that when the care scenario allows for more sustained interaction, LAASER's team can provide exceptional emotional support and transparent medical guidance, even in the most challenging circumstances.

These contrasting accounts illustrate the dual nature of emergency veterinary care: while the medical expertise and equipment are undoubtedly crucial, the patient experience can be heavily influenced by operational factors like communication and wait times. Pet owners considering LAASER for emergency or specialty care should be aware of these potential variations, but also recognize the high level of specialized medical care available.