VCA Southeast Area Animal Hospital

The staff and doctors here are amazing. I came in panicking that my young dog had possibly eaten a new toy after I'd foolishly left the toy and pup alone to get some shopping done. The xrays were pricey but worth it to check for the toy. We got lucky and Drake won't need any surgery referrals. I can't believe how kind and understand the staff was, helping to calm my anxiety while we waited for the Dr and test results. I even got some great tips for alternative entertainment I can leave Drake with for future solo-shopping ventures. I'll definitely be back for future check ups! Though hopefully not for any more potential toy-eating!

While the staff and vet were both kind and competent, I felt the clinic engaged in some high pressure sales tactics and saw my pup Ames as a paycheck rather than a pet. They handled my dog fine - but I had just adopted her and was trying to evaluate all options for her care as the shelter suspected her of having a CCL tear. I wanted to make sure she got the care she needed - but the prices at VCA were absurd. Just a dental cleaning was $700+ out of pocket when I’ve had a cleaning done through my other vet for ~$300. The out of pocket cost for X-rays was also high - and so they tried to sell me on a preventative care plan that was nearly $150 a month that would cover X-rays and a dental. This just didn’t seem like a good deal to me - and their out of pocket quotes indicated that they would likely be a very expensive choice for a TPLO surgery. She’s an older dog - somewhere between 5-7, and something else that shocked me was that the vet we saw at VCA actually advised AGAINST any anti-inflammatory supplements or preventative supplements for healthy aging. They said they wanted to see where she was at “baseline” despite the fact that she had already been on supplements at the shelter and had been doing well. When I told my other vet this, they thought it was absurd. I already used another vet (also a chain, Banfield Pet Hospital of Bradburn in Westminster, a standalone location not located in a PetSmart) for my other dog and decided to ultimately take Ames to them as well. They were able to set me up with a special care preventative care plan for less than half the cost of VCA’s plan and covered dental and X-rays. They determined that Ames had tears in both of her CCLs - but were able to quote me for a bilateral TPLO at under $4000, a very reasonable price. While any chain vet’s quality will vary based on location - I’d recommend anybody looking at VCA to consider Banfield first. They’ve tried to upsell me on care before - but they’ve never used the same high pressure sales tactics I saw at VCA. Ames will be getting the surgery she needs soon through Banfield - but it would definitely take a lot for VCA to earn my trust back after this negative experience.

Edit Post: VCA office did reach out, they have been nothing but kind and have tried to accommodate the best they can. While they know the situation can’t be fixed they have made efforts to make it better. I was issued a full refund and the office customized some memorial gifts for my girl. I appreciate their kindness and the ownership of the situation. I am going to start by saying the actual vet was amazing. He was kind and compassionate during my dogs last quality of life appointment. He is the only reason I am giving any stars period. To explain the situation I brought my dog in for her quality of life appointment before making the difficult decision to put her down after almost 16 years together. Like I said before the vet came in to explain the process and shortly after a vet tech came in to collect payment. At that time he let us know that we had two options; one being a private cremation and one being a group cremation. He advised with the group cremation she will be laid on her own next to other pets and then the ashes will be returned to us. He showed us the different urn options and he showed which one comes complimentary with the process. I told him I had plans to make rings out of her and her sisters ashes so the complimentary one would be fine. He then took my payment, almost $500, and we signed the papers and he had me select the option for a complimentary paw print as well. The rest of the process went as smoothly as it could have gone. A week later I receive a call from the vet stating that her paw print was ready. When I called about the ashes they said they had no ashes for my dog. I was immediately in hysterics. My husband called, at which time he was told that only the private cremations get returned even though we had specifically been told the opposite by their staff. The apologized and attempted to reach out to the cremation company but to no avail they had already gotten rid of my dog. They advised that the vet tech who told me I would be getting her ashes back either way was new. They offered to provide me a plaque with my dogs dates of life and death as well as issue a partial refund. I normally do not write reviews but I am physically sickened and heart broken and would not wish this on anyone else's family member. I had walked with my sweet girl for almost 16 years and this was a devastating error.

The care for my cat, as well as me, the human….i can’t express my gratitude. The entire staff… from front desk to Vet… you all have my complete thanks, love, and respect. The complete care, from check in to the fact that I had to put my pet down… was the MOST compassionate care I’ve EVER received, or any of my fur babies have received , in my 54 years of being a pet parent. And then today… I received a grievance card from them, with signed messages, letting me know they were sorry for my loss too. NO VET OR FACILITY has ever done that for me and a fur baby. That kind of care and thoughtfulness will keep me going back to these wonderful people. I truly want to thank them and let them know how grateful I am for their compassion, love, and dignity. This literally means the world to me. None of them tried to sell me anything…or push expensive treatments….they literally treated my fur baby, and me, with true dignity and respect. And when I asked for the truth, it was delivered in a loving and respectful way. I really can’t convey how much these people mean to me… And I’ve only been there twice, with 2 different animals. That’s how compassionate and wonderful this facility is. They didn’t have to be kind, gracious, understanding, and giving…but they did. Any future pet I have will be taken here. For the pets well being, and mine. Thank you!!! You not only honored and respected the most horrible day of my life… but you acknowledged my grief. I’m truly grateful.

Went to have a tail injury diagnosed. Without actually looking at my dog's tail the hirl vet doctor: Prescribed me 4 medications Prescribed an antibiotic Said I'll probably have to consider amputation All this without an exam. Impressive! They are psychic over there! $400 minimum price every visit also