The VCA hospital I am complaining against is located in a state in the southwestern United States, and that is the only location information I wish to disclose. I was a long-time customer, bringing in several pets for about a decade, being loyal to one doctor there. I made the mistake of completely trusting them with my pets' care. I can't say too much about the one experience that has turned me against this practice, because I MAY eventually want to take legal action against them. One of our pets died as a result of complications with anesthesia after dental surgery. I'm not sure they hire the most skilled vet techs who work behind the scenes doing the dental work that is supposedly supervised by the doctor in charge. Like most veterinary practices, they push very hard for pet parents to buy dental cleaning and tooth extractions (if needed). Yet, I feel they don't adequately explain the risk of the anesthesia associated with the dental cleaning, which is, in fact, a surgery, with all the complications of surgery. The dental cleanings under anesthesia are spoken of in a matter-of-fact fashion, as if it's a procedure with minimal risk. Actually, it's a very risky procedure because the animal is under full anesthesia, and the vet techs handle a good portion of the procedure; that's the way it was explained to me by a doctor AFTER my pet was already hospitalized with severe complications that later caused its death. Had I known a vet tech (who is supposedly a licensed professional with special training/certification in anesthetic techniques and dental procedures) would probably be the one doing most of the work, AND NOT THE DOCTOR, I would NOT have elected this procedure that was strongly encouraged by the doctors at this practice. The vet in charge will not admit any wrongdoing or on the part of his technician who performed the bulk of the dental work. He would only say that he himself performed the extractions and that he monitored his vet tech's actions the entire time my pet was in surgery. He would not admit who was responsible for inserting the breathing tube, but he explained enough for me to infer from the conversation that his assistant was the one who intubated our pet. Now, our pet is dead, and I have read that it is almost useless to file a veterinary malpractice lawsuit, esp. in the state of TX, which has a poor record of defending pet parents who suffered a pet loss due to negligence. Negligence is hard to prove in this state and elsewhere in the USA. Make no mistake, many vets are only in practice for the money and very few pet parents actually lodge a complaint. Many complaints are dismissed by the state, and you can't even get the state board to say whether a complaint against a particular dr has been submitted. Only if a vet has been investigated and been formally disciplined can you, the consumer and pet owner, find this information out. My family learned these painful truths after we went through much grief over the wrongful death of our beloved pet. I hope my truthfullness in this review will help someone make a more informed decision about choosing a vet and will empower someone to fully investigate all the risks associated with any veterinary procedure that is suggested.

I called the VAC hospital in NYC, and asked if I could bring in a ferral cat to be euthanized. I drove across several boros, at night, only to have the vet tell me no she wasn't going to euthanize the cat. She didn't even look at the cat once, which was in a cage in the corner. She advised me to go to animal control, however both 311 and animal control told me they won't help with ferral cats. I'm a nurse, and told VAC I euthanized one sick ferral cat at home; only to have the administrator threaten me, saying "You kill cats, it's now documented". Never mind that I'm trying to help suffering animals. VAC is a horror show...I'll try never to enter their hospitals again. First and last time here, and NEVER EVER mention euthanizing an animal at home. These are corporate people, and they're evil.

A pre-op biopsy was never performed on the two growths on my dog's body.

Post-op pathology reported the growths were completely benign. This fact could have been determined without surgery. VCA has caused my dog unnecessary pain and suffering, has caused me emotional anxiety, and cost me a surgical and medical bill past $1, 500. Additionally, when sutures were removed 2 weeks post-op, I was informed my dog was "healing well". My dog subsequently chewed open a section of the wound, requiring further veterinary attention, at an additional cost of $328. Also, my dog will always have a permanent disability in one leg as a result of the totally unnecessary surgery. It is not known at this time how the disability and surgery aftereffects will affect my dog in the future. When queried as to why a pre-op biopsy was not performed when in the office to have the surgery repair performed, the veterinarian on duty replied, "sometimes we don't".

Since the surgery was unnecessary, which could have been determined by a pre-op biopsy lab test, I feel VCA was deliberately trying to make a commission on this case by going ahead without a pre-op biopsy. My dog would not have required a second visit for surgical repair if a pre-op biopsy had been performed, and I said that to the veterinarian on duty.

There was no response from the veterinarian; the lack of comment "told " me all I need to know.

I feel VCA owes me restitution in this case, adjustment of the fees is definitely in order. There is totally substantiated evidence from the pathology lab that the growths were benign. VCA cannot dispute the facts.

At the VCA Hospital at Sierra Vista, AZ, we received notification for needing to update our dogs for Bordetella (Kennel Cough) in the mail. When I showed up the vet insisted that I had to get all shots for my dogs, even though all of the other shots still had several months to go before needing to get new vacinations. I asked them why was it necessary for them to get "all" shots and I was told that "this is the way we do this in the hospital". For example, our dogs have a current rabies shot (was vacinated less than one year ago) that is good for 3 years. A three year shot is "legal" in AZ. They insisted on giving the shots. As a result I paid a fortune for unnecessary shots, and I have another source that I can used that charges much less for shots than VCA. It REALLY appears that they are trying to make money (profit) at the expense of animal care. I can't trust their judgement now, because I don't have confidence now if different tests, lab work are really necessary, or is a quick way for them to make a buck.

I have a constipated dog and took him to the VCA. 2 days and $2100 later I still have a very sick and very constipated dog. They didn’t do ANYTHING except run a bunch of tests, hold him for two days, increase charges, and administer TWO Enemas a day. The things they were charging for were ridiculous! $85 dollars to administer shots. Not counting the price of the medication that was being given. $40 for an IV dispenser rental. That’s right; they charged me a daily rental fee on the bag holder for my dogs IV. Unacceptable.

This was one of the worst experiences of my pet owning life. I feel used and fully taken advantage of. I will forever and always recommend against the VCA to everyone I meet from here on out. Greed in your moment of weakness is their business plan.