Whiskers To Tails Cat Hospital

156 S Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA

Category:	Animal Hospital
Address:	156 S Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA
Phone:	+1 626-795-4134
Rating:	4.3
Working:	8AM–1PM 8AM–1PM Closed 8AM–1PM 8AM–1PM 8AM–1PM Closed

Location

Photos 10

Reviews 7

A Private User

Dr. Iburg’s practice emphasizes allopathic medicine – meaning lots of drugs and surgery, with almost no natural treatments. For many years, she did an adequate job on routine procedures, but early in 2009 when my cat became very ill, I lost confidence in both her technical knowledge and in her practice’s ability to provide quality service. During my cat’s hospital stay for chronic renal failure, Dr. Iburg failed to properly consider the effect of I.V. fluid therapy on existing anemia. Despite a PCV reading of 21% (below 30% indicates anemia), Dr. Iburg administered a second 3-day course of I.V. fluids during which my cat’s PCV dropped to 15% indicating severe anemia, necessitating a blood transfusion to save his life. Worse yet, Dr Iburg neglected to recommend an iron supplement. My cat’s anemia did not significantly improve until I gave him an iron supplement on my own. A few weeks later, she (and a substitute vet) misdiagnosed my cat when I brought it in for respiratory distress. If you read the reviews a consistent theme emerges: Dr. Iburg is overwhelmed and is poorly served by the front office which can be slow, and often oversteps its bound. Yes, you can wait over 20 minutes to pay your bill, but there are more significant issues that can negatively impact the care your pet receives. Dr. Iburg now rarely directly interacts with clients, instead relying on “walk backs” in which your pet is examined without your direct feedback, lab results and treatment protocols are given to you on the phone by staff members (sometimes by the receptionist!), and worst of all, Dr. Iburg does not return phone calls. Communication is very poor: Diagnosis, prognosis and treatment protocols are rarely explained in detail, especially when done by staff on the phone with no opportunity to ask the doctor questions. When my cat was prescribed prednisolone, I received no explanation on why the drug was prescribed or on dosage except for the written instructions on the bottle. I requested prescriptions instead of buying supplies and drugs at up to a 600% markup from her, Dr Iburg obliged but only gave refills on one or two items. Most of the time, I had to call or come in for a paid visit every time I needed a refill. On one occasion, Dr. Iburg made me wait for over two hours for a prescription! My dissatisfaction with Dr. Iburg and her office came to a head when she refused to refill a prescription till 21 days had elapsed or to return my phone calls. My cat was sick and needed extra doses, but Dr. Iburg would not refill the prescription even one day early or offer any explanation for her behavior. On the 21st day, I had to go to her office twice to BEG for the refill. For days, I had pleaded with the office to have Dr. Iburg return my calls, but was flatly refused. I finally delivered a letter to her office discharging her as my cat’s vet. Later that night my cat died. Dr. Iburg abandoned my cat when he needed her most. About a week later I was finally able to visit the office and talk to her. When I asked her why she didn’t return my desperate pleas for help, Dr. Iburg smiled and told me that the front office sometimes takes it on themselves to “protect her” when she is busy! Owners with healthy cats who need only routine care might consider Whiskers To Tails: but if your cat has a chronic illness that requires frequent testing and examinations or emergency visits I would stay away. You should also stay away if you expect to have a meaningful dialogue with Dr. Iburg, expect her to answer questions on the phone, or to even return your phone calls On July 7, 2009 I requested the medical records of my cat. Twenty-four days later I finally received them, with a note of condolence. A return phone call when my cat was sick would have meant so much more. 3-stars for years of adequate service, 0 stars for the current state of declining standards and for failing my cat and me when we needed her most - for a total score of 1 star.

Valerie Norman

Whiskers and Tails. I brought my cats in to be fixed. Apparently the vet and/or staff did not know they were my pets. They thought the cats were from a wild cat colony. My cats were not given pain medication to go home with like other cats I saw leave after same surgery. Also 4 of them came home with MANGE. The mange started In their eye area where they put lubricant for surgery preparation. An employee by the name of Rosie was rude, disrespectful, and in sensitive. I mentioned to her I had 2 of my cats in the garage so they could not get pregnant. It was around the 4th of July and was over 100 degrees. Rosie responsed by saying "I dont care". I asked if I could speak to the Dr. I was told "no". I told a Spanish staff member what happened she got mad. I told a different staff member her response was "thats your pet"? I said "yes". Then I was able to speak to the Dr privately. As soon as she finished discussing my cats issues. I tried to discuss my experience with Rosie. Our meeting was terminated.

Geos Copperfield

I have been a client of Dr Iburg for years, I have had several cats treated there and I have complete confidence in her abilities and her staff. There are times when they office is really busy but that was because people had brought ill cats in too late and they were trying to save them before handling the routine visits. I for one can wait knowing someones baby is in distress, because once it was my cat that needed their urgent attention. It is a small private practice so she is not limited in the time she can spend with you and your cat, unlike the large corporate practices that insist their vets limit their visits to 15 minutes or less. But that also means her office can be off schedule and you may have to wait for an appointment. But I find it worth the wait!

Margaret Garemore

Dr. Iburg and her staff have been superb in their care and treatment of my two elderly cats. Dr. Iburg is the only vet who has been able to properly diagnose and treat my cats, and was able to alleviate years of chronic irritable bowel syndrome and ear problems, respectively. Dr. Iburgs suggested treatment and care made an immediate difference and improvement in the health of my animals. I have complete and total confidence in her and Whiskers to Tails. Their prices are very reasonable and they are friendly, caring, professional and competent.

A Private User

Dr. Iberg is very gentle wtih her "bedside manner" and is very up-to-date on the veterinary health of felines. Her staff was very friendly at my last appointment and I was completely happy with my cats care. I also noticed a rescue group in the waiting room so it appears that she does help area groups as she can which is wonderful! The other clients that I spoke with in the waiting area all seemed very pleased with this clinic and their services. Would recommend.

Dennis Bolin

I have been bringing my 4 cats here for now going on 16 years for one of them (15-8-8 respectfully). I have nothing but good things to say.

Mary Taillac

Love that is it is small and personal. Parking lot in back. Not expensive.