Vista Veterinary Specialists

Reviews 3

MA

Mario DiManno

If you care about your pet I DO NOT recommend this place. We were referred to Vista because of their oncology program. Our dog was diagnosed with Lymphoma in June. We immediately met with DR. Danielle OBrien. She spent 30-40 minutes with us at the consultation. We left the clinic feeling that our beloved dog would be in the best care possible. This was the last time we saw Dr. Danielle OBrien until the Lymphoma spread all over his poor body. It has been a week now since we had to let him go. I do not want to bad mouth anybody but please read some of the problems we had before you put your trust in them to take CARE of your pet. 1. The lack of communication is horrible. They would give us a summary of the day when they would release our dog. Sometimes it would have another dogs name on it. Two times they told us something was wrong with his heart and said the Doctor would call us. This NEVER happened. When we would finally make contact, Dr. OBrien would deny it. 2. You are dealing with a technician and I am not saying that they are not important but they dont have the schooling or experience when you are paying out $6,000 to $7,000. 3. Dr OBrien is never available. She NEVER calls to check on your pet. You NEVER see her. 4. They make you wait. Their is no office manager so you are waiting for everything except paying your bill. Again waiting is acceptable knowing your pet is getting taken care of. I really dont want to write this as I am exhausted emotionally and wish to move forward but I want pet lovers to know what they could be getting into when dealing with this Veterinary hospital. Our dog wouldnt eat and started to get Jaundice. We called and emailed Dr. OBrien because she was the Dr taking care of him for the last 3-4 months. She emailed us back a day later and told us that she would not be to work until Tuesday. We took the time off work to monitor him and try to get him to eat and make him comfortable until we could get him in there. We went in with him in the morning at 10am. This was the second time in (4) months that we saw Dr. OBrien after we had visited there at least 12-15 times for his Chemo. She spent 5 minutes saying she did not think it was the Lymphoma and thought that he should get an ultra sound. We agreed to everything as we WANTED the BEST treatment for him. We left him at the Vet knowing we might not see him again. We called in the afternoon at 4pm and they said to call back. We did and my wife talked to Dr. OBrien. The whole day our dog sat in a cage while we waited desperately. Dr. OBrien said she was upset with us because we were not patient enough. She complained that they were at the mercy of the Ultra sound people. Very professional!!! We picked up our guy at 6:30pm, mind you they charged us $1200 when we dropped him off. We then rushed him to UC Davis. They were kind and professional. Again, please take this for what it is worth. We love our dogs and would do anything for them. Sure we were emotional and desperate but were respectful under the circumstances and Dr. OBrien who has a very fragile ego and always puts herself before the patient. You make your own decision.

AS

Ashlee Chen

I had to say goodbye to my boy chips the other day. I knew his time was coming, he has been dealing with cancer for about 2 years now. His main vet is not at Vista; however the night my chips started to quickly go down hill my vet wasnt there for me; Vista was. I called them a few times throughout the evening; asking questions about signs my kitty was in pain, drinking water ect. I have never experienced losing an animal family member before and they were so comforting. Even with me crying on the phone, they would answer my questions and concerns and be compassionate and patient. When it was time they asked me to call prior so they would set everything up. I wrapped my chips in a towel and held him the drive over; when we got there, We had zero wait; they knew we were coming and brought me and my family into a private room where we said our goodbyes. I was not rushed in any way; I was able to sit with him as long as I wanted until I was ready. When the time came and it was over; again there was no rush for us to leave, I held my poor boy for awhile, the technician promised to keep him wrapped in his towel and sat with me till I was ready for him to take him. I chose a private cremation and will be receiving his ashes in a wonderful wooden picture box, I also chose the option for a clay paw print. Vista treated me like I was family, like my boy chips meant somthing to them and I will forever be grateful for them. It was a very hard day and I will always miss my boy; if anyone is considering a final place for their pet Vista is a loving place to go. I thank them for being so kind. Update: 2-1-2016 I was so surprised to have received a card in the mail from Vista, giving sympathy for the loss of our kitty. Again I cannot thank Vista enough for their love and support during this time.

HI

Hilary Wagner

DO NOT TAKE YOUR ANIMAL WITH CANCER HERE! My boyfriend took my dog to see Dr Rodriquez on Saturday for a consult about the liver cancer Clark had. The doctor told him the dog was quite sick and had maybe one or two days left to live. My grief-stricken boyfriend was told that perhaps a extra high dose of chemo to shock the cancer may help put the cancer into remission and this was the only possible way he had to save the dogs life. Nearly $900 later, and 8 hours, the dog was dead. My issue here is with the ethics of this clinic to encourage a vulnerable, grief stricken man to pump poison into a dog with 24 hours of life left. That last 8 hours of Clarks life must have caused incredible suffering and why any doctor would allow this is beyond me. He had the choice to refuse to treat, but chose money over the dogs best interests. When greed takes over values and ethics, I will call it. This is a clear case of taking advantage of the vulnerable and putting money over caring for the best interests of the animal. I called to dispute this charge with the vet, and I am waiting back to hear that from them, and I am quite sure they will tell me, "your boyfriend authorized this and wanted to save the dog." They knew this dose would kill him, and I challenge them to show me statistical facts that high doses of chemo can save a dog that has 24 hours to live. Update; I spoke to the accounting manager and she told me they advised euthanasia but my boyfriend was not ready to let him go. Instead of refusing to treat, they administered powerful chemo drugs that gave him a early death. To make things even worse, they accepted a credit card which they had no authorization to use.