VCA Douglas County Animal Hospital

Reviews 4

MA

Maggie Legrand

Do not go here. Please. DO NOT GO HERE. I should have read reviews before going, but in times of a pet emergency, the last thing you think to do is check a few reviews....Had to take our pet to VCA in the middle of the night due to an emergency on a weekend we felt that could not wait until the morning. When you arrive you fill out paperwork and wait for a vet to come see your pet. We waited in the waiting area for 30 minutes before anyone would take us back so our pet could get help. The whole time my pet was crying in agony. We told the vet what we know for our pet thus far, and we were mocked and told it was impossible that the pet would have this issue AGAIN. I insisted, this was the issue, we have been down this road before and they need to help as soon as possible. Before they would even provide my pet with any relief they rush in a document of items they wish to do and how much we would owe after those services. It felt like you are in an arcade and you must insert more quarters for them to continue with helping your pet. They were able to help my pet alleviate his immediate issue- and we walked out of there for just over $1000, my pet was not there any longer than 12 hours. Thats with money taken off because some services werent needed in the end. There were a few employees who came to assist with my pets going home who were extremely caring and kind people who you can tell love animals.....But I did not get the same feeling from the vet. I understand nothing is free, and I doubt anyone expects that when they walk into any business-especially an emergency 24 hour business-that they wont have to pay. But these folks ONLY focus on making sure they can get paid, and then...once they solidify that, then they will fix your pet. I visited a different daytime vet locally for a followup and received the exact opposite care...This staff was friendly, caring, focused on getting the pet checked out and making sure not to be redundant in costly proceedures which were previously completed by VCA. And the vet was extremely compassionate with me and my pet. I felt if I went back to VCA they would do the whole kit and kaboodle all over again- blood work again, more xrays- cause why not? I am glad I visited a different vet locally. It restored my faith in humanity.

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Shaun Seiler

Go somewhere else...OVERPRICED, Pushy, and unwilling to listen to you. Went in with our dog seizing and they knocked him out to get the seizures to stop. The doctor on staff at the time, Dr. Cox, seemed to be very concerned and needed us to sign the paper work right away so she could start "working". ---this required a $1200 deposit. She was convinced that the dog was epileptic and would be the rest of his life. I then proceeded to tell her that I believe the dog ate something that was toxic and sent him into a state of convulsions. I brought this up 6-8 times in our initial check in conversation with little respect or acknowledgement from the doctor... "this seems to be more along the lines of inherited epilepsy." -Dr. Cox She sent us home the next day when the seizures stopped with medication saying that he will need to be on them the rest of his life (he is 8 months old). All other vets I have talked to say that genetic epilepsy in a dog does not usually show up in a puppy and in no way lasts 11 hours like his did!!! Three days later when his stools solidified a bit he passes an object with tubing connected to it. The tubing looks like it contained a liquid at one point which could have been toxic to animals. After telling them this and that I was right for thinking he ate something......their HEAD OF MEDICINE and I had a conversation regarding my experience. I told here that he did in fact ingest something, pass it, and is now vomiting with diarrhea.....leading me to believe something still may be blocking him up. When I told her this she assured me that Dr. Cox did the right thing and that she believes in NO WAY that his seizures and him passing that foreign object were related....even though this is what I initially took him in for and told them in the first place. Will NOT be giving them any more business and I hope you all head my warning. I just could not believe that they stood behind their doctors miss-diagnosis when there is sufficient evidence proving otherwise.

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RA

Rachel Cain

I wish I could give these guys a better review. I took my GSD to the emergency vet around 2 in the morning and the vet (I dont think he works there anymore, unfortunately) was great and very informative. He did not try to rip us off and told us all the different reasons she could be sick and what we should do about it. I then had to take her in again because a massive tumor showed up overnight. I made an appointment ahead of time and also printed off the "Free First Exam" coupon, since it wouldnt count for the emergency appointment. Dr. Roberts was pushy about getting the tumor surgically removed before even testing if it was benign or not. It wasnt bothering my dog and wasnt interfering with her daily life. She was very opinionated about getting it removed because it was "ugly," (which she said several times). This would be at least a $1500 surgery for a tumor (that most likely is benign) because it was "ugly." I asked for a quote to just get it checked to see if it was even cancerous. She got me one, but said "if I were you, I would just get it removed and skip the other steps." I told her I would talk about it and come back if we decided to do anything. Then when I went to check out, they wouldnt honor the coupon because only certain veterinarians honor the coupon. This is VERY deceiving on the website, which plastered all over says first health exam free. No where does it say (not even in small print) that it is only honored by SOME veterinarians. So I was very disappointed about the experience and had to pay for the health exam, which, with the coupon, I was not expecting to have to do. Also, since the tumor isnt an issue (according to the vet, its just "ugly") it was a waste of money. I will be going to a new vet from now on, that isnt in it just for the money and doesnt try to push you or is opinionated on one particular (or most expensive) treatment about YOUR OWN dog and the decisions you make for it.

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Rochelle Sheffield

First bad experience, shame on them. Second bad experience, shame on me! It started 15 years ago when we would go in for just one simple thing, we felt they were "up selling" us. "Yes we can do that...but we can also do this in addition to that." When we lost our 1st dog, they said it was going to be $8000 and physical therapy for the rest of his life. He was 11 years old. We decided to euthanize and felt guilty about it due to the staffs reaction. We were forced into going back to VCA due to our new vet who had no way of overnight care. We would have done it completely different if we were in the right state of mind. We were so concerned by her situation and just wanted her to get better. Thank you VCA for one of the most horrendous experiences we have had. We will miss our little girl so much and thanks to you we will live with the guilt of not being able to afford her care ($3,000 -$7,000) Not sure how anyone sleeps at night there! I wouldnt be surprised if they worked on commission. Never will we ever deal with them again. They are all about $$ and have shown it blatantly in both situations. Their lack of compassion is sick and pathetic and they have no people skills - especially in traumatic situations where they can take total advantage of you. We know she is in a better place now and we are so sorry she had to spend her last moments with money hungry heartless people. We can only imagine how uncompassionate they were when they euthanized her. It hurts my heart to even think about it. Please reconsider using this institution that benefits from the love of your pet and willingness to take what is in your savings account and makes you feel guilty for not letting them.

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