VCA Aspenwood Animal Hospital

Reviews 5

VI

Vic Proulx

When we take on ownership of a pet, we all know there will come a time when, for one reason or another, the pet will no longer be with us. We experienced that finality today with our cat Dashiell - “Dash.” He came into our lives a neutered stray, jumping the fence into our back yard. We watched lost cat notices intently, for who would not look for such a fine, sociable, lost spotted tabby? This was in 2004. After a week we took him on board. What can I say? He was fun to be with. Raking leaves, shoveling snow, walking the dog, painting, writing, Dash was always at our side. A month ago Suzanne took him to the Aspenwood, for he was loosing weight, and seem a bit lethargic. There was a kidney problem, the vet - Dr Kelly - tried to help, but Dash ate less and less. By Saturday Dash had stopped eating entirely. Today we took him to Aspenwood to have him “taken down.” For the first time in his life he did not have to ride in the cat carrier. He always hated the experience, and would cry the whole trip. This time he was on Suzanne’s lap, and did not a cry. Dr Kelly, who had been working to fix Dash’s kidney problems, saw us in a small room. We were worried that strange barking dogs would scare him, but there were no barking dog sounds for the entire time of this event. The patient [pet] table had three blankets to keep Dash comfortable. Dr Kelly took Dash into another room to insert an IV tube. She brought Dash back with a sleeve over the incision…or insertion. She first administered a tranquilizer. Dash was in Suzanne’s arms. For the first time in weeks he had his satisfied, all is cool, look. The Dr Kelly gave him something to put him to sleep. And he slept. Not curled up with his tail or paw over his eyes, as was his habit, but obvious sleep. She then gave him something that stopped his heart - stopped it rather quickly. And Dash stepped out of this stupendous mystery he had roamed about in, these 14 or so years. All is cool. If you ever have to make such a choice, I urge you to go to a vet for euthanasia. Not all vets let you witness, so if that is what you want…make sure they offer it. My hats off to Dr Kelly of Aspenwood…a real pro.

---

AM

Amanda McCombs

I had to Google VCA Aspenwood for their address and noticed they had 3.9 stars and wondered why, because they are GREAT. There are some 1 star reviews whining about pricing. Heres the truth: Ive been seeing the vets here for years...and in all honesty, I do tend to do the smaller things, like vaccinations, somewhere cheaper. But for actual vet care, nobody can touch Dr. Kelley and Dr. Katie. They are really the kindest vets Ive ever met. When my 14 year old Shepherd was dying last year and they were telling me all the testing options I could continue to perform on my girl after 3 emergency trips in a weeks time, it was Dr. Katie who looked me dead in the eye, put her hand on my shoulder and said "Im going to tell you this because I think you need someone to say these words...Euthanasia is not a wrong choice in this situation. She is not necessarily in pain today, but when her kidneys fail, and they will, it will be extremely painful." Those were the hardest words Ive ever had someone say to me, and I lost it. But it allowed me to take a step back, spend 2 more wonderful days with my best friend, and schedule her release up in the mountains on her favorite hiking trail. She got to have one last good day and be put at peace in her favorite spot in the world, outside, in the mountains she loved, whereas if I had waited another week, or two, or even bought her a month or two, eventually she would have crashed and had to be put down in an emergency situation inside a vets office, which nobody wants for their baby. Im getting a new puppy within the next month, and you can bet shell be going here for medical care.

---

SU

Sue Trowbridge

I was just in with Dr. Kelly this week. It is expensive but you get what you pay for. I thought I would check out Broadview Animal Clinic as a friend went and said it was a lot cheaper. I went last week and it was horrible. I waited over an hour to get a room. They misdiagnosed my cat and prescribed the wrong meds. I could tell something was wrong and got in with Dr. Kelly the very next day. My kitty had quite a few tests done and we are trying to resolve his issues. We were there for 3 hours. I did walk and get a coffee while my kitty was undergoing tests at the suggesting of Dr. Kelly. She is the most kind, gentle and patient vet I have ever met. She sat down with me and we went over all the tests and she wanted to make sure that I understood everything. I will not skimp and go somewhere cheaper again; what was I thinking, this is my baby. I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Kelly and the vet techs are so kind and gentle with my pets. As for the person who had their cat declawed WHY????? It is like cutting a humans fingers off at the knuckles. I doubt it was a botched job and am surprised Aspenwood even does it. You are not going to get good results by cutting your pets "fingers" off any way. I would highly recommend this hospital to everyone. I am biased, I prefer to see only Dr. Kelly. Thank you Aspenwood.

---

DA

Dan Griswold

We have brought our beagle here for almost 4 years now. I will say the care given is great, but we wont be going here anymore due to the high pressure sales situation theyve put us in too many times. We have a 22 lbs beagle. Almost everyone that meets her says "wow, Ive never seen a happier or healthier beagle". She is lean and fit and still looks like a puppy, shes turning seven this March. Yet the last several times weve brought her in here Dr. Katie made us feel like we are the worst dog owners ever that are mistreating our beagle because we arent spending $500 - $1,000 every vet visit from all the extra services they try to push on us. We go above and beyond as pet owners, did the $400 dental cleaning last year, and my wife just had to have a stand down with her to not repeat the teeth cleaning again this year. Im sorry, but if a customer doesnt want an extra service, and has a happy healthy dog, probably should ease off on pushing the extra services. Most adults would laugh at a $400 teeth cleaning for a dog, and we did it last year! Yet by not doing it again this year, she made us feel like terrible pet owners. Nope, wont step foot in here again and excited to find a vet that actually cares about the pet and familys decisions, not just tacking on extra services.

---

RH

Rhaco Rehab

I took my adopted dog here due to a complication with a previous spay prior to me adopting her. She was prescribed antibiotics and Dr. Grillo who was very persistent about aditional test with other non related issues. She wanted to preform a additional surgery, non related matter. I went back a second time and expressed my concerns about the spay site as well as the continually drainages/ swelling. She seemed unconcerned and still wanted to do this additional surgery. Two weeks and over $500 later the spay site was still leaking and swollen. I took her to Belcaro animal hospital for a second opinion where Dr. Bechtold new right away that she was having a reaction to the dissolvable sutures. He removed them and the price was 1/4 the cost of what VCA would have charged me. VCA is over priced and they seem more concerned with adding on additional cost and services rather than solving issues that pet parents are original concerned with.

---

---