VCA Animal Care Center of Chicago

Reviews 4

EL

Eldin Karaikovic

Two days ago our beloved cat Gabrialla (AKA Moussie) passed away while under the care of Dr. Joanna Krol and the staff of the Animal Care Center. She passed away while sedated during what was supposed to be the routine pulling out of her teeth. Poor Moussie was scheduled to see Dr. Krol at 10 am. This was arranged with her days ahead. Since our cat was very old my wife made sure that Dr. Krol would see her at the time scheduled. It is not easy on anybody not only an animal not to eat or drink anything after midnight in order to get sedation for a procedure. Blindly trusting Dr Krols judgment my wife showed at the schedule time. Since the similar situation happened in the past and our poor cat had to wait for hours to be sedated for a similar treatment and since Moussie barely made it at that time, my wife did not want to leave her alone until seeing Dr. Krol who finally showed up at 1 pm. My wife waited for her for three hours while our poor cat probably starved to death all that time. Nevertheless again trusting Dr Krols judgment that Moussie would be just fine my wife entrusted Moussie’s care (and life) to Dr Krol. She was assured that she would be taken in the procedure right away. Since nobody called my wife for next several hours she finally called the Animal Care Center just to find out with horror that Moussie went under anesthesia at 3.30 pm. It was too late to stop anything at that time. One hour later my wife was called and notified that our beloved Moussie arrested and passed away while in anesthesia. They tried to revive her but it was too late. I think it would be hard on anybody and not only for a poor frail animal that could not say or complain to be starved for 18 hours. A lack of sensibility for wellbeing of our beloved cat was appalling. An absolutely healthy cheerful full-of-life cat which my wife brought in that morning was dead that very afternoon. Her passing devastated the life of my wife who saved our cat from a certain death in a shelter 10 years ago, devastated my life and lives of several families around us as well as Moussies sister who is now left alone. I am sure that Dr. Krol and her team will find some scientific explanation for what happened but the fact is that left dehydrated for hours and with a little sedation and anesthesia Moussie went into the deathly downward spiral. This cheerful old lady who tricked everybody about her age left many us wandering with an eternal WHY: why did I say yes, why did not I say no, why I did not stop it, why I wanted it at all...? I wrote this to warn everybody not to trust anybody but to be more forceful and follow common sense since that is always much better than assurances of the professionals. I write this to make all of us listen more to others concerns and listen less only to ourselves. I wrote this because Gabrialla could not then and cannot now raise her voice. But I can. She was my wife’s angel guardian. Rest in peace dearest Moussie. I pray for Dr. Krol and the staff of the Animal Care Center to find their peace as well. They hurt not an animal but so many people around her. Eldin K.

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JO

Joe Domanico

I took my dog there for dental cleaning because they list a variety of advanced dental technology and expertise. Midway through the procedure my fiance received a call from a tech saying the dog had a broken tooth and the surgeon needed to extract it. No other information regarding the tooth or the procedure were provided. Then they said we need to decide now because she was going to wake up from the anesthesia. Thank god we said no. Four hours later, we received the call that she was waking up from the anesthesia and could be picked up after 4pm. Obviously, the fact that she was waking up and we needed to move fast and make a decision was a misrepresentation. I spoke to the vet who then explained that the tooth wasnt broken. It wasnt even fractured. It showed signs that it could fracture in the future. The fracture could lead to infection and horrible pain. Or be completely fine and heal. But they arent equipped to do any sort of dental work besides cleaning and ripping out teeth so naturally, they opted for extraction. Obviously, I pointed out that extraction seems extreme for the situation. She explained that they suggest it because people dont typically follow their dental care reference. I think maybe thats because they never tell anyone thats an option, tell people its a necessity they must authorize now, and just take out the tooth; risking infection, dry socket, broken jaw, or cancer. Bottom line, we feel lied to. They used deceptive treatment practices, saying painful, risky procedures are a necessity; praying on the trust of the pets owners. They failed to adequately inform us of what was happening and what our options were. Then, with no information they used high pressure techniques to convince us to do an unnecessary expensive procedure that gave my fiance an anxiety attack. I would not trust their judgment. We will be avoiding all VCA hospitals in the future.

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MA

Mario Janes

I always had a good experience with them, I was a regular for a year and took my dog every 3 months for vaccines and so on.. They always were a little pricy but what happened to me the last time blew my mind. So I had to travel with my dog to Europe and I asked for a exam with the doctor and a international certificate to take to the state vet (Dr. Khaan). I paid 66 bucks for both exam and the paper, which was fine. I went to the vet and there was a mistake my dogs vaccines and he needed to take rabies and do a another paper I brought from the state vet. I asked to fill out the paper for me with all the info needed which they did for no charge, I was happy with the whole process. There was something elses needed on this last paper and i went back for the correction, they got the same paper online and filled it up for me. At the very end they say there is a extra charge for the paper, 66 dollars, because they say it took the doctor time to fill it up. Funny that who wrote the whole thing was one of the girls at the entrance, the doctor only signed it. I was mad to have to pay for something that was free and I asked why ? The made some story up and I told them they were doing this because some manager told them to suck my money to the max. I felt I was at Disney were people pay 9 bucks for water.. I told her if I paid this I would never return, she didnt care and I will never return :) Just dont go here, their boarding also is a joke, my dog came with allergies more than once. P.S: When I told this story to the state vet he started laughing and asked me how is it possible they charged me for using ink on a paper.

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ME

Meaghan Thomas

This vet is amazing. My dog and cat both go here and every dog I foster through a rescue goes here. They do a lot of rescue work so they see every issue under the sun. I referred friends here with animals with "mystery illnesses" and these vets nailed the illness on the head every time. They also do surgeries. Amazing surgeries that save animals lives and help them live better. Theyre friendly, caring and the most knowledgeable vets Ive ever met. My (rescue) dog suffered from demodex mange for 14+ months at my old vet, who had me on these crazy harsh medications. Animal Care Center of Chicago fixed it in 3 months, used the least harmful treatment options, and it was 60% cheaper than my old vet!! My cat has suffered from diabetes for 2 years. They put him on new insulin and hes doing so much better. The doctor calls me every week to check in. They remember me and they remember my pets. They have awesome hours. Its as if they never close. And they are more affordable than any other vet Ive been too. They dont charge you up the wazoo like so many past vets have done. I recommend this vet to everyone.

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