VCA South Shore (Weymouth) Animal Hospital

Reviews 3

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Sean Timmins

While its true that payment at animal hospitals will always be a very disheartening problem, and it is also true that most animal hospitals will function first and foremost as a business and will try to get as much money out of you as possible, they are trained professionals. My cat was hit on New Years eve but did not die from the hit. It appears that he was only clipped. He was struck in the side of the head and he was bleeding heavily down his face and into his nose and mouth. He had swelling that we feared would kill him if it had gone to his brain. He was losing consciousness. Being in a family that has quite a few doctors and nurses, we understood that if he had brain swelling or bleeding, his chance of survival would be incredibly slim. Luckily for us, the VCA is open 24 hours, including New Years Eve. We traveled from Plympton to Weymouth and brought him in, hoping there was anything we could do. The bill they presented us (along with a payment plan) was, indeed, astronomical, but we had decided upon going there that we would not decide whether our cat Frito would live or die based off of a financial decision. Honestly, I personally didnt think that he would survive with the amount of blood he lost and how long he had been unconscious. We had assumed that he had entered into a coma. We left him overnight and we were updated the following morning that they had given him painkillers to make him more comfortable, they had cleaned up his wound, and they had managed to take down a good amount of the swelling. He is still there and currently undergoing more tests to check for internal damages, which is a completely reasonable test. The reason for the high prices are primarily coming from the fact that he will need dental work, as he has a few broken teeth as well as a few loose ones. Not only did they save his life that evening, they may be able to save his eye as well. As long as Ive lived here, Ive seen plenty of pets, not just my own, die to the road we live on. The speed limit is 35 and people are always blowing by at 50 MPH. Im incredibly surprised that not only did my cat survive the hit, but the VCA was able to treat him. I know other people have had some sour incidents with the VCA, but people have sour incidents with every single animal hospital out there. With the bills taken into account, I can firmly say that I give the VCA a 5/5. Hospitals will always be expensive (in this country anyways). My family is so thankful that our cat is now stable and is thus far improving in condition.

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Sunrise Sunset

I had to bring my 6 yr old cat here this weekend, because he was suddenly in pain and could barely walk. I read reviews and didnt want to go here - but had no other choice. I was afraid of the cost, as I live week to week, with no savings or credit cards. Just to walk in the door was $125, but before I paid that, he was evaluated. I was told it was a urinary blockage, common for boy cats. They said theyd need to drain it and give him fluids...but then went on to say hed need 48 hours of care, to the tune of $3000, which was impossible. But they said I could get care credit and pay it back like a credit card. I dont have great credit and was only given $500. So I was at an impass - unable to give my cat the care he needed. They just stared blankly at me, as I said Id have to just take the lesser of the options, to drain his blockage and send him home with medication. I had to pay 75% of the bill before theyd start, then was told it would be a couple hours and theyd let me know when to come for him. On my way home, after checking his blood, a doctor called and said his potassium and electrolytes were quite low and she was worried. I said, I still cant pay...I dont have access to $3k today. I asked if he might not survive anyway, with either procedure - and she couldnt say. I asked if he should be euthanized, but she wouldnt commit. She said for the $900 procedure, he may end up with another blockage, but shed send him home with meds and Id have to change his diet. I said please do that and help him feel better. I picked him up and they said hes having a lot of trouble waking up from the anesthesia, but he did well. Well he continued having trouble recovering, didnt want to eat, drink, couldnt stand up. I went to bed at 11, got up at 5 and he was the same. I was supposed to give him antibiotics with food, but he wasnt moving, forget eating?! He tried at one point to get into his litter box, but didnt make it and and fell on his way - which is where he died around 10 am. I wish theyd had the compassion to do what they knew would save him and worry about the cost afterwards. OR, be honest that it wouldnt save him, so he could have been put out of misery and pain sooner. But they wanted to get the most they could get, regardless of the cost to my boy or me. Do not go here, unless money is no issue. They are only FOR PROFIT.

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Christine Myaskovsky

UPDATE 4/4/2014 Since my review below,one of my cats got seriously ill in the middle of the night. A doctor saw my cat the min my husband walked in the door at 12am. Short Story short, he passed away and the doctors there helped make my cats last mins on this Earth, painless. After my cats death, they sent a very thoughtful and caring note. We still continue to bring our other cats there...my main issue is still their fees, but like another vet, they are always going to be high. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This place is AWFUL...Every doctor and tech is just AWFUL with their communication skills..but are great asking you for money. Two examples: Cat 1 1. Going to pay $500 to have my cats teeth clean..I called the office to see what time the vet would be in to make an appt. I was told 2pm..I call back at 2pm and guess what, the Vet is now out for the next 3 weeks..to call back then. Good thing my cat wasnt dying. Left a message for the vet to call back when they return to make an appt...never heard back. Cat 2 2. After paying over $800 for blood work, scan, etc, etc. we were going to move forward with a biopsy and the Vet said he call the next day to set up an appt. After NOT hearing from the Vet, I called many times to ask when I could make the appt...never received a reply. 2 WHOLE weeks later, I get a reply from the vet that someone will call to make the appt with me...3 days later, no call. I just took my cat someplace else where they actually value your time and will call you back. So in short..They never follow up with phone calls because they dont know how to use a phone or listen to voice mail?!?!?! Sorry if I am paying over $1000 for one cat and $600 for another cat, I want you to reply to my damn phone calls. DONT GO HERE!