VCA West Shore Animal Hospital

Reviews 3

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Kim S

AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAQUE!! OVERPRICED AND NOTHING BUT LIARS!!! I took my cat to a VCA Animal Hospital in Conn. and I loved it there! I never had an issue! So, I was thrilled to find there was one 10 minutes away from me! However, that was where it ended. This place is so different than the one in Conn! I took my cat in for her annual physical and vaccinations. My cat is 10 and has a past history of kidney failure and cancer. While there, Dr Lupole drilled in to me how important it was to get my cats urine as because kidney failure shows first in the urine, before the blood. She also got me to agree to some xrays. It came as a package, which cost me over $400! The technician came in and took my cat to do her bloodwork and urine. She returned her saying to me that they got everything fine, and to stop at the front desk to pay my bill and make an appointment for her xrays. So, we stopped with Tammy. When I gave the date I wanted to bring my cat in, she goes, "Dr Lupole isnt in surgery that day." Me: "Okaaayyy.... Shes not having sugery, shes getting xrays." Tammy, " Well, we sedate for xrays." Me:"My cat had xrays when she was diagnosed with cancer. They didnt sedate her then, Im not sedating her now." Tammy, "Ill need to contact the Dr to make sure we can do that. Ill give you a call." I left there confused, frustrated, and feeling rushed. So, Tammy called back saying they can try it without sedation. Monday rolls around and the vet calls. Dr Lupole, :Are you having trouble getting urine from Zoe?" Me: "huh?" Dr L :Well, the technician documented here that she wasnt able to get urine and sent you home with a kit." Me: "No, Nothing was given to me. In fact, the technician said they got everything." Dr L" Oh, must be a mistake. Well just get the urine when she comes in for xrays." So, I waited a couple of days, but I was still mad. How dare you tell me how important it is to obtain urine, then lie to me about obtaining it, and falsify my cats medical chart??? So, I called the manager because I wanted my money back for the urine and xrays because how can I trust someone that lies to me on my first visit about something like that?? Well, the manager talked me in to bringing Zoe back. While there, the director informed me that shes not sure why they wanted to sedate Zoe, when 95% of the time they can do it without sedation. As I was reading through the reviews, I came across others that had this same issue. Obviously, the issue it hasnt been resolved. So, they went out of their way to try and undo the wrong frist visit I had. They were able to get the xrays without sedation, and they kept her so they could obtain urine. Monday rolls around again, and the vet calls with the urine results. Jen, the secretary asks for a number Ill be available at for the next 10 - 15 minutes. I wait and wait. Two hours later, still no call back and I had to go to work. I understand emergencies happen, but dont be making me wait by the phone thinking Ill get a call within 15 minutes and make me wait over 2 hours. Just tell me that Ill get a return call before the day is over. Thats completely adequate and more truthful!! I ended that call by asking them to ready my cats chart because I was done being lied to. If I cant trust them with something as simple as urine, how can I trust them if she ever needs surgery?? A minute after I hung up, my phone rings. OH! The vet was suddenly available to return my call! SURPRISE!!! Also, they have my address wrong in the system. I have given them the correct one 3 times now, and its still wrong!!! Seriously! This office is horrible! Lack of brains, lack of ethics, and lack of respect!!!

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Adam Trexler

I took my three kittens here last night for their first post-adoption exams. The staff were all nice, kind, and courteous, they even went out of their way to offer money saving options to cover the exam fees and all the testing and vaccinations the twelve week old kittens will need with a detailed breakdown of the entire cost structure and fees. They also stayed half an hour past closing to finish the exams are wrap up all the small details. There seemed to be tons of informational material available to help clients learn about all stages of their pets life cycles, what kind of care theyll need, and risks they face. The hospitals evening and Saturday hours also make it easy and convenient to schedule appointments that dont require me to take off of work just to get my pets in for a checkup. Reading some of the other google reviews I have to point out that this isnt an emergency hospital. If your pet needs immediate care you may have to take them elsewhere even if theyre a regular patient here. Its the same with the other non-emergency vets Ive been to. As yet Ive seen no evidence of any attempts at price gouging, in fact more the opposite since they offered me the care club plans for the kittens that will ultimately save me quite a bit of money. On the subject of the prices of vet bills: applying modern human medical techniques to animals is expensive, sometimes more so than it is for humans because the approaches can still be relatively new. Ive been through several different vets that all charged between $600-800 for blood work when my older cat had cancer. The bill was similar the last time I had blood work done on myself. The only difference is health insurance. I had it for myself but I didnt have it for my cat and I paid the price, and unfortunately in the end so did he. Now I have pet health insurance for all my furry friends in case they suffer any illnesses. And the VCAs care club packages cover the preventative medicine and examinations that the insurance doesnt.

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Carl Christianson

Stay far away. Weve been using this place for 14 years now. It has changed dramatically in the last few years. The vet doctor turnover is constant, this is a symptom that something isnt right. They overcharge, and upsell at every opportunity. A chest x-ray, simple one, with no sedation. An IV fluid, and urine test of the kidneys. How much would that cost you think? Try $1,000. Our dog was in distress and throwing up. Of course we are concerned for him. But they swoop in on you when you in distress and quickly sell you services at a higher premium then anyone else in the area. If you dont have cash up front for a procedure, thats ok the door is right over there. They wont work with you even if you pet is dieing. No cash on the spot, no service. Part of me gets that. But weve been a customer for well over a decade. No more. Run far away from this place. I suspect that the Vet docs keep leaving because of the unscrupulous practices they are being forced into. The front staff changed as well. This is after a long long period where the staff and docs were stable there. Its actually cheaper and better care to take your pet to the emergency vet over in Rossmoyne or on winding hill. Go figure that out.