VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital

Reviews 4

AM

Amir Kolmanic

We took our cat there last July after he had been bitten by something while outdoors. We had to wait about 45 minutes because the place was packed. They took our cat, did God-knows-what to him behind closed doors (we were of course not allowed to see), gave him back to us and told us to give him analgesics twice a day (Buprenex). Turns out that wasnt a good idea. I subsequently read that Buprenex should not be administered to cats with decreased kidney function. I also read that this painkiller should, if at all possible, be given only as a last measure, because it is an extra-label prescription not approved by the FDA for veterinary use and is particularly potent. They must either not have known that or the fact that our cat had must have had kidney problems. One week later, the animal was far worse off than he had been before the visit. A week after we administered the first dose of painkiller, he refused to eat, drank minimally and hid under my bed for 13 days until he was haggard and ragged, until we visited a different vet, who ran some tests on his kidneys to find they were in critical condition and concluded there was little we could do in the long term. On the advice of a friend, we decided to give IV-therapy a try. To everyones surprise, these 2-3 minute daily injections helped, and the cat made a full recovery within a few days. He was completely healthy for several months, but he was being given the injections the whole time, roughly once a week. Today, we noticed that he seems to be having gum or dental problems, visible from the fact that he has trouble eating more than a morsel at a time and does so only once or twice a day, smells bad (he no longer grooms himself), has become reclusive once more, and is generally unresponsive. We tried going back to VCA for advice but the people there wouldnt offer us another word of advice without the cat in the clinic and credit card ready on the counter. It doesnt seem unreasonable to me to conclude that we paid $500 for an opportunity for the people who work at VCA to ruin or exacerbate our cats kidney functions. My entire family is now under the distinct impression that these people couldnt care less about the pets they are paid to supposedly help, and it makes me sad, because it looks likely that well now have to put our cat down. Please make sure you find a clinic with humane employees whom you feel you can trust and who will give your pet the care it deserves before you pay a few hundred dollars for service you might regret dearly.

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Elizabeth Singleton-Realtor

I really like the way the VCA Alexandria Emergency Hospital is run, and this is why: When I have what I consider to be a pet emergency, I call the VCA Alexandria Emergency Animal Hospital using their number which is saved in my phone and let them know Im on the way. This gives them a heads up as to what the situation with my pet involves so they can be prepared. When I get there, someone takes care of me and my pet almost right away. A tech comes out and speaks with me directly and takes my pet to the main treatment room to check on my pets vital signs and assess the situation. When the situation is not dire, the pet is returned to me so we can wait together until the veterinarian on duty is ready to discuss my pet with me. The veterinarian meets with me to discuss my pets medical situation and the best treatment options available. I have never met a judgmental veterinarian there, and so far no one has tried to milk me for extra treatments that may or may not be necessary. I have never experienced a veterinarian who was not willing to take his or her time to fully explain what was going on with my pet and what all the options were for addressing the situation. The veterinarian on duty is not a resident or intern but an experienced doctor who has chosen to practice emergency medicine with its crazy hours and unpredictable cases. The technicians are certified and knowledgeable. Most of the time Ive had to bring an animal to the emergency part of the animal hospital, I have been in and out within an hour or two. So far there has only been one time that I brought an animal there and had to wait longer due to several emergencies that were determined to be more serious than my situation. However, my pet still was taken back almost immediately upon our arrival to be checked out. In summary, I feel my pets are getting great medical attention and care from professionals who are experienced, knowledgeable, pleasant, and compassionate. The system under which they operate is organized and seems to be triaged appropriately. I have not experienced any price gouging or unnecessary recommendations. I have recommended both the emergency and regular hospital to friends and family many times and will continue to do so. Thanks to the staff for all they do!

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Maryam House

Over priced and dishonest. My dog had bloodish discharge with really poopy and fishy smell coming out of her butt and also I wanted a quote for her dental cleaning. They told me it seems like her uterus is infected and that she needs to get x-rays. I asked how do they say she has infection when her body temperature is okay and also, how is her anal discharge have anything to do with her uterus as her "front part" seemed healthy. Their response was that it depends on what kind of infection her uterus has and they can only tell after they do am x-ray first. At the end they gave me a estimate of $1400 for her teeth cleaning and $670 to get her the x-ray. I decided to take my d9g to another place in Maryland this time for a second opinion. The moment the tech looked at my dog , she immediately said that her anal glands seem full and probably infected (from the discoloration around her anus). I told them she is getting a bloody discharge and she knew right away! She asked us if the discharge smells fishy?I said yes and then she took my dog in the back room , and the doctor came and told us that they emptied her anal glands and it was infact, infected so we need to take her back in two weeks again to make sure it gets emptied again (they charged us $16 for this procedure) and they also put her on antibiotics (Which was like 20 dollars more) !! And that was it !! I did not even pay for the visit because I was there for a free estimate for my dogs dental cleaning) They told me her uterus has nothing with what my dog is experiencing and she seems healthy otherwise. They did suggest that I would remove her uterus while she is getting her teeth cleaned and the estimate for the hysterectomy and dental cleaning is between $580 to $700 all together ! My dog suffered an extra month for no reason , the VCA hospital went first for the most expensive diagnosis rather caring for my dogs health. I understand we live in a relatively more expertise neighborhood but I did not know this has anything to do with the ethics of people who work here. Anyway I am never going there again. Thank you

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Britt M

I initially took my cat there at 2am on a Friday morning. It was the closest 24 hour emergency vet. Im no doctor, but when I went in I said that my cat was having symptoms that to me, were like a human UTI. She was straining to pee, constantly in the litter box, not peeing much, and constantly licking the affect area. They basically said UTIs are uncommon so they just gave her a pain killer shot and some anti-spasm medication for her bladder. I took her home. The bill was about $250. A few days and she seemed a bit better, but one night at 9pm, of course after all the vets had closed - she started exhibiting the same symptoms only worse and with meowing. So I had to take her back to the only vet open - the VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital. They saw her and prescribed the exact same things and suggested I get a urine sample and the visit cost $248. The entire next day I tried but couldnt collect a sample because she didnt urinate enough at one time. So I called them back because I did notice that her urine was pink - indicating blood. They said Id have to bring her back and that even for a visit during normal hours. When I asked how much a normal visit costs they said about $75. Despite having been twice in 8 days, they would not budge on price or help. I made an appointment and took my cat to another vet who only charged $45 to see her and did a urinalysis and gave her antibiotics after diagnosing it as a UTI. If I had skipped VCA and gone to Banfield Vet in the first place? I would have saved almost $500. I cant help but think that VCA Animal Hospital is in the business of making money - not in curing pets. The first time not giving antibiotics? I could understand. The second time and then trying to get me to get the urine sample and not being willing to help when I couldnt? No. Skip this vet and go somewhere else unless its the middle of the night and an absolute emergency.

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