VCA Annandale Animal Hospital

Reviews 6

MI

Michelle BH

I had adopted my dog two days earlier and this was our first visit to the vet together. My dog has hypothyroidism and has to be under daily medication. I chose VCA as the shelter where I picked up the dog from recommended it. VCA offered a first "complimentary" visit. But it turned out a bitter experience. As a new dog owner you are given a lecture on what risks are out there--call it scare tactic. Fair enough. But nothing on her medication, and her blood test, sure....in six months! We nevertheless had a blood test. But the blood test was partial and includes only 4 key tests, not the T4 for the dog, which are critically important to check the condition of the thyroid. Next, we had a ear cleaning--at my request. But the vet cleaned one ear and sold me the product to clean the other ear. The dog is large, and the vet and his assistant were holding her while pouring the liquid in the ear. Needless to say that I completely failed when I tried to clean the dogs other ear later that evening. I needed an assistant too! Also they charge an anal gland clean, but nothing tells me that they performed it. Then I tried to get a prescription for the meds, and returned alone to clinic on the following Saturday. The vet was busy on a visit and I left the clinic empty-handed, with the promise, though, that the prescription would come on Monday. However, in the meantime the clinic tried to sell me the prescription medication--the dog needs the thyroidal replacement and the supplement. It took them 3 phone calls to come to the total $138 for both medications and shipment included, and of course, sorry for the inconvenience, they dont have the medications exactly, they have generics only. Providentially, VCA could not get to charge my credit card. I took it as a sign that I should try something else. So I ended ordering the medication from an online store..... For half the price!! and for the real stuff, not the generic. But the online store needed the prescription. Wednesday evening, still nothing from the vet. The online store just noted that they did *not* receive the prescription from the store. Had I opted to go with VCA, I would have already received the meds.... I am not going there again. They are only after your money, they cuddle the human companion, and pretend to be interested in the pet.

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A Private User

I am new to the area and therefore was on the hunt for new Dr.s, Vets, etc. During my move my dogs Rabies Vacine had expired. After calling around to SEVERAL animal clinics in the Arlington/Alexandria area, I became discouraged that I was going to have to pay close to $100 just for a new vaccine. I must say, I moved from Northern Alabama and was in a little bit of shock at how much clinics charge for animal health care here. Finally, I got to Annandale Animal Hospital on my list of places to call and they were by far the cheapest in town. I was a little leary at first because I was afraid "you will get what you pay for" but after reading the positive reviews I decided to give it a shot. We visited Dr. Bugin who was very pleasant and seemed genuinely concerned about my pets welfare. I felt comfortable with him in that when I asked him questions he gave his best educated answer and did not what they call "nickel and dime" me to death with things that were not needed. The overall staff was very pleasant and professional. The bottom line is I think this is the best clinic for the money so me and my dog will visit Annadale Animal Hospital again!

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David Wilson

Took my cat here because I was going to move and figured a checkup and a refill on my cats travel meds would be a good idea, everything seemed normal they gave my cat his rabies vaccination because it was due soon and drew some blood after that I took him home getting ready for the move. The vet called me a few days later wanting to test the blood again which costs another 150 dollars because they thought they saw something so I told them sure do it, they call me back with his numbers which at that time I didnt really know much about but they said it was bad and wanted to do medical tests and explorative surgeries on my cat... needless to say I took my cat elsewhere and that vet looked at the numbers and explained everything to me. What he told me was that all those procedures were unnecessary gave me some cat food for UT and a probiotic and said come back in two weeks. After two weeks they ran his blood and it came back great, VCA has become a place that does not care for pets and just wants money I am grateful that I listened to my gut and got a second opinion and saved my cat from the torturous procedures that VCA wanted to do.

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A Private User

I am at a loss to explain the negative comments about these folks. I decided to use these folks based on two factors: (1) When I first called the yet to inquire about issues with my newly acquired dog (a rescue with sigbificant health issues) I was immediately passed on to a Doctor by the staff. Every other vet I called made me spin my wheels with a receptionist. (2) Their stellar reviews in the Washington Checkbook and the Washingtonian, not the price. Fortunatley, I can afford any vet I chose, and I chose this one because my dog recieves better and more personal care than I get from my physician. As a result of prior abuse and neglect, my dog has had / has a number of issues that require attention. Every time I call I talk to the vet, and he takes all the time needed to explain what the problem might be, or if there is even a problem...no charge. But the reality is ther are people who walk the earth with an insatiable sense of entitlement. At any price, these are the only vets that are going to care for my pet.

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Stefanie Justiniano

Took my dog in because his paw was swollen. They checked it (in another room, out of my view) and came back in and said they found a cut and he would need sutures. The tech went to get me an estimate, and came back... $1,000! I said "I dont have $1,000 right now, can we do a payment plan or something?" The tech said, "we dont usually do payment plans, but let me go talk to the doctor". She left and went to talk to the vet. She came back in with the vet and he said "ok we can dress it and wrap it and see if that works" and they gave me antibiotics and anti inflammatory and wanted me to go back in 3 days to get it checked again and rewrapped. I never went back. I took him my familys vet, and guess what... the cut that "needed" sutures was completely healed. This vet said that a cut NEEDING sutures absolutely would not have healed completely in 3 days without them, even with antibiotics. VCA tried to rip me off for $1000! No wonder their parking lot is always empty. Ill never go back to this location ever again.

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A Private User

I read the other reviews and cant understand the displeasure, as even AFTER their business changed hands, I find them to be extremely reasonable given all the vets in this area Ive been to. And Ive been to MANY! My first Airedale had problems that took me to many vets; plus she got cancer, so I spent thousands going in and out of vet offices and emergency care. This is my second one, and I initially took this little girl to two very reputable vets about two problems; one, her joint stiffness and slight limp, and two; the crusted scabs that kept forming underneath her ears. NO ONE could prescribe the medication to cure the latter problem. I took her to VCA Annandale, and they nailed it the very FIRST time! I resisted going there at first because of the driving distance, but I happily drive the distance now, as they are very compassionate and caring with my dog, plus reasonable in cost AND fantastic veteranarians to boot! I could not be more pleased!

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