VCA Alderwood Companion Animal Hospital

Reviews 7

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Roun Lee

I have four pets, and have been taking them to this hospital for more than 4 years. Staffs are friendly and easy to talk to. However, the level of attention they give to our four feet friends are, unfortunately, very disappointing and I am definitely considering to find another place to take my companion friends after my recent experience with them. I had one of my dogs taken in for her regular check up - they did not notice anything particular and said shes healthy. Literally the following week, I noticed something was off and took her in immediately as her breathing was rough and heard heart murmurs. When I took her in for an emergency, they suggested that I schedule an appointment with a cardiology at the specialty center. After consulting the cardiologist, I found out that her heart condition is severe and will eventually go into a heart failure. What shocked me was that this condition seemed to have been going on for a very long time. Not only that, the cardiologist noticed that she has another condition right off the bat due to lessening of her back hair, which was very visible. (VCA had told me that the lessening of her hair was due to an age.) It is very disappointment and very frustrating to think that she could have received a better health service elsewhere had we known this in advance and this could have been prevented if they had paid a better attention. Another experience that I had that had me reconsider revisiting was their lack of follow-throughs. I had reached out right after my dogs follow up cardiologist appointment to go over a treatment plan for her cushings syndrome. I called them on Friday morning, specifically asking for the doctor to speak with my dogs cardiologist, and asked for a call back. I did not receive a call from them the following day and by Sunday morning I gave them a call to follow up. The doctor wasnt available and they took a note, which was fine. When I received a call from the doctor, it was very clear that she did not speak to the cardiologist as I had asked, and had suggested that we do not treat her for the syndrome. After this experience, I find it hard to trust their diagnosis and service.

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Ed Adams

"Spay is included in Puppy package........as an upcharge." The medical personnel and the staff are all loving to our puppy and to all the animals whove come in while we were there. I presume they are knowledgeable as well. The prices seem high to us, but what do we know? Our only complaint was that, having bought the Puppy Package for $400 three months ago, my wife and I believed that the spay procedure was included. It is true that, when we look at the literature we were given, we can see where it says that the Spay is one of the additional options that can be chosen. When we brought our puppy in today to be spayed, and the staff member showed us the additional $250 (small dog) charge, we were both greatly surprised. The person we spoke to said that all their literature says its an extra charge, and all the personnel know this; she didnt understand how we could have been misled. The office manager came in and echoed their surprise and sorrow. Perhaps I misheard...I THOUGHT i heard three months ago that the spay was "included" in the puppy package. But today, I THINK I heard the staffer say that it is "included....as an upcharge". Since all of us, including the VCA staff and medical personnel, speak American English, I wouldnt expect that I would misunderstand the meaning of "included". Maybe thats not what she said. 5 stars for medical work and patient interaction. 1 star for communication flaw

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A Private User

Overall, I am pretty pleased with them - I have been going back for a few years now. I get regular shots and checkups. Recently, one of my girls got a bad cut on the bottom of her paw and they stitched it up for me. They did a good job and charged me $320. A practice they seem to have that I dont like, is that they do an exam when I bring the girls in and charge me about $50 for it - the exam lasts about 3 minutes and they dont do much more than run their hands over one of them and take a temperature - this costs $50. Another thing is that I have given them my email address for automatic reminders of shots. I rely on these reminders a lot. Well, I have never gotten a reminder from them via email! I did get a postcard from them recently, but it arrived after the shot due date. They really need to improve their customer communications. The vets and staff are very polite and treat me and the girls well. The facliity is modern and very clean.

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A Private User

Our collection of pets includes four cats and a dog. I have absolutely never had a problem with any of the staff at this clinic. We have been patients for over six years, and I have seen no turn-over in the doctors at all--all of the ones that were there when we first became patients are still there. The front desk staff are professional, caring, and friendly, and the technicians are absolutely wonderful. Turn-over is low with the front-desk staff as well as with the technicians. The doctors are excellent, and they do an outstanding job of caring for the pets while maintaining a professional and caring attitude toward the pet owners as well. The prices are competitive with other veterinary clinics, but their hours are wonderful, as they are open seven-days a week. Highly unusual for a non-emergency clinic. I cant recommend them enough!

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Shelly Dahl

My dog has been a patient here for well over 7 years. He has regularly received his preventive care exams and other minor scheduled operations. Weve been fortunate that he has been relatively healthy until now. This week, he has been sick and they have not been able to see him unless we book several days in advance. Hoping his illness would pass quickly, I decided to wait 48 hours as they suggested and call back if something changed. His health has changed for the worst and I called back today (after 48 hours) to find out they are now booked for the rest of the week. Im very disappointed that an "animal hospital" cant handle urgent care for long term patients. I will be taking my business elsewhere! I dont recommend this facility for any other than the most basic routine care.

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Holly Maize

I have nothing but good things to say about VCA, Kari Emory and all of the staff. We sort of inherited a very sweet and lovable Jack Russell Terrier named Bella. Her teeth were in bad shape and she needed all of her shots updated. She came through her ordeal with flying colors and is a much happier little dog now that her mouth is no longer sore. Bella received the very best care. I was a little surprised at the total bill, but it is worth to know that she was well taken care of. After the x-rays I was called and told what needed to be done and called again when she went to the recovery stage of the procedure. It is now four days since her procedure and she is doing great, eager to eat and very eager to go for walks.

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Paul Subbie

VCA Animal Hospital is the most caring, professional, friendly, and compassionate vet hospital or service I have ever used. Their level of knowledge, concern for both pet, and owner is exemplary. I would highly recommend VCA to anyone who needs to take their pet in for medical assistance, and treatment. They were fast, attended to my cat with uncostomary concern, and gentleness, while showing compassion for my personal grief, and concerns. A better animal hospital I couldnt imagine. The entire staff is committed to care, and professionalism, while also trying to make both the pet and owner at ease. I highly recommend VCA Alderwood Companion Animal Hospital for the proper care of your pet.

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