VCA Animal Hospitals
reviews and complaints

A woman by the name of Kimberly Page is an abuser. Not only to animals but people as well. She has had 3 domestic charges against her in the state of New York. She is also a thief who has been fired from a job in swan bakery located in patchogue. She stole money for drugs and was therefore terminated. She has stolen cases upon cases of dog food from you. As well as flea and tick medications. She was in charge of inventory in your east islip location. This is how she got away with stealing so much. I have seen her get physical with boarding animals on sundays when she worker alone. I know this because she brought me in on sundays to help her since there were no cameras. She now works in goir charelston location and she needs to be fired for the sake of not only your animals, but your business. She is not a good person, she does not care about the well being of animals or your business. She's an abuser and a thief.

I was never shown any x-rays by the doctor and I was never explained to or shown examples of my dogs illness. After the fact I was sent an inaccurate and incomplete report. The doctor said the radiologist told her that my dogs heart was enlarged and told her the size over the phone but she forgot to write it in the report. I was never allowed to witness the care my dog received not even the physical examination. The staff was rude and the only thing they were interested in was collecting money from me not the services they were supposedly providing for that money. After trying to email and call them multiple times I received no response. I only got a response after contacting VCA head quarters and speaking with the IT tech support because that's the only person that even answered the phone at all. Even then, the response I received back from the vet was limited. I feel my complaint still has not been addressed by them as of now. When I told them they had poor organization skills and communication I was told I was sending them hostile emails. During my visit to the emergency vet the staff screamed at me when I was in a most vulnerable state of mind. I was being told I needed to pay the bill immediately because my dog was in such critical condition she could pass away at any time after signing the obligation bill. I should be given a full refund for all the stress and aggravation not to mention the incomplete care I received. I was promised a partial refund that would be sent by check in the mail from the corporate headquarters but was not given any sort of proof such as a an updated invoice or even a reference number for the refund. I can't even get into contact with anyone about the status either since no one from CAVES nor VCA will answer the calls and emails that I have sent. the treatment we received was poor care for our pet and ourselves. the whole experience was a nightmare!

I got my GS puppy the care package when he was 6 weeks old. They said it would include his nudder and I'd pay for only heartworm or flea treatments if I decided to get them. But nudder and shots all inclusive. I call them at one year almost for nudder appointment and they said I had wrong plan and it would cost me 400 to 500 dollars. I had called several times and never once in our conversation did they say it was not included but instead said evertime he was on track to get nudder included in care plan. Then when I threatened them on court for breach of contract and misleading me they said they nudder him for 216.00 for signing me up for wrong plan so basically cover higher plan price which they never told me of this plan option of 60.99 a month. I did decide to get his nudder their as I really need it done as he only has one ball and it can cause cancer later on in life but after that I'm changing vets and I explained nothing but the best care better be given to him or I'll be sueing them. New vet in future. Can't believe how these corporate veterinarian hospitals are as bad if not worse than corporate human hospitals. Moral of story is to always ask questions and get the answers in writing other wise just trusting a corporate owned anything they will figure out how to bleed you dry. As for my pup he will go get the nudder but today I'm looking for a local office in my community that is better suited for my family. And to mention I did notice how many older people take their animals to valley animal clinic and how many medications they were handing out to these animals. My gut feeling is they prey on older people and their pets just like the doctors prey on older people pushing pills down their throats. Profit is their God.

My four cats have received their yearly vaccines, and each is treated with Revolution monthly. For some reason, I can't, as of today, purchase a single dose of Revolution without bringing each cat in to be weighed before I'm allowed to purchase Revolution. There is a COVID pandemic that can harm animals, too. If I bring each cat in to be weighed, I am needlessly exposing them to possible infection. There is no COVID vaccine for cats. I fully vaccinated my cats with the understanding that they'd be eligible to receive Revolution monthly. Is the new stipulation mandated by VCA America or VCA, Algiers?

The service and management at your Spooner, Wisconsin hospital is the rudeness of the technician's is un acceptable. I get they were busy but hire more people or get some who work... we visit Spooner during the summer months as we have a cabin on a local lake, and it always seems to be a problem getting in. Unless you are a local with clout in the community which is sad because we spend a lot in this town also and pay taxes just like the year round residents. which we know first hand as or neighbor is a local and he seems to have a lot of pull in the community and he gets in when we cant can board his dogs even when he's not up to date with vaccinations. if you visit this place and don't notice the rudeness and lack of professionalism with the manager and technicians you are in need of glasses there are a lot of customers who fell the same way!

I took my chihuahua terroir in Friday August 13th 2021 to be seen for a nail that had been pushed back and was bleeding profusely. Looking at his wrapped paw as I undress it today Sunday August 15th it looks like they didn't even clean it before wrapping him and also the sticky tape is all around his leg ripping his hair while I try to take it off. I'm concerned and very disappointed in how they have treated his wound as it looks pussy and like they didn't even clean his wound prior to wrapping it. Looking back on my bill statement they didn't even give him any medicine while in emergency which makes me question why we paid so much in the end ($239) his emergency exam was $122 the fluids they provided were $31 his medicine he came home with was $18 and his botched wrap job on his paw was $60. I'm 9 months pregnant and could go into labor any minute so I didn't even think to ask many ?'s while I was waiting for my dog. I just wanted to make sure he was okay and getting treated. My overall complaint is the bandage job they did on him and how they didn't seem to clean his paw resulting in it now looking like a oozy mess. I will be taking him where he usually goes to have this seen but I'm just very disappointed in how much hair was ripped off his leg while trying to take thus bandage wrap off and how his paw looks .

This is specifically about the VCA Animal Hospital in Tempe, AZ on Broadway Road. They did not provide proper follow-up care when my cat's infection resisted treatment. After I called 3 times, a technician finally called me back and was unable to answer any of my questions! She basically blew off my concerns. The vet had told me this was a serious infection and the tech acted like it was no big deal. I spent $295 for the vet appt and they can't be bothered with proper follow-up? I've been a customer for 8 years! I was told spaying my cat would fix the problem They wanted to charge me $850 to spay vs $350 elsewhere!

My dog needs her spleen out because of a tumor, dont know if it is cancerous or not that why we need the surgery. Our reg vet came and took a look at her he suggested to take her to the vca as an emergency, they put my dog in a oxygen tank her levels were 96 and normal it's usually 97 to 98. The doctor suggested we put her down humanely even though he did not know the diagnosis yet to her lung's, didn't know our financial finances but since it would be cheaper to put her down maybe we should do that. We made the decision to spend 1500 for tests we already done a few days before. The result was she had a little fluids in her lungs, and all her urine and bloodwork came back normal but since it wasnt an emergency he wasnt going to do the surgery, so basically wait till you're dog is on death's door we cant do anything. They are horrible for people who supposed to car for animal's they sure don't have the heart for that profession.

I brought my dog Skyler to VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center, 9901 Montgomery Blvd., Albuquerque, NM 87111 on 4/30/21 for treatment for cutaneous lymphoma by Barbara Kitchell DVM. I am attaching the documents I submitted in a complaint to the New Mexico veterinary licensing board rather than retyping everything. My dog Skyler's creatinine was already rising dramatically when she was admitted and she was producing only scant urine. She was placed on a fluid IV and gained about 10 lbs in fluids from 4/30/21 to 5/1/21. At no point was I advised that the only way she'd survive the immediate crisis was dialysis, a service VCA doesn't provide. I suggested dialysis the night of 5/1/21 and they finally said her only chance was dialysis on 5/2/21, at which point I had found a dialysis clinic at University of California Davis San Diego emergency. They removed the water added in 2 dialysis sessions and she died during the 3rd, from a cerebral clot.
Fluid IV when a dog is anuric is malpractice. Don't know if Skyler would have made it had she not been maltreated and released earlier and I'll never know. Being kept in a cage and connected to a bunch of tubes in Albuquerque took a lot of her strength. Multiple documents attached including Skyler's status from her stay at VCA Mesa the night of 5/2/21 on our way to San Diego and the records from UC SD. Not including everything since I assume you have access to all of the Albuquerque records.
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James Stronach - owner
1270 N. Niels Hansen Ln, Apt 3
Lakeside AZ, 85929

Skyler's illness narrative
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Summary of complaints:

Skyler arrived at VCA Albuquerque on 4/30/21 and lab tests showed her kidneys were already barely functioning, she was producing only scant urine, and she was experiencing intense inflammation. She was treated with everything other than what would get her kidneys better near term so she could continue with an oncologist, including being placed on IV fluids that just swelled her up since she was basically anuric the whole time. What she needed was dialysis which VCA doesn't offer it (I suggested it finally on 5/1) so they should have told me as much and released her. I found the nephrology department at UC Davis - San Diego, it wasn't that difficult. Instead they bombed her with drugs and kept her in a cage. I know that Skyler was going to die fairly soon with all of her problems but I had seen things about dogs with cutaneous lymphoma surviving for months and I wanted her to have some good times before she died.

When I was allowed to see Skyler she was always thirsty and when I gave her water with permission, she drank some since her mouth was dry. It was just ounces to wet her mouth, not enough to over hydrate her. The fluid IV is where the overload came from. I have video of her in their cage distressed.

Skyler's weight upon intake on 4-30-21 at 13:09 was 26.0 kg
Skyler's weight on 5-1-21 at 14:28 after a day at VCA ABQ was 29.2 kg, despite not eating

Skyler's creatinine upon intake was 3.6 mg/dl on 4-30-21 at 14:28, up from 1.7 mg/dl the previous day taken at her local vet.
Skyler's creatinine was 4.9 mg/dl on 5-1-21 at 2:41 AM
Skyler's creatinine was 5.3 mg/dl on 5-1-21 at 8:37 AM
Skyler's creatinine was 6.1 on 5-1-21 mg/dl at 16:38
Skyler's creatinine was 7.7 mg/dl 5-2-21 at 11 AM

*gain of almost 7 lbs despite not eating.

Source is the VCA medical history document, sent separately.
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5-2-21. Took Skyler to VCA Mesa Emergency that night since I could not drive straight through to San Diego. They had access to her records so it was the easiest thing to do to have her watched overnight. Her weight was recorded as 29.4 kg, up slightly from the 29.2 kg at discharge from VCA ABQ.

Some of VCA Mesa's night of 5-2-21 comments:

"Hydration: Overhydration presumed"

"Acute Kidney Injury

Progressive azotemia, profound oliguria/anuria, weight gain during hospitalization at VetCare"

VCA Mesa did not put her back on a fluid IV the night of 5/2/21.

I will provide the records if necessary.
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The trend in Skyler's kidney deterioration was obvious by early morning 5-1-21 if not sooner.

Where she ended up: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA VETERINARY MEDICAL CENTER - SAN DIEGO

10435 Sorrento Valley Rd Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92121 | http://www.ucvmc-sd.vetmed.ucdavis.edu | [protected] |

She did well at UC SD for almost 3 days on dialysis until she succumbed to a cerebral clot. Some extra lead time might have mattered in the outcome, I'll never know. The fluid IV they had her on at VCA Albuquerque filled her full of fluids as she was producing just drops of, and by 5/2/21, no urine. The first 2 dialysis treatments at UC SD removed almost 10 lbs of water from a 64 lb dog.
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You provide no way to attach documents. If you do, please tell me how.

I paid for a domestic health cert and then I was was told (after) I paid that a health certificate was not longer required> $171.14 unethical business practice because I told them I need the international form

I told them when scheduling I was traveling by car to mexico... They should of told me it was not neccessary.! After I paid and received a demestic certificate good in the us only!

I was told to put my dog down. I refused and told them I'd be taking him home. After 2 long weeks of every possible homeopathic treatment for black spots in his lungs, lung cancer or lung fungus, I turned it around and brought my dog back to life. He had quit eating and quit drinking. Then after a couple of treatments I gave him, he made a 100% recovery. It wasn't easy but it worked. VCA was only after money. $800 dollars for an exam and 1 x-ray. Told me to euthanize him and in the same sentence told me about all the add ons of cremating my dog, placards, etc etc, just a bunch of BS to make more money. I still hadn't processed the euthanizing part. It was really a gross display of greed and insensitivity. If I had listened to that vet, I would of put my dog down and paid for it. Thank God he gave us out instincts to trust.

Years ago I left my veterinarian clinic when they sold to VCA. Why? Because the fees were drastically increased. Then I found a veterinarian I really liked. That veterinarian moved t the VCA clinic I had left. I think I get the best care possible from this veterinarian.

A few years ago I started getting notices for a semi-annual physical examination. Yes, SEMI-annual. I don't do that for myself.

Recently I got a quote for teeth cleaning (with blood tests) for around $1, 000. That's more than $200 than last year.

Sorry, but as much as I really like my veterinarian, the fees are something I think is too much.

My son recently took his pet to vca animal hospital in lakeland, ca. It was the worst thing he could have done. The staff is horrible. Would not explain what was wrong or course of treatment, when asked to speak to a licensed vet, no response. Refused to provide information on who treated his dog. Initially quoted $400, billed over $7k. They refused to allow him to take his dog somewhere else, when he told them he was on his way to pick up his dog, they told him his dog suffered seizures and had to be resuscitated but would have to be euthanized. Horrible! My daughter and her husband had to intervene. Our family is talking with a number of law firms to file a class action lawsuit on behalf of all pet owners who have had their pets treated at any vca animal hospital. If you have a horror story to share about your experience with vca animal hospital, please contact me asap at [protected]@gmail.com

I took my dog in for emergency care at the VCA Regional Institute for Veterinary Emergencies and Referrals on 09/19/2020. I was required to pay $5700 upfront for services needed including emergency surgery which I paid in cash. I picked up my dog on 09/21/2020 and was told that they owed me a refund for $1126.43 and that since I paid in cash that I would be mailed a check. That was over 2 weeks ago and I have not received my refund. I talked to the office manager at that location and she told me that apparently it has to go through their corporate office in California (my location is Chattanooga, TN). I was never told this when I picked up my pet. She called the corporate office to look into my refund status. According to her not only has my check not been mailed, it hasn't even been signed yet! I also tried calling the corporate office myself and kept being transferred to leave a voice message which I did not want to do but eventually left a message. I have not heard back from that yet.

This is completely unacceptable. I was required to pay $5700 on the spot before my pet would be treated so why shouldn't they be able to give me my refund on the spot?! This complaint is not about the veterinary care that my pet received. His care was exceptional and I have no complaints about that or the cost. My problem is with how business was conducted. I want what they owe me now!