VCA Animal Hospitals review: horrible customer service; greedy and uncaring

Since December 2009 I've paid over $12, 000 in vet bills for both of my rescue dogs who became catastrophically ill (bone cancer and brain tumor) at the same time. Both were eventually treated at VCA Lynnwood. I had an issue with one of the bills and I was simply told that if I didn't pay by a certain date they would send it to collections. I was upset that the vet tech (not even the vet) sent my terminally ill dog home -- who had become paraplegic and couldn't urinate, eat or drink -- with antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection. My dog was in intractable pain and on the verge of death and was being treated for a urinary tract infection?. Someone had written "feel better" with little hearts on black magic marker on the morphine patch on her rearend.

At no time did the vet tell me it was time to euthanize my dog, she simply said at some point it may be the kindest option. The next morning I took my dog to my home vet and he said that I hadn't come a moment too soon. She dired that morning.

I tried several times to talk to someone there about adjusting just this portion of my bill and finally the "customer service manager" -- who actually more closely behaves and looks like a bouncer -- simply responded that they were right and I was wrong. If I don't pay in full by August 31, 2010 the remaining $2005 will be sent to collections.

As an afterthought, they also told me the vet will no longer treat my other dog who is 15 yrs 3mos with a brain tumor even though I had paid this portion of the vet bill to zero.

These guys are greedy and heartless. If your vet refers you there, please get a different referral. This is a chain hospital and truly they don't care because they don't have to.