Had to come in at 4am after my senior pug was having coughing/breathing issues and we were referred by a nearby urgent care the night before. Luckily there was no one else in the waiting room when we were there and my pup Romeo didn't have to wait to be seen. Dr. Max Gluck and the staff here were very kind during what was a very stressful and emotional visit. Dr. Gluck had incredible bedside manner and was amazing. He was pretty upfront and honest at what his condition was and what options we could take. It's been a week and Romeo is doing a ton better. Highly recommend this place! read more

This place is always so professional. My partner and I trust and recommend VCA specialty group for emergencies. We have 5 animals so we unfortunately have had to go here on multiple occasions but the experiences were positive every time. They took care to fully inform us of what is going on and have highly trained staff. My very old dog had to have surgery and stay for several days here and we knew she was in good hands. We are so grateful for the team and vets at VCA specialty group!! read more

VCA Animal Specialty Group - Our 16 year old dog after VCA specialty group saved her life - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Most professional vets around for emergency/urgent care. Our dog's spleen removal was handled with such precision and care.

had a decent experience. Cat had a urinary problem and needed to see a specialist. The area it's in is pretty nice. Waiting room is decent. Reading some reviews made has me thinking I may have been overcharged. As I noticed there was a test that felt unnecessary for him as he already got the test at an emergency animal hospital. I didn't see the point and didn't get the best explanation. The price was certainly a lot too. More than an emergency visit I had with him when he was in actual danger I'd have this as an option but not anyway near the top read more

Great experience. Brandi ate corn cob, phone support was knowledgeable and friendly at 10:30. Everything was cool. We came in around 11pm and home by 12. They didn't try to take advantage of me at checkout. Brandi is passed out on my lap read more

Prior to being a Yelper, my wife and I brought three of our dogs to ASG. The first for orthopedic support that helped our cocker live a full and healthy life. Two of our other dogs had chronic respiratory issues and the doctors here helped them both transition. The doctors and staff were compassionate and supportive. Making those loving decisions were not so stressful for us because of them. This past weekend, I took our 9 year old terrier in on an emergency basis due to numerous bouts of vomiting. It was a busy Saturday but I trusted ASG to help our little Violet. I was pleased with the support from the technicians and the doctor who assisted me. She was admitted due to kidney problems and ended up staying two nights. Dr. Huang and Patty were both very kind to us when we visited and when Dr. Huang called each morning with updates. Violet is home now and we are keeping her comfortable until we can't. We will love her until her final breath as we have all of our dogs. ASG is a busy place because so many people put their trust in them for emergency services. We thank them for their commitment to helping humans with four legged furry family members. read more

Dear Dr. Sengewald, Dr. Oliphant, Dr. Tom and the entire VCA Animal Hospital team, We want to extend our deepest gratitude to each of you for the incredible care, skill, and compassion you have shown Myles throughout his back surgeries and recovery. From the very first appointment to the most recent check-up, it has been clear that Myles was in the hands of professionals who not only excel in their field but also truly care about the animals they treat. Your expertise gave Myles a second chance at a happy, healthy life, and your kindness made an otherwise stressful time much easier for our family. Every update, every word of reassurance, and every gentle touch meant the world to us. Because of you, we get to enjoy more walks, more tail wags, and more happy moments with our sweet boy. For that, we are forever grateful. With heartfelt thanks, Joy, Mark, and Myles Wood read more

VCA Animal Specialty Group - Dr. Tom, Myles, and Dr. Sengewald - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Los Angeles, California

They sent some lady who was a liaison between patients(clients) and their Staff tech. She apologized for her doctor's and staff misleading me to thinking my dog was doing better just to keep over charging on a sick senior dog. Not only did numerous neurologists and interns lie about the condition of my dog while he was in their care reassuring me that he was able to getup and walk but upon picking my ( all of a sudden paralyzed dog) his young nurse said he was with him all 48 hours and he NEVER got up nor tried to walk. Despite the lies and neglect we returned so many unused medications since my dog is no longer here and ANNETTE promised us an update or some kind of adjustment to their handling of my dog - so far all we hear are crickets. I reached back out to this Annette woman and of course she did not reply. I am interested in taking legal action atleast claim small claims court. How can such people who are supposed to look out for the best for your animal lie and cheat just to make money?! While we are shattered. Interested in linking a Up with others who claim they have taken legal action. My best friend is no longer by my side after 10 solid healthy years read more

VCA Animal Specialty Group - After spending 24 hours and spending 5,000 and hearing lies. My pet suffered brain damage and couldn't walk. Crossed the rainbow Bridge. - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Our dog Rufus began throwing up over and over late one night. It had reached the point that we knew we had to find emergency care. VCA was the closest emergency unit to us so we called to let them know we were on the way. The reception was clear with instructions and made everything easy. When we arrived almost immediately a tech was out to talk to us and we walked Rufus to the back together. The tech handled Rufus easily (a lot considering Rufus is about 70 pounds of muscle and can be a handful when he wants to be). Rufus made it in at about 0130. I'm familiar with triage so I knew it would be awhile before we were seen due to a high amount of emergencies that night. The doctor brought us in to talk sometime between 0230-0300. The doctor was detailed with her explanation and the options for treatment, more so than many general practice that I've been to. Treatment was costly, but I was preparing for it so it was not much more than I expected. If someone is reading this review and is new to taking care of pets I strongly suggest pet insurance. It would have saved me thousands over the years. This trip wound up costing us about $1800 (lower than the original estimate) and my insurance covered $1600. Pumpkin Care is a great, but there are other good options out there as well. I've looked at some of the negative reviews and I think most center around cost. I would tell people that the cost here actually isn't much higher than most but admittedly is on the higher end of care. But it's worth every penny. Also, just one final note, this staff is full of all stars. It was the middle of the night and I'm sure they were exhausted but they were more on their game than nearly any staff I've seen. Pros: Clean (reception was cleaning constantly) Safe (kept secure by reception and security) Explanation of care Explanation of options Quality of care Transparency Ability to handle larger dogs Communication Cons: Cost (I guess?) read more

Cynthia was the ABSOLUTE WORST vet tech with terrible bedside manners. She attempted to use fear in response to our concern after another emergency vet consulted them to have us drive 2 hours to this establishment. We brought our dog down here for suspected IVDD and the previous emergency vet spoke confirmed with them they would be able to take our pet in immediately. We got there only to be fear baited and spoken to in only technical terms. Cynthia is terrible. I spoke from over the phone so I could not see her face but she did not let me speak and told me I was being rude for even trying to ask questions. The vet had the same demeanor and then they told is our dog would just have to sit overnight because they didn't have anyone on site to help him... after telling us to drive there immediately. I had asked for a recommendation to another vet and Cynthia said, "we didn't diagnose or see your dog so we can't but if you don't get surgery for him immediately he will likely be paralyzed forever especially if he isn't seen in the first 48 hours." Great tact... I called the front desk and dropped an f-bomb from audacity and immediately apologized (it was not even directed to them)- they proceeded to put me on hold for 15 minutes for derogatory language as if I cussed them out? After speaking to the vet tech supervisor- turns out they actually could refer me to another vet?! I specifically told them that I was referred to them from another emergency vet for the SAME diagnosis they are suspecting after seeing him. How am I not able to get a referral? Magically... after 2.5 hours being there... more than 24 hours had lapsed from the acute onset paralysis.. they were able to contact the other vet who told us as long as he is stable he can come in the next day. Turns out... he did still have deep pain (this place said he didn't). Also reviewing the notes from the place, they opted to leave out certain details of the visit likely to prevent themselves from holding accountability. If you love your pets- DO NOT TAKE THEM HERE. read more

I took my French Bulldog to VCA in Bakersfield after he suddenly lost movement in his back legs. We were told it was IVDD and that they couldn't do anything for him there. They said they had called around and that the only hospital able to perform the surgery that night was VCA Glendale. We rushed there with what we had, making it in about two hours. Once we arrived, the staff ran X-rays and told us surgery would actually have to wait until the next morning when the doctor was available--very different from what we had been told. We got him admitted for the night, expecting surgery the following day. After a long and stressful waiting process, we were finally told they could not perform the surgery because they couldn't locate the slipped disc. My poor pup ended up staying there for several nights, miserable, with nothing meaningful done for him. At discharge, instead of receiving treatment or surgery, we were handed a bill of over $18,000. The only thing we were sent home with was medication for valley fever, which they suggested might be the cause since we are from Bakersfield. That was the entirety of their "treatment"--yet the bill was larger than the cost of surgery. When I questioned the charges, they claimed the high cost was due to running more tests, since he didn't need surgery. To make things worse, Dr. Kwan added an accusation that I was "inappropriate" toward the staff--which is completely untrue. I believe this was a tactic to justify discharging my dog without answers, as if shifting blame onto me explained why they couldn't help him. I also found the doctor to be unprofessional throughout the process. Their only concession was to offer a 10% discount--after charging me over $18,000 for essentially nothing. I feel completely ripped off. This was one of the most devastating experiences of my life, and I hope no one else has to go through something like this with their beloved pet. read more

Realized that Mr. Misters photos were no longer appearing here, so I'm updating my review to include them. Before taking your pet here for the ER, read up on the lawsuits against them. It's been 2 years, and Dr Collins has still never spoken to me- before, during or after I was told that she was leading his care, and making the decision to withhold his medication from him. read more

VCA Animal Specialty Group - Mr. Mister was such a happy and gentle dog, prior to his hospitalization at VCA - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I had to put my dog down and the staff here was so supportive and gentle - both with me and my dog. I couldn't have asked for a better team. The receptionist Janelle was so sweet and helped through the whole process. Kimmy sent a condolences card after which I thought was very thoughtful. I wish I wasn't in this position but I'm thankful that the team here is great at their jobs. read more

After receiving a call from our regular veterinarian telling us we needed to take our dog to an emergency hospital immediately, I knew exactly where to go: Animal Specialty Group. Five years earlier, our same dog had been treated in their Emergency Department and spent several days under their care. That experience left such a lasting impression on us that there was no question where we would turn during another crisis. From the moment I called, we were shown kindness and urgency. The receptionist listened carefully, placed me on a brief hold, and then calmly told us to bring our dog in right away. In such a stressful moment, that compassion alone meant the world. We were incredibly fortunate that our sweet dog came under the care of Dr. Zabalaga. My husband and I were overwhelmed with emotion and initially had different thoughts about our dog's care; one of us hoping to do whatever it took to bring him home that same day because of his anxiety, while the other leaned toward a more cautious approach if hospitalization was truly in his best interest. Dr. Zabalaga recognized this dynamic immediately and handled it with remarkable grace, empathy, and emotional intelligence. She gave both of us the space to express our concerns without ever feeling judged or dismissed. During one of the most stressful moments imaginable, she helped us come together as a team. We both felt heard, respected, and genuinely cared for. What stood out most was her balance of honesty and compassion. She gave us a clear and truthful understanding of our dog's condition while always keeping his comfort and quality of life at the center of the conversation. She patiently explained everything in detail, recommended additional testing, and helped us understand how the results would guide the best path forward. Once the results came in, she walked us through them thoroughly and thoughtfully, allowing us to make informed and confident decisions about our dog's care. Because of her expertise and guidance, we were able to bring our sweet little guy, Teddy, home the same day and begin the lifelong treatment plan he now needs. We truly cannot speak highly enough about Dr. Zabalaga. Exceptional medical expertise is one thing, but pairing it with this level of empathy, communication, and human understanding is rare. In one of our family's most emotional moments, she made us feel supported every step of the way. We will forever be grateful. read more

Very nice and thorough with our 8 year old labradoodle. Also conservative in their treatment. Would definitely recommend for serious issues. read more

Our beloved 5-year-old cat suddenly lost his appetite. We took him to his regular vet, who performed blood tests and found high ammonia levels. The vet suggested we take him to a specialized hospital, so we went to VSA Animal Hospital at 4641 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039. As soon as we arrived and explained the situation, they charged us $700. We waited for about 45 minutes until they took our cat in. An hour later, they returned and informed us that more exams and a blood transfusion were necessary, for a total cost of $10,000. In the end, DVM Vaneh Allahverdi approached us with a bad attitude and said, very directly, "we can't do anything, we don't know if the cat will be okay. After five days, we made the painful decision to put him to sleep The hospital knew the pet had a 0% chance of surviving a blood transfusion but kept it anyway to charge a large amount of money. read more

Reception was genuinely kind and helpful, and they took my doggy to the back quickly. However, the overall experience left us feeling more stressed than supported. The veterinarian explained what they wanted to do and also clarified they were not specialists and that we would need to follow up with one, that part was fine. What wasn't okay was the way we were treated by the vet tech when we didn't agree to every recommendation on the spot. We came in primarily for pain management to keep my little guy comfortable until we could do a walk-in visit with his regular vet the next day. I respect that they're the professionals, but I'm an educated doggy mom who asked reasonable questions and made an informed decision. The vet tech's communication came across harsh, judgmental, and confrontational, and I left feeling shamed rather than helped (I cannot remember her name but mentioning this so management can identify the interaction). In an ER setting, compassion and professionalism matter. I hope management addresses bedside manner and client communication, because the front desk was great, but that interaction left a very sour taste in my mouth. read more

For context, my dog had (what i suspect) to be a stroke earlier today. I brought him in and they were unable to examine him because we couldn't keep his muzzle on. This I don't blame them for. They then proceeded to tell me that they would be able to administer some anxiety medication to calm him down for an exam. After further inquiring, they switched up and informed me they actually couldn't administer any medication without an exam first. Sounds like they're inexperienced and don't know what they're talking about. I'm aware that aggressive dogs are difficult to deal with. My dog hates the vet and will definitely try to defend himself and harm them. That in mind, I made sure to bring that up in the phone call before bringing my dog in to be sure they would be able to handle that. They assured me that they had dealt with aggressive dogs many times in the past and that if I could not get the muzzle on, they would be able to take care of it and make the examination happen on their own terms. They, in fact, could not handle it at all. Why lie and waste my time? I could've just consulted with a different clinic. Basically, this place needs to get it together. I fear they don't take this very seriously and potentially don't understand their own job. Maybe the communication is just terrible, but this gives no excuse to be so disorganized and dishonest in these life or death situations. I'll be taking my dog to another clinic after experiencing so many inconsistencies this early in, especially after reading all these other reviews about how this place likes to misdiagnose and overcharge. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that we weren't able to be seen. read more

I am so grateful for Dr. Alvarez, Dr Shulman, and the entire team there. This vet practice has a warm and compassionate culture. My puppy was very sick and on death's door. They took us in with very little notice and helped bring our Daisy back. Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Shulman are extremely knowledgeable and explained the disease current and future state well, setting good expectations. I want to especially recognize Dr. Alvarez for her patience and thoroughness in guidance following my dog's blood transfusion. I highly recommend this practice, especially if your pup is very ill and needs specialty treatments. read more

I honestly can't say enough good things. From the moment we walked in, the staff was warm, professional, and incredibly kind, and not just to us, but to our sweet golden retriever, Duke, who's 9 and still thinks he's a puppy. That meant the world to us. You can tell this place runs on both expertise and heart. The doctors were thorough and patient, walking us through every step and making sure we understood what was happening. They never made us feel rushed, and we truly felt supported the whole way through. Even after the visit, they checked in to see how Duke was doing, which felt above and beyond. The clinic itself is clean, calm, and well-organized, but what really stood out was how much they genuinely care. If you're looking for a place where your pet is treated like family, this is it. We're so grateful for the whole team. They helped us through a really hard time, and we'll never forget the kindness they showed us. read more

My dog was having frequent seizures and pressing her head against the wall and crying. I had spent the prior day at my vet where they did blood tests and an xray and given anti-seizure medication. Her condition got worse over the next day. I called ahead and was advised to bring her in to emergency. As soon as I walked in I was greeted and asked if that was Dolly. I said yes and she was immediately taken to the back to be evaluated. I thought I was going to be in for a long wait but was shortly called in to an exam room. I was quickly seen by Dr. Allehverdi. She felt Dolly most likely had a brain tumor and we discussed the various treatments. Because there seemed to be no good end in sight I made the decision to put her to sleep. I have never had the experience where so much respect was given to both me and Dolly and the dignity she was given up to the end by both the doctor and the staff. She was wrapped in a blanket in a comfy dog bed and they even put some bells around her neck. This is how it should be done everywhere. I can't say enough good about the treatment given to both me and Dolly by the doctor and the staff. read more

VCA Animal Specialty Group - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Overall I like this place. PROS: - Polite, helpful staff - You can return home while they run diagnostics -- which often take a while, but... - Wait times are less than most other animal hospitals. CONS: - Expensive. I pay for emergency pet insurance so almost everything is covered but if you don't have insurance, be forewarned. read more

i brought my dog, tiny bear, to ASG after having taken him to VEG in santa monica and not getting a correct diagnosis. he wasn't getting better on the meds they sent him home with, and i could tell something was really, really wrong. so i took him to ASG, which has been my preferred ER for many, many years, back to when they took care of all the police dogs. it turns out tiny bear need exploratory surgery, and they were able to get him in right away. dr. dallas was tiny bear's surgeon, and he was so incredibly smart, compassionate, and accomplished that i knew from minute one that tiny bear was in great hands. he also took the time to explain all the possible outcomes to me before the surgery, really listened to my questions and gave me thoughtful responses, and even personally kept me updated on tiny bear's progress every day that he was hospitalized. i will be forever grateful to dr. dallas and the entire team at ASG for the amazing, life-saving care they gave to tiny bear. if you have a complicated or critical issue with your beloved pet this is the place to go. they are truly unmatched. they have so many diagnostic and imaging tools at their disposal that other practices don't have, and the level of education and knowledge these vets have is astounding. there just isn't another emergency practice that can even come close to this place. read more

VCA Animal Specialty Group - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We came here because our lab was having trouble walking. It came on fairly sudden and our local vet was not sure what it was. She referred us to a neurologist. We had the absolute fortune of meeting Dr. Kwan and Dr. Tom. They were amazing. They took tests and ultimately determined she had an auto immune disorder that was affecting her brain and spinal cord. They came up with a treatment plan that got her back to walking and having the best life we could give her. She lived 7 more months and we are grateful for every minute of that time. We still miss her terribly but had it not been for Dr. Kwan and Dr. Tom, and the entire team, we would not have had this time with our girl. They are smart, caring, committed, and worked with us hand in hand to make the best decisions we could for her. I highly recommend VCA ASG Neurology Team. read more

Remembering how incredible the care here is after a horrible experience at modern animal where they used fear mongering to try and upsell me an unnecessary treatment plan for my puppy with a cold. ASG is the real thing for anything specialty, they took the best care of my late boy Diego with cancer, from his diagnosis to his end of life. They never tried to upsell me, they weren't predatory, they were only authentic caring professionals. For specialty care I can't recommend ASG more. read more

My husband and I were very upset when we brought our 7-year old "puppy" in for a malignant growth on his toe. Dr. Biggo, Dr. Levy, and the entire team at VCA ASG - including techs and reception - blew us away with their kindness, attentiveness, and care. After having the growth removed, our puppy is back to his usual activities and very happy. At each appointment (4), he was cared for on time. We are so grateful that we found VCA ASG and highly recommend them. read more

A Heartbreaking Experience That Deserves Reflection I brought my 14-year-old Maltipoo, Sugar, to Animal Specialty Group after she suddenly became very sick. The receptionist was kind and the veterinarian was compassionate, explaining Sugar's condition clearly and with empathy. Unfortunately, that care was overshadowed by an extremely distressing encounter with a client liaison who aggressively pushed me to sign euthanasia paperwork while my dog was still in my arms. She even began listing prices for ashes, showing no compassion at all during one of the most painful moments of my life. Because of this, I decided to take Sugar home and spend a few peaceful days with her before saying goodbye at another vet's office--where the staff treated us with the gentleness and care every pet owner deserves. To be clear, my disappointment isn't with the vet or the cardiologist, who were wonderful, but with the lack of empathy shown by certain staff. When someone is losing a beloved companion after nearly 15 years, compassion should come first. I hope this feedback encourages Animal Specialty Group to better train their team on handling end-of-life situations with sensitivity and humanity. read more

VCA Animal Specialty Group - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Bedside manner and listening skills of vet. Quality of technician. Explanation for 6 hour wait time during chunks of which waiting room was completely empty. Inadequate staffing. Awful communication. The fact that this VCA location shares the same ASEC name as the location on Sepulveda is misleading. The Sepulveda BLvd ASEC business in West Los Angeles deserves well over 5 stars. This business deserves 1 if that. Don't waste your time and money or potentially risk your pet's health with the Colorado Blvd location. Go to the location on Sepulveda in West Los Angeles. Not this one. read more

bad service .. Jamie Mejia shes very rude Girl she think my dog not my baby its just a dog shes very Unpolite read more

VCA Animal Specialty Group has taken care of so many of my pets. I have had a special relationship with them for many years and I know that I can always trust them to care for my pets. Most recently my Great Dane puppy Charlie ate something she shouldn't have and needed surgery. I'm so thankful for the surgical team and all those that cared for her. I'm forever grateful for how they helped Charlie and my family. read more

VCA Animal Specialty Group - Charlie before her big surgery. - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Los Angeles, California

While we are happy with the veterinary care our dog has gotten, this review is about the (probably) unsung heroes at the front desk. They aren't just people making appointments, they can help with a lot of questions and concerns. They are well informed and understand the nature of your call and issues. Thank you to you all at front reception! read more

Staff and doctors are very courteous, professional and very caring. Answered all my questions, were patience with my questions and concerns but are very knowledgeable. Was seen on time for my dog's appointment. Availability of appointments are in reasonable time frame read more

We took our Frenchie Romo because he had IVDD and was unable to walk. The staff and the Doctors are the best. I can't say enough about the service and care, everyone we interacted with was so nice. When we first arrived, I was scared and worried, I was pretty terrified but after speaking with the Doctor, I felt so much better. Romo was there for 3 days, the doctors call with regular updates and explain everything in great detail. After Romos surgery the doctors took the time to explain everything that will be needed for recovery and they are very patient and comprehensive. I'm very appreciative of everyone we encountered here. read more

VCA Animal Specialty Group - Romo during discharge, ready to go home and start recovery, thank you Doctors! - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Los Angeles, California