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    VCA Animal Specialty Group

    3.2 (1k reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    What a terrible experience here, I really wish I would have done my research on this place before coming here. I was referred here by my puppy's main doctor as she was suffering a medical emergency and needed to be seen ASAP. I brought my 12 week old puppy (Rory) here as she was suffering a possible Portosystemic shunt. Cece Zhu was the doctor assigned to her, she had ZERO empathy for me or Rory and the critical situation that she was in. I was asking a lot of questions to get a better understanding on this condition and what it meant for Rory and what testing she recommended. She was explaining everything in medical terms and I repeatedly told her I was confused and wanted more clarification she continued to say things like "she's very abnormal right now" and what is it that you're confused about?" Followed by "well, what are the alternatives?" Probably referring to euthanization which I would have NEVER agreed to. It was a lot of information to process and sit with in a very short amount of time, having a nurse come in every 10 mins asking for payment was horrific. I felt very rushed to make a decision and no one in an emergency situation should feel like this. After I told Dr. Cece I felt that she was being rude, she gave me attitude and stormed out of the room. I was crying and in visible distress, not once was ANY empathy shown. She then sent in a nurse to give me estimates for testing (the estimates were between $4,000 and $6,000 dollars) I told them I obviously wanted to help Rory but did not have the means to pay for all the testing so I really wanted an order of importance so that I can get some of the testing done and stay within my financial means. They said everything was required in order to help Rory. Again, ZERO empathy from the nurse a young gentleman with freckles, or Dr. Cece. My husband was at work and left early to come meet me and Rory, once he arrived he requested to speak to Dr. Cece as he wanted be informed on everything and had questions of his own. He waited 30 mins and Dr. Cece refused to come out and speak with him. What an awful and devastating experience. The entire visit felt very transactional and Rory left in the same condition she arrived in despite "medication and IV" that was given. Shout out to Arleta at the front desk for her compassion and her kindness. She was so patient and helpful as she walked us through applying for care credit to pay for the visit with was $1,900 dollars. She is truly a gem and deserves to work for a better place. I will never understand how people choose to work with animals, yet show no kindness to them or compassion in difficult situations. I now understand the awful reviews at this hospital. DO not bring your pets here, go to LAASER instead, at least they will show a little empathy.

    Our 16 year old dog after VCA specialty group saved her life

    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!!

    Dr. Tom, Myles, and Dr. Sengewald
    Mark W.

    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

    After spending 24 hours and spending 5,000 and hearing lies. My pet suffered brain damage and couldn't walk. Crossed the rainbow Bridge.
    El A.

    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

    Mr. Mister was such a happy and gentle dog, prior to his hospitalization at VCA

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

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    Page 1 of 26

    Ask the Community - VCA Animal Specialty Group

    My small dog developed partial hind leg paralysis. He's been treated with a steroid for a week and has had some improvement but still cannot walk very well at all. I have an appointment here this week. Can anyone tell me what I can expect?

    Depends on which doctor you are seeing. Expect to pay for X-rays first and maybe an MRI. If they recommend physical therapy I highly suggest acupuncture over cold laser therapy. It's $20 more and it really helped my boy, unlike CLT. It could be… 

    View All 4 Questions

    Review Highlights - VCA Animal Specialty Group

    My couple visits to VCA have been great and the staff and Doctors have been nothing but compassionate.

    Mentioned in 48 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital

    Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital

    3.5
    (792 reviews)

    I can't say enough good things about Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital (MASH)! My cat is an…read moreabsolute handful - I know this, I own it- but the entire staff treats her like she's the sweetest patient they've seen all day! They appreciate her sass. They come out after every visit to tell me how much they love her, even though I know she's giving them attitude the whole time. They're patient with her and make sure she's comfortable no matter what. Special shout out to Dr. Uematsu and Dexter for the amazing care!! They keep me updated every step of the way, so I never feel like I'm in the dark about what's happening with my cat. They explain things in detail, but not SO much where I'm overwhelmed. They've really just been so amazing! One more huge plus: they work directly with Trupanion's insurance software, so I don't even have to file the claim myself. They submit it on their end, and mine was preapproved within five minutes. That kind of efficiency takes so much stress off an already stressful vet visit! It also lessens the deposit needed. Highly recommend MASH to anyone who wants a team that genuinely cares about their pet and makes the whole process easy!

    This review is for the MASH Outpatient facility, specifically Dr. Hobson, the veterinary dental…read moresurgeon. My kitty Vinny had routine dental cleaning at our regular vet that didn't go well. Removing his badly damaged upper canine teeth left him in major pain and distress. We were referred to Dr. Hobson at MASH. From the very first phone call, the entire team was incredibly kind and helpful. They got us in for a consultation within just a few days. Everyone -- from the office staff to the techs -- was compassionate and reassuring during a very stressful time. They took Vinny in back so Dr. Hobson could thoroughly examine him and review the records my regular vet had already sent over. When Dr. Hobson came into the exam room, he was patient, caring, and took the time to explain everything clearly. Vinny was in very bad shape and couldn't wait for the next available surgery slot the following week. Dr. Hobson consulted with his dental team, and they all graciously agreed to stay late that night to perform the emergency surgery Vinny needed. I left Vinny in their capable hands for the next 10 hours. The vet tech team kept me updated the entire time with texts and pics -- a huge shout-out to Arlene for her wonderful support! I picked Vinny up at 8pm (after hours). He underwent extensive corrective surgery, and it was a huge success! Dr. Hobson even personally followed up the next day to check on Vinny's progress. That level of dedication and exceptional care is rare these days. Several weeks later, Vinny has made a full recovery and is back to his happy self. The drive to MASH isn't the most convenient and the area isn't the best, but it is 100% worth it for the quality of care our pets receive. I cannot thank Dr. Hobson and his outstanding team enough -- especially Arlene, Jonathan, and Tika -- for going so far above and beyond for my boy Vinny. If your pet needs advanced dental care, look no further. This team is truly exceptional!

    Veterinary Emergency Group

    Veterinary Emergency Group

    4.4
    (247 reviews)

    Considerate and compassionate staff and the establishment is nicely taken care. Clean, good amount…read moreof space, looks like they have a rhythm and flow that makes operations efficient. Worth noting: Expect big urgent care invoices and be prepared to ask questions, line by line, to make sure you understand the costs and necessary treatment. I received a BIG OLE $$$ bill in the thousands and had to review each item, and upon doing that with the (very patient) Vet, they decreased the amount over 50% for the unnecessary treatments. I think every pet parent can agree that the most important thing for our fluffy little ones is proper care and love from the professionals treating them. This is why I'm rating this place a 5 star. They were all terrific people and took wonderful care of my dog (and me!) during a high stress day. P.S. They also offer coffee and snacks and that was a lifesaver after being there for 3.5 hours.

    My dog had open wounds on her neck and I brought her in and they looked at her, typed up a random…read moreestimate slapped with a $900+ bill (mind you they didn't even know what the injury was at the time) and because I couldn't pay it right then and there or because I couldn't get approved for their "care credit" card they straight up turned me and my bleeding pup away out the door like it was totally just another day. I'm sure that they get people who skip out on their bills all the time but maybe that wouldn't be the case if they didn't charge out the freaking a-word for services.

    Eagle Rock Animal Emergency

    Eagle Rock Animal Emergency

    3.6
    (88 reviews)

    My dog fractured her radius and ulna on 2/14. I paid the estimate invoice, a whopping $1898.50…read more There were some double charges, paid ($240) for a splint that my dog never got because they didn't have the right size. I have still not received my finalized invoice despite requesting it multiple times, I've tried to be patient but can't seem to understand what the hold up is. I read the reviews before coming here but because it was an emergency decided to come in anyway. My insurance is requesting documentation and they still aren't providing the finalized invoice. I had to leave my dog overnight, they said she was an obnoxious puppy, which probably meant she was barking all night. I asked if she could have her blanket with her and they said "if she pees on it, we'll have to package it up" I clearly didn't care about that. I don't think they gave my dog her blanket because when they brought her out she had some random blanket. She was also soaking wet from her bottom which leads me to think she was probably sitting in her pee and they rinsed her off before giving her to me. Still waiting for the invoice 3/19. The hospital shut down 3/21. Still no invoice, no refund, etc. My dog fractured her radius and ulna on 2/14. I paid the estimate invoice, a whopping $1898.50. There were some double charges, paid ($240) for a splint that my dog never got because they didn't have the right size. I have still not received my finalized invoice despite requesting it multiple times, I've tried to be patient but can't seem to understand what the hold up is. I read the reviews before coming here but because it was an emergency decided to come in anyway. My insurance is requesting documentation and they still aren't providing the finalized invoice. I had to leave my dog overnight, they said she was an obnoxious puppy, which probably meant she was barking all night. I asked if she could have her blanket with her and they said "if she pees on it, we'll have to package it up" I clearly didn't care about that. I don't think they gave my dog her blanket because when they brought her out she had some random blanket. She was also soaking wet from her bottom which leads me to think she was probably sitting in her pee and they rinsed her off before giving her to me. Still waiting for the invoice 3/19. The hospital shut down 3/21. Still no invoice, no refund, etc.

    If I could no stars- I would. This has been a nightmare. I brought in my cat with blood in urine at…read moremidnight February 26. I was charged $2500 for the sedation, catheter, and after care for two days. Sadly, he died during the procedure. He was there less than two hours when he died. I have called, emailed and shown up but no one can give me a refund of the money I paid that wasn't used. How can a car that's there for less than 2 hours cost $2500? Now, they are closed and I have no idea how to get my money back. Anyone out there have ideas??

    TrueCare for pets

    TrueCare for pets

    3.7
    (2k reviews)

    My cat has digestive issues and we have been a frequent flyer at True Care, we should probably get…read morea punch card so we can get the next visit free :) Most recently, my menace of a cat chewed on an eggplant leaf and we had to go in. When I got there, vet techs were waiting for me. Some of them took her back, and one took my story on what happened, and her symptoms. I had to call Pet Poison Line so they could tell the vets how to treat her-that's fine-and they wanted to do a full workup on her since she is 12. I said that's fine, that's what insurance is for. It was about 11pm when I was sent home to rest while they took care of her. At about two, they called me to tell me that she survived the nightshade poisoning, but they had found a thicker spot in her intestines in the x-ray, and they wanted to do follow-up images in the morning, so I got another estimate for them to keep her til the next day and run another round of x-rays and do an ultrasound. She stayed and I went back to sleep. In the morning, a very kind vet whose name I don't remember called me and went over what is happening and why that spot could be there. She gave me advice on how to proceed after today. She asked what food my cat eats so they could give it to her there too. I was kept in the loop the whole time from when I got there to when I picked her up at 4:30pm. It set me back about $3500. Thank God for pet insurance. But considering all they did and the overnight stay, not terrible. My cat's idiocy may have saved her bacon if we caught something early, but so did True Care's thoroughness.

    Extremely disappointed with True Care for Pets. Their customer service has been absolutely…read moreterrible. Calls are rarely returned, communication is almost nonexistent, and getting something as simple as a prescription refill has turned into a nightmare. My dog depends on his medication to eat properly, yet I was told I now need to pay for another doctor's appointment just because the previous veterinarian left over a year ago -- something they never bothered to properly communicate to pet owners. How is that acceptable? To make matters worse, they don't even have appointments available until mid-July. So what exactly are patients supposed to do in the meantime? Wait until their pets are seriously suffering just to be seen and get medication they already rely on? There seems to be a complete lack of urgency, compassion, and accountability. Pet owners trust clinics with the wellbeing of their animals, and this experience has been beyond frustrating and honestly heartbreaking

    ACCESS Pasadena

    ACCESS Pasadena

    3.2
    (433 reviews)

    Dr. Qiu and Halyna were amazing and really took care of my pet! My maltese was diagnosed with ITP…read moreand I took her here for treatment and my experience here was great! My dog was well taken care of and she eventually made a full recovery. What I really appreciated the most here was the genuine care Dr.Qiu and Halyna showed for my dog during her treatment. My dog spent 2 nights overnight as well under ACCESS's care and they saw to it that my dog was constantly being monitored for any life threatening developments Don't quite know how the other facets at ACCESS are but my experience has thus far been good!

    I want to be clear that this review is specifically about my experience with Dr. Howard, not the…read moreentire clinic. The nurses, technicians, and other veterinarians we interacted with were kind, caring, and professional. They treated both my cat and my family with empathy, and I am grateful for that. Unfortunately, my experience with Dr. Howard was extremely disappointing. I found her to be rude, impatient, and dismissive. Every question felt like an inconvenience, and instead of feeling supported, I felt rushed and judged during an already heartbreaking situation. I understand that veterinarians have demanding jobs and see difficult cases every day. But for pet owners, these are not just cases, they are family members. A little kindness and empathy can make a huge difference when someone is facing the possible loss of a beloved pet. Afterward, we sought a second opinion from another veterinarian. After reviewing my cat's case, that veterinarian raised concerns about some of Dr. Howard's medical decisions and approach to treatment. Hearing that only reinforced the doubts I already had about the care we received. I would not recommend Dr. Howard to pet owners who are looking for a veterinarian who communicates with empathy and patience.

    VCA ASEC

    VCA ASEC

    3.9
    (648 reviews)

    My Goldendoodle ate a lot of sand at the beach, and bringing her in early that morning turned out…read moreto be absolutely the right decision. The doctors were caring, knowledgeable, empathetic, and incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. Every staff member went above and beyond to make me feel confident that Peach was in good hands and would be well cared for during her hospitalization. The whole experience was as positive as it could possibly be during such a stressful situation. They did everything they could to help me stay calm while making sure Peach received the best care and recovered well. I'm truly grateful for their compassion and dedication. The X-rays and all the exams were so fast within minutes we are able to get results!! I highly recommend this VCA!!

    I took my pup here when she was feeling very sick. She was having bloody diarrhea and vomiting…read moreblood, which was extremely scary. I called at 6:30 a.m. and was able to bring her in right at 7 a.m., and she was seen fairly quickly. Dr. Perez was attentive, compassionate, and very helpful. She explained everything thoroughly and never made the visit feel rushed. I left my pup there for a few hours so she could receive IV fluids, a full exam, and an ultrasound. The team kept me informed, and when I returned, Dr. Perez went over all the results and the treatment plan in detail. My pup was sent home with medications that helped her improve, and she is now back to her normal self. I'm very grateful to this team for taking such great care of my dog and providing excellent service during a stressful situation.

    VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center

    VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center

    3.8
    (519 reviews)

    I came here because my fur baby unfortunately swallowed a raisin. The vet techs took her in…read moreimmediately. The wait was long. I mean very long. Except to be here for some hours. They brought her out and she seemed fine. They explained to me they were able to retrieve one raisin. I was relieved because I thought she swallowed more. Now when it came to cost, I know these things can be costly. The Dr assistant did want me to pay between 3,500-4,500 for my fur baby to stay there for two nights to check her levels. When I informed the Dr assistant I did not have that sort of money. The Dr assistant demeanor seemed to have changed, but she followed up with me after and asked how Prada was holding up. The doctor on the other hand was very nice and accommodating. Luckily my fur baby Prada is very much alive. If my fur baby has another medical emergency I would come back here. Especially since this is the only emergency vet open 24/7.

    I brought my pug to VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center because he had a very high fever, wasn't…read moreeating, was weak, and was becoming dehydrated. Earlier that day, he had already been seen by my regular veterinarian, where bloodwork was done. Since they couldn't determine the cause of his illness, they recommended I take him to an urgent care facility. The only reason they referred me was because they did not have the equipment to perform X-rays or an ultrasound. They had already done everything they could at their clinic and wanted my dog to receive the advanced imaging he needed. When I arrived around 12:00 PM, the receptionist told me the wait would be about two hours. I completely understood because it's an urgent care, and I appreciated that they took my dog into the treatment area. I assumed he would at least receive IV fluids to keep him hydrated while we waited, especially because I specifically told the receptionist he wasn't eating, was weak, and needed an IV. I was willing to pay for whatever treatment he needed. As the hours passed, I repeatedly asked for updates. Around 3:00 PM, then again at 5:00 PM, I was told my dog was doing fine and that I would be seen soon. Finally, at about 7:00 PM, we were taken into an exam room. The veterinarian came in and immediately asked what was wrong with my dog. I was surprised because it seemed she hadn't been briefed on why we were there. I had to explain everything from the beginning while feeling overwhelmed after waiting seven hours. When I asked if my dog had been receiving IV fluids during that time, I was shocked to learn that he had not received any IV treatment at all. That was extremely upsetting because I believed he was at least being kept hydrated while waiting. After briefly reviewing the bloodwork from my regular veterinarian, the doctor told me my dog "might have leukemia (CANCER)" before performing any imaging, such as X-rays or an ultrasound. Hearing that was heartbreaking. She then recommended additional testing, including more bloodwork, X-rays, an ultrasound, and other diagnostics, with an estimated cost of around $12,000 just to determine what was wrong. I understand that diagnostics are important and that emergency veterinary medicine is expensive. However, after the lack of communication, the seven-hour wait without IV fluids, and hearing such a serious possibility mentioned before additional testing was done, I no longer felt confident continuing care there. I decided to take my dog home. Over the next two days, I focused on keeping him hydrated, monitored him closely, gently massaged his abdomen, and followed supportive care at home. Thankfully, he eventually passed a large mango pit in his stool. Once it came out, he quickly improved and made a full recovery. He did not have cancer. What scares me the most is thinking about how many pet owners may feel pressured into making heartbreaking decisions because of an initial possible diagnosis or because they simply can't afford the recommended costs. I kept thinking that could have been me. If I had accepted that my dog might have cancer without seeking another opinion or waiting for additional answers, I might have made a decision I would have regretted forever. Thankfully, in my dog's case, that wasn't what was wrong. Looking back, I understand that an X-ray may have helped identify the obstruction, and that is exactly why my regular veterinarian referred me there--they did not have the equipment to perform those tests. However, my experience left me feeling that communication was poor, my concerns were not taken seriously, and my dog waited far too long without the supportive care I believed he would receive. This was my personal experience, and unfortunately, I cannot recommend this facility based on how my dog and I were treated. I truly hope no other family has to go through what we experienced.

    VCA Animal Specialty Group - emergencypethospital - Updated July 2026

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