During the emergency situation with our dog (and ongoing care) the staff has always been professional, empathetic, and responsive. Alternatives are always presented prior to obtaining our consent to treatment and we have never felt pressured into pursuing specific paths. Emergency needs and ongoing care are often expensive and that's just a fact, but it's up to the pet guardian to make choices based on a variety of factors. All care providers are reachable and communicative, and they make sure that you understand exactly what's going on with your pet so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed. The level of care is outstanding and I know my pup is in good hands here while she proceeds through her treatment with great results. Aside from the level of care, the facility is brand new. It is never crowded; it's clean, well-appointed, and doesn't feel like a hospital. Overall, I am very pleased with Vista and would highly recommend it to anyone who needs emergency care or a specialist for their pet. read more

Warning that his review is long because there is so much. I brought my cat in at 430pm on a Sunday as my vet office referred them for emergencies. I called ahead and they told me it would be about a two hour wait. We live 25 mins away with a yowling cat, was not a fun car ride. He fell off his cat tree and got his head and neck stuck that caused some concerning problems walking, head bobbing, and arm twitches. The place is BIG and long. Vast parking. Several exam rooms. Huge lobby seating area. Drink station for customers. But FREEZING cold when you are wearing shorts! The vet tech came out within 15 mins to get the initial info of what happened and some medical history. Now here is what I don't like. He took my cat without me and said that a vet would check him out and then come out with the options and charges. This is why i avoided taking my cat to the vet during the pandemic. I want to be present for all exams and procedures. I want to know you are actually doing the work and treating my cat right. 20-30 mins later Vet tech comes out and tells me that the exam is $200 and pain meds would be $120 asked for approval. I said yes. We wait some more. They bring us into a room to wait for the vet. She says they notice his ataxia and that something neurological is wrong with him and thinks that maybe that caused the fall, not vice versa. Recommendation was blood tests, x-rays, blood pressure, etc.. and a tech would be back with an estimate. He hands me a piece of paper itemizing it all stating it would be minimum $1000 to $1300 and that they would charge the High immediately before staring . The diff would be refunded before I left if they didn't have to do sedation or medication. Fine. We wait another hour and 20 mins before they call us to return. I told him we were sitting in the car to warm up. He says come now. The doctor wants to talk to you about the test results. We hurry back only to wait another 30 mins!! I am freezing and annoyed and dying to pee. Vet finally brings my cat in the room to say they can't find anything wrong with him and that he has vastly improved since we brought him in. If he continued to have problems he would need to be referred to a neurologist. They did not need to give him pain meds or sedate him. She offered to do a full blood panel for an additional $300 and overnight observation which I cannot imagine how much that is and would have been great if I didn't have to pick him up first thing in the morning so I said no to that and yes to blood work since she says, "the outside lab is going to be picking up soon so you have to decide pretty soon if you want the results sooner" tapping her watch. I thought I was saving time because they already had his blood. Here we go back to vet tech quoting me another $275 but figured since they didn't sedate or medicate that this should still put me around the initial $1,300. Much to my surprise, I owed an additional $171. Conveniently they did not allow me to keep a copy of the original estimate so I cannot prove what I saw or pinpoint which charge did not happen. She did the math for me by reading off everything but something still felt wrong when they don't let you see it. We were tired and just wanted to take my cat home so I did not argue anymore. I later found out they did them separate so it screwed up the Care Credit free financing for the latter portion because they ONLY give 6 months regardless of amount. Yes, the vendor determines this, not Care Credit. My vet office does a year for $1,000. Then tech says they have to keep him a little longer for the second blood draw!! WTF. I would have said no if I had known that! but they lead me to believe this would be just a simple add on for the blood they already took, not more trauma to my cat being poked or another 40 mins of my time. The final inconvenience is that I kept asking for an itemized receipt and they kept telling me that they would give it to me when my services were done. Finally checked out with cat in hand and I specified that I needed it for my insurance for reimbursement. They sent it via email and I should have checked it before I left but it was just a receipt with the final charge. I call to get it sent again along with the medical record. I was shocked to see that the $500 X-rays were of his torso and none of his head or neck... the part he fell on! So... $1,476 and 4 hours later I guess isn't bad for a vet emergency. However, I feel like the service and billing is not transparent when you don't get to see anything and you get shuffled in and out of rooms so often, you don't know which way is up. Maybe its normal ? but my vet allows me to see everything and the billing isn't always changing. First time I had ever been to a pet emergency room so not sure if all this was the norm but I didn't leave feeling confident about the overall service I was provided. I know to ask more questions next time read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

We had to bring our dog Marley in for surgery, and I truly can't say enough good things about the care she received. From the moment we arrived, everyone was incredibly kind, compassionate, and reassuring during what was a very stressful time for us. The staff kept us informed every step of the way, which meant so much. They took the time to check in, provide updates, and make sure we understood everything that was happening. It was clear that they not only care about the animals, but also about the families who love them. Marley was treated with such gentleness and attention, and we felt completely confident that she was in the best hands. The level of communication and kindness we experienced really set this hospital apart. We are so grateful for the entire team and would absolutely recommend them to anyone needing exceptional care for their pet. read more

I am so grateful they moved to this location because driving out to the picket area was a drag for me and knowing I had to wait couldn't have anywhere to go was also a pain. Anyway, I was able to do a walk in last evening for my princess to get seen. The staff and doctor was super friendly and supportive. Although the wait while waiting inside the exam rooms took a while but I understood how it could be. There's so much accessible parking out front but I noticed the windows are tinted so it makes it look like they are closed but they are not. Inside is very nice and clean they do a great job with maintenance and decor. Overall I had a great experience and so did my princess. I think she wanted to stay and hang out with the staff instead lol. Thank you Visra team for your wonderful hospitality! read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - very clean exam room - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

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I cannot thank the team at this clinic enough for their incredible kindness during one of the hardest moments of my life. I was rushing my dog, Scooby, to the vet, but unfortunately, he passed away on the way there. When we arrived, the staff treated us and Scooby with the utmost dignity, respect, and compassion. Today, our family received a beautiful, handwritten sympathy card signed by the staff. In a time of total heartbreak, their warmth and thoughtfulness meant the world to us. If you want a veterinary team that truly cares about your pets as if they were their own, this is the place. read more

The wait was totally worth it. It's close to home and the staff were friendly. When my best friend wasn't looking to well I didn't hesitate to take him to this 24 hour clinic. Snoopy is home and back with his family. Thank you. read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - The entrance behind the vehicles. - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

The team at Vista Veterinary Hospital is absolutely phenomenal! Absolutely stellar service with professional and knowledgeable staff. From my first phone call to walking in, the team was really responsive, caring, and attentive! I came in with my German shepherd since he was experiencing really unpleasant constipation. But it turns out that there was more than just constipation issues. Dr. Talan was the attending emergency veterinarian that worked with us and he was absolutely amazing. Super knowledgeable, understanding, and addressed all of my questions and concerns with patience. He took the time to explain what the concerns were and the different approaches to care. I really appreciated his thoroughness and professionalism! I knew I could entrust my furbaby under Dr. Talan and his teams' care. They were all so professional and caring. Vista's check-in/out process was also very thorough and they are really attentive and understanding in explaining things. Brittany at the front desk was super friendly and kind! She made the check in and out process very simple and easy! That's always a plus! Upon picking up my dog after his stay with Vista, I met Kathryn, one of the vet technicians in the team that took amazing care of my doggo. Kathryn was absolutely amazing! She broke down the care process, what was done, what may happen next, and explained all of the after care steps and medication needs. She was super understanding and kind the whole time, attentive, and empathetic to my whole ordeal. I really appreciated her kindness and patience. It really made me feel better speaking with her and I know that my German shepherd was under the bestest of care with Kathryn! Overall just an amazing veterinary emergency clinic! I'm so glad they got a building in this area, my literal heroes! They took such great care of my doggo and I know that I can trust Vista's team for any emergency vet care in the future! read more

I've had excellent experiences with this hospital in true emergencies, which is why I felt confident coming here for my dog's pre-op consultation. The technician was kind, attentive, and really took the time to listen, which I appreciated. Unfortunately, the consultation itself felt rushed and didn't provide the level of discussion needed for a high-risk case. My dog has a liver shunt, and I came in hoping to better understand anesthesia monitoring, post-op care, and how complications would be handled. I left without clear answers and didn't feel confident in the plan. This hospital does great work in emergency situations, but this experience felt more like an ER-style visit than a true consultation. For routine emergencies, I would absolutely return. For more complex, planned care, I would likely look elsewhere. read more

I brought my cat here because she had been acting like she had a UTI and passed a large blood clot. They were kind and patient. The wait wasn't very long. The tech was very nice. The Vet was very nice. The reception area staff were very nice. Everyone was incredibly friendly. The waiting area was extremely comfortable and parking is plentiful. I wasn't pushed into any services I wasn't comfortable with. I will definitely utilize the services again as needed read more

Overall A+ incredible. The receptionists were kind and reassuring when I called. They were beyond helpful when I arrived with my sick dog. The vet techs were professional and did a great job educating me. Dr. Kortick was compassionate and bright. She went over the plan, medications and X-rays in great detail. The office is lovely. I highly recommend Vista Veterinary Specialists. read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

This is the second time I've brought my fur baby here for emergency services and the team that assisted at 4:30am was soooo good to us! Let me just say that my fur baby April will yell at anyone approaching us scrubs. She does not do well and is terrified of doctors. Ciara took such good care of my baby and was so personable. I came in an emotional mess and she actually had me laughing about 20 minutes into the visit. She spent enough time with us before taking April back for her exam, April practically walked herself back. Ciara continuously let me know how she was doing while monitoring her with new meds. April took to her very well. We ended up back in the ER later that day and received the same service from different staff. I cannot give enough thanks for everything you guys are doing. This is the second time I've stumbled upon this place (I didn't know they moved from the Greenhaven location) and both visits were great. The doctor even followed up with us a couple times after her visit. The facility is extremely clean and the charge for emergency services was very affordable. I didn't pay half of what I was expecting to pay for 2 same day visits. I only wish they offered primary care. Anywho, enjoy these before and afters of Miss Spicy April. read more

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I just wanted to give a BIG thank you to the staff at Vista Vet. It has taken me awhile to write a review since our dogs passing, but I wanted to share our experience. Our beloved Simba passed back in July and while we were planning on euthanizing him, Simba didn't not make it to the date and Seized while on our final walk. I called Vista clinic frantically as I was overwhelmed on what was unfolding in front us, Simba took his last breath. The young lady on the phone ( I forgot her name), was so clam and patient. She stayed on the phone till I was able to catch my breath and told me to bring him in when I was ready and that they would have a room ready for us when we arrived. When my family and I arrived they knew exactly who we were and took us straight back. We were able to say our final goodbyes in a private room and were able to take our time. Thank you to the staff who were so kind during a difficult moment for my kids and I. They held on to Simba for the night till we were able to take him to the crematory the following day. read more

I can see how people,can be disheartened, especially when they've lost a loved one. My first experience with Vista was when our orangie cat lost movement in his legs. Our vet told him to take him to Vista immediately. It turns out he had a blood clot in one of his major arteries. We would have paid anything to save him, but the doctor was honest and told us his condition was fatal. The doctor was very kind with good communication and explained our options. After a day we had him put to sleep there, and as hard as it was the staff was very kind, considerate and it was done very peacefully. We were able to make arrangements for his cremation right there. Broke our hearts, but they made it as comfortable as it could be for us. . Fast forward and we adopted another orangie. Full of life and a day later he was super lethargic and something was wrong. We immediately took him to Vista and he was diagnosed with a blood infection. He was a feral cat in a previous life, so it didn't surprise me. We had fallen in love with him already, so cost wasn't an issue. They saved his life! We were just so happy that we got to take our cat home alive. Fast forward again. In the pandemic our baby was convulsing on the floor. I knew his only chance was to take him to Vista. We couldn't be with him because it was the pandemic, but they took him in immediately, diagnosed him with a blocked urethra and saved his life again. It was expensive, but they saved him! Our normal vet is Dr. Khabra at the Del Paso Vet Clinic, highly recommend; best regular patient vet I've ever had and I'm old, no up-sale. We already lost a cat to FIP, and he did everything he could, but during all of our emergencies he told us to go to Vista immediately. I really appreciate someone that knows the limitations of care they can provide. I appreciate Vista for the one they couldn't save and the one they saved twice. Unless they've changed they are a critical care vet. Well equipped and well staffed. Thanks Vista! read more

*Update* I stand firmly beside my previous review in terms of the vet tech team being AMAZING! However, 2 weeks after putting our beloved cat down, we were informed that we had unknowingly opted out of receiving ashes for our pet. This was a decision that was not thoroughly explained to us when signing paperwork. We were also not given all the appropriate brochures regarding cremation and vital information, such as the three day time frame we had to reverse the decision about cremation. Instead of being well informed by staff (who called my cat the wrong name when she reviewed the documents with us) we were blindly signing off on a permanent decision. It just seemed that there was a huge lack of miscommunication between staff members and the family. However, this led to a very emotional and frustrating situation for us. Fortunately, their manager Myrna communicated very well with us after the mistake, apologized, and offered us a remembrance gift of our choice. Much, much appreciated that she made such a huge effort to make things right. read more

I brought my cat in for an emergency visit on a Saturday at 9 p.m. I called in advance and they let me know there were a couple of people in front of me and we'd probably have a 2 hour wait. When we arrived they were ready for us and got us into a room within minutes. The tech came in to take vitals and inquire about the reason for our visit and let me know there were 3-4 people ahead of us. We waited about 3 hours before Dr. Rodriguez came in to evaluate my cat. He was calm, patient, and attentive and gave him thorough attention. My cat had an abscess that required a procedure that would require sedation, so Dr. Rodriguez let me know it would be a few hours before they would get to it and let me know I could go home and come back for him a few hours later. They called me around 5:15 a.m. to let me know they'd completed the procedure and I could come get him. When I returned, the Dr. came back in to let me know how the procedure went and advise on meds and post-op care. The waiting experience was expected, but I would have appreciated someone checking in at least once over the 3 hours I was waiting to give me an update or just check in. Also, as I was leaving, I saw there was water and coffee in the lobby which no one mentioned and would have made the waiting a little more comfortable. No one ever wants to have to spend their Saturday night at the ER vet, but I am grateful for Dr. Rodriguez and Vista's attention. Overall, a positive experience. read more

Brought my dog in yesterday. I told them we believe she had a seizure a couple of days ago ( that I did not witness) and we believe she had another seizure today ( also not witnessed). What we did witness matched up with a dogs behavior after a seizure. Instead they told me my dog got into marijuana. I DON'T smoke. They gave my dog flumazanil and some fluids. $510. I felt not heard. Paid my bill and took her home. now my dog has had a few more episodes of trembling, wild eyes and wobbly walking, mini seizures . We are going to to take her to a real Vet early in the morning. By the way I have 4 dogs and only 1 is having these issues. I feel like they profiled me and assumed I do drugs and assumed I let my dog get into my stash. Terrible read more

The pros: Immediate service upon arriving (we came late at night). Employees were responsive and reasonably empathetic. The cons: Price gouge. Was told I would be charged $2700 if I took him home Sunday but he could stay another night for the $3500 we had already paid. I opted to take him home due to cost and they said the only thing they would do that I couldn't at home was injectable medication vs oral. When I arrived I was charged almost $3300. So much for the $2700. My dog had been mauled and they left two wounds open and bleeding that ultimately needed stapling when I took him for a secondary follow up at my primary vet. He bled for days- when I called upset that they discharged him without properly caring for the wounds and explained what was going on in addition to sending pictures I was essentially blown off and told not to worry that it looked fine and that if I were to bring him back to have them fix what they missed- I would be charged as an entirely new appointment. After I literally defaulted on my mortgage to pay their bill. Unacceptable, infuriating and disappointing. Please try VCA before you come here. read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

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This is our second time using this place as an emergency vet and it went very well. We called around 1am this weekend because our dog was experiencing a lot of discomfort, crying, and could not poop or throw up but was trying. We did not know it at the time, but he had GDV (twisted stomach) which is life threatening. They were able to get us in immediately, with hardly any wait in the lobby. We were originally quoted a little over $11k (we have pet insurance) as the most expensive it could have been. Overall we ended up paying a little over $7k because they refunded us from him staying less days. The surgeon, vets and vet techs were all incredibly kind, understanding, and patient. We received regular updates while our dog was in their care. He got agitated a few hours after surgery and bit a tech trying to take his temperature, and they called us right away to inform us and did not fault him at all since he was so anxious. We felt comfortable and confident with our husky in their care. Our pup is now home and resting thanks to their care and help!! read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - Resting post surgery - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Amazing! My little dog had to have emergency surgery. She is 11 and she is very special to me. Vista took her as a referral to a new vet for her. I arrived on a Friday afternoon and the drs stabilized her. Surgery was early morning Saturday. While that sounds as if the Vet veterinary hospital standard services, but it was the caring compassion of the staff who found a phone charger so I could charge my iPhone Friday night. I spoke to a doctor 3 different time in 24 hrs. They are super supportive on visiting, assisting customers, and the facility is outstanding. I'm excited to see what the news place looks like because this one rocks. Thank you for going above and beyond for Roxy.. She is my late daughter's dog and she is very special to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and may God bless your practice. read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - Roxy resting the day after surgery. She is feeling so good now! - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

Absolutely avoid this facility at all costs. The staff is horrible at communicating with you. You will be left wondering how your pet is doing for hours without no communication from anyone. Even if you ask, you may or may not get a response. They lack empathy, compassion and respect. Find someone who actually cares about your pet and you. These people are not it. read more

We have utilized this hospital several times for our pets and each time has increased the appreciation we have for the facility and wonderful staff. From the initial intake personnel to the techs and veterinarians, the care and services have been above and beyond expectations. Our cat was the reason for the last visit as we were in need of euthanasia. Our dear friend was graciously taken from us with such care and beauty that my tears are flowing with the understanding that she is no longer in pain and is waiting on the other side for us. Thank you Vista, you made a challenging situation bearable and are heroes in the care of our furry families. read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - The last day with T'Say. - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

they have a new building they're overcharging to pay for it veterinarians are very inexperienced so no urgency towards my I cannot tell you how disappointed I am with the whole crew that works there nobody smiled and I believe they all hate their jobs again bye or beware do not go near this Clinic you will be overcharged and you will be very angry save yourself the stress and go somewhere else . I was the only patient in the building there were no other cars in the parking lot and they still made me wait 1 hour and 15 minutes just to be seen so they could rack up the bill which I refuse to pay and we'll go to court and fight them to the end if they try to get it read more

Our little kitten had been spayed last week at our local veterinarian and unfortunately due to her kitten energy, her incision began to dehisce (open up) We tried to reach our veterinarian but were unable to get through on a Sunday morning. There voicemail listed Vista on Greenhaven as the recommendation for emergencies. We rushed her over. The staff were all kind. The facility was nice but imo. They price gouge. In a time when groceries are through the roof, people are struggling just to make ends meet, now we have to be taken advantage of by emergency medicine for our beloved pets. We were quoted just shy of $4,000.00 to put our Kitten back under anesthesia, clean up and reclose her surgical incision. We were just stunned. We left AMA when we finally got ahold of our own vet, Banfield on Watt and they took her in and back to surgery immediately. $1100.00 out of pocket. I understand that Vista is emergency services but a mark up of nearly 300% is just wrong. Shame on those who claim to have a calling to help animals but are clearly taking advantage of those in their own community. read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

It's never a good thing when you have to go to Vista, but the staff take care of you when you do. Our regular vet advised us to go to Vista when we sent a photo of our dog's wound and they thought he may need stitches but couldn't fit us in for over a week. We arrived at Vista on Saturday around 4:30pm and was quoted a 4-5 hour wait. The staff on hand did a great job explaining the wait times and updating the current statuses as needed. After having to go to the ER vet for multiple reasons in the recent years, this quoted time is high but not unreasonable as they prioritize cases that come in. As long as you stay on the premises, you're able to wait in the lobby, in your car, or outside. I highly recommend showing up with a battery pack, snacks, earbuds, and a thin jacket to entertain yourself and to keep yourself comfortable during the wait. If you come with a buddy, that's even better so they can help step out to grab food or to take care of any other family needs. There's coffee, tea, water, granola bars, and (slow) wifi in the lobby. A restroom is also available. After we filled out paperwork to update our info, a vet tech came out to get more information about our situation. They also took our dog back to get vitals and shaved the area around his wound so the vet could get a closer look later. We finally were able to get a room by 9:17pm and was seen by the vet soon after. Our dog didn't need any stitches and got his would checked out, cleaned up, and got meds prescribed. We were able to leave sometime after 10pm. Very thankful for the staff at Vista for ensuring our dog was okay! read more

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This is your friendly reminder that Vista Veterinary Specialists was acquired by Ethos Veterinary Health on August 2, 2017. Private Equity Affiliation context for readers: Ethos Veterinary Health is a component of National Veterinary Associates (NVA). NVA is owned by JAB Consumer Partners, a global private equity firm based in Luxembourg, not South Africa. I find it odd that in their response, Vista doesn't specify that they aren't associated with any private equity firms, but instead chose to distract with what they perceive to be a flaw in my argument. Corporate Network context for readers: While it operates under its original name, Vista is part of a large network of specialty and emergency hospitals managed by Ethos/NVA. We brought our precious and beloved ASH cat here for an emergency visit. He had a blockage that was caused by his dry food diet, sadly private equity firms now own vet clinics, while others also produce dog and cat food which causes these health issues. It is a perpetual cycle that makes them rich, while emotionally capturing us all. Major investors include Clearlake Capital (Wellness Pet Company), L Catterton (JustFoodForDogs, Ainsworth), PA Partners (Alphia), CVC (Partner in Pet Food), and TA Associates (Mid America Pet Food). While Vista did save our cat's life, we wish that the care would've been a bit more comprehensive, and a lot less expensive. We spent around $5,000 after not being properly educated regarding the risks of his diet, they had trouble diagnosing him initially. As a result, he almost lost his life. We are thankful for him being alive, but I am so disgusted and disappointed by the whole experience to this day. Now fast forward a year, we just got an email today from vista informing us they can no longer fill our Cat's prescription for his special food diet unless we make another emergency visit with them or go through his primary provider. While we understand prescriptions need to be renewed (ridiculous you have one more way to gouge people with this, it's literally a cat), anyone with common sense can see what they are doing here. Fleecing their clients on the promise of their beloved family members living longer, while hiding behind "legislation" which their overlords lobby politicians for. Our cat only has 7 cans of wet food left, and Vista is refusing to refill his prescription for one more month, after giving us ZERO warning he wouldn't get any refills. We already made a special request and were denied. He will die without this food, and we had no idea we had to make alternate arrangements. When we explained our situation, they responded with a short, rude response not even acknowledging the risks for our poor baby. This place is STRICTLY FOR PROFIT, AVOID AT ALL COSTS. SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON ALL THE EMPLOYEES FOR GOING ALONG WITH THIS!!!! While I appreciate the response telling me to contact management to sort it out, we already tried that!!! You should be reaching out to us at this point. read more

Sunday around 6:30PM. My 8 month old puppy was vomiting consistently for a few hours, so I called VCA Mueller first and they referred me to here since they were dealing with a few critical cases. They also gave me UC Davis medical hospital info. I called Vista first and was greeted by a very warm gal (I think her name was Amanda?) who was super helpful and let me know that there would be a 3-4 hour wait. I called UCD and they let me know they were not doing any surgeries and recommended I try elsewhere to minimize extra stress and financial burden of transferring if need be. So I go to Vista and checked my puppy in around 7:30pm. The staff was very nice and welcoming and took her back to check vitals within 15 minutes. Other animals with more urgent needs were coming in, so I knew the wait time could be longer, but I just brought a book to keep me occupied and stayed in the lobby patiently waiting. They have Chewy granola bars and a tea, water, and coffee station. I paid attention to how the staff treated all the patients that came in and was amazed at their excellent responsiveness, attentiveness, and grace. They brought me back to a room at around 11pm and the vet, Dr. Rodriguez, comes in. Who is quite the looker I must say. He explains the whole situation and all the tests he recommends and possibilities. He takes notes of everything I have observed over the past couple of weeks. I let him know she is actually scheduled for a vet appointment the next day for another issue that may or may not be related, and he let me know that it would be fine to delay some of the tests and X rays til then because it would save money and possibly quicker to get results. So I just paid for the exam, subcutaneous fluids and injectable anti-nausea meds. When she came out she seemed already like she was doing better. She was able to sleep through the night without vomiting too. My wait time ended up being about 3.5 hours approximately. I highly recommend calling this place as a possibility (they will let you know wait time and even refer you to call other places if you want to check around for wait times elsewhere). I was very pleased with the service and front desk gals. Thank you so much for helping my baby feel better. read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - The prioritization order for ER Vet Visits - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

We have so much appreciation for the care our baby boy received with Dr. Bailiff and his team (Melanie, Lauren, Hannah, Nicole, and anyone else we did not mention) as well as the front desk staff. It's been quite the health journey for our boy and they helped us navigate the ups and downs. We appreciate Dr. Bailiff tending toward optimism in our dog's treatment as well as his realist honesty re: procedures and when it was time for us to do the unthinkable and let our boy go. The only downfall is that the team couldn't have been his regular vet team as well (general check ups, etc), but we understand that they are ER and speciality. Thank you, Dr. Bailiff and Vista team. read more

I lost my pup a couple of months ago. It has taken me a while to gather my thoughts about it. He fell ill and we needed an emergency visit somewhere - Vista was nearby and easy for us to get to. He wasn't moving much, but he did eat. We weren't sure if he hurt his foot, or something like that. The vet told us that he was suffering likely from athritis and wanted to prescribe gabapentin to help with the pain. She gave us a few courses for action, which included X-rays and courses for pain management. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have paid for the X-rays, because that really wouldn't have done anything and just went for the pain mananagement. He was ~16 years of age, and we knew he was on borrowed time. Anyway, the X-rays showed that he had severe arthritis. We were sent home with the gabapentin for the pain and I think one other medication (I forget what it was) to fight off any infection. The vet was very kind and was not pressuring us to make a decision either way - These were all decisions left up to us. We went home hoping the pain meds would begin to work but once we got home, we could see he was starting to deteriorate even more quickly. He wasn't eating anymore and had lost control of his bladder and bowels. The pain meds really weren't helping his pain and we could see that it was time for us to let him go. This was a hard decision for us to make. We called Vista again and let them know what we wanted and they understood completely and were ready and waiting for us when we got to the door with a gurney to wheel him in. I had to say good bye to my best friend. They let sit with him for as long as we wanted before and we made a him a steak for his last meal and was able to give that to him. He seemed as comfortable as he could be under the circumstances. The folks at Vista were very nice and understanding through the whole process and I really appreciated that. read more

We would be doing the WORLD a disservice if we didn't highlight vet tech Kim that helped us with our rescue 5 week old kitten on 5/30/25. Honestly all the staff was great but Kim was hands-on in the room with us and was kind, informative, non-judgmental and listened. Give this one a raise! read more

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Vista has come through for my family and I on multiple occasions. Back in 2017, our family pup was saved after being hit by a car (he's 10 lbs) and has lived a healthy life ever since. He had surgery done to put a pin in his bad leg, was hospitalized for a month, but now he's 16, and again, couldn't be healthier. Our pup Rocco has been in a couple times for a respiratory illness over Thanksgiving of all times, and for eating his bed of all things. He received great care and made full recoveries both times. Finally what brought me to finally write a review is for the excellent care of my baby Callie. She was first seen for some episodes of vomiting, which cleared, but then she had more vomiting and diarrhea two weeks later paired with no eating. I was given a range of options, and luckily due to pet insurance was willing to do whatever it took to get to the bottom of what was causing her illness. We first did an ultrasound, aspirates to rule out cancer, followed by secondary testing as symptoms were not improving. Since her second time being treated, she came home and finally ate something. You don't even know how relieved I am. Hoping the test results give some answers too, and we're able to find a path forward. Also, all the Vista staff has been so great with my Callie. Since she's on the anxious side, at other ER facilities, she's needed to be sedated to be examined (which I'm not against) but I think it just goes to show that she at least felt comfortable enough to let the vet techs and vet do what they needed to do to examine her. I was shocked when she was carried out and brought back to me on her multiple visits, because usually she's picky about allowing strangers to handle her like that. The front desk staff has also been exceptional, fielding multiple phone calls of mine while stressed. Also I'd like to give a shout out to the vet tech who saw us today (I wish I'd caught her name) but she calmed me down when I was pretty upset just due to all the stress this weekend caused. What was supposed to be a nice three day weekend was the opposite of relaxing, and here it was business as usual with quality care and service. I will always choose Vista for my pup's ER needs, if they're in taking. Additionally yes, expect to pay for their quality services. Pet health services are expensive no matter where you go, which is why pet insurance is so critical. read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - Callie waiting to be examined. - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

My experience with the other IMS was horrible, you can see the review. Currently, we take our dog to Dr. Rutherford and she is phenomenal. I took my other dog to her as well and she was so careful and explained things. Even though I had to have them euthanize my dog, I knew it was the right decision. Currently Dr. Rutherford is our IMS for my young dog's kidney disease. I had no hesitation in coming back to her and she explains stuff so well. The support staff have been responsive and so so so kind and I would definitely recommend Dr. Rutherford! Only reason not 5 stars is because of my previous experience. read more

I don't like leaving negative reviews, but I believe it's important to share my experience. My little Chipin (Chihuahua, Miniature Pinscher) was bitten in the eye by another dog. After contacting our regular vet, we were referred to Vista Veterinary Specialists. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a huge mistake. I wish I had read the reviews beforehand, but our dog needed immediate care. Upon arriving, we were greeted by a staff that seemed unusually laid-back and slow to respond, despite our dog bleeding from his eye and his eye swelling shut. We weren't panicked, but we were understandably concerned. Even though it's an emergency hospital, we waited in the lobby for 45 minutes before being taken back. I understood that more severe cases might take priority, but the lack of urgency was concerning. When we were finally seen, the assistant brought us a cone for our dog, but it was too small due to the swelling of his eye. Despite my concerns, she assured us it would fit, but we struggled to get it on. I suggested we adjust the cone, but she came back with a blanket instead, asking us to use it to hand him over. If you've ever owned a Chihuahua, you know they can be temperamental and aren't fond of strangers. I warned her about this, but they proceeded anyway. Soon after, she returned to tell us he needed to be sedated because he was too aggressive for them to handle. We agreed to the sedation, which was an extra $100. Oddly, she came back a second time to reconfirm the sedation and the cost, as if we hadn't already agreed. It felt like an unnecessary repeat, but we said yes again. The waiting room had cleared out by this point, and we were the only ones left. I overheard one of the assistants telling the front desk to take us back to a room, but when they finally did, it was with a casual head gesture, as if we were bothering them. It reminded me of Lurch from The Addams Family greeting guests--just a head nod and no words. Finally, the veterinarian examined our dog and told us his eye was badly injured, but she couldn't fully assess the damage due to the swelling and bleeding. She recommended taking him to an ophthalmologist as soon as possible to reduce the risk of him losing his eye. Her demeanor, however, was frustratingly nonchalant, even as she explained the seriousness of the situation in great detail, comparing it to how human bruises break down. While I understand staying calm for the sake of anxious pet owners, the lack of urgency felt misplaced. We agreed to take him to an ophthalmologist, and the vet informed us that since it was close to 5 PM, we would have to pay an after-hours fee. She said UC Davis was the closest available option and offered to call ahead. When she returned, she informed us that the treatment could cost between $3,500 and $4,500 depending on the severity of his injury. We thanked her for the information and agreed to move forward. What followed was a bizarre back-and-forth. The vet came back to let us know she had reexamined him and found he had a pierced cornea. She then repeated the urgency and cost of taking him to UC Davis. We agreed again, and she prepared to unsedate him, despite my suggestion that he should stay sedated for the next team at UC Davis. She insisted on waking him, saying it was her standard practice. We waited another 40 minutes in the lobby before I asked the front desk to check on him. They explained there was confusion about whether he was staying sedated or not and where he was going. I was floored--what confusion? We had already discussed everything! Eventually, they brought out our little guy, and we rushed to UC Davis, where the care was excellent (but that's another review). Ultimately, I wouldn't recommend Vista Veterinary Specialists. The lack of urgency, disorganization, and overall poor service left me feeling frustrated and helpless during a time when my dog needed proper care. If I could give 0 stars, I would. read more

Took my senior dog to Vista Vet because she was having vomiting and breathing issues. I called ahead to let Vista know I was bringing her in. From my initial call to when I arrived to register at the front desk, I was struck by how the front desk staff acted so disengaged and disinterested. I understand it's an ER vet but my interaction with this staff was as if I was bothering them simply by showing up. The vet tech and vet assessed my dog right away and treatment was ok. I signed off on vet's recommended treatments and returned to the waiting room while they gave my dog her injection. After 20 minutes, I went to the counter to ask about my dog, and was told that they were waiting for the vet's post-visit instructions. I asked the person at the front desk to email me the instructions so I could leave with my dog. The next day I still had not received the instructions nor the invoice of services. When I called to follow up, I was told that they had entered the wrong email address into their system. They also told me the post-visit instructions were still being completed by the vet (18 hrs after the ER visit). I got the invoice but never received any post visit instructions. I asked to have the xrays/report sent to my regular vet and I followed up with my vet's office to confirm that they got the records because everything else had fallen off Vista's radar. BUT at the follow up appointment with my regular vet, they weren't able to access the xray files nor the report. I've had records forwarded to my vet's office before and they have always been able to access the records. I called Vista Vet to register my concerns about the front office staff, the lack of follow thru by the doctor, and the inaccessible records that had been sent to my vet. I got the usual "Blah, blah, blah, We're so sorry for your experience." line. So let me understand, I paid for services AND reports, xrays that I never received and wasn't offered any kind of partial refund for their lack of follow up with post-visit instructions, or inaccessible xray files. I'd recommend avoiding this hospital if possible. read more

Love this place they have helped saved 3 over my babies over the past 10 years, they are honest and fairly priced. They always refund for what wasn't needed and truly have a wonderful friendly staff! I highly recommend trusting them with your fur babies read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - My little girl being dropped off - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

Wow oh wow! I absolutely love this place! I came here on a Saturday because my cat's litterbox alerted me that he was in the litterbox over 20 times! Unless he was practicing for a sand castle competition, he was in there way more than his usual 2-3 times! We were recommended to come here by the vet based off distance, but it should have been based off expertise! Front staff (excellent! Personable and cheery) Waiting room (no wait!!) Dr. Talan (professional, thorough and comprehensive) Prices were lower than I expected since it is emergency and I asked if I could come here as our usual vet, they said it's only for emergencies. They don't want me back unless it's an emergency, but you bet I will be rushing over for the next time my cat acts abnormally! read more

Our dog required emergency medical attention recently. Vista Veterinary Specialists provided excellent care for our pet along with compassion and empathy for the owner. I called to let them know how much I appreciated their concern and care and the next day they called me back to express their thanks for my thanks. Very impressed. read more

Don't go here! So my cat has been having an off/on digestive issue for a while now and thought it was finally time to seek care from a specialist. Was told for $1600, they needed to do an ultrasound and a fecal test. Once done, they say, oh we see he has inflammation of his intestines aka thickening of the secum but it's not enough info for a diagnosis so we recommend a $4500 colonoscopy! Ah, no I don't think so. So had a phone call with the vet Nathan Bailiff, which was an annoying experience. This guy talks a mile a minute, in a condescending manner, interrupted me when I'm trying to ask questions and refused to treat my cat based on the likely diagnosis (IBD). Why? His explanation was nonsensical which leads to conclude it's all about squeezing more dollars from me. This guy has such an ego he gets upset if you call him Nathan vs "Doctor Bailiff"!!! Dude you're a vet, not a real doctor, sorry. Anyway, lesson learned, next time I'll stick with UC Davis for pet specialty care. read more

I have now taken 3 out of 4 of my animals here, so I feel confident when I say this is the safest bet in the event in an emergency with your furry friend. The staff at vista vet is highly compassionate, knowledgeable, and realistic in terms of vet care. Each time I've come, they've given me a range of options for care that I would feel comfortable with, without the fear mongering you find at most emergency vets. And yes, they do remember your other animals when you come back. Just got home from taking my dog, Benny, and while there was a bit of a wait today, there typically isn't. Benny is now how home and taken care of and I feel at ease knowing there's a plan in place for the coming weeks thanks to Vista. read more

unfortunately we had to take our baby to the ER last night. The wait was long but that should be expected, of course sicker animals will be seen first. The staff was extremely friendly. The doctor was nice and gave us options. Did not feel like they were trying to upsale anything at all and have us spend more money. Its stressful having to take your pets to a hospital but they did make the experience better by being so kind. read more

Vista Veterinary Specialists - Veterinarians Near Me - Sacramento, California

I hate to say this but the way they kept pushing me to get a credit card to afford a $4000 treatment plan is not okay. They purposely kept my baby for longer while they tried everything to convince me to get this super expensive treatment. Gas lighting me, pressing me, saying my baby would die, etc. all this talk about getting credit cards really drove me nuts. Felt more like they cared about getting my money than caring for my baby. Absolutely infuriating. Please please please check out the competition. I found cheaper options elsewhere in south Sacramento. Do yourself and your wallet a favor and take the time to actually reach out and locate other sources of treatment for your fur babies. I understand that regardless, treatment is going to be expensive. But there are definite thresholds to how much you should be paying and there are plenty of great vets across Sacramento more than willing to treat your beloved animals for an affordable price. These guys, too expensive. Absolutely pissed me the hell off when they insisted my baby would die if I didn't go with their plan. Screw these guys to hell. They're all a bunch of penny pinching [REDACTED] read more