VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital

Recommends

Leo B.

Joined 2 months ago

This place is just amazing. This is the main place I go to when I need something for my pet. I love the products that they sell, great value that comes really cheap.

Frederick H.

Joined 3 months ago

OUCHY on the Wallet ! I've been there a lot- Since it's the closest place x-rays 125-250 It's never 125.00 I think the whole place is on comission. If your pet is near death fine- To get non-life threatening assessments look out wallet !

My dog had a cough they listened- got the 250 x-ray said they saw nothing & he must have bronchitis ..... I spent 750 last month for my dog's cough, final analysis they tell me only what it's not. They then suggested an MRI - I said I need to eat instead. They said bye bye. They did not like me saying, I could buy 10 BRAND-NEW A.K.C. registered dogs for what you charged me to find nothing. My dog will just have cough his guts out and die.... I guess. They are very profit driven greedy fuggers. Unless your my pretty big-boobed sister- who waltzes in there and gets everything for free......

Doesn't Recommend

Kevin H.

Joined 2 years ago

Money Driven. I find it dishonest to funnel people into unnecessary expense under the pretense of being "more thorough".

In my 2 dealings with AEVH, I was pushed in the direction of additional appointments for no apparent reason. The first time I tried to schedule an appointment with their canine Dermatologist (after my regular vet suggested the consultation) for a condition that was not clearing with several "first line" attempts. I was told that I could not see their Dermatologist directly, but had to see a AEVH general practice veterinarian first. I explained I had a GP and he wanted me then to see a Dermatologist. The scheduler declined to make the appointment w/o a GP appointment first. I was able to speak with their Dermatologist directly who was appalled to hear his clients were being siphoned away.

On another occasion, our GP wanted to get an MRI of our dog's cervical spine at AEVH. In a similar fashion, I was told that an MRI could not be done without a "complete neurologic evaluation by one of our Neurologists". That appears to be the standard of care in the area. However, at VRCC I was able to get the same evaluation with a Neurologist AND Neurosurgeon (one in the same unlike AEVH), but also get the MRI for atleast $500.00 less.

I am done with Alameda East. I find them to be money driven primarily.

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RubyDog

Joined 2 years ago

Saved our Dog's Life on Labor Day: Emergency Surgery Success. This past Labor Day (2011), we picked up our German Shorthair Pointer from daycare in the AM after a weekend trip. He was not acting like himself and pacing, vomiting, foaming at the mouth. We rushed him to Alameda East and it was determined after checking out him and doing x-rays that he was experiencing gastric torsion. The on-call surgeon was called in and within two hours of taking him, he was in emergency surgery to try and save his stomach from completely turning over. Our dog was out of surgery in an hour and the surgeon and vet were able to save him and reverse his condition. HIs spleen was removed due to damage the torsion had done to it, but our dog was saved.

We are very pleased with the level of care, sense of urgency, and ability to operate on the holiday when our dog needed it. Without this emergency surgery, he probably would not have made it. Dr. Isreal and Surgeon Dr. Cavanaugh did a great job with our dog of 8 years. He is at home healing now and it will be a few weeks before he is back to normal, but we are pleased with the level of service and care received when truly needed. Thank you Alameda East and Dr. Isreal & Cavanaugh for helping to save our dog

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Stacia90

Joined 2 years ago

Thank You!. My cat went into labor this morning, her first litter and my first cat period. The first kitten came out fine, but she didn't have another one for at least 2.5 hours. I began to get very concerned so I called to see what they thought. Everyone I talked to was very helpful, nice, and genuine. They told me that this was normal for her cat type as long as she wasn't struggling, which she wasn't. Told me to keep her in a dark warm room, which I did. After that, less than 40 minutes later, 5 healthy kittens! And the momma (MY baby) is doing great! Thanks so much to the staff at VCA for taking the time to ease my worries and give me great advice!

Doesn't Recommend

abm0762

Joined 2 years ago

the worst! stay away. They went way over their already overpriced estimate - dont go here unless you want mediocre care at very high prices!

I will never walk thru those doors again. And i am telling all my friends with dogs to stay away.

My instincts said dont go there, but i did anyway and boy, am I ever sorry. Hang on to your wallet and your panties - they'll take it all! I was quoted a range of prices then charged well beyond the high end - I even had it in writing.

My dog is healthy, the procedure was minimal, I was told it went smoothly, so why the additional fees?

When I asked the cashier why there was the over charge she shrugged and handed me the credit card statement to sign. No explanation. I reluctantly signed and got my dog.

My dog is family and I am happy to pay to keep him healthy and happy, but this was ridiculous. I wish I would have done more research before making an appt - I attend a lot of dog events and as I asked around I found many with the same bad experience.

Then I hear its a teaching hospital with mostly inexperienced techs - so why the super high price? They are getting rich off of suckers like me. Lesson learned. Hope my experience spares someone else.

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hudas

Joined 3 years ago

money not care for your pets. Anyone who's dog has cancer I would not recommend taking your dog to Alameda East Vet., some other Dr. might be ok but 2 of the owner of the dog has a bad experience on the specialist. All they want is money. The best place to take your dog with cancer is at Fort Collins, it's worth the travel.

Doesn't Recommend

Monstah Girl

Joined 3 years ago

Money Money Money. Anyone in Denver actually knows that all this vet cares about is money. I brought my 5 yr old dog in at 6am who had collapsed and they refused to even LOOK at him until I shelled out $800+. They refused to continue treating after 3 days and over 3k. I had to put him down. Literally every conversation was about money, not my dog. They hasseled me for two years for add'l money after my final bill and refused any part of charity care (after over 3k for 3 days) because, "we can't guarantee a positive outcome" - meaning they will only fund the less critical pets that they can guarantee they will save (and generate years more of income! just asking)

In speaking to others in the community, I have heard of dozens of similiar stories. I would NEVER go there again.

Recommends

sg80210

Joined 3 years ago

Amazing experience, saved my dog. My vet referred me to Dr. Pearce of VCA Alameda East for a neurological consult for my 3 1/2 year old australian cattle dog. Dr. Pearce and her staff moved very quickly and diagnosed my dog. Dr. Pearce is wonderful to work with and she's very caring. As a result, my dog is getting treatments at csu for a brain tumor and we have hope. Thanks so much!

Doesn't Recommend

dbk2010

Joined 3 years ago

HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND BILLING PRACTICES!. My cat, who had a previous renal condition and heart murmur, needed to be seen immediately when he became motionless and kept vomiting. We took him to this hospital and the vet, preying on our emotions I now realize, suggested a bunch of unnecessary tests that, in our emotional state, we went along with believing and trusting the advice. Well $450 later, they recommended yet another treatment that would put the bill well over $1000. My cat was nearly 20 years old and already had documented illnesses. We decided it was time to put him down - and we did. We asked to go on a payment plan because this was unexpected and we were very strapped. They said they normally didn't do this, but would work with us and let us do it. As I went to make the second payment, I found out that had been charging us late fees and finance charges - with no warning or discussion. You don't say you're going to let us do a payment plan then charge us behind our backs for late fees and finance charges. The only reason I caught it was because the balance was higher than I remembered. This place is horrible, uncaring and practicing deceptive billing methods. DO NOT USE THIS HOSPITAL or any VCA vet/facility. Your money is better spent elsewhere. Ask for a detailed estimate sheet and don't let vets push you into making decisions. You'll be sorry. This hospital also has unprofessional billing staff and the customer service is lacking. Save yourself the drama, heartache and money!