Vca Highlands Ranch Animal Specialty And Emergency Center

I recently had to take my black lab into the VCA emergency center. He quit eating and was very lethargic and began to throw up even his water. I took him into the emergency center where they X-rayed his stomach immediately. Dr. Zhou could not tell exactly what was in his stomach but knew there was a blockage and recommended that we start him on an IV to get some fluids in him and see if it would pass. Later that evening Dr. Reed advised that it had not passed and they were afraid it was a longitudinal blockage, which can do extensive damage to the intestine and bowel by slicing through these organs, if not treated immediately. He summoned the emergency surgical staff that was on call and at 10:30 that evening they began the surgery which lasted well past midnight. It turns out my lab had eaten a large athletic sock that was almost 24" long once removed. I can not say enough good things about this facility and its staff. Their diagnosis was fast and accurate and they wasted no time in getting my dog into surgery and removing the object. Most of the negative reviews I have read on this facility are related to cost, and while the treatment for my lab wasn't cheap, the care and follow up was second to none. I usually don't write reviews like this but following my experience at the VCA Emergency Hospital I felt compelled to. This is a 24 hour emergency center that is not cheap to staff or operate, but if your pet truly has an emergency, and you're looking for the best care this is where you want to come. If your dog needs his teeth cleaned there are probably less expensive alternatives! Read Less

I took my dog in for a consultation today, he needs his teeth cleaned. My dog is in the ladder years of his life and we just want him to be comfortable for the next year or so. At first the veterinarian agreed with me that my dog needed to go on antibiotics and pain killers before they could do anything to help him. He also told me my dog was in excellent health. I have spoken with several other veterinarians who have all agreed with this approach. Without warning the doggie dentist changed his mind and decided to do an immediate surgery that cost almost $4,000, my dog is 12 years old. I asked for my dog back when the veterinarian became very upset because he wasn't going to be able to make his practice a profit. The veterinarian then started accusing me of neglecting my dog. At this point I demanded my dog back immediately which was unacceptable to them..... BEWARE PET OWNERS THIS PRACTICE DOES NOT HAVE YOUR PETS BEST INTEREST IN MIND!!! Read Less

I took my dog in for a consultation today, he needs his teeth cleaned. My dog is in the ladder years of his life and we just want him to be comfortable for the next year or so. At first the veterinarian agreed with me that my dog needed to go on antibiotics and pain killers before they could do anything to help him. He also told me my dog was in excellent health. I have spoken with several other veterinarians who have all agreed with this approach. Without warning the doggie dentist changed his mind and decided to do an immediate surgery that cost almost $4,000, my dog is 12 years old. I asked for my dog back when the veterinarian became very upset because he wasn't going to be able to make his practice a profit. The veterinarian then started accusing me of neglecting my dog. At this point I demanded my dog back immediately which was unacceptable to them..... BEWARE PET OWNERS THIS PRACTICE DOES NOT HAVE YOUR PETS BEST INTEREST IN MIND!!! Read Less

Do not bring your pets here. They are clearly not interested in saving animals, but more interested in lining their pockets with your money. Truly disgusting to charge someone over $1800 for something another vet would do for half of that! Go to Red Rocks Animal Center. They don't rob you. Read Less

My friends dog was having labored breathing and pale gums so we took her in late last evening. Unfortunately, she took a turn for the worst this morning, going into cardiac arrest three times. My friend and I didn't make it to the hospital in time to say goodbye but Dr. Scott Hafeman was the most compassionate and kind doctor I have ever dealt with. He truly comforted both of us and his genuine compassion and love for animals is demonstrated in his extremely caring approach with owners during these difficult times. We left feeling so assured and fortunate she was in such caring hands. It's hard when you don't get the opportunity to say goodbye but he made this awful day much easier with his incredibly caring approach. Thank you Dr. Hafeman, Harley was lucky to have such an angel with her this morning. Read Less

Clearly all about upselling. Sat for 1.5 hours and paid for $102 exam when my cat had been here 2 weeks earlier with known conditions. He needs sub-q water for dehydration. The Doc wanted more blood work and IV fluids for an 18 yr old cat with thyroid and kidney problems. I can get $12 sub-q water down the street. Here - $60. I only came here because I can't miss work and my vet didn't have any late day appointments. But so not worth it. I won't be back. These people should be ashamed. Read Less

Besides taking advantage of my pet sitter during a concern for my dogs vomit, they only made the experience better by having the managing doctor mansplaining to me. I can't tell what was worse, the over medication of my dog for vomitting or the rude phone calls where the managing vet chose to detail the difference of "subjective versus objective" and his claim that my "regular vets entire education was less" than his clinics internship. In one word, awful! Read Less

Thank You! My cat Bud had an obdomnal infection they treated him very skilfully! Awesome Dr.s and staff! Thank You very much for the help and the 2 check up calls 2 weeks in a row! To see how he is doing :) Read Less

The wonderful staff at VCA saved my cat's life. He was unresponsive on admission and stayed in the ICU for several days and at the hospital for about a week. I was blown away by how loving, attentive, knowledgeable, optimistic but realistic, supportive, and patient the staff was. Reading through some of the bad reviews, many customers complain about cost. I want to say that healthcare for your pet is expensive (although a bargain compared to human healthcare) and I don't think VCA charges significantly more or less than what is par. However, the quality of service here is unbeatable. Thank you so much to the wonderful staff at VCA Highlands Ranch. You are making a real and very important difference in the world. Keep it up! Read Less

We brought our dog in one evening because she was trembling, falling over and panting heavily. She was in obvious distress. The staff assumed she had eaten something bad so they pumped her stomach, gave her iv's, valium and kept her overnight. We picked her up the following day. At home, she continued to get worse and could not even walk. We were able to get her into the regular vet who diagnosed her with a severe muscle cramp and back injury in less than 5 minutes. She was in the care of the Emergency Center for 18 hours and they failed to diagnose her or help her in any way. Our total was $717. The worst part is that I did call and speak to the managing doctor who expressed concern for the situation. She told me she would talk to the medical director and get back to me. I NEVER received a call or email to follow up. Take your business elsewhere for your pet's emergency. I'm sure they can get better care at another facility. Read Less

If could leave a no star I would!! Brought my dog in with a wound in his side they bandaged him up didn't close the wound and charged me $350...told me to go to my normal vet to fix him..and this was a 3pm on a ThursdayRead Less

I took my 1 year old dog here after he bit into an albuterol inhaler, which makes their heart beat erratically and can be fatal. The vets/assistants were mostly interested in getting me to immediately sign stuff to guarantee them payment. All were super young and either weren't capable or were simply unwilling to answer my questions to understand what was going on and why I would be charged certain amounts listed. The most knowledgeable vet there snapped at me, cutting my question short and told me to just sign the papers or my dog (barely out of puppyhood, nearly having a heart attack) would have to leave. I called two vet clinics after for quotes on their prices for exactly what they did and both were 2/3 of the cost I was charged. They also have 4.5/5 stars, unlike this place with 3/5 stars. I really wish I had seen the reviews before coming here. Terrible staff at a company preying on people in their most stressful moments. Go anywhere BUT here. Read Less

This vet quoted $1200 to remove my dogs benign growth on her foot. This seemed ridiculously high, so I took her to Broadview and got much better service and they are doing it for $200! Insane ripoff. This vet shouldn't even be in business because it is a complete scam. Do not trust this place with your pet or your money.Read Less

Terrible, terrible, terrible experience. Our 1 year old dog swallowed a river rock so we took her to the closest emergency vet which was here. After many many hours, an X-ray, and some pain management we went elsewhere. The vet said that she needed emergency surgery for up to 8,000 with only cash/credit option or care credit. Half of the money they needed that night as a down payment and the other half when we picked her up. They made us feel like if we didn't get the surgery NOW then we had to euthanize her. Thankfully after man hours they told us we should look at some other places which she gave us some names. We also searched on google and found Deer Creek Animal Hospital and they are just as qualified. We were very happy with the bedside manner there and the care that we got. The price was cut in half and they offered multiple payment plans! When we walked in it was a lot nicer looking and we were more comfortable. They gave her iv's and prepped her for surgery... BUT before surgery they decided to take another X-ray to see if the rock moved at all. Miraculously it worked its way all the way down to the colon. She stayed over night and the next morning passed it on her own. She did not need any surgery! Do not go to Highlands Ranch Emergency vet! They want your money! Read Less

Absolute, complete negligence. I needed to board our dog for over a week and he had a small leg wound that was healing, but needed continued veterinary care, which this facility said they could handle. (Our regular vet does not have boarding services). I came in with my 45 lb dog who had TWO cones on his head (the blow up collar and the plastic cone), a bandaged leg, daily medication, a copy of the veterinarian notes and verbal instructions to change his bandage and monitor the wound and evaluate if the staples could be removed during his stay. I called in twice during the week to check how our dog was doing and was told everything was fine. I called ahead before going to pick him up after 8 nights and when I asked what veterinary care he received... the vet tech said she saw NOTHING on the notes, and would look into it. They DID NOTHING. They basically ignored any health care for a dog that came in with TWO cones on his head, a BANDAGED leg, VET NOTES, daily MEDS, and my verbal instructions. They said there was a break down in communication from the front office and back office. So no one cared to ask what was to be done with a dog that was an OBVIOUS patient? They took off one night stay from my bill. No office manager came out to explain, nobody called me after to apologize... I was speechless. I then took the time to write a letter to the Hospital Manager requesting a response about their lack of care... NOTHING, NO RESPONSE. Fortunately, my dog's wound was in the later stages of healing, so their complete and utter negligence did not ultimately harm him. They fed him and gave him his meds, but what can you say about a vet hospital that IGNORES a patient for over a week? Complete lack of respect for the animals they are caring for and for their customers. Read Less

I took my Maltese to this location after she vomited several times and was very dehydrated. They took her in the back room to draw blood and get an x-Ray. After quite a long time they hadn't brought her back. They said they had an emergency which is understandable. I asked them to bring her back to me so I could monitor her until they ready for the procedures. I asked multiple times and finally told them I would go back to the restricted area to get her if they didn't return her to me immediately. They finally brought her back, did the tests, and gave her fluids. They recommended an overnight stay which I declined due to my experience with their lack of attention to her. They promised to send x-rays, lab results, and a discharge summary to my vet the next day so they could follow up. The vet called three times requesting these records and I called once and they never came. It took 3 days to Beth the records. The bill for this terrible experience was $680. I will never go here again for emergency care. I recommend Deer Creek Animal Hospital if your dog is sick. Read Less

Just had a scare with our new six week old puppy at 5 am limping after a clumsy jump and like all new pet parents rushed to make sure she was alright. We were greeted by a Vet before we even checked in who made sure she didn't need immediate treatment. Then we got to sit and chat with the wonderful overnight vet tech while she throughly examined little Yumi. The whole process was easy and reassuring, and everyone we met was so kind to us in the sleep deprived state we were in. If something went wrong with my pets again ( or should I say when! ) I would trust the folks here. Read Less

Our elkhound had collapsed on the carpet on a Saturday afternoon. We brought her here. The doctor and staff did everything they could to test her, share the results with us and encouraged us to see her numerous times. Our Keesie had had a major stroke from which she could not recover. It's been over a year and a half now, but everyone here was professional, kind and understanding. My last memory of Keesie includes two staff members in attendance, facing opposite (north to my south), with their heads averted to leave us to our grief. Read Less