Let me tell you our story that happened two weeks ago. We brought in our german shepherd in labor because she had been contracting for 2 hours and the first puppy wasn’t coming out yet. They did an xray and vet named Ingrid M. told us the first puppy is most likely dead and that in order to save mom and the rest of pups they’ll have to do C-section which is around 7k. Me and my husband started panicking, they didn’t offer any other way but to go ahead and cut the insides of the dog. We immediately contacted the breeder and she told us to just insert the fingers into her privates and to help rotate the puppy for an easer way out, the vet told us it will only kill the puppies and it’s a huge risk and when we disagreed she asked us why we came to their clinic and why not the other if we are disagreeing with them and asked whether we have a degree in health?? At the moment we were e in shock because we just wanted to save the dog and pups. I asked her if they can just give her oxytosin and penetrate her vulva and help rotate the pup, she said they tried penetrating and it’s impossible that way. We asked surgeons opinion and when he came to talk to us, he told us pup is actually alive and he agreed to give oxytosin and just leave her to give birth while Ingrid kept insisting we’ll need to do Csection if nothing happens in hour or two. We asked to be left in a room with our dog so she could relax when given oxytosin, my brave husband took the gloves and started penetrating the dog, when Ingrid came in she started yelling at us, threathening she will kick us out of the room if we do anymore penetrating to the dog. Guess what? We didn’t listen and 30mins later first puppy came out ALIVE HEALTHY then the rest followed by. And for all that they were gonna csection our dog for $7000 when all they needed to do is use their fingers to penetrate her. The last puppy came with breathing problems and they told us he won’t make it and that he needs to stay overnight probably another 2k, we disagreed and took it with us, puppy is healthy and fine. We walked out with $1000 bill for xray, 2 doses of oxytosin and few hours stay in the room where we were the ones to deliver the puppies with bunch of vets in the clinic!!. I wish at the end I could of told Ingrid Manhart to C-section herself as I was too happy at the moment that mom and puppies were fine and healthy. That’s our story, we should teach them how to deliver puppies. I could imagine how many healthy dogs had surgeries done there. Dishonest greedy crooks! Read Less

We've had good experiences with them in the past but January 20, 2017 we had to make the decision to put our boxer/Pitt mix Cassie down. They gave her a shot that's supposed to put her in a euphoric state and then the final injection, but I've never seen anything like that , and haven't been able to go back since. After the shot she came stumbling in the room in a panic, then collapsed in my arms. After that the Dr couldn't find the vein for the final injection which made it the worst experience I've had with a beloved pet. Read Less

I brought my German Shepherd here last week for a consultation on a bad leg infection due to an ACL surgery performed elsewhere in 2016. The surgeon was very informative and answered all my questions. The procedure to correct this problem was to remove the plate inserted during the ACL surgery. The problem I have is the cost estimate I received. Best case scenario was $3,200 worst case $4,200. I was dumbfounded and knew this was wrong. I told the vet tech that's almost what I paid for the original ACL surgery. I ended up having the surgery down downtown by a well qualified Ortho surgeon for $1,250. $3,200 versus $1,250!! I am sorry, but I am sure the surgeons and doctors here are well qualified, but they seem to put their financial goals way above the care of the animals. I am sickened to think of all the animals that have been turned away because of the absurd prices they charge. Read Less

My primary vet recommended I go see a dermatologist. She highly recommended them and spoke highly of the specialist. At first I was thrilled with her services, then I realized I was getting the run around. Vet appointment after vet appointment it was the same thing. Here give him antibiotics and come see me. Orginally thought he had a food allergy, so he got a special diet. Seen that he had improved and I thought everything was great until we gave him a treat that they recommended and he had a full blown reaction. That is when I got into a little spat with the Vet. She said it was impossible for my cat to be allergic to the treats, because he has never been exposed to it. I am not a vet, but I am a microbiologist and I do understand immunology! That isn't how that works! Because of that interaction with the Vet. I decided to never go back. I ended up taking my cat to Veterinary Speciality Center in Buffalo Grove to see Dr. Ness. I have gone an hour of my way and taken numerous of days off work to deal with his allergies. Dr. Ness looked my cat over very well! Better then the dermatology department at VCA. They even looked in his mouth and told me he had a leasion on his tongue! That was never reported before! The dermatology department at VCA might be better with dogs then they are with cats. Either way I felt like I got the run around and no help for my cat who has been suffering with allergies for far too long. ( over a year! ) If you have a cat with allergies then I recommend going some place else. I had a poor experience there and a lot of time and money wasted. Read Less

January 3rd, 2018 was a scary day for us. Our 6 year old Yorkshire Terrier could barely stand up and could not walk. We rushed her to VCA Arboretum and it was suspected she was having neurological problems. It was our good fortune that she was seen by Dr. Birkel, the neurologist. Given her condition, it was recommended that we admit her to the hospital so she could be stabilized and have an MRI done to determine the problem. The MRI revealed that she had an abnormality in the back of her skull that was affecting her spinal fluid pressure and immune mediated myelitis. Treatment was started immediately and Pepper was in the hospital for 4 days. We received update calls and were encouraged to call whenever we wanted to for updates. Given that she was in ICU, we decided personal visits would be more disruptive as she was connected to IVs in the ICU. Pepper is home now since January 7th and following her daily medication and is doing great. She is almost back to her old self and is almost running. Without the team at VCA treating her, I don't believe Pepper would be where she is today. We believe her life was saved and she was given back her quality of life and ours. We thank our lucky stars that VCA was there for us in our time of need and recommend this facility to all of our friends who have pets. Read Less

While they were very nice and attentive to us, I am giving a 3 star because we really wanted to leave our little guy over night to get the care that he needed but when we told them how much we had, which we were only a couple bucks off of what they were asking as a down payment, they didn't except what we had to offer and suggested out patient care after the stressed how important and beneficial it would be if he stayed. We had more than 50% of the down payment, slightly less than 75% and our little guy couldn't get the care because of that?! Again, the staff were very kind and informative, just couldn't believe they wouldn't except what we had to offer. Read Less

I paid $156 to have them tell me what was wrong with our dog, which was a closed pyrometra (puss filled uterus). They told us the dog need emergency surgery and the bill would be about $5,000. I ended up taking the dog to another vet that did the surgery at midnight for about 5% of that price. I think the way they conduct their business is kind of appalling to be honest. We asked, if there was any kind of discount or payment plan, because 5k is a lot of money. The reply from the staff broke my heart. It wasn't that they couldn't do it, but all the horror stories from the staff explaining how inflexible this place is with their pricing. I almost paid the 5k, but a couple phone calls later and I had a vet willing to fix the dog for less than $300. I wonder how many dogs and cats have died, because this place wouldn't touch them without charging thousands of dollars. Shame on them for the price gouging....really. Read Less

My daughter found a sick bunny and we found ourselves at VCA tonight. The staff was so caring, understanding and helpful. Thank you so much the compassion you showed my daughter and the words of encouragement. Read Less

My sweet dachshund Maxwell is gone too soon for sure! I am very grateful to all the staff and the doctor who assessed him for the professionalism, and compassion they offered during a difficult time in my life. Everyone was so thoughtful and helpful! The facility was clean and inviting! The doctor took time to explain the disease process and all treatment options available. The doctor waited for my veterinary's office to send the X-rays previously taken, and they did not try to order any additional views. He even showed me an additional malady that my veterinary failed to identify. We were not rushed into making a decision, nor were we rushed out of the exam room after Max made his transition. I am glad I drove 35 miles to this facility when I did. It was a devastating time, but thank you all for your respect of the situation and the kindness demonstrated. Read Less

I have never had a better experience at a vet- and believe me, we have unfortunately been to many. My pup suffers from seizures and after a horrible cluster, we took him to the VCA. They were so caring and gentle with our 75lb Aussie/border collie. They were sensitive and empathetic with my husband and I who were just distraught by the situation. They kept him for 3 days, and knew us and him by name each time we visited. The neurologist and vet techs spent time with us answering any questions we had. They were never rushed. They made sure we understood everything and even got in my backseat when we needed to take him home in my tiny car. Seriously cant say thank you enough for helping us through this hard time. The bill may have sucked but I can honestly say I've never felt more ok with paying for such wonderful care. Read Less

This is kind of hard to write, but I feel it's important for people to know if they find themselves having to help their dearest companion and friend from suffering. I had called a mobile vet initially as I did not want to cause my beloved Lakota any more stress. It was his time. When the mobile vet was delayed I made the decision to take him to the closest open place. Having used VCA in Aurora several years, I trusted them. And this branch was amazing as well. Each and every one from the receptionist to the vet techs to the vet explained everything and were very compassionate and totally understanding. My husband felt he could not stay in the room, but everyone made him feel so comfortable that he was able to stay and say goodbye to our sweet boy after 16 years of love and companionship. Our big, brave boy passed with the kindness and dignity he deserved so much. I miss him every single day, but I know he didn't suffer and his mom and dad were there with him until the end gently petting and talking to him.. Read Less

I brought my dog here for a late night visit about a week ago because he had thrown up a few times. The vet suggested blood work, and told me it would only take 20 minutes. While waiting, the receptionist left for the night. I was the only one there, and was left waiting for over an hour, with no one around to even ask for an update. I really would have appreciated a quick heads up that the tests were taking longer then expected, instead of being left to worry with no idea how long I was going to be sitting there waiting. When the vet finally did come back, she of course had the worst news for me. She was very nice, very thorough, and also upfront about my dogs condition. I appreciate all of that, but I just find it to be exceptionally poor service to leave someone waiting like that for so long, especially someone who is paying $500 to find out my poor dog would die in a couple days. Read Less

I would have to say that these people are the most kind considerate knowledgeable people. Although my kitty did not make it, I know that the doctors were just as concerned as I and did everything necessary to ensure the best possible care. I wouldn't recommend going anywhere else in an emergency. Hopefully we will not have to revisit anytime soon but they are caring and very informative to their clients on exactly what is necessary to be done and the procedures the have completed. To all staff there 5 stars... hell of a job. Read Less