Vca Pacific Avenue Animal Hospital

My family has gone to this vet for a while now. Personally, my two cats have been seen and had shavings. Last time I was in my cats were shaved. When I picked the cats up they were brought out in their carriers, so I was not able to check out the cuts. I get them home and they look like they were in a clipper fight with a 2 year old. My one cat had spots that were shaved to the skin, areas that clearly showed different clips were used, then some random, small patches that were about a half inch long. They left the full hair on her legs, however, the point where the hair was not shaved was not lined up up with the other legs - not one was the same length. She looked hideous. So bad in fact, my house guests asked what happened to her. My other cat fared semi better, but the shaving was sporadic and the leg lines didn't match up. I called VCA and spoke with the receptionist who took my information and told me that I would hear back from someone. No one called so I called again and spoke to a lady. She promised to get to the bottom of this she would call me back. She never did. I called two more times and finally a guy called me back. He was not familiar with my concerns, I had to tell him about it. He told me he would call me back - He never did. I called again wanted a call back - that never happened. It has been OVER TWO MONTHS AND NOTHING. I will never go back or recommend this place. Their lack of attention does not make me feel like my furbabies are their utmost concern. Read Less

My 5 month old puppy got stuck under a fence, and was in shock when I brought him in Easter Sunday as an emergency (most vet places including mine are closed on Sundays and since he was basically dying I grabbed the closest place to help me). His overnight surgery, including me picking him up at 8am the next day totaled out to be $2040.00. I had to max a care credit card in order to pay for it. When I picked him up, for the first few days things were okay. When I brought him back in 5 days later they removed the tubes and told us that he’d “need another surgery” if his stitches opened up. The stitches to begin with looked like they were done very sloppy. I had a surgery follow up appointment that I was told was free but when I called that morning to make sure because my puppy’s neck was filling with fluid and wasn’t draining, they told me it wouldn’t be free. So I didn’t go. I took him to my normal vet and it was way cheaper, and they also told me that the VCA should not have taken out the tubes because they were obviously still draining. So now my puppy has two drainage holes, and I am having to take him in every other day to have his neck drained until it is fully healed. Also, some of the staff I encountered didn’t seem as in love with their job, as my little in house vets do. I will not be coming here again, it has put me in debt and caused my puppy to have more vet appointments due to poor stitching and decisions I trusted them with. Read Less

I feel bad leaving one star because the actual vets at this hospital are amazing people. But the management and billing people are a absolute joke! I’ve been calling everyday for the past two weeks since my cat was discharged wanting a final updated bill and a change in the bill due date since the one given to me wasn’t the one we discussed. I went in yesterday and today being told both times the manager wasn’t in and he would call me between 2-4.....well it’s now 7pm on the second day and still no call and surprise the manager isn’t there. You people expect me to pay a amount that wasn’t agreed upon and want to try and take my full paycheck!? You’ve got to be joking! UPDATE! The manager got in touch with me and fixed every issue! Very nice man. Read Less

I came home to see that my dog ate my chocolate Easter bunny that I had. I panicked and called the nearest 24 hour animal hospital to see what I should do. Who ever answered the phone was amazing!! She was very very kind and right away asked a doctor what to do and told me and then we talked a little bit about ideas on how to keep him away from the chocolate and she made me feel much much better! Who ever was answering the phone on 4/4/2018 at about 5:20pm should definitely get a pat on the back! Read Less

I called them about my dog having a cough and possible sniffles, and said "Oh Wait, you're an emergency clinic, or hospital?" They replied, no, we take regular appointments too. I said "So I need an appointment then?" She replied, "No, we take people on a walk-in basis, but it could be a wait if we're busy. I went in there at TWO PM, and there was only one customer and they were leaving so I got right in after 10 minute wait. The vet had no clue what do do for a cough and possible congestion, she offered me a list showing tons of possible tests she could do (like on organs/heart) and I decided it's not a good place... she seemed upset and handed me a bill saying I owed for an "Emergency Visit" There was no emergency, they didn't even hear a cough so my dog appeared totally well! Pretty sure they chalked it up to an Emergency to get money out of me since I wasn't interested in putting a well dog through a battery of tests. So be careful with them! Realize they will charge Hospital prices for a regular simple visit and will deem it a $100 "Urgent Visit" or "Emergency Visit" even if no care was done... and whenever they feel like it even when you make it CLEAR before hand... It seems like fraud to me! I WON'T be bringing my dog back for the teeth cleaning, they'll somehow call that an emergency teeth cleaning too! Read Less

I called them about my dog having a cough and possible sniffles, and said "Oh Wait, you're an emergency clinic, or hospital?" They replied, no, we take regular appointments too. I said "So I need an appointment then?" She replied, "No, we take people on a walk-in basis, but it could be a wait if we're busy. I went in there at TWO PM, and there was only one customer and they were leaving so I got right in after 10 minute wait. The vet had no clue what do do for a cough and possible congestion, she offered me a list showing tons of possible tests she could do (like on organs/heart) and I decided it's not a good place... she seemed upset and handed me a bill saying I owed for an "Emergency Visit" There was no emergency, they didn't even hear a cough so my dog appeared totally well! Pretty sure they chalked it up to an Emergency to get money out of me since I wasn't interested in putting a well dog through a battery of tests. So be careful with them! Realize they will charge Hospital prices for a regular simple visit and will deem it a $100 "Urgent Visit" or "Emergency Visit" even if no care was done... and whenever they feel like it even when you make it CLEAR before hand... It seems like fraud to me! I WON'T be bringing my dog back for the teeth cleaning, they'll somehow call that an emergency teeth cleaning too! Read Less

Someone fed my dog a chicken bone, took her in they got X-rays and blood work right away proscribe her all the proper meds to make her comfortable, she was dehydrated so they gave her IV fluids to help, got her too eat some food, mind you she hadn't eaten in 3 days. Told me they'd call Saturday to check on her, they were so worried they called next day until they were assured nothing else was wrong. This place is AMAZING ! It was a bit pricy but they found out everything that was wrong even called later, she's got pneumonia and they proscribed meds for that as well. She's getting better and that's all that matters to meRead Less

Very bad. I am extremely irritated to know NOW that my dog has cancer. And that is why she got Anemia. The doctors there told us it might have been because she was bitten by a tick. But the other vets told us that the anemia was most likely caused by the cancer that she has. The anemia problem happened on thanksgiving week. Meaning that she has had cancer ever since that day and the vets there did not notice even though we had multiple checkups. The other vets, and on the the first day, noticed it right away. I definitely do not recommend this veterinarian clinicRead Less

I felt like they didn't care about my cat at all, all they wanted was money. They never showed compassion for my sick cat nor and ideas of why he was sick. All they wanted was for us to pay almost 1000$ for testing. She said he was dehydrated and never offered to give him an IV. And when I called they said to come in no wait but then we get there and all the vets are in a meeting so had to wait an hour... awful place. Read Less

I just had my puppy spayed here. The staff took very good care of my girl, and I was able to get her microchipped at the same time as she was being spayed. I always feel like I, and my pets, are in good hands when we come to VCA. Thank you! Read Less

Absolutely love this animal hospital. I have taken a few of my animals here and received nothing but the best care and treatment that I have ever had anywhere. I am saddened to find out that Dr. Richter left the hospital and relocated. I am actually going to be bringing my puppy to them hopefully for care in the next week or 2. The staff make it so welcoming and loving and have been nothing but caring and kind and handled each of my animals with love and smiles. As a matter of fact they saved one of my dogs lives a couple years ago. She was half dead by the time I got her there and they took immediate action and saved her life 3 days before Christmas from being poisoned with rat poison. I will always count on them for care until I feel otherwise. Thank u so much for all that u have done for me and my furr babies. See u soon VCA staff, love the Ewing-Naillon family Read Less

Sadly my experience here was subpar. Although my dog entered sick and exited feeling better. There were several steps during the process that were irresponsible and left me with a sour taste in my mouth. Arriving with a sick dog, I was alarmed and emotional not knowing how to help my best friend. They quickly got me into a room, and was helped what seemed like immediately. What was always almost immediate was the fellow with the estimated cost. Which is a tuff job and I dont know how you could make this neccessary evil any smoother. My dog is sick, I signed. They then took my sweet pup back to start treatment which was to last at least one overnight stay, but possibly two. I was reassured they would call me with updates and that I could call at any time. This is where the ball was dropped. I spend hours the two days my dog stayed there trying to get updates. I would call at the time they ask me too, around ten oclock the next day. I was then reassured I would be called back for an update after the vet made their rounds, which I totally understand, it has to be busy. But I never recieved a call back, ever. Two days, same result. The only way I could get the updates on my sick dog was by calling 3 to 4 times each day. That is ridiclous, my dog is sick; I dont know what's happening with her and you don't have a better logistical system to call back the owners of the critical conditioned dogs your caring for? An update once a day is in no way an extreme demand (especially for the price) This was advertised to me as top notch care with excellence customer service. That's why I dont mind signing away two months of rent, but really not a call back? After picking up my dog, I was told the results of the tests they ran would be sent to my regular vet. Even after several calls they have yet to send the results to my primary vet, months later. It feels like they have set up their business to make it super customer service orianted at the beginning of the process and after they get that signature, customer service moves to the back burner. Which to me is extremely sad, I really wanted to like this place, and my experience, as much as possible seeing the circumstances. My dog left healthy and since has fully recovered, I really appreciate the care my dog recieved here. This easily could have been a much better experience. Shout out to the Tacoma-Humane Society who came in and really helped me financially with their Community Pet Care Fund, thank you so much! Read Less

When my just 8week old blue nose was drowning internally we had little time to react the Olympia emergancy was in surgery so I called the VCA they said they had an opening to bring him right in. As soon as we got there I knew they were going to help they were waiting outside for him, they took him back and with in minutes we knew what was wrong his 20%chance of survival everything. They asked if I wanted to put down I said no he is my baby so every day he in a incubator box to help him breath and get strong again. We did not think he was going to survive. Against all odds and 4days later I got a call saying he is up and walking and being a puppy again that I could come get him :-) this hospital even thoe it was probably cheaper to put him down went with what I asked and wished for him and now 7months later I could ask for a better healthier Diego! Thank you so much for giving me my joy and happiness back! -From Alycia and Diego. Read Less

The worse customer service I have ever experienced and was way overpriced for the basic service that I received. The receptionist immediately indicated to me that they were busy with two emergency cases and to make me aware that the exam fee was $110.00. Apparently I did not look like I could afford emergency care.... In addition, my dog was not examined or treated in front of me and was taken in the back. I have know idea if he was treated or not. I had to ask 20 questions just to get what I needed to do for follow-up care. Read Less

We had a dog with puppys. The mom was acting funny and the puppies kept dying so we wanted to take them all in. I called and asked if they take payments the guy said "not really" and immediately hung up. I understand that you don't take payments but the guy didn't need to be rude about it. I will not be going there. Read Less

This company is way over priced and taking advantage of older people. I had to pay over $3000.00 dollars to get my dog fixed from a attack from another dog. I ask why is the bill so expensive and the lady I was talking to said it's all on your estimate and vet cost are expensive. I said I don't understand all of the descriptions. So she told me that he needs up to 6 different pain killers for one. A lot of fluids? She couldn't tell me what fluids??? What why so many I asked and she said it for different areas. What? You Got To Be Kidding Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That alone told me that all the negative reviews to this place is TRUE. I just wish I read the Review's before I had the work done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if your Loved one is in pain or suffering Be strong for your pet, For your well being and your animal's...... DON'T GO TO VCA. There are a lot cheaper Animal Hospital Out there that do just as good of a job if not BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read Less

I took my minny schnauzer to the 24 hr vca on pacific ave in tacoma,wa. For a large lump on throat area. After labs were taken biopsy taken xrays the whole nine yards and collecting over $1000 dollars I had to call the hospital to get results on my dogs biopsy cause no one would call me to let me know anything. They said results will take a few more days so I waited until I said enough is enough no calls to me. So i called again and was told by front desk clerk that the doctor will call after visit with patient. Guess what? Still no call. Is this their policy to collect money and not inform you of your pets condition I really disappointed and will look for another vet to take my dog. Read Less

Tried taking my albino Burmese snake in there because he was showing signs of a respitory infection. I called them on the phone and the lady said $59 for the exam and plus whatever it is for the cost of the antibiotics and they were accepting walk ins until 6:00pm. Cool. I could do that. I packed my baby up and I got there at 5:30pm and another lady at the desk told me the exam was actually going to be over $100 + med costs and that there was a wait because the vet was doing emergency exams and wasn't actually technically accepting walk ins.... I left and went elsewhere. I don't trust a vet place where their staff that answers the phones doesn't even know their available times or their costs for exams. Just saying... Read Less

Their vet and staff took care of my dog's broken leg with lots of drugs and left me with a insane bill to only say I need to schedule to see their cooperate specialist to spend more money on surgery. I went to get another opinion the next day to another vet and when I showed them my $300 X-rays VCA charged me there was only one photo!!!! MMM.....not much help to the Vet to show how bad my dog's broken leg was. When this new vet re-did X-rays (with five angle shots) and was able to determine the break was bad and needed surgery and could do it right away, no cooperate specialists needed, unlike VCA. And you believe the cost for those X-rays from this vet cost only $100. And I was given lots of options on how I like the surgery to go with ease and not scaring me with a cost of $2000 that VCA's specialists likes to charge. So let me put it this way... the staff at VCA is great, I give them three stars for drugging up my dog to be comfortable, still with a broken leg, but for $700 for X-rays, examination, and drugs from VCAs charges, it's not worth it!!!!!The staff is great, but the cooperate VCA are bloodsuckers!!! Be WARNED! Read Less

I don't know how these peopl live with themselves ,I just brought my Pomeranian in bc she was acting weird so the check her temp ,and turn the thermometer so I can't see the results ,then they tell me they need to keep her over night and run a million test that came to 1300 , please avoid this place. They don't care about your pet ,they are just after your money and its truley hurtful for animal lovers like me. Read Less

The best description that I can think of for this animal clinic is WASTE. It was a complete waste of time and waste of money. We first brought or border collie mix for a skin condition that appeared, and they had no idea what to do. We spent over $400.00 in tests, that we found out were COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO HIS CONDITION (ended up being a bacterial infection and all he had needed was antibacterial meds, which they charged another $100+ for). I then brought him back for the follow up, and they wanted to do ALL THE TESTS AGAIN (just to be sure it wasn't "a coincidence") and to buy dog food that they were selling. I told them no, and the vet began to lecture me about not providing the "loving care that our pet family members need" and that their products were "what are puppies deserve". What our "puppies deserve" is medical treatment from someone who actually knows what they are doing, and not some ignorant "veterernarian" that has no clue what she is doing! Read Less