VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center

I wish I could give zero stars, but sadly I had to give one. I would NEVER EVER recommend anyone to bring their furry friend to this facility. I brought my cat into VCA around Christmas. She was mouth breathing which is extremely dangerous. The “doctor” brought me out around a $4000 bill and said she could potentially have cancer, and other issues. I know my baby, like most pet parents do. I requested medication as the first step and to keep her over night in an oxygen tank. Like myself and others that care enough about their furry friend.. we notice even the small things. My gut was telling me it was not anything they said. My cat is 10 years old but has never had any issues. She is seen by her primary and has always been a healthy, loving cat. The two vets who saw her told me multiple things and even brought up the option for euthanization . I was devastated and completely in distress because I didn’t think there was another option by what they were telling me. I then asked to see my cat. The tech took me to the back for me only to realize that she had 80% improved from medication. I was in disbelief. Why would a vet give me that option when my cat had completely improved in two days?! I then requested to keep her on medication and stay overnight to monitor her breathing. The next day I called about 4 times to see how she was. Finally, a new vet reached out and said she had completely improved and gave me alternatives to take her home. I will be filing a complaint with the two first vets. I am extremely upset still, and this is why I chose to post this. How could a vet almost make me make the worst decision of my life and not care?!? I trusted my gut and discharged my cat with medication. I now still have a healthy ten year old cat who just had a sever cold. I will be making a complaint to the board as well. Please do not EVER bring your loved furry friend to this place. You walk out with a nice bill and maybe not even your pet! Thank you Dr. Caroll. Simba sends you her love!!!!!

I cannot in good conscience suggest that anyone take their pet to this facility if it is an emergency. We had noticed that our dog was drinking an inordinate amount of water and losing weight. I took him into VCA on 9/2 but they refused to see him because his condition was not "critical" though I was assured that he would be OK to wait until the appointment I already had scheduled for him with his regular vet three weeks out. On the day after Labor Day his weight loss had worsened, he had started vomiting and having bloody diarrhea. I took him back to VCA and while there he had an episode of diarrhea right in front of the registration desk that was all blood. But he was still not "critical" so they would not see him. I was able to have him seen later that day at a different emergency vet but it was too late and on Wednesday, 9/7, we had to have him put to sleep. I am sure that the vets at VDA are all very caring but this policy of seeing only "critical" cases is wrong. VCA might not have been able to save my dog's life when I went there on 9/2 but they might have been able to spare him his suffering before his actual death.

I was so nervous about my little 7 lb 1 year old, yorkiepoo Bella Bean getting spayed. But everyone was so supportive and caring! Ivy in the Pharmacy helped prep Bella’s meds and explained everything in-person. Dr. Carrier was an amazing surgeon and my pups primary Dr. Russman delivered her to me post-op. The front office was delightful. She’s recovering so well. I’m so grateful for VCA! Thank you!

The staff in the primary care section were so friendly and easy going during my dogs emergency. Marie, Mariana, maria and I'm sorry a male vet tech I don't remember his name were great. Veterinarian Hannah, was amazing. Dr. McLean and Dr. Peterson did such a great Job for my dog Scout, they warmed my heart by saying they loved her too. The only staff member I thought was really flat, didn't give off friendly vibes was Cheyenne who was a front desk person. But I would come again if my dog had an eye emergency.

A few nights ago our baby Boss was hurt. My partner rushed him in to get checked out. When we went to pick him up he looked so good! The Vets and Vet Techs were so amazing and just did remarkable. Boss is doing so good with his injuries, and its all thanks to these amazing people. I really want to mention the Gentleman that brought him out to us. I don't remember his name but he had long hair. He was so great with Boss. Helping us load him in the car, and his demeanor was very professional and caring. Thank you all so much!

When it rains it pours.. today was one of the hardest days I had in a while. The vet tech that seen Gus tonight was so nice to me. Like her kindness brightened my night. So huge shoutout to her! also, she was so good with my boy

First let me say thank you to Dr. brown for showing a great deal of compassion and being forthright with me. That being said, I have a big problem with VCA overall. My dog ate a whole container of probiotics while I was at work. When I got home, I called VCA located on Coors/I-40 for advice. They told me to call ASPCA poison control, why a vets office could not have helped me with this is perplexing. Of course, I was put on hold, and had to hear a message about staff shortages. When I did get someone on the line, they recommended giving hydrogen peroxide to make my dog vomit, which VCA later said was a bad idea. My dog would not take it anyway! So, after wasting all this time, I rushed my dog to the hospital. $1000 of tests and an hour and a half later revealed he had something referred to as bloat/twisted stomach and would need emergency surgery $7000-$10000. Unfortunately, he passed away before we could get to that, but at his age, we were discussing putting him down anyway. I guess my point is that a lot of needless time was wasted. I would think a good vet, or vet tech could listen the facts about what he ate, and by looking at his bloated body make a reasonable guess as to the issue. I loved my dog more than anything but seems like were treating pets like people no days! And as for cost, vets don't even need expensive liability insurance. I'm beginning to think these large vet corporations are just in bed with the pet insurance companies that seem to have exploded over the years.

I am astonished by the low level of care taken here. I brought my dog to VCA after a long night of pain due to a worsening leg infection and because he was not eating, drinking, or using the restroom. They took him back , did absolutely no tests or wound clean up, and gave him back to me with a cone and said make an appointment with a vet this is not urgent and they have critical pets we need to prioritize. I took my dog home and over the course of the day his fever heightened and his leg turned into an open wound. I brought him back to VCA that night to see if they would at least flush the leg and wrap to to make sure the infection would not continue spreading. They told me I could wait several hours to see what they might do or go somewhere else. I went somewhere else because they told me others in the lobby had already been waiting to be seen for HOURS. When I got to road runner vet in algadonas they accepted my dog within minutes, brought him back for a full exam, and did the same for all other incoming pets without hesitation. They were friendly, caring, and helpful. My dog got admitted overnight for severe infection, potential poisonous bite, and a high high fever. If I would have left and tried to bring him back to VCA one more time who knows what would have happened as his condition worsened. Their negligence was a horror story for me and my sweet dog. Do not go here - drive the distance to road runner.

At 3:30 this morning our little pumpkin of love started to seize. We were at VCA in 7 minutes. We were met by reception AND the veterinarian. Our 15 year old pumkin noodle of love [not paperwork or ability to pay] was taken care of first. They recognized cardiac arrest and attempted life saving procedures. Our pumpkin of love crossed the rainbow bridge. We want to express our gratitude at the immediate and quality care our pumpkin, as well as us, received. We opted for the personal cremation. The cost of the ENTIRE visit was only the cost of the cremation, urn and paw print in a keepsake. We've had dogs since kids and understand the cost of their medical care. From core vaccinations to thousands of dollars in cancer treatments, the amounts are high. We ALL love our pumpkins and do what it takes, no matter the cost. The compassion and care from VCA, instead of $$$ first ... OUTSTANDING!

Medical Director Dr Dawn Nolan is one of the kindest people I have met. She is very smart and very thorough. Her bedside manner is compassionate. She cleans my cats ears and clips their nails without me asking on each visit. It is the small things that reveal her exemplary bedside manner. It is worth paying more at VCA because my cats are in the care of the most competent doctor in Albuquerque. I trust her completely with my cats complicated illnesses.