VCA Aurora Animal Hospital

It was a long day for us at this vet hospital. I was astounded that they did not have proper tables to bring dogs in or out of their place. They used a coaster wagon. This was a referral vet as our dog has trouble walking. Besides the doctor, interns were surrounding my dog which made him feel better. After a thorough examination, several recommendations were made to us listing from 1-5, severe being 1. The doctor began talking about taking care of the least possible scenarios first...I kept asking why were not taking care of the main problem. The answer was that we had to rule out everything else first. A estimate was brought in by an aid, the first estimate was the areas to complete that day. As we were referred to this office, all of our dogs files were transferred over. The doctor knew this and we discussed the fact that a x ray and ultrasound was done the week before. (His belly was still shaved). Yet, on the estimate (your supposed to understand everything, which because we have our homework we did understand) An ultrasound was listed, we told them to take that off, also, another test listed taking lymph node tests that had nothing to do with his problem, PLUS, oops, they forgot to add the radiologists viewing of that x ray...only another $125. (took that off) Oops, I, I noticed that the "just for walking in there" part of the bill, consult was not on there, oh sorry about that another, glad you saw that. $140.
We'd like to do a CT scan...here's the estimate....$1600.00 in addition, the next bill to test his muscle structure was another $1500.00.
We ended up after paying nearly $1000.00 with the same pills as we walked in there with after having been told that he has possibly a quarter size spot on his lung and this was an outside chance that it was affecting his nerves. Possibly cancer, CT scan please. We left and did not realize until we got home that this was the first vet office that did NOT show me his x rays....too see this "spot'. My local vet showed me xrays on his computer, my other specialist showed me the ultrasounds on a computer.
This one tells me about it and wants me to spend thousands to possibly see if this is the case.....
I believe they have you at their mercy, as I love my pet and would do anything for him. I saw people at the front desk putting down 3 charge cards at once to put $1000, $500, $500 on them. Another person with his cat had spent $8000. As we had time to wait we watched...another doctor came out and told patients in the waiting room "were ready to do this procedure on your dog" they looked astonished and said "we know nothing about this procedure" the doctor left, came back and said "oops sorry wrong dog".
My wife and I looked at each other.
We called our vet this morning to talk to him again.
Money pit.....beware, they might have you while your vunerable. Lucky I gave them 2 stars......

Posted 10/08/09 | Report Abuse

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I brought my 12 year old dog here upon recommendation of my regular vet, who felt he could not give him the care he needed. This is an amazing place- not only did they take my very sick dog in immediately, the vet had asked for my regular vet to fax over files so he could begin to study my dog's case before we even got there. They were able to run comprehensive tests within an hour, without having to put my dog under or causing him any more stress. They were patient and thorough in explaining treatment options and even presented me with an "estimate" of what this care would cost so I could make a rational decision.

Posted 06/02/09 | Report Abuse

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My 12 year old dog suddenly went blind and was diagnosed with a brain tumor through an MRI and cerbrospinal fluid analysis (to rule out infection) at another animal hospital (Animal Emergency & Referral Center which is a FABULOUS facility with great specialists) and I was referred to Dr. Looper by the neurologist that diagnosed him. Dr. Looper carefully reviewed the MRI and examined my dog then laid out my options (treatment and no treatment) and the pros and cons of the types of radiation and the no treatment option. I decided to treat as fully as we could and my dog is doing wonderfully already -- he has his vision back and has more energy. Dr. Looper and her staff of technicians are wonderful to work with, kind to my dog and willing to answer any questions we have. They have been wonderful to work with in this very difficult time.

Posted 01/15/09 | Report Abuse

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After getting conflicting information from my vet and his staff, I took my cat to VCA for a second opinion. The vet at VCA told me in the kindest terms that there wasn't any possibility of a recovery for my cat. I was given the time and privacy to say my last goodbyes and then the vet returned and my boy went to sleep. It was done with a great deal of compassion and the staff was very kind. My vet charged me over $600 and did practically nothing. The VCA vet was honest and straightforward. The euthanasia, private cremation, urn and postage was under $400.
.

Posted 10/13/08 | Report Abuse

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I had to use the VCA 2 times for emergency reasons. The first situation went well, overly priced and and was there for many hours when it was not busy to clean and bandage a torn tail on my dog. This last time my dog was hit by a car, offered way to many services then needed, a 6pm ER office visit alone was $120 and after examination and X-rays, the dog broke her front leg-clean break. A $3000 surgery was suggest when only a $150 cast for a young dog was needed. They admitted the cast was on too tight. ER visit, cast, sedation and medication costed $800. My dog had bloody sores within 24 hours and no E-collar was recommended. My dog licked and then chewed over an inch of her cast until I was able to return to the VCA . I was questioned 3 times why an E collar was not given to me the first visit which I had no idea. I wanted to recast at my vet but the doctor would not release the dog with a jagged edge on the cast. I had to repay for another cast and sedation and the office visit was waived since I questioned the tight cast and no E collar-another$150. 2 days later, I receive a message that the second cast was put on wrong in haste, it needed to be cut apart and the dog sedated again. No mention of waived fees. My home vet wanted the correction to be done by VCA. I discussed my frustrations with admitted errors with VCA medical director who stated that he would wave the recast fee. I had to continue to argue that I should not have to pay for another office visit, sedation nor should I have paid for the tight cast.

Posted 11/27/07 | Report Abuse

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VCA is the closest animal clinic to my house and we had some emergencies in holidays and weekends. It is very convenient to have a clinic that is 24/7. HOWEVER.. it is very inconvenient when they want to do surgery for everything!. We took my dog for a problem they "obviously" found a lot more. They wanted us to proceed with the surgery and they gave me a paper to sign in where it stated that they would not be responsible for the great risk of my dog to die during the surgery. They said there was 90% chances that it would happen. That was not the original problem!, I wanted to take my dog out of there and they rejected to give it back to me because according to them "she would die whit-in the next hours". I still took her out and they didn't want to give me any medicine. When they saw my mom crying really bad, then they came to give us some pills and charged us around $300. The surgery was going to cost $4,500. My dog was taken to a different Hospital, they did not operate her because it was risky, BUT they SAVED HER!, and they charged us $50!. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS CLINIC unless you want to loose your pet in an emergency situation and you have a big credit line!.

Posted 09/25/07 | Report Abuse

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My mom and I took our 12 year old Golden Retriever to VCA. She was having a lot of problems so we had to put her down. During the process, the vet couldn't find her vein and repeatedly keep poking her in the arm. THen to add to that, a vet tech came in and put my dog in a head lock. I had to end up leaving the room because I couldn't stand to see it. Finally after many tries, they were able to put the IV into my dog's arm to put her to sleep. Because of the vet, my dog was filled with fear during her last moments of life. I do not recommend this vet.

PROS: New facility now
CONS: Incompotent vets

Posted 11/12/06 | Report Abuse

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I have been going to this facility for care for my 5 year old dog for about one year. My dog has been cared for by two staff vets. The care has been excellent. One vet took the time to help me and Nigel by reviewing and faxing records to our summer vet in Michigan to assure continued care for his allergies. She even called to see how Nigel was doing! I think the key consistent excellent care is establishing a relationship with a vet...not just stopping for emergencies.

PROS: Excellent care
CONS: None

Posted 09/26/06 | Report Abuse

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I have taken my dog and cat to this facility several times. Each time, I feel the treatment was not as I expected and wound up taking them to their regular vet the next morning. Each time, the vet would diagnose the problem as something simple and take care of it. As an example, my dog's paw was bleeding and looked as if she had road rash or an infection. VCA wanted to take xrays (why? there wasn't a problem with her bones) and an ultrasound. I had them bandage the wound instead. Her normal vet said she was allergic to whatever weed spray was on our grass and licked her paw to shreds. A simple powder and wash cloth did the trick. Then my cat was wobbling her head oddly late at night, so we took her there. They would not do a proper exam because the cat was hissing. They wanted to do an ultrasound (again) and blood work. The next day, her regular vet determined that she had dirt in her ears and was wobbling because it itched.

PROS: open late
CONS: eager to give unnecessary xrays.

Posted 08/02/06 | Report Abuse

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