Habra Linda Animal Hospital

I have used this vet off and on for a few years. I have another vet (holistic) who allows me to incorporate my holistic approaches with traditional medicines to better treat my animals so both vets are necessary. After reading reviews on both of my vets I felt compelled to respond. Any vet office can have a bad day, any one of them can make mistakes, as we are human. I have had some Dr's/vets totally frown at me for using preventive measures, holistic medicine and alternative approaches even when they've proven successful. These Dr's do their best to accommodate me, because I don't believe that everything should be treated with medication that has side effects. Habra Linda did the last dental cleaning on my cat and they did a great job. He was 17 years old when they did the work, so they were very careful with him or he wouldn't be alive today, as you know he had to be put under for the cleaning, That is very tedious. Also, when I called to ask their opinion and advice on tackling a current problem with my cat the person who answered the phone was very knowledgeable, informative, confirmed all of my suspicions & helped me to move forward with the protocol for my cat until he is stable again enough to have the dental cleaning that he needs. She was very helpful and took the time out to give me professional opinion and advice. It was a very pleasant conversation and I know that's tough on any Dr. because I am a very detailed and difficult client to cater to. I figure if they can handle me as a client they can handle anyone. I think the entire vet situation-quality of care depends on how many clients they are capable of handling & if they are in it for volume or to keep the numbers down so that they can focus on curing the animals problems and not having them come back until there's another issue. It is my personal belief after visiting several vets over the years that they should limit themselves to so many clients *& then refer any new clients to other highly qualified vets who aren't as busy. Excluding emergencies of course.

Posted 05/20/09 | Report Abuse

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Great place. i have been going there for years and years. I have taken all my animals there: cats and dogs. The staff is always awesome as well as the doctors, i have never seen my dogs actually hay to go to the vet. I will be a client for years to come.

Posted 05/14/09 | Report Abuse

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I've gone to Habra Linda for 5+ years now - people are great, and my pup can't wait to go inside. I've only taken her to one other place, once because of an emergency. Really wouldn't think of taken her any where else. People were friendly and informative.

Posted 01/12/09 | Report Abuse

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I have taken my dogs to their animal hospital a few times. It always ends up costing $150 and up. They often take the animal in a back room to without the owner to do simple procedures such as clipping the nails. Sometimes they take the dog in a back room to examine them without the owner. I hate this practice. My dog is afraid to go in there, and he has no problem visiting another vet in the area. My dog is like my child and I would never let a doctor examine my child without my presence! Dr. MacLean is rough, has poor manners, and I would not know her name if I didn't press her for it. Dr. Garcia is a little better, but he always racks up a big bill.

Their low cost vacination clinic is ok. This is the only thing I will take my dog in there for now. They have his vaccine records and are excellent at sending out reminders when a vaccine is due.

Posted 10/17/08 | Report Abuse

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Once I took my 2 dogs in for teeth cleaning and after examining both animals the doctor told me that they didn't need it. I saved about $500. Also, when the time comes to decide about euthanasia, they will be honest and not try to talk you into costly procedures that are in vain. When I recently had to bring my beloved pet dog in for his final visit,i.e. put to sleep, it was done with dignity and love. I imagine a lot of these complainers are the same kind of people that call in on employees everywhere they go and try to get them in trouble. Now a days nothing is cheap. If they couldn't make a profit, they wouldn't be there. A pet is a lot like having a boat. Be prepared to have write a lot of checks! Yes the parking lot is small. I just park around the corner and the dogs get a walk!

Posted 08/21/08 | Report Abuse

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I have known this practice for over 20 years. I would trust them with any and all of my pets. All doctors are different and there are three to choose from. If you don't like one of them try another. I happen to know that they use state of the art medicine and monitoring devices as I was able to watch the procedure being done on my dog. It was like a real hospital. As far as prices go, I know they are comprable and usually cheaper than any VCA or Banfield hospital. Everyone has an off day, so give them a break! They work in a very stressful environment.

Posted 07/02/08 | Report Abuse

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I have been taking my pets to Dr. Geller for 20 years now. We've taken cats, hamsters, and our rabbit. Dr. Geller and the staff at Habra-Linda have always given excellent care and concern for all my pets. Very friendly and helpful. Prices are higher than the Humane Society in Garden Grove, but comparable to any other verterinary hosptial in the area. I highly recommend Habra-Linda and Drs. Geller and Garcia. Had Dr. MacLean once and did not have a favorable experience with her, so if you go there, don't get her. Dr. Geller has been our main vet for all the years we've gone there, and he is wonderful.

Posted 06/26/08 | Report Abuse

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i would STRONGLY recommend habra linda animal hospital to ANYONE who cares about their pets. from the minute you walk in the door to the minute you walk out its a VERY enjoyable experience. the girls up front are ver friendly and nice. they make you feel right at home. the drs are straight forward and try to help you and your pet out in any way they can. even the workers in the back that you dont see all the time are great. you can tell they really care about their clients. again...i would strongly recommend harba linda to anyone in the area!!

Posted 12/20/07 | Report Abuse

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This place SUCKS! I wouldn't even give it 1 star but this website doesn't give you that option. I'm new to the area and I should've checked online to find a good vet clinic, but of course I didn't so I guess this is partly my fault. Just driving by, I noticed Habra Linda Animal Hospital, and went in to make an appointment for my 17-yr-old female dog. My baby has been incontinent in the house and throwing up bile a lot.

The doctor was Dr. MacLean and she was completely unprofessional and had the worst attitude ever. She never even introduced herself to me, I had to ask who she was. She did her "exam" on my dog in the back room somewhere, I was not allowed to witness the exam. WTF?! I've never had a vet take my dog somewhere else to do the exam! After her 10-minute "exam" she brought my dog back and gave me a list of "recommended" tests they need to run: urine, fecal, blood work, radiology, MRI, on and on. About $600 worth! I can understand urine, fecal, and blood work, but radiology and MRI?!

This so-called doctor didn't even give me any good reasons for radiology and MRI. Well, I can give you one good reason: SCAM. It's all a scam! Avoid this place like the plague, especially MacLean. Somebody needs to teach her some bedside manners and she also needs to know that not every tom-dick-harry that walks off the street is going to personally finance her fancy beach house.

Posted 11/26/07 | Report Abuse

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This place is rough with your pets. One of the Dr's had a horrible attitude when we asked her about what foods to feed our pets since the pet food recall occured, and our family lost a pet from it. She recommended their own foods, which happen make my pet sick to where she throws up and they cost more. Not to mention it looks horrible when you open the can. You can't even get that far before they shut you down claiming that "their foods haven't made any animals sick and that the whole pet food recall was a big joke that it was over publicized and over rated". Meanwhile your family had a pet that died from it & they had no idea. Their vaccine clinic on Sat. is good, but so are many others & even less expensive. The parking lot is a nightmare. 4 spots I believe. But there's parking in the rear? What if you have 3 or more pets? Ok that works for someone young to run laps while they leave the other pets in the car, windows open I hope. Now don't even get me started on the mention of naturally trying to heal your pets. You mention anything about alternative approaches and they will bite your head off. I strongly believe when it comes to a animals health prevention is key. Were all animals right? In other words, if your pet doesn't go outside why expose their tiny body's to a chemical so strong to kill fleas when they wont get fleas! Food for thought! Would you spray yourself with pest repellent if you were going to be indoors all day and night? :) I'll never go back to this place since I found a new vet who's 1000 x better & closer to home.

Posted 10/05/07 | Report Abuse

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We've taken our pets to Habra-Linda for many years - cats and dogs. They have a very caring staff and the doctors are wonderful. They spend as much time with you and your pet as you need. Questions are answered and love is dispensed. While their parking lot is small and difficult to get in and out of (try parking around the corner and walking), the office staff is always glad to see you and your pets. They have a discount shot clinic on Saturday afternoons which can get busy and crowded, but if you put in the time, you save the money. We had an ailing labrador several years ago and they were wonderful with both him and us. I wouldn't take my animals anyplace else.

Posted 07/09/07 | Report Abuse

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Like any vet these days, overhead (facility operating expenses drive the agenda.) Like any vet these days (again) they assume you have unlimited funds and are rather stupid. Read up on your pet's condition, forgo "emergency tests" such as x-rays, blood word or even urine samples. More often than not as in a real vet's office you are being milked shamelessly for inconclusive results with a hefty price tag. Ask for an antibiotic shot and a take home prescription for the $186.00 + they will charge you to walk in the door. Then go home, take care of you loved one and do some GD homework. I am so sick and tired of being taken advantage of by greedy "professionals" who don't give a shit and believe me when you do have some tough questions, even asked in a nice ass-kissy sort of way, they will treat you like dirt. Screw them. Ask anyway, insist on the shot and be in the room while they prepare and give the injection.

Posted 04/29/07 | Report Abuse

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This is a good place to take your animals if they're in need of emergency care or simple routine shots. They have a reduced price shot clinic every Saturday-- it's packed, so get there early with your pet. The vets can be a bit impatient and rude at times, but they care about the animals and will treat them well. There was one person in particular I had a great experience with, her name I believe was Larae, and she worked behind the front desk. She was kind, empathetic and very helpful to all of the patients I saw come into the hospital. The prices for services are pretty standard, and if you have a good rapport with the hospital they will try to work something out with you as far as payments go.

Posted 08/30/05 | Report Abuse

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