VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital

I do not have anything to compare price.

They were very caring and responsive.

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Pre surgery,  the surgeon said age was just a number, never mentioned her size or shape as being a hindrance to the success of the surgery, never mentioned the possible need for extended therapy.  So we went against our horrible thoughts of having to put our sweet girl down and went with this positive, fast speaking man.  Post surgery, we got all sorts of double speak... it might take weeks before we know, she needs to go to an extended care facility, she is old and heavy, that  will have an impact.  
The people caring for our girl directly were very kind and gentle, but the surgeon would not return our phone calls.  We talked to 2 other vets after the surgery and both said that it should not have been done.  The cost was horrible and the age of this dog put her out of the success category.  But that is NOT what we were told by VCA.
We took our girl home with no directions for her care, no follow up calls, no idea how to help her go to the bathroom, no instructions on how to properly use the sling to lift her up, NOTHING! 
We believe we were preyed upon in our grief and frightened state and hope that others use great caution when taking their pets to this facility... they will happily take your money and let you believe a hopeless situation is not hopeless until your wallet is empty.
THEN you will hear all of the reasons why it was hopeless.

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We had not been to VCA in 4 years but adopted two cats that were in need of booster vaccinations. We filled out appointment forms on line, and also printed a coupon for a free wellness exam for up to two pets. A few days later, VCA called and asked questions about the cats. It was information we had already provided using their online forms, but we went through everything anyway. No big deal.
We checked in at the desk, and provided history of the cats to the staff, along with the coupon we had printed (for the free wellness exam for up to two pets).
Dr. Russman was great, as she always had been years ago when we took our pets to VCA. But, when we were about to leave, the woman who had checked us in wasn't around. Another woman checked us out. As she was totaling the bill, I reminded her of the coupon. She said she didn't know anything about it. I told her I gave it to another woman working there but she didn't appear to be around now. The woman honored the coupon for one pet, but not two. The bill was about $71 more than it should have been.
We really like Dr. Russman, but the staff at VCA appears disorganized and inefficient. They have some nice tools on their web site, but apparently the staff doesn't bother to use them. We're undecided whether or not we will return to VCA. Dr. Russman is superb, but the office administrative staff fell far short of being impressive.

I arrived before the normal working hours by 15 minutes. They allowed me to wait for the clinic to open. This saved me money since I did not have to pay for emergency services. The staff and doctor were kind and professional.

Their office staff is very friendly. I've only had experience with dogs. If the dog needed surgery or an emergent vet, they are open 24 hours.

Our dear Dalmatian Emilee was first diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer that originally looked like little more than a small lump on her forehead. Over the next year we teamed with Dr. Schremp and Dr. Taggart at VCA to combat the cancer with surgery, oral chemotherapy and then injectable chemotherapy. Unfortunately the cancer eventually took Emilee from us, but the dedication, care and kindness shown during the year-long fight to save Emilee's life left our family knowing that VCA cared for our companion as much as we did. Special thanks also to the kind and caring Tamara. The doctors and staff at VCA were a blessing during a most difficult and stressful time, and for their efforts we remain forever grateful.

I cannot say it went well, because in the end I had to have the bird euthanized. This, however, was no reflection on the vet. It was quite the opposite. I took the bird to the clinic as an emergency, as birds have to be treated quickly or they will die. Mr. Peeper was examined carefully, and I was given some medication to administer, along with instructions of how to administer. The vet contacted me the following morning to see how he was doing, and then again in the evening. The next day, I called with a question and she answered very promptly. She contacted me one more time, and since the bird was not doing well,she asked me to bring him in.
On examining him again and seeing his condition, she diagnosed him with a tumor that is common to parakeets, but that is also terminal. I requested that he be put down so as not to suffer more.
I was very favorably impressed with the caring, compassion and concern she had for my little bird. I did not expect this level of care for a parakeet, but I felt very grateful for her understanding and for her knowledge of birds. I was comforted by her manor. Comfort for the owner may not exactly be required for vets, but it is greatly appreciated by owners. I would definitely recommend this clinic for avian, and other pet care!

They weren't able to save my dog but they did a good job. They have good doctors and it's all around good. They have excellent service.

After having a number of problems that couldn't be resolved, my Sheltie was referred to a specialist, Dr. Hribernik, an Internal Medicine Specialist,at the VCA Specialty Center on Montgomery Blvd. in Albuquerque. It only took Dr. Hribernik a few minutes to determine that BJ had a hernia and it needed to be repaired. Rather than set up a separate appointment, he asked the surgeon, Dr.Taggart, to visit us immediately. After very carefully going over my 12 year old dog, the doctors felt that even at his age, he would come through the surgery just fine. Less than a week later, Dr. Taggart operated. Now, nearly two months after the surgery was completed, my 12 year old BJ is back up to walking a mile and a half in the mornings with several more short walks through the day.

I thought the entire staff at the VCA Specialty Center was amazing. Not only did Dr. Hribernik and Dr. Taggart do a wonderful job, Dr. Kimberly Shaffer who helped take care of BJ in the hospital after his surgery was great. The medical staff including the veterinary technicians, was unfailingly kind, patient and more than willing to answer all my questions. I also have to compliment the front desk staff. I was at the center quite a bit of time in January, and I never saw one of the front desk team show any impatience with any patient or their owner. They were always calm, quiet and efficient in getting the patients (and their owners) the help or service they needed. They always greeted with a smile and if it wasn't too busy, a trip around the counter for a quick pat.

I checked N/A on price. The surgery, hospitalization and medications were expensive. But I feel that I 'got what I paid' for. You are given a treatment estimate in advance so you can make a choice on whether to proceed. The estimate gives a range and we fell about in the middle: we had some complications that required some extra attention. It was a lot of money but I thought it was fair for the number of visits we had to make and the number of phone calls that the staff answered and, most importantly, the wonderful results. Considering the seriousness of the condition and the follow-up care that was provided and the level of support I felt from the staff, $3500.00 does not seem like too much money to have a happy and healthy Sheltie back.

Obviously, everyone's situation is different but if I needed a veterinary specialist again, I would not hesitate to go back to this team.

He was weighed, the first person felt the middle of his body as she said hello t him. Then the thermometer and I knew it was an exam. When the Dr. came in I said that I'd only come for the rabies' shot as he had a couple exams already in the summer and is healthy., but that I thought he had just had an exam. The Vet said yes, that they recommend an exam after 10 yearsold, every 6 months. That's an extra $76.88, that was unnecessary for him. The vet also said he needs to have his teeth cleaned to get the ta

rtar off. That would be about $405, with the necessary blood test prior and that include the 20% off before March 31! I cannot spend that. He is a cat. I love him, but some humans do not get this care!

Then I asked at the desk, and was told there's an exam every time you see the vet. Too costly! I will look around.

I was there with another dog, Duffy, who was bleeding from his intestines. Again, they did everything right, but it was very expensive, and I felt like they wanted to do some follow up tests that were not really necessary. I'm sure that I will go there again.

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The service is fine.

While this Emergency VCA was not our first choice initially, it is now. We had a horrific experience at the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of NM on 4000 Montgomergy, where we first took our Bishon Frise, who was in labor, and seeming to have complications. Wanting to first provide the positive experience we had at this VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital, I cannot end this review without letting readers/inquirers know the terrible contrasting experience we had before arriving at the VCA.
So I'll begin by saying that we were pleasantly greeted by Kim Shaeffer, the vet on duty. She reviewed the x-rays and examined Sof and asked why we were at the emergency clinic since everything was normal. She advised us to go home and let her have her puppies there and if a problem arose we could bring her back. The emergency vet, Janet Blair-wells arrived moments later and gave the same advice! But after the aweful scare we just had, hearing that Sof needed a C-Section ASAP and a mandatory spay at the same time (see below), we decided to stay and let her have her puppies at the VCA Emergency Center-- which she did, within approximately and hour and a half, WITHOUT SURGERY OR MADATORY SPAYING!! Dr. Shaeffer and Dr. Blair-Wells put us in a private cozy room with blankets on the floor and checked up on us often and we assisted Sofie in a normal delivery of three robust, healthy pups! They were wonderful with Sof and with us; we'll never use anyone else! It turned out to be a heart-warming experience we will never forget! We highly recommend VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital on 9901 Montgomery in an emergency situation. Dr, Janet Blair-Wells was called when we called from the other vet emergency clinic to say we were coming in. She drove in for us at 4:00 in the morning! She's great with doggy delivery and will be our vet from now on!
As mentioned, this review cannot be complete without saying, DO NOT TAKE YOUR PET TO THE EMERGENCY VET and SPECIALTY CENTER, west of the VCA emergency clinic on Montgomery!! And especially do NOT have your vet seen by COLLEEN NAULT, as she advised us that Sofie needed an immediate C-Section and would only do it if we agreed to spay her at the same time-- spaying in an emergency places the dam at risk but she refused to only perform the C-Section! Despite this and her arrogance, we believed Sof and pups were in danger and almost let her do it until she stated she would get (to this and quot;emergencyand quot;) in an hour or two!! We took Sof and headed East on Montgomery to the VCA and we are SO grateful we did!
Again, Sofie delivered 3 healthy pups naturally, without need of surgery and according to these two vets at the VCA, Sof did NOT need a $2000 C-Section! (nor a mandatory spay at this time!!) We were thrilled with the VCA and their vets from the moment we walked in the door!

It went well; they shaved numerous wounds, applied antibiotic creme, and stapled the largest, a 3" gash in the cat's side.

We've had some good experiences with VCA before. But it seems they are increasingly all about the money. My cat was not in obvious pain but the doctor recommended pain meds. I wasn't smart enough to question this, or to ask about the cost. $60 for a few days of pain medication? Really? $60 for a shot of antibiotics? Perhaps the need for these is open to interpretation, but the doctor did not quote me a price or even mention that there would be charges. I just think a business should say and quot; I think we should do this for your cat because ...., and this is what it will cost....and quot; Then let the customer make the decision. Too much to ask?
Beware.
They were nice enough to follow up with a phone call, but the past two times they have called before 8 AM and woken us up.
Now they want us to come back two times to change the bandage. I don't think so.