VCA Animal Hospitals

Carolina Fernandez Tellez

United States

1.0

I am writing this review regarding my experience at VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital in Hollywood, FL. I brought my 6-year-old cat for a referral due to suspected kidney issues and spent over $3,000 without receiving a clear diagnosis or treatment plan. During her last visit, my cat sustained a claw avulsion (a ripped-out claw) while under their care. The doctor never mentioned it. I discovered her paw was bleeding only while paying at the front desk. When I asked what happened, staff said she had scratched a doctor and “run around the room,” causing the injury. When I was called back, I found my cat tightly restrained in a blanket, screaming in distress, just to get her paw cleaned. The doctor admitted she had not used enough sedation due to concern about her heart. If sedation was unsafe, they should have recommended a CT scan under anesthesia from the start rather than causing unnecessary trauma by doing a procedure that was pysically hurting my pet. After I raised concerns, they offered a complimentary CT scan (Still paying 600 USD more). However, after I posted an honest Google review, they withdrew the offer and said they would only proceed if I deleted my review, agreed not to post another, and signed a liability release form. Later, VCA corporate offered me $940.95 under the same conditions. I declined because this is unethical and appears to violate the Consumer Review Fairness Act.My concern is that this corporation can harm pets and then try to silence clients who speak up taking advantage of financial or the urgency we have for our pet care. I hope my experience helps other pet owners make informed choices and encourages more ethical practices within VCA.

Nancy Fisher

United States

1.0

AVOID AVOID AVOID. This place is a huge scam. Went in to have my kitten's spay evaluated, since she had a seroma, and possible test for a uti, since she was having some outside the box urination. They tried convincing me to do close to $500 worth of tests for things she had already been tested and vaccinated for, or for tests that are inaccurate at her current age. Then they said "The test is inaccurate, so you'll have to come back and do it AGAIN in 2 months, but we should do it anyway." They barely even glanced at her spay and completely ignored the uti question. But man, were they quick to try and sell us on probiotics and their bs 'care club.'

Trupti P

United States

1.0

I have been bringing my German Shepherd to Pinnacle since she was just 3 months old. She is now older (almost 12), with failing hind legs, and like many shepherds, she experiences high anxiety at the vet. Despite this, she has never bitten, snapped, or harmed anyone -- even without sedation -- in all her years of care here. At our last visit, the clinic falsely noted that we had given her anti-anxiety medication, which we had not. She was anxious, but no muzzle was needed and the staff were able to give her injections and complete her exam without issue. This most recent visit was simply for another quick injection -- something that would take literally seconds -- yet we were told we could not proceed without her being on medication for two days beforehand. Amanda, the staff member we dealt with, claimed my gsd was aggressive, snarled and growled so she needed to prioritize her staff's safety. I don't know where she got this information but it certainly wasn't in the notes and having attended every appointment with Millie I KNOW that my pet has never been aggressive to the technicians or the vets. While I understand safety is important, this reasoning is hard to accept given my dog's long history here without any incidents. If Amanda doesn't know the difference between aggressiveness and anxiety she shouldn't be working there!! Amanda decided to be a hard hat and showed zero compassion. We have never been turned away before by the staff. There was no apology or willingness to listen to my perspective as the owner. My dog desperately needed this injection for her deteriorating legs, but Pinnacle refused to provide it. In addition, since being acquired by VCA, the clinic has also become significantly more expensive and increasingly focused on selling as many additional services as possible -- whether or not they are truly necessary. This experience has left me feeling the clinic is no longer a welcome place and that they do not truly care for the pets in their care or respect the owners who know them best. All they care about is making as much money from the owners as possible. After years of loyalty, they did not return the same. I will not be returning.

Drake McMaster

Canada

1.0

I thought I would try it out- they had a first exam free offer. I booked it, went in, and was told that we were eligible. They only do exams where nothing is wrong- not sure why you need an exam then, but ok?