VCA Animal Hospitals
Reviews and Complaints

RY Allivet try4 months ago I overpaid for pancre plus...@ 248.00 dollars for 12 oz... could have gotten it at Allivet {online ) for 198.00 .and they also wanted to see my dog to reissue a script ...200.00...The vet knew of my dogs long standing need 8 yrs.

of a pancreatic disorder and oked it 1 more time at the higher price so I bought it . My GSD is 12 + yrs old ...I really thought this would be his last container of the med . When I wanted it filled again ...2 weeks ago ... the script alone was 410.00 dollars for the same 12 oz's.

The young lady in pharmacy said there must be a mistake ...but there wasn't so I declined the offer called my vet and ..He again oked it 1 more time .Allivet's price went from 198.00 to 207.000 a 3% increase vs a n 80% increase in the same time period ...I finally got the young lady to send script ok'ed by Dr to allivet and got exactly the same script (inert ingredients ) but the profit margins of VCA suck ..so I wanted to tell people to buy their pet meds from allivet ...the are VERY customer oriented , always a live person...etc etc ... thank you...T

DO NOT BRING YOUR PET HERE..

On December 10th we took our 11 year old Chihuahua into the emergency care at VCA Aurora because she was drinking excessive water and was unable to keep it down and also had not eaten over 24 hours. She is also on seizure medication.

We arrived at about 9 pm, we were happy to see they were not busy.We explained why we were their and they immediately took her back to an exam room for evaluation. Nearly an hour passed and they came out and got us from the waiting room and brought us back to an exam room, where we waited until Dr. Michael Houfek came in to tell what needs to be done . He said the concern was that she was dehydrated and one of her pupils was enlarged leading him to believe she may have a brain tumor or cancer or she may have had a stroke.

He then presented us a treatment plan saying she would need blood work, her kidneys and liver checked as well as an ultrasound and MRI that would would have to wait until Monday, 3 days later, she would also need to be hospitalized for 48 hours. the total estimate was well over $6000.00 which they would need half to start the treatment. Michael Houfek also said the other option was to euthanize her because in his words" she will not be the same dog as yesterday "( we brought in a lively dog who was dehydrated, and all of a sudden she is deteriorating this quick, I don't buy that ). We asked that since she is dehydrated that they start her on fluids, Michael Houfek was very negative and said that she is declining and that would not change the outcome.

At this point no tests were run , the only thing done was a catheter was put into her leg. He then told us her glucose level was 80 and said her kidneys and liver may be failing. We then asked if we can do the basics, blood work and urinalysis so that we may have a better understanding of what is going on with her so that we can make a determination of what our next steps may be. We then asked she be put on fluids at which time Michael Houfek said they will work up a new estimate, we again asked to have fluids started and he left the room obviously annoyed.

Another 45 minutes has passed, during this whole time we have not seen our dog, as she was somewhere in another room. Now Michael Houfek sent in a young tech to go over the new estimate nearly $3000 ( although very high priced I am not complaining about the cost , I was just trying to get some answers with the least amount spent so we can make a decision on our next steps.) We asked again if fluids have been started because before Michael Houfek left the room earlier we agreed that he was going to place fluids under her skin to help with the dehydration. Now 1 more hour has passed and he sent in an older woman holding our chihuahua away from her body and said that the doctor wanted you to see the condition she was in, to us she looked very scared all we kept hearing from them is she will not improve but at the same time they keep pushing the treatment plan, this tells me they care nothing about our pet and they only care about how much money they can get us to agree to. Before the tech left with our dog again , we had asked again why the fluids have not been started before she was able to leave we stopped her and said we would like to see her receive the fluids and to get Michael Houfek into the room to do it.

( after over 3 hours emotions were starting to take over ) At this point we were there over 3 1/2 hours and still nothing has been done except a catheter was put into her front leg. We had already agreed to the blood work and fluids so we can take her home. Michael Houfek was very negative the whole time and my emotions got the better part of me , at this point Michael Houfek ordered us out of the building. As I was walking to my car I noticed the catheter was still in my baby.

I went back in to have it removed. I brought my dear lively Chihuahua to the emergency room because she can not keep water down and that she had not eaten over a day and we left about 4 hours later with a pet that looked 10 times worse then she got there. We then decided to go straight to Plainfield Animal Hospital, while in route our beloved Mercedes had passed away. ( we certainly hope they did not do anything to harm our baby.

The last statement Michael Houfek said to us was to get out of the building I have other patients who have approved treatment. ( maybe a HIPPA violation). The only reason we came here was it was much closer than Plainfield. Boy oh boy did we learn a lesson.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND anyone to come here due to the unprofessionalism displayed by Michael Houfek. We honestly believe that the inaction of Michael Houfek by not giving fluids killed our dog. DO NOT BRING YOUR BELOVED PET HERE

UPDATE...I talked to a Manager over a month ago, they said they will investigate and get back with me, still waiting no reply . Now this week I get a statement in the mail almost 2 months later for almost 400.00 .

they did absolutely nothing for 4 hours because of Michael Houfek unprofessionalism . Yes my chihuahua passed away 10 minutes after leaving the facility.

DO NOT BRING YOUR PET HERE..

On December 10th we took our 11 year old Chihuahua into the emergency care at VCA Aurora because she was drinking excessive water and was unable to keep it down and also had not eaten over 24 hours. She is also on seizure medication.

We arrived at about 9 pm, we were happy to see they were not busy.We explained why we were their and they immediately took her back to an exam room for evaluation. Nearly an hour passed and they came out and got us from the waiting room and brought us back to an exam room, where we waited until Dr. Michael Houfek came in to tell what needs to be done . He said the concern was that she was dehydrated and one of her pupils was enlarged leading him to believe she may have a brain tumor or cancer or she may have had a stroke.

He then presented us a treatment plan saying she would need blood work, her kidneys and liver checked as well as an ultrasound and MRI that would would have to wait until Monday, 3 days later, she would also need to be hospitalized for 48 hours. the total estimate was well over $6000.00 which they would need half to start the treatment. Michael Houfek also said the other option was to euthanize her because in his words" she will not be the same dog as yesterday "( we brought in a lively dog who was dehydrated, and all of a sudden she is deteriorating this quick, I don't buy that ). We asked that since she is dehydrated that they start her on fluids, Michael Houfek was very negative and said that she is declining and that would not change the outcome.

At this point no tests were run , the only thing done was a catheter was put into her leg. He then told us her glucose level was 80 and said her kidneys and liver may be failing. We then asked if we can do the basics, blood work and urinalysis so that we may have a better understanding of what is going on with her so that we can make a determination of what our next steps may be. We then asked she be put on fluids at which time Michael Houfek said they will work up a new estimate, we again asked to have fluids started and he left the room obviously annoyed.

Another 45 minutes has passed, during this whole time we have not seen our dog, as she was somewhere in another room. Now Michael Houfek sent in a young tech to go over the new estimate nearly $3000 ( although very high priced I am not complaining about the cost , I was just trying to get some answers with the least amount spent so we can make a decision on our next steps.) We asked again if fluids have been started because before Michael Houfek left the room earlier we agreed that he was going to place fluids under her skin to help with the dehydration. Now 1 more hour has passed and he sent in an older woman holding our chihuahua away from her body and said that the doctor wanted you to see the condition she was in, to us she looked very scared all we kept hearing from them is she will not improve but at the same time they keep pushing the treatment plan, this tells me they care nothing about our pet and they only care about how much money they can get us to agree to. Before the tech left with our dog again , we had asked again why the fluids have not been started before she was able to leave we stopped her and said we would like to see her receive the fluids and to get Michael Houfek into the room to do it.

( after over 3 hours emotions were starting to take over ) At this point we were there over 3 1/2 hours and still nothing has been done except a catheter was put into her front leg. We had already agreed to the blood work and fluids so we can take her home. Michael Houfek was very negative the whole time and my emotions got the better part of me , at this point Michael Houfek ordered us out of the building. As I was walking to my car I noticed the catheter was still in my baby.

I went back in to have it removed. I brought my dear lively Chihuahua to the emergency room because she can not keep water down and that she had not eaten over a day and we left about 4 hours later with a pet that looked 10 times worse then she got there. We then decided to go straight to Plainfield Animal Hospital, while in route our beloved Mercedes had passed away. ( we certainly hope they did not do anything to harm our baby.

The last statement Michael Houfek said to us was to get out of the building I have other patients who have approved treatment. ( maybe a HIPPA violation). The only reason we came here was it was much closer than Plainfield. Boy oh boy did we learn a lesson.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND anyone to come here due to the unprofessionalism displayed by Michael Houfek.

We honestly believe that the inaction of Michael Houfek by not giving fluids killed our dog. DO NOT BRING YOUR PET HERE..

This was an extremely negative experience across the board, and the complete lack of professionalism, common sense, and basic communication was shocking.

I had made an appointment for my cat, Ella, well in advance. I had explained exactly what I was looking for - a basic examination, and blood work.

They called back to confirm the appointment. I explained again what I was looking for, and I also mentioned that my cat was often stressed at the vet. No problem.

I went for the appointment today. Getting her to the vet is difficult, and very stressful for the poor girl.

It involves physically forcing her into a carrier - neither of us enjoy the experience. I have to take time off from work. Drive. Park - it's a PITA.

The first negative sign was that no one answered the door for some time.

It took about 5 minutes to get inside. OK...no biggie...it's busy...

There were two people in front of me. They bring a cat back to the first person, and they explain to him that the cat is too upset to examine, and they sell him some drugs and ask him to reschedule. I thought it was weird, and I was nervous because Ella is not super calm at the vet.

Then they bring back the second person's cat.

Same exact situation. Now my radar is screaming. This is freaking weird. You're a vet, and you can't deal with an upset cat?

If you're that sensitive to cat stress, maybe you should have the person use the drugs BEFOREHAND?

I said something. I explained that I thought what they were doing was weird. I explained that I didn't want to have to upset my cat a second time bringing her back. I explained that I expected the blood work done.

I had never seen this be a problem before.

They reassured me a bit, explained they were weird one offs...ok. I should have left. They explained that they were short staffed. OK - I get that.

I try not to use it an excuse with paying customers, but I get it.

They come back 10 minutes later explaining they'd examined her...and they then went into detail about how they couldn't actually examine her well. I said well, the bloodwork will catch that, right? They didn't do the blood work and suggested I bring her back.

At this point I was beyond annoyed at the Kafkaesque ridiculousness and explained that I was done. Give me back my cat.

They had the nerve to try and bill me.

I asked for an owner's name...I was told to look it up.

I'm not sure exactly how you can be a vet who is unable to perform an exam on a cat, but that's apparently the deal here. I would suggest going elsewhere.

I signed up my dog GG for the care club and have basically received nothing over the past year. I did this mainly to cover her teeth cleaning.

When I scheduled the teeth cleaning (which is included with signing up for the $50 per month care club cost) there were many "add-ons" that were not included in that service. "anesthesia, medications, etc. After that I called within a few months to take advantage of the other covered services that were to be included in this "club". I wanted a routine exam.

they told me if nothing was wrong with GG don't bring her in.

I just called about having her nails trimmed and was told that was not a covered service. this has been the biggest waste of money and I am in the process of cancelling this service.

In this post, I will refer to the doctor as Dr. Nikki Cutrone.

Her other names include Dr. Nikki Zisholtz, and Dr. Nikki Cutrone Zisholtz. I write this post with a broken-heart and a bucket of tears.

I took my chihuahua to VCA Aventura Animal Hospital from 2016-****. On July 15, 2021, Dr. Nikki Cutrone examined my dog. She performed an x-ray and gave a prescription for cough syrup.

My dog died on July 28, 2021. Dr. Nikki Cutrone was negligent. She never provided me with the results of the x-ray.

Dr. Cutrone did not care about my dog. They only pretend to care. In December 2020, the vet tech Giovanni told me his chihuahua does not like BLACK people.

I was offended because I am a BLACK woman. I left two messages for the office manager who never returned my call. Over the years, I can count on my first-hand the number of BLACK customers I have seen in the waiting area. I can also count on my first-hand the number of BLACK employees at VCA Aventura Animal Hospital from 2016-****.

I am not a racist, so I ignored other signs of racism. I have lost my child, my friend, my world, my dog. I am posting this to help other people. On August 23, 2021, Dr.

Urday apologized for Dr. Cutrones mistake. An apology will never take away the pain I will feel forever. No pet owner should have to feel this much pain because of a doctor's negligence.

Skin color should not matter. Be careful everyone if you love your pet.

My dog had been in a fight and one of the puncture wounds on her inner thigh had become infected. My husband and I were not working at the time, and unlimited finances.

The vet wanted to do exploratory surgery to the tune of $8,000, and when we told her we couldn't afford that what were our options she suggested we take her to Mexicali that treatment was less expensive down there, or she would euthanize her when we told her we really didn't have the money cuz she just tried a different antibiotic she said that she would euthanize her for free. Thank God I have a happy healthy 5-year-old dog now who loves her life and is well loved all she needed was a different antibiotic.

I cannot believe the way this vet treated my dog and my husband and i. we were scared and she recommends euthanasia then condescendingly tells us she'll do it for free.