VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center

My dog has an extensive medical history since I adopted her from a shelter at 4 months; she is now 6 years old — a retriever mix at 25 lbs. I had gone to VCA AVCC and found them a reliable, very responsive emergency vet hospital open ²⁴⁄₇. Their best attribute is immediate assessment of your pet the moment you walk in. Now after working with them about 3 years I am considering going elsewhere. My general impression is that they vets here are arrogant and cannot treat longer term conditions.
In Sep 2015, I took my doggy in for another bout of bloody diarrhea, vomiting, etc. — and her symptoms were more urgent and severe than the past 2 times. They had her on subcutaneous fluids and tended to her pretty well. Because the symptoms were worse than normal, and she was fading fast. I was extremely concerned, and asked them to check for Addison’s. The vet did not seem to want to test for it, so I begged her to please administer something — steroids, etc. I called for an update late at night because the bottom of the invoices state «, If you have any questions or concerns, please give our office a call any time.» I called 3 – 4 times and they would not let me speak to medical staff. Well, I got a vet tech who advised she could not speak about my dog’s condition. Oh, really?
Not knowing what else to do I went to AVCC at 11 p.m. at night and informed the front desk I wanted to speak to the dr. She politely asked me to wait, and the dr. would speak to me when available. Well, I WAITED UNTIL 2 PM, after checking several times. Yes, THREE HOURS. You may know how it feels when your child/​pet is suffering.
When the vet finally came out she said, «Thank you for your patience…» I wanted to say, «Thank you for your negligence and your rudeness.» That’s what I got for waiting THREE HOURS for my dog who was *at her hospital* under her care. Arrogance. She was cold, terse, and unconcerned.
Next day I saw the internist on duty, Dr. Townsell who has a wonderful bedside manner and is very kind. This was a breath of fresh air after the night before. I have been working with Dr. T (for short) since then.
About 2 months ago my doggy stopped eating, even her most favorite foods, stopped drinking, her sides would quiver when she was breathing, and I didn’t know if she was dying. Dr. T was great about doing full exams, blood work, x-​ray, ultrasound, EKG, etc. all with negative results. She was very understanding about insurance, my preferences for treatment, my level of anxiety, etc. We tried some meds. Meanwhile, my dog still was not eating except maybe 3 – 4 bites a day, and she’s normally ravenous anytime, all the time. We were on the verge of biopsy which I wanted to avoid — general anesthesia.
My normal vet suggested doing a repeat ultrasound which we did, and they found extremely inflamed intestine. Granted two weeks later, but how can we go from «normal» at AVCC to «extremely inflamed?» I understand this is medically possible, but I don’t know how likely. This was the first time I had reason for skepticism with the medical expertise at AVCC. Previously I thought rudeness, arrogance/​unprofessionalism, but I can overlook all this for good medical treatment.
Anyway, my normal vet prescribed meds for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and my puppy has drastically improved since then. It makes me wonder what would have happened if I had stuck with only AVCC. Not good.
I asked Dr. T, and she said they have very precise measurements for reporting.
These symptoms have NOT improved: irregular breathing, lip smacking, declining endurance to 25% of normal. I requested a $ 500 cardiac monitor. Dr. T. was willing, but she advised they may not find anything, Oh? Yesterday when I met with the cardiologist, she also said she didn’t expect to find anything. Oh, really? What a coinkidink. I asked why, and she replied there were no cardiac symptoms. She never asked, and only with my prompting did she ask, and there are, in fact, clear symptoms which I stated, but I had to get past her prejudiced, unstated preconceived notions which impeded her medical judgment (i.e., gossip). I find this extremely unprofessional and irresponsible. Will they interpret the test results objectively with this predisposition? Would you trust them at this point?
Rather than pursue the «advanced» cause, they prefer to dismiss the owner’s concerns. Arrogance. The «specialist» forecasts negative test results for expensive procedures based on the subjective comments of another vet. This is not sound medical practice. Feels like high school. This is not what I consider advanced care. This facility is apparently not capable of sustaining longer term care and diagnosis. Emergencies, yes-​very good. «Advanced care»: perhaps not.

I brought my dog in after getting hit by a car. They were very helpful and professional. After surgey, pins and plates Dr. D put my doggie back together again!

I went to VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center in Lawndale with my sister for an emergency with her dog. They really helped us get through a very difficult situation. The doctors and staff were so caring and supportive through the entire ordeal.

We brought our old dog in, and she turned out to have an incurable condition that we attempted to treat as this VCA had the special skills — but the dog declined rapidly over the past month and had to be put down finally. The medical diagnosis and care was good here, but the customer service and general caring attitude left a lot to be desired.
Following up on an earlier negative review by my wife, and a responsive apology from the manager, we were very disappointed that Dr. Yuhas did not contact us after we informed the manager that our dog had died (we wound up taking her to our local emergency facility where she was euthanized).
Sure, professionals can get desensitized from seeing so many animals, but we informed the manager that we wanted just an acknowledgment and some closure with the vet. He let us know via a message that he had put our dog’s folder on the vet’s desk. But we never heard from her.
You would think that a caring vet who had just treated a lovely old dog for this debilitating condition would pick up the phone, or just send a quick text or email. Nada.
What a contrast to the other animal care facilities that we were engaged with on this final journey with our dog! We received messages and phone calls from our regular vet (to be expected) and the emergency facility where she was euthanized.
So between the lackadaisical attitude at the desk (reviewed previously — and it seems from the other reviews that our experience was shared by other customers), and this final snub from the doctor, we will be sure to avoid this VCA facility in the future. Respect for the emotional bond between owner and pet is just too important, and (you would think) a cornerstone of any caring practice.
I guess it’s just another business for these people.

I’m still in awe, over the service I received at this place. The doctor was very wonderful and she took her time with my dog unlike other clinics I’ve gone to. The girls at the front desk where very helpful and kind. I loved that the entrance/​waiting area was very neat and clean. I have never been treated this well at a pet clinic and I believe they are open 24 hours for emergency situations, which is great. The price was not bad I spent 229 on my dog after he was scratched by a cat on his eye. The staff was helped me fill out my claim and they where patient with my dog who can be a handful. I definitely had a good experience here and will most likely be back if I ever have an emergency situation.

I’m so grateful for this place! I called to let them know we had an emergency and we rushed my puppy here last Monday (Memorial Day) and they were right by the door rushing my puppy in. My family and I were all devastated because we didn’t know if my puppy was going to make it. He wasn’t responding. You guys worked a miracle and did everything you could to save him and I am so grateful that you guys basically brought him back to life. Thank you thank you thank you! You guys are amazing.

First time here… Doctor was very knowledgable but the front desk girl with glasses… her customer service skills sucks! She seems like she is miserable and doesn’t like her job! It’s written all over her face and clearly seen in her attitude! Also she doesn’t have her «shit» together!
When you bring your SICK animal to an emergency hospital, you want to be greeted with someone who is respectable, helpful and compassionate! Oh and someone who knows what they are doing and has their shit together!
I would really consider going somewhere else if you want to be treated with compassion and understanding of what your going through!
Unfortunately I have to come here bc the internal medicine Doctor is the only one who can treat my dog.

Came here to pickup my dogs after she’d been diagnose with a respiratory illness.
We came here on a recommendation, we were told the cardiologist was wonderful & knowledgeable.
What we are not happy about is the front desk, and how unpersonable they were when we walked in to pickup our dog. I stood at the desk for one minute and still Jessica or Jenelle took any knowledge of me. I decided at that point to take a seat next to my husband and wait to see how long it would take for them to ask me why I was here. We Listened to their conversation and decided they were talking about a customer in a not so nice way. Ha! Not cool In front of clients. 4 mins of that.
Then, in a Mono toned voice, Jessica says, «who are you here to see?» Not a hello, welcome. Just rude. I own a business and I’d never treat a customer that way. The min I walked in she should’ve greeted us, and then said she’d be right with us.
Update: We walked in for my follow-​up appointment, and the two not-​so-​nice-​gals were not at the desk, instead I was greeted by a VERY nice gal named Krysten.

I brought in my dog this weekend to VCA’s emergency clinic. She was lethargic, not eating, and very weak. We saw Dr. Elliot who gave us an estimate of $ 1600 to do a huge number of widely different and complicated tests. I was very surprised when Dr. Elliot did not give me any guidance as to which tests we should do, and why. She just said she couldn’t say, and asked me if I was the type of person who would like to do all the tests. The way she asked me made me very uncomfortable, like she was trying to push a sale and make more money, rather than treat my dog like the veterinarian she’s supposed to be. I asked her for some more guidance as to which tests she would recommend if I were to pick and choose rather than do them all (which frankly I couldn’t afford). To my surprise, she got very defensive and told me it was unfair for me to ask her to make that call and that it was up to me the owner to make a decision.
I wasn’t comfortable making a decision without knowing any facts, so I opted to leave and just pay my emergency office visit fee ($ 98). I took my dog home and did some research online, then decided on a few tests that seemed like a good start, and that I could afford. When I called VCA back to schedule the tests, they told me I couldn’t make an appointment to do the tests, but would have to walk in and wait like everybody else. Then, they told me I would have to pay the $ 98 emergency office visit fee again, so that they could tell me if it were a good idea to do those tests on my dog (which they did already during my visit). I explained to the receptionist on the phone that I had just been in their facility earlier that day and had seen Dr. Elliot, and she transferred me to her. Over the phone, Dr. Elliot blamed me, saying that it was my fault for not deciding to do the tests on the spot, so of course I would have to pay again for the office visit. She kept talking over me and would not accept that there was anything wrong with what she did, or what the hospital’s policy was.
Ultimately I went elsewhere with my dog. I was not comfortable with how pushy Dr. Elliot was in trying to get me to do as many tests as possible, and I didn’t like how she stopped giving me information once it was clear that I was not going to do all of the tests (because hey, I can’t afford it). Not to mention, the VCA hospital’s policy with regards to charging me again for the emergency office visit was totally ridiculous. I wouldn’t have left without doing the tests in the first place if the doctor had just given me the information I needed to make an informed decision. I had to go home and go online to do my own research in order to come to a decision, which let’s face it, defeats the purpose of going to the doctor, period.

I had a great experience, I called on a Sunday afternoon to let them know my cat was not doing well, they got me in right away. Once I was there, dr saw us win in 10 minutes. Unfortunately my cat needed to be put down which was very sad. Everyone at VCA was so empathetic and sweet, I also got a very nice empathetic card by mail a few days after. Thank you
VCA staff for making the whole process a lot easier for me.

Love this place. They really saved my little puppy A+++++

Went to this place to take my puppy since she was behaving a little odd.
I felt terrible when the vet came back and told me my puppy was behaving odd because most likely she ingested some marijuana. I know it sounds terrible, I myself don’t smoke it but my husband does. After speaking with my husband I guess he threw out a very small amount to which our puppy got to.
I appreciated that the vet didn’t judge us and had some humor when letting us know what happened. She mentioned that this is something common that happens but most people don’t hear about.
Small details I noticed:
*Place is clean and modern
*Offers free coffee
*Staff is friendly
*Open ²⁴⁄₇
*When they talk to you about you pet they take you to a private room

I took my dog to this hospital a couple days ago because for examination of being attacked by other dog. I like it. The doctor and stuffs are very nice and good taking care of my dog. The hospital looks clean and nice.
Besides it is very convenient location from where I live.
Thank you.

I had to give a star just to write a review Dr Ramirez and Brittany it wouldn’t hurt to crack a smile the vibe that I got was bad, as if I was wasting their time last I checked visits and treatment aren’t free we were willing to pay but the bad services made me sick to my stomach I had to leave I understand my dogs visit wasn’t as sever as others but you still have to give patients respect and Brittany talking about patients behind their back not cool and at least wait until there’s an empty room when you’re the only patient in the room you tend observe a lot.

There was a mix-​up and our vet was able to connect us to Dr. Kobayashi. She has been very helpful thus far. We have not reached a conclusion to the now ear or nose problem with our kitten yet. But I would recommend this place after getting through to the vet.
Though it took our vet’s mediation to actually get this sorted out.

Back in March of 2015, my girlfriend brought in a husky that was bleeding and her blood wouldn’t clot. The doctor (Dr. Elliott) insisted that it was from rat poison, which we knew in absolution that it wasn’t rat poison. We explained that we had just rescued her from a breeder that wasn’t feeding her properly and that she was heavily malnourished. We mentioned that the breeder had told us that she was acting depressed, and Dr. Elliott THEN SAID THAT DOGS DON’T HAVE FEELINGS AND CANNOT GET DEPRESSED. The dr then told my girlfriend that she was going to force her to put her down and didn’t allow her to leave. She was literally YELLING in my girlfriend’s face that the dog would die unless we paid $ 3000 for a blood/​plasma transfusion.
Now excuse me, but I can’t quite wrap my head around how a licensed vet, with all her «knowledge» of animals, can honestly say that dogs don’t have feelings. What a crazy world we live in when a «professional» can be schooled in one area for several years and still be a complete buffoon on such a basic common sense thing that anyone with half a brain can see, like an animals capability to feel.
With the help of a tech at VCA (I won’t name for his/​her protection), we were able to wait until Dr. Elliott’s shift was over, then make our escape. Thank god we didn’t allow Dr. Elliott to murder our precious dog in an attempt to con us for $ 3000. As you can see in the pic I’m posting, she is doing absolutely wonderful.
Dr. Elliott is someone that I very strongly feel should NOT be in a position to help other people’s animals. Maybe she should sell cars if she wants to con people, not murder their pets.

I went in on a recommendation from Banfield Pet Hospital (El Segundo). My dog ate marijuana chocolate and was extremely sedate so I brought her in. After discussing with the doctor that she had not taken a lethal dose of chocolate or marijuana, I asked about replenishing her with IV fluids and nutrients bc she had not had anything to eat or drink. After referring to my dog as ‘him’ every time I became a little less trusting. I get it. Lots of dogs — easy to mix up. Apply that logic to human doctors or servers.
She said she’d be back with numbers.
While I waited, I heard the conversation in the adjacent room which started with, «When was Squirt’s last acupuncture therapy session?»
A nurse came in with a full menu of tests they wanted to run and a column for ‘Other’ that amounted to $ 1200, not including possible intubation for an extra $ 300-​$ 400. So we were up to a potential $ 1600 or $ 700 on the low end. She asked me to sign and that was it. Before signing I asked about other options and she became flustered. I then started to ask about all the line items and she didn’t have much explanation other than to say they were all necessary — despite what I had just talked about with the doctor.
I asked her to go back and get another recommendation from the doctor about what the minimum recommended care would be. That was to administer IV fluids and medication for nausea. I told them to do only that and they did. Once done, we got ushered out without any explanation or care instructions and paid $ 150. The receptionist said we’d be emailed care instructions. The email was a document of the conversation between the doctor and I with her stating that I elected not to take her recommendations. It was essentially a legal indemnity document in case I sued. Nobody there offered any helpful friendly advice. They wanted to do as much for my dog as they could to make money and cover themselves.
They painted a picture of the worst possible case scenario and followed it up with a bill for that treatment. Unfortunately, as much as you can possibly do is not the same as what is necessary. My dog was back to normal before bed thanks to the IV fluids and nausea medication.

1.5 stars at most. They are average. Cheaper GP options out there. Way better specialty hospitals too. You know why they have 4 stars? Because employees there spend time going over reviews, reporting and deleting. Work is THAT slow…
Place used to be good, then main doctor sold practice. Surgery is a joke, management is subpar. Enjoy it while it lasts, AVCC, because once the competition gets to Southbay, Chapter 11 for you it is. To the consumer: Don’t waste your time nor your money. Go see real doctors at real hospitals. Try VCA West LA.

This 5 star review is for the Oncologist here, Dr Tansey.
Bao Bao, our family’s sweet 16 yo kitteh has been seeing Dr. Tansey for lymphoma. You can tell Dr. Tansey just loves kitties so much. She will sit on the floor with him. Pick him up and kisses him and just gives him so much love when he visits. She talks to him like he is her client which he is, but not all vets are this personal, kind, and sweet with their animal patients.
Dr. Tansey is also great at communication which I really appreciate especially when Bao Bao is having a bad episode. Moreover, she is very patient with our questions and thorough with her explanations on what’s happening. We are doing a trial and error type of treatment to try to contain his cancer and during this stressful and heart breaking time we couldn’t ask for a nicer and kinder doctor. Thank you Dr. Tansey!

Love Dr. Zimmerman! Hershey, my Pekingese, was diagnosed with a heart murmur and started to have some issues. After a visit to our regular vet (who is wonderful, too) and a trip to ASEC on Santa Monica Blvd. (see ASEC review) we still needed to do the recommended follow up cardiology assessment on Hershey.
My friend, who also has a Pekingese with heart issues, suggested very strongly that I see Dr. Zimmerman at VCA AVCC in Lawndale. I booked an appointment and today was that appointment.
We found the care center quite easily and I was happy to find lots of free parking, quite a bit in the shade even. We went inside and were warmly greeted by the happy staff. I believe Stacy checked us in. The paperwork was quick and simple as they had already obtained Hershey’s records from Dr. Karron.
We were taken to the exam room and Dr. Zimmerman arrived a few minutes later. What a lovely person. Hershey took to her immediately. I was impressed that she had actually read his file from our regular vet and so I did’t have to repeat his whole history. She confirmed a few things and we discussed what was going on. She recommended a few basic tests to assess his situation. She said it would be about 20 minutes and we’d have the results.
In just about 20 minutes the results were in. She came to the lobby to walk with us to the exam room to review the results and even took me to see his x-​ray. She was very thorough and explained Hershey’s situation in plain English. In not so plain English, he has myxomatous mitral and tricuspid valve disease with a level 4 heart murmur. Also, we discovered his sternum was broken at one point or some other thing happened and that was causing his heart to shift location a bit. No treatment needed for this.
She went over all the test results and recommended, based on his situation, that we not begin a drug treatment, but reevaluate in 6 months to see if he is progressing or holding at this current situation. Since he is a rescue and I don’t know his history this makes a lot of sense. He isn’t in distress now.
I was so happy to finally know what was going on with Hershey and know I have a great partner in his health management. Coincidentally, on our way out, the friend who referred was there with her dog, Blanca, in the waiting area.
They have a lovely and large waiting area, great bathrooms, a coffee/​tea station, ample parking, easy 405 freeway access, friendly staff and are upfront on all pricing. Definitely recommend Dr. Zimmerman at AVCC if you need a Cardiologist.