Dr. Smith is the coldest hearted vet I have even encountered. When my regular vet was not available, I had to take my beloved 15 year old border collie to Valley Oak. She could not walk or use her back legs. She has been declining for a number of years, which is to be expected of a dog of this age. I guess I needed to be the one to say clearly and directly "she needs to be put to sleep". I was more or less shamed that I decided it would not do any good to "at least do the minimum blood work" ($700-$950) then consider x-rays, a referral to a neurologist and and MRI. I was scolded about the state of her teeth, although I tried to explain she had regular vet visits and was on meds for her chronic arthritis. This vet clearly was not listening, but seemed to be following step by step procedure from vet school-blood tests, x-rays, refer to specialist...without considering the fact that my dog was already well past her expected life span and was not going to have any real quality of life-she had already been pretty compromised for some time, as she could no longer run, get up stairs, etc. I was ready to hand over my credit card and pay the thousands of dollars before common sense kicked in and I realized that no matter what I did, my sweet Lily was never, ever going to be okay. Euthanasia was not suggested as an option, thus, I had to be the one to say "I have to let her go". Young Dr. Smith made a terrible time so much worse by leaving me not only heartbroken and grieving about the loss of my sweet Lily, but feeling that if I hadn't been a cheapskate (I am not and spend lots of money on my pets) Lily would still be with me and okay. I hope that heartless young woman gets a job at a research hospital or anywhere that empathy is not needed. She not only did not help, but left me haunted that I killed my girl.
Had an appointment for my 5 month old pup. my first time ever going to a vet. Was 5 minutes early when I tried to check in, I was told someone would be with me in a moment. Never was even acknowledged after that. The kid who said he'd be with me in a moment, ended his phone call a few minutes later and proceed to stare at the window until the phone rang again. Didn't even care to ask my name or reason for being there. There were at least 4 people behind the counter and none of them bothered to even ask if I've been helped. Too busy chit chatting. Maybe they do have good vets. I won't know. I ended up walking out as my pup and I were both restless and had enough. The "eh, whatever" atmosphere the front desk created reflects on the people who run this place and it's a place that felt liked they don't really care, they'll be another pet to take my pets place. This being my first experience, with any vet, was not a good one.
I brought my 5 month old red heeler puppy into the after hours emergency service at 8pm because she very suddenly developed severe tremors bordering on seizures and this was the only available vet. They took her into the back and the woman at the front desk told me they needed $400 to begin any treatment. I told her I didn't have any card with me but could give part of the cash amount and go home to get the rest right then. She consulted someone in the back and informed me that wouldn't work as they needed the total amount up front. She then said it would be $1000 to keep the dog overnight, also required up front if this option were chosen. They hadn't told me what was wrong with my puppy, and we were still discussing options (I actually had $360 cash on me) when the smiling vet's assistant came out of the back cradling my puppy in her arms and told me they had given her some anti-seizure medicine to treat tremors caused by walnut toxicity or some mold toxins that my pup had ingested. She told me to take her home and that she should recover over the next 24 hrs. They said they weren't charging for the medication they had given. I felt this was generous and kind of them, and I also felt relieved because she made it seem as though it wasn't so serious and my puppy would recover on her own, even though she did seem seriously ill to me. My 8 yr old daughter, who was with me, was also very relieved and reassured by this news, believing the pup had been treated by the vet and was being discharged to complete her recovery at home. Still, I questioned whether the pup should have her stomach pumped, and what treatment she would be given if I had the $400 on me. The assistant was very reassuring, answering casually that they don't pump the stomach due to risk of aspiration, but they would administer some activated charcoal to help speed the removal of toxins from her body. She assured me most dogs are able to eliminate the toxins on their own, and that over the next 24hrs to expect the puppy to have tremors and fever. She said if tremors changed to seizures to call back. Sufficiently reassured, my daughter and I took our puppy home, but as soon as we got inside the door our puppy's symptoms dramatically worsened. I immediately called the vet back and they said it was now likely to be too late to treat (this was 15 minutes after leaving their office!), but there was a slim chance she could still survive if I brought her back in. While I was on the phone my daughter informed me that the puppy couldn't breathe. I hung up and went to the puppy who had already expired. I feel that the vets office lied to me about the severity of the situation, and should have been forthright about the prognosis and need for urgent, aggressive treatment. I also feel they should have allowed me to fetch the money from home, instead of sending the puppy home with me with false assurances. My daughter has been traumatized by this experience as have I. I do not believe that Valley Oak Veterinary Center cares about animals. I think they primarily care about money. It is not a humane or safe place to take your pet. They must cater to the very wealthy only. They did not even give me a chance to collect the money from home to begin treatment. I consider what they did cruel, and will never consider going to them with any pet ever again. I will also urge others to avoid this veterinary clinic. The cost of activated charcoal is probably less than $5.
If you pet isn't dying, wait for your vet. I had to wait for 2.5 hours. It was so cold my body hurt. Then I got the bill. Near $300, and my dog is fine. All I wanted to know is if his eye okay and it is. The visit was $95. Then everything after that was $50 each. The doctor never looked me in the eye and never asked questions about the attacker. Being mandated report I wish he would have.
Honestly all about there money, great vets but when it comes down to it they pick money over a life and have no problem doing it. I tried everything to come up with 2500 in a day but i work my ass off just to pay my normal bills and that not something most 22 year olds have. Guess it was negligent on my part not to be rich. And some how they still got almost 600 from me for not a damn thing. Thank you for at least letting my dog go peacefully. But in the future will never be returning to this facility.
Vca Valley Oak Veterinary Center is a US Veterinary Care based in Chico, California. Vca Valley Oak Veterinary Center is located at 2480 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Chico, CA 95928, USA.
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