VCA Castle Shannon Animal Hospital

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If you love your pet, please go elsewhere.

I’m really not being dramatic, just telling the truth about my experience.

My cat got progressively sick over a weekend, so until Monday I researched the internet extensively. I arrived to the appointment well prepared and had a good idea about what was wrong with her.

Dr. Boccella dismissed every single point I made and cut me off mid-sentence numerous times. He actually ignored everything I said that did not play into his quick diagnosis. He was positive that she had swallowed a foreign object. However after the X-ray, I was told that her stomach was actually empty. He gave her some fluids and antibiotics and sent us on our way.

Almost none of her exam was done in my presence. They even took her into another room to take her temperature. I also never saw an X-ray image. I got a very pushy, money-hungry vibe from the doctor and the entire staff. I’m still not even sure if he did an X-ray or gave her the fluids and medicine. She’s had fluids given to her before and it creates a very visible bulge on the back of her neck. She looked exactly the same when she was given back to me and didn’t seem any better.

I took her to another vet to get a second opinion. And they diagnosed her within 10 minutes. She needed emergency surgery that day to save her life.

Her condition could be seen in an X-ray as well as felt by touch, and all of her symptoms were text book.

Thankfully, she is fine now. But I find it very disturbing that I had more knowledge via Google than this doctor.

The moral of the story is: please trust your instincts when it comes to your pet, after all you know them best. Having a degree does not always make someone an authority. Compassion and attentiveness are key. Rather than just going through the motions, shouldn’t a vet actually want to heal patients? And they MUST listen to the people who speak for them.

Just terrible. Waited 40 minutes AFTER the initial physical for a shot! Had to check to see what the hold up was or would still be sitting there!! No excuse! Poor service. Will not be going back.

I would be very careful if taking any animals to this animal hospital. Many of my customers have told me horror stories from them taking their pets to this location. I personally had taken my dog there and they are very unprofessional. I would say be very careful, they have no problems sending your personal information to other locations for no apparent reason. Many of my customers have told me how unprofessional they are with their pets when they went there and how expensive they are. When I was there I would agree it is all about the money not so much about the animal or the customer.

The worst experience ever a simple issue turned into 4000 dollars of vet bills and it been 5 months ..a miss diagnosis ..a micro chip that was inplanted caused infection ..I i suggested ..they lied and said it was to far away ...in relationship ..an inch away from in direct alinement ..if you watch the video on how and were they insert the needle ..thats were the abcess began as i explained the tech ..no no ..after 5 vets ..no one has admitted the true because of there simple stupid ...the rudest people on earth..should be shut down ..like kids

This place is a good animal hospital. They are open 24 hours a day and every time I call them answer my questions.

It is so hard to describe the feeling of disgust of the treatment I received at this facility. I had a beautiful 10 month old dog throwing up on a sunday morning. We were out of state so we kept an eye on her, and on the way home she wasn't keeping down water so I was concerned. We called this vet due to it being the only place open on a sunday near us. They said to just monitor her and if she doesn't get better by tomorrow then bring her in or bring her to your normal vet. Okay so later that night around midnight, she still wasn't keeping down water and was throwing up. Tired, weak, (i had a blue heeler and this was totally against her personality) My husband and I decided to take her in to this vet being our only option. The tech said her fever was high, and they took her blood sample and we waited to hear the results. An hour later the vet tells us she probably has a virus, she's assuming, and she will be okay just need fluids and rest and to be able to keep something down. First they wanted to have her stay two nights so they can watch her for 2 grand, which we had no way of paying. We stressed we wanted to do what was best for her, and the vet informed us she will be okay, just might take a week to get through her system, as long as she can keep fluids in and doesn't throw up anymore, she will be fine. They put fluid under her skin, a whole liter. We take her home, the next morning she seems okay, but still weak, but keeping down some fluids and never threw up. That night however… the poor baby passed next to me in her sleep. We called the vet, very upset and hurt. They first claimed they had no record of her being there, even though we were there the night before. I am glad I requested papers and the copy of the bill. My in laws brought the dog to that facility to be cremated, and again they claimed they had no information on us, even though they had just sorted it out a couple hours earlier. (Sad part is we talked to the same tech that our puppy saw.) My husband tried 3-5 times calling the vet that took care of our took to try to find some kind of explanation what happened. A tech said that the vet made a note that she called but did not leave a voicemail a week after, after we called twice. My husband and I have no record of her calling, and has not tried to reach us yet. We talked to a different Doctor at the same facility and she looked at her blood work and the situation and told us that it could of not been a virus at all but many other things, and it looked like it had been a long time situation, her assumption would of been something she ate (she liked plastic) could of got stuck in her intestines. I feel hurt there was not enough care to put more time with us. I would of appreciated a call or even some acknowledgement that this happened, I feel like you are aware that you could of done more so you deny that this ever happened to my baby. I hope my review helps others from having to say goodbye to their babies and if they do have to say goodbye they are in good, caring hands. Even if they did all they could have done, they could of been more compassionate and more responsive to my concerns and at least keep records longer than 20 hours.

disgusting, disgusting, disgusting! My cat is now dead from poor treatment from one of the so called trained professionals. I am sick to my stomach. Its true all they care about is money $$$$$$ who cares if they die two weeks later as long as they get their $500.00 dollars in their pocket. don't take your animals here folks unless your looking to lose your pet. Your business is disgusting and makes me want to throw up.

I have to write to say that the experience I had at the VCA Castle Shannon Animal Hospital was very caring and professional. My cat became seriously ill over a period of a few days. He was old and it was clear that he was suffering. They quickly assessed the problem and gave me the options of very expensive treatment that they would be willing to do, or make him comfortable and put him down. Given the long-term problems that might continue even after the initial treatments, it was decided that my beloved cat needed to stop suffering. They were so kind and caring. I was with him when he passed and it was merciful and painless. He is now chasing butterflies in heaven, pain free. No one is ever "ok" with this kind of outcome, but professionals need to understand and help to ease the process. They did that. Thank you, VCA.