VCA Desert Animal Hospital

Reviews

A Google User

I'm baffled by some of the bad reviews because I have had nothing but the best experience and service from VCA Desert Hospital. I'm not friends/family with anyone that works there so my experience and review is purely as a paying client. My dog was into her senior years when I started coming to VCA and I enrolled her in the Care Club. I realize this may not be an option for some people, but it's such good preventative care and it amortizes costs which takes the sting out of routine pet visits since I paid a reasonable amount monthly. I truly saved money in the long run. It made dental care affordable and all the exams, blood work, x-rays, and vaccines are included. When I had problems with a prescription I ordered through the mail order service (which is part of VCA corporate but isn't run by the pharmacy at the Desert Hospital) two different employees (sorry I don't remember your names) called me to help troubleshoot the issue and address my issue. A couple of times when I needed to bring my dog in immediately, I was able to call ahead and they would call me if something opened up and it always did. They would squeeze me in same day. So sometimes when I had an appointment, and they had emergencies, I didn't mind waiting longer since I knew if it was my dog, I would get that priority treatment for an emergency as well. I recently had to euthanize my dog and the care and compassion I received was wonderful. Also, I didn't know what expect when I chose a private cremation and the company they work with, Above & Beyond Pet Cremations, was beyond amazing (I wrote a review for them too). The whole presentation of my pet's remains was bespoke and lovely and VCA included a sweet handwritten card. Overall, I find the staff to be warm, personable, attentive, and professional. They really do care about their patient animals. The facility is clean and well-maintained. They even name each of the examination rooms after a U.S. state. And I've never had an issue with not having my pet's needs met. It has been high quality care, through and through. A huge thank you to Dr. Koodrich and the entire staff that took care of my dog over the last three-and-a-half years. You really did provide her with a better quality of life to the end. Thank you.

A Google User

The vet here prescribed a “preventative” medication that killed our baby. After “excellent blood test results” ( the vets words ) & a “clean bill of health other than a slight heart murmur,” the vet prescribed our baby a “preventative” heart medication. Vetmedin. She strongly advised we start it & told me there were no side effects when asked, that it had been greatly proven to help. Without questioning this or taking it upon myself to look it up or do any research of my own, I trusted her completely. She had said it with such conviction. After a few days he started to vomit and have diarrhea. When I called & spoke to the vet, she was dumbfounded & said “it was highly unlikely it’s the med, maybe he ate something outside or picked up a small infection. But I doubt it’s the Vetmedin.” To ease my worry, she suggested I take him off it for a few days & then slowly ween him back on. So I followed her instructions. After 6 days he returned to normal behavior. Over the next 2 1/2 weeks, he had a handful of random vomit episodes ( 4 total ) but since the very idea that it could be this medication was squashed by the vet, I just assumed he ate his food too fast or he got overly excited. Suddenly he was vomiting every other day, then each day. & the diarrhea began again & he stopped eating his food entirely. This happened over the course of 1 week. We tried to feed him human food ( chicken, pumpkin ) -threw that up too. When I called VCA they were booked & suggested Indio. We went there immediately, got blood tests. All clear again. The tests were good and the dr seemed perplexed. She told us “well it could be a tumor but it could be a GI infection” -when I mentioned it was the Vetmedin she said nope & to keep him on it. Even though that was the only thing that was new/different. At this point he has not eaten in days & lost a lot of weight.They suggested an ultrasound to determine the tumor. We agreed. Nothing. I asked if they could give him an iv so he could get some fluids & vitamins in him because of his dramatic weight loss, or even if there was something to be prescribed to help him eat. I was told “no there was not.” However they were glad to prescribe 4 new meds. We left with the suggestion that it must be a infection. Was this just more prescription pushing & why wouldn’t they give us something to help him eat? As explained, his weight loss, energy level and mobility had become so bad so fast? I didn’t understand. In the days that followed he barely ate and it was difficult to give him meds. His weight loss continued & his mobility began to seriously decline. He had already not been moving around much the prior week and a half & now he only laid 24-7, not walking now & had to be helped & held in order to pee & poo. Reminder, this dog was perfectly healthy and vibrant weeks ago. At this point my husband googled the side effects for Vetmedin. Our baby had every single one. Why didn’t we do this right away. She told me there were none! And one of the first things that popped up was a testimonial by a parent saying “ Vetmedin killed my dog”. This was our nightmare come true. We were angered that the vet didn’t share this but more so at ourselves for trusting her and not researching it on our own. How could she not know, she was retiring soon so she was so experienced? Was she checked out? Did it slip her mind? Was this typical prescription pushing to meet a quota? & the Indio clinic? They were happy to ring up another $2200 yet they wouldn’t give us anything to help him eat? We knew we would never go back to VCA again. We immediately got him in a small recommended practice and they did his blood tests. He had now, in only 1 week, gone from perfect blood results, to be in liver & kidney failure & his little body was shutting down. The vet insisted we get him hooked up to an iv that day to get the proper fluids in him & on an appetite stimulant. Why didn’t VCA Indio do this instantly knowing the circumstance? I asked for it! Their failure became our burden to bare. In less than a month our perfectly healthy baby was gone.

A Google User

Today Thursday April 25, 2024, we had to have Orville put down. My biggest complaint is that after calling for 1.5 hours this morning, someone finally answered the phone. The regular receptionist was not there today. VCA, you have to do better at having someone answer the phones for pet owners who are emotionally fragile. This afternoon, I called about picking up my Orville's collar, which we forgot (emotionally distraught), and no one was answering the phones. It didn't even go into call waiting. So I had to drive over there to see if anyone could help me. They had kept his collar. And while I was there, there was only one person picking up a medication, and no one else in the lobby. The 3 staff members were not answering phones, and I could see the red light on the phones blinking. Do Better!! However, to be clear, all the staff we dealt with were very kind and compasionate.

A Google User

Took our dog here for an annual check-up health certificate (to travel to Mexico) and have her nails clipped. Really efficient and friendly service. The Veterinary Assistant that looked after us was Jana and she could not have been nicer. Our dog HATES going to the vet, but everyone was patient and kind. A great resource in downtown Palm Springs.

A Google User

VERY EXPENSIVE PLACE. $242 just to have basic dog exam and when they handed me a bill for an additional $1,300 just for blood work and x-ray, I walked out without receiving any services. Hope you enjoy taking my $242.

A Google User

Made an appointment for my dog who was not acting herself and we had found blood in our back yard. Vet examined and took a blood and urine sample and said we would get a call "in a few days" with results. Days went by, I called and asked for results. Vet had day off. Called again today. Now Vet on vacation for 6 more days. Can't someone else help Me? Dog acting strange again. I paid almost $600.00. I thought maybe she was fine because she began to rally but I couldn't get a return call. It is months since I posted this review. I now give NO stars but post 1 because I can't post 0. My beloved dog is being euthanized tomorrow. Another Veterinarian found the problem. No one at VCA cared enough to look at the test results??? The VCA vet thought she was just fat although my dog had been on THEIR special prescription weight loss dog food a very long time. This dog, Layla is the best dog I have ever had. She is trying to console me now. My darling has no idea why I am sad. What a great dog.

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Business Hours
Monday:07:00AM - 19:00PMTuesday:07:00AM - 19:00PMWednesday:07:00AM - 19:00PMThursday:07:00AM - 19:00PMFriday:07:00AM - 19:00PMSaturday:07:30AM - 17:00PMSunday:Closed

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Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot
• Wheelchair accessible restroom

Amenities

• Restroom

Planning

• Appointments recommended

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Services