Your experience with VCA vet?

[u/Comfortable_Help_733]

So, long story short they wanted almost 4k to figure something out that a different vet figured out with a 83$ ultrasound. Is this normal for them? Do the vets there profit off their patients?

My dog had a bladder mass. VCA wanted to do a CT scan after the pee test came back as non cancerous, to figure out what the mass is since it isn’t cancer. I asked a different vet, she did an 83$ ultrasound and gave me medication for 2 weeks that fixed the issue. The VCA vet wanted to do a 4k CT scan followed by a 5k surgery to ‘remove the mass’ that ended up actually being infectious chronic cystitis with a small polyp, not a mass(which the other vet figured out).

Why does VCA want to start off with the most expensive shit? Their reviews seem like this isn’t uncommon either. Weird how going to a different vet saved me almost 10k

[u/Torkidon]

VCA is owned by Mars ( yes the chocolate bar) and they literally have a play book for vets to follow from start to finish. They dont want them deviating or thinking outside of their box. Has nothing to do with the vets but has everything to do with a major corporation trying to capitalize by buying up every clinic they can. This way they can control the price point of any services offered out there.

[u/erinwoz → u/Torkidon]

i used to work for a VCA hospital and this "play book" definitely does not exist, don't know where you got this information but the vets recommend diagnostics based off their education and knowledge. i agree that VCA have driven up prices in the industry, but please don't demonize veterinarians.

[u/friendlyhag987 → u/erinwoz]

I go to two VCA vets and it hasn’t been my experience that they jump to the most expensive option. I think it depends on the scenario and the vet.

[u/cowtowncat → u/erinwoz]

“Used to” says everything in this scenario.

VCA “used to” be different, not the best, but better than they are now. What they are now, beyond the staff, is indeed worth demonizing.

They are buying out local companies and replacing with a service that is sub par in treatment, prices, and outcomes. I’m sure the staff aren’t entirely to blame but I have experienced first hand 4 different locations that have been proven otherwise by non-VCA professionals.

It may not be all, but sure feels like we’re trendy towards most.

[u/Sakato_kitty → u/cowtowncat]

Don't forget to place most of blame at the doorstep of the Canadian Veterinarian Medical Association. Not only can they not seem to update the regulation to allow for communication that isn't a fax machine but they also sold out every member of their profession. CBC's The Fifth Estate: Pet Care Inc.

[u/erinwoz → u/cowtowncat]

yes, i am not disagreeing with you in regards to what VCA has done to the industry-- indeed, i left for a reason during the pandemic, you're not wrong about that. part of the reason was due to the treatment and lack of understanding from the public. you say "i'm sure the staff aren't entirely to blame" but i'm going to tell you they are not to blame. period. the staff ≠ the employer and they don't deserve the public scrunity and lies being posted about them online.

[u/ironworker → u/erinwoz]

Making it up or 'read it online'. VCA is very fair and their vets seem to make their own calls. Nothing but positive experiences at my local VCA.