VCA Bakersfield Animal Hospital

We were traveling home for the holidays when we realized something was wrong with our senior dog Woody. We called VCA and took him in right away. The staff was so kind and understanding and saw him right away. Juan Pablo was our Vet that night and he was excellent. He walked us through the scans and our options. We decided to hospitalize Woody that night to try to alleviate his symptoms. Juan Pablo called me the following morning like he said he would and gave me an update. Later that evening we got another call to come in. Unfortunately, our attempts were not successful and we had to make the call to put our sweet Woody down. Dr Juan Pablo was so great throughout and the whole staff was very empathetic. We even got a handwritten card in the mail from VCA sharing their sympathies in our loss, I was touched and impressed. I would highly recommend them for any pet emergency you have.

I am immensely grateful to VCA Animal Hospital. The entire staff, especially Dr. Alvarado, provided outstanding care. When I brought in my 7-month-old German Shepherd with worrying symptoms, they treated him like their own. As a first-time puppy owner facing my first health scare, I deeply appreciated their kindness, understanding, and thoroughness. I also valued their transparency, providing an estimate of recommended services so I could choose what to proceed with. P.S. If you don't have pet insurance, get it. I've learned the hard way—tests can be expensive, but necessary.

Have only lived in bakersfield for a few months and had to make an emergency visit to put my dog down. The staff were so kind and patient and she went peacefully. The vet sat with me and explained how everything worked so I’d be less nervous. an urn was unfortunately out of my price range but I got a paw print and her ashes will be spread in the ocean which I think is a very nice option for people who can’t afford to keep them. Rest in piece meg, you’ll always be my baby girl♥️

I took my puppy to get the help he needed. I managed to diagnose his symptoms of parvo early on. I paid the $161.92 consultation fee. The vet also assumed my pup was experiencing parvo. We ran a parvo test that costed me an extra $83.62 only so that the test came back negative.. The vet presented me 2 payment plans. $1k-$2k for in-care or $900-$1k out-care. I didnt have the funds for neither as my payday was the following day so she "tried" to help me out by at least giving a payment plan of $400-$500 with IV fluids.. Again... I didnt have the funds until the following day. My puppy died in my arms. All because of the lack of funds. And now this place wants that $83.62 for the parvo test that came back negative.. We've all been here before. The clear divide of morals & ethics... but more about compassion and money.. To run a business or to save a life... She sentenced my pup to death all because she couldnt wait for me to get paid the following day. Now is it morally correct to pay a test that said it was "negative"?? is it ethically right to have turned a puppy in need pleading for anyone to help yet failed to do so all because of money? Greed has taken afoot. Paying to live... or not paying so we can die...I paid alright... paid with my puppy's life... paid $162 just to tell me what might be wrong... paid a debt with a life that said it was misdiagnosed by their very own "state of the art" equipment. How can anyone be ao up tight about money or greed and choose to look the other way when a life depends on it? I wouldnt have minded to work as a slave to pay off a debt where a life was saved. Instead i now carry this burden with a hole in my heart. Wondering every silent step i take asking myself "Is this what humanity has come down to? For the love of money outweighs a life?" ::::UPDATE:::: The "Owner" replied and I reached out via Email and NEVER responded back... They truly don't care about your pets here.

From our experience VCA Animal Hospital is an emergency clinic. If its the weekend, late at night OR your pet is having a life altering emergency they will do what is needed to stabilize your pet. It only becomes clear after a few days and after intake that they are NOT your vet, and most of all NOT a reliable family clinic. If you are having an emergency go here to get the care you need and then partner with your normal vet or seek assistance from a specialist. They will not treat you like you are going to be there for a long time. They will not follow up or follow through on basic communication. They are there to save your pets life in an emergency and will do what they can to do that. After your pet is alive and breathing, you need to partner with a better clinic. They are a business. They will treat you like its a business. They will charge you whatever they feel is needed and will do the minimum to give you the care to save your pet. They will not follow through on long term care. You will not be able to communicate with them over long term care. They will play a game with you that no one is around to answer your questions or that staff is busy if your pet is in the ER. My best advice is if your in an emergency, get your pet stabilized. Pay their fees. Pick up your pet when you feel they are okay and take them to a vet clinic that will really care and give attention to your pet. I hope this review helps people. They saved my pet when it was dying. They make it very clear after that, you're on your own. Im not happy with them long term, but I am short term for saving my animals life. I do not expect to use VCA as a solution again.