But because our foster cat was otherwise healthy and happy other than a bump in her mouth that "was cancer", we said we'd take her in as our hospice cat until the cat "told us" she was "ready to go". Well, good thing we spoke up and said we want to hospice foster her -- within 3 weeks the "tumor" in her mouth that Dr. Kroll was 99% sure was cancerous (so sure, she said we shouldn't run any tests despite my pleas and my willingness to pay for them) had disappeared.
Nov 2017 Update: From 5 to 2 stars. I was their biggest fan. Now I'm running like hell. This is all because of the "leadership" of their medical director, Dr. Joanna Krol. First, a while back she had MISDIAGNOSED my foster cat WITH CANCER. This ALMOST LED to the cat being EUTHANIZED by the rescue because they could not afford treatment (most rescues can't/don't have resources to do that, not their fault just heartbreaking).
Bottom line, we feel lied to. They used deceptive treatment practices, saying painful, risky procedures are a necessity; praying on the trust of the pets' owners. They failed to adequately inform us of what was happening and what our options were. Then, with no information they used high pressure techniques to convince us to do an unnecessary expensive procedure that gave my fiance an anxiety attack. I would not trust their judgment. We will be avoiding all VCA hospitals in the future.
Now, flash forward to another bad diagnosis and we're now treating the cat the appropriate way (with WEEKLY TRIPS to the vet for MONTHS) - we get a frantic ask from the vet to give our sick cat a rabies shot ASAP (at first, refusing treatment until we agreed). When it had been previously advised by 2 vets there that she avoid any vaccines until we get her healthy. But now they are crazy about enforcing for all because an animal bit their employee that wasn't vaccinated. I get they have liability, and feel bad for that employee, but I'm not going to put my cat at risk who has severe immune issues and is very delicate to anything. I am not going to change anything just because they had one random bad situation and now they are knee-jerking with all their clients. Also, my cat does not have any history of biting. Her vets agree. I said I would be willing to take on liability and sign any waiver. That wasn't accepted. Instead they "offered' I do a tither that costs $300++. I am not anti-vac- I said once she gets healthy I am happy to vaccinate. But they are not willing to make the exception, which by LAW they CAN and other vets have agreed is best for my cat. They just choose not to. They are not acting in my cat's best interest. Not OK. I am not the first to be dissatisfied with Dr. Kroll - people in the rescue community that I am close to and numerous friends (WHO I REFERRED THERE) also agree she has become jaded, profit-driven and doesn't spend enough time with the animals to give a proper diagnosis and go over all the options. I thought I could avoid her, but now that's she's medical director or whatever there, her bad decisions almost affected my animals' health again. I'm done. Finding another vet that puts my cat first and won't accidentally almost give an animal a death sentence.
This vet is amazing. My dog and cat both go here and every dog I foster through a rescue goes here. They do a lot of rescue work so they see every issue under the sun. I referred friends here with animals with "mystery illnesses" and these vets nailed the illness on the head every time. They also do surgeries. Amazing surgeries that save animal's lives and help them live better. They're friendly, caring and the most knowledgeable vets I've ever met. My (rescue) dog suffered from demodex mange for 14+ months at my old vet, who had me on these crazy harsh medications. Animal Care Center of Chicago fixed it in 3 months, used the least harmful treatment options, and it was 60% cheaper than my old vet!! My cat has suffered from diabetes for 2 years. They put him on new insulin and he's doing so much better. The doctor calls me every week to check in. They remember me and they remember my pets. They have awesome hours. It's as if they never close. And they are more affordable than any other vet I've been too. They don't charge you up the wazoo like so many past vets have done. I recommend this vet to everyone.
When Dr. Coyne owned this place, vets knew your name, the front desk staff were super friendly and helpful and you felt like this was a nice hometown vet you could count on. Since the ownership switch, I have experienced nothing but incompetence. Just recently I took my pet in for vaccines and to stay the day. I called an hour before I wanted to pick them up to make sure all the vaccines were done and was told they were. Yet when I arrived I was informed they had not been done and had to wait 30 more minutes for them to be completed. The front desk and back staff seem to never communicate, a complete disconnect. Every time I have to bring a pet in there is something similar that happens. I order flea meds, call ahead to make sure it's there, and when I arrive, it is not.. It is like they are lying, and for no reason. I have 5 pets I used to take to this vet and each time there is a different vet. No one knows who you are, it is like a giant supermarket of animals. Just scan and move on. The vets roll over quickly which also makes me think that the care is not to most of their standards. This used to be my go to and my recommendation for everyone, now I am ashamed that I sent people here. Their prices are not so low that anyone should consider needing to use them for their vet. There are so many other animal and people friendly veterinarians out there that you shouldn't settle for this one. Try Wicker Park Veterinary Clinic..worth the short drive!
Top notch standard of care. I love the team and staff here. They take the time to explain things until you're comfortable no matter how long it takes. My French bulldog had several surgical procedures done here, and the team was amazing from pre surgery to recovery care etc. Wouldn't take my pup anywhere else. I've tried a number of vets in the Wicker Park / Bucktown area (closer to my house) but none have measured up to Animal Care Center.
I lost my dog Scruffy today I had the nicest nurse and vet. Made this much easier. Thank you guys.
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Four hours later, we received the call that she was waking up from the anesthesia and could be picked up after 4pm. Obviously, the fact that she was waking up and we needed to move fast and make a decision was a misrepresentation. I spoke to the vet who then explained that the tooth wasn't broken. It wasn't even fractured. It showed signs that it could fracture in the future. The fracture could lead to infection and horrible pain. Or be completely fine and heal. But they aren't equipped to do any sort of dental work besides cleaning and ripping out teeth so naturally, they opted for extraction. Obviously, I pointed out that extraction seems extreme for the situation. She explained that they suggest it because people don't typically follow their dental care reference. I think maybe that's because they never tell anyone that's an option, tell people its a necessity they must authorize now, and just take out the tooth; risking infection, dry socket, broken jaw, or cancer.
So - after that, I decided to never use her as a vet again - what a bad call. But I still loved ACC - had been there for years and I found two other great vets there to take our dogs and cat to.
I took my dog there for dental cleaning because they list a variety of advanced dental technology and expertise. Midway through the procedure my fiance received a call from a tech saying the dog had a broken tooth and the surgeon needed to extract it. No other information regarding the tooth or the procedure were provided. Then they said we need to decide now because she was going to wake up from the anesthesia. Thank god we said no.
Vca Animal Care Center Of Chicago is a US Veterinary Care based in Chicago, Illinois. Vca Animal Care Center Of Chicago is located at 1248 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
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