Western Veterinary Specialist Centre Review

Staff is very attentive and sensitive to the stress of the hospital experience for everyone involved. Dr. Osborne was kind, concise and informative.

Our dog Lincoln was diagnosed with cancer around his mouth and nose. The staff were very supportive to ensure that I could spend time with him in a family room after driving from Edmonton and requiring to take a flight back to work from Calgary with only a few hours of hang out time with Lincoln. His treatment was a success and everyone there loved him. Thank you for your dedication to our furry ones.

They were fabulous! When every other emerg vet turned us away, they welcomed us with open arms! They were calm and so easy to deal with in our stressed-out state.

It is a worst place forever. Not professional, not responsive. Not recommend this place.

Recent attempt to purchase some medication as recommended by a Vet To Go doc was met with a very frosty/rude response. Bear in mind that our cat was a precious patient at Western as were a past dog and another cat of ours. Our last few contacts with Western have been over priced as compared to other clinics. We are now confirmed North Calgary Emergency and Vet To Go clients. Sorry to see the quality of service decline in what was formerly a premiere place.

Great place to go if you need to see a specialist of you have an emergency on your hand.

Brought my 2 yr old, intact, doberman here and everyone treated him wonderfully. They all were very informative, on top of everything, quick to serve, and treated Lennox with the best of care he has ever received at a vet! Highly recommend seeing Valerie Madden if her scope of practice falls under what you need!

My dog had knee surgery. First time was great, very caring and will to take the time with each and everyone. And affordable, slightly high though. Second knee, prices went up, service went down. VCA took over. VCA 's management style seems to be get them in and get them out, money money money. They don't care about the animals. I'm sure they did once, but not anymore. My local vet got taken over by VCA, prices went up considerably. Know they charge for absolutely everything.
AVOID ANY VET OR VET HOSPITAL WITH A VCA AFFILIATION.

Amazing emergency vet care. I have had to use their services twice due to pet emergencies and every time they have been beyond amazing! They are financial understanding, kind and gentle with the pets, and are very patient dealing with pet owners. I am not sure why they get the bad reviews but I strongly suggest you give them a chance. I got to sit in the waiting room while my dog was getting fluids and I saw their interactions with many owners. They have a kind touch, patient tone, prioritize well and most importantly they work with you if you re financially tight! Thank you for taking care of my Dasha doxie!

Took our dog (Maltese breed - White Color) on July 20,2020, to VCA, SW Calgary, after we found he was struggling to breathe while playing in the lawn. As per the report, doctor identified him as labour in swallowing although we admitted him with breathing problem. With our permission he was sedated for IV and for oropharepharal exam. He was prescribed medications and we paid 618 CAD as bill.
We gave as per prescription for three days and still he was struggling to breathe. Just out of curiosity my daughter checked his nose with a light and pulled out grass of 13 cm. Immediately he was completely alright.
An emergency hospital not able to check a dog that is struggling to breathe. wrong diagnosis and big bill is not reliable for any.

Amazing is not even good enough. The staff helps me through emergencies calmly and supportively. Western veterinarian is the best!

We've seen Dr. Fung twice for different emergencies with my cat (once for vomiting and once when he was having trouble breathing) and each time she has been wonderful. She takes the time to explain the next steps and spent time answering our questions. The front staff have also been friendly and courteous every time we've been in :)

We had the worst experience here with my GSD. The careless treatment of my senior dog was in- excusable. I was there with many of my family and friends who witnessed this treatment first hand. We immediately picked up my boy, and took him to Fish Creek where he was treated so well, and released the same day.

Amazing service and a very compassionate and friendly team. They were very gentle and thorough with our boy. The reception staff were very warm and welcoming, the practicum students did a great job, and the doctor was very kind and knowledgeable. We couldn't be any happier with our experience. Wheek wheek! (which means thank you very much in guinea pig language :) )

Thank you! Dr Alison Williams for being with me during the hard times when I was sick and for making me feel better.

My wife booked a dog for an echocardiogram due to a heart murmur. She asked for no other services. When the bill came it was for $1008 of which around $600 was for the echo. The rest was for a 6 minute phone conversation with my wife and for the vet to do an auscultation. An auscultation is listening to the heart using a stethoscope. This is generally a part of an echo we have experienced with dogs in the past. A separate charge for this is not common from my previous experiences.

Essentially $300 was for a "consultation" which involved 6 minutes on the phone with the specialist vet. My wife followed up on the charges by email and receives the reply that the consultation was because of a particular history and yet was never were mentioned by the vet and was not discussed in the 6 minute call. My wife felt like she was just receiving results during the call and not a $300 consultation "service". The manager has yet to reply to the most recent email.

We do not plan on returning to this clinic if we can avoid it. If you do choose to go here, be very clear what service you are wanting and what you will be billed for.

Suggestion: NEVER GO TO THIS CLINIC
I was there on Thursday, October 15, 2020 and had the worst experience of my life. Because of Covid-19, I had to hand my little girl over to an attendant and I couldn't get into the clinic, so far so good. After that, the veterinarian called my cell phone and started asking several questions, which I tried to answer in the best way, because English is not my first language.
He asked what medicine I had given and I didn't know it in English, so I tried to say the substance. He said that I would have intoxicated her and that it could cause some kind of internal bleeding. I said that he should have misunderstood the name, since her veterinarian from Brazil had already given this same medication a few times. Instead of trying to understand what, in fact, the remedy was, he began to denigrate the professional. He also suggested that as a result of this I had to hospitalize her for 48 hours and start a treatment, visibly misdiagnosed, as it disregarded all the other information that I had passed on. I went into despair and called the vet who had indicated this medication. She said it was the right medicine and that the pain was due to the change in diet.
Result, I panicked and asked for my dog back urgently and I didn't want that med. vet touched her more. I insisted a few times and they kept treating me like crazy. The attendant said she would only give me my little one after I paid. Yeah, he does absolutely nothing, almost killed me from the heart and still had the courage to charge me over $ 180.00 for the consultation.
A few long minutes after I insisted a few times saying that I would call the police, they brought me the card machine and only after I paid, my little girl came.
Returning home, I had a crying fit and lack of stress. I almost passed out in the middle of the street.
Two hours after I got home my puppy ate and drank water normally.
It was too traumatic.

The best Vet Clinic in Alberta all the Dr's are the best in thier field and I wouldn't take my pet anywhere else in an emergency.

This place was the worst!! I got a 6 month old kitten and signed up for pet insurance immediately, but within the 30 day waiting period, my kitten developed struvite crystals. He was clearly in agony, we all knew what it was, but they refused to even look at him unless I could commit $600+ (with no per-treatment approvals) for the first HOUR plus additional costs as things progressed.

I couldn't believe the attitude they had as I tried to explain I'd need a day or so to get that kind of money, but I would definitely be able to produce it. They sent me, (and a crying kitten) away during one of the worst nights I've ever had. Their actual animal care may be fine, but I will never visit them again (even with active pet insurance) because their bedside manner leaves a hell of a lot to be desired.

I took him to Calgary North Veterinary Hospital and they went above and beyond to make the experience as painless as possible for both of us and he's doing very well now.

I took my cat in early this morning and they helped us right away. I didn t wait long once in the exam room. Everyone was very friendly there and reassuring. I definitely recommend going there if your pet needs help.

We brought in a pet to be euthanized, the Vet was rushed and cold. Tried making jokes at an obviously inappropriate time, completely lacking empathy and then hurried to push us out the door after while still very obviously in a compromised emotional state.

Dr. Soengkono and the rest of the team helped us through an incredibly painful experience with poise, grace, and consideration. I don't want to back anytime soon but I highly recommend VCA Canada Western Veterinary

Staff were so kind and caring when we had to put our pet to sleep. The vet was very helpful and knowledgeable about our pet and helped us make the toughest decisions in the best interest of our beloved hedgehog. The follow up phone call a month later was a pleasant surprise.

Always take really good care of my dogs when we go. Friendly staff.

My dog was ill, I was referred to VCA Canada Western Veterinary hospital. Very good service to help out my dog. Thanks to all the staff.

My vet had warned me ahead of referring me to this place that they have first class medical service but to expect the worst from the customer service. Unfortunately he was right. My almost 1 year old puppy needed an expensive emergency surgery on a Saturday afternoon. After providing me with an estimate, the reception asked me for a deposit to cover 85% of the cost. She did not even bother to do a calculation and asked me for $4500 out right (keep in mind I have insurance). I had to pull my phone out to do the calculation and noted that it should have been $4000 Which I paid and they said I was okay to leave. An hour later they called and said the surgery estimate was now closer to. $10000 and they needed me to come in and pay an extra $4000 (later on the clinic they said it was $5000). Keep in mind I had insurance which was open at the time the initial deposit was asked for. Me being under stress and it being my first time dealing with pet insurance naively believed that the company was closed on Saturday (it was not) and they let me know they would not move forward with the surgery without the extra money. I go back to the clinic to play the second deposit and I have to put it on multiple cards to get around daily spending limits and maximum withdrawal limits. At $4000 simply wasn t able to withdraw more money (I had the money but couldn t withdraw it at the drop of a hat like they expected) and they went through with the surgery.

Drs Longmore, Little (who performed the surgery) and Osborne did a wonderful job of keeping me informed and reassuring me throughout his 3 day hospital stay.

When I reached out to my pet insurance on Monday, they said they had the ability to direct bill on emergency situations such as this and would be able to cover a large portion of the cost. When we went in for discharge, the medical reception again made numerous billing miscalculations and took 20 mins to figure out the total amount I was to get back. If I had not advocated for myself and questioned things in these moments they would have cleaned me out.

I can t imagine how much harder this process would have been without pet insurance or if I did not have the financial means to put down such a large deposit at the drop of a hat. The medical care and reassurance was 5 stars but unfortunately the stressful experience with front desk staff knocks off 2 stars for me.

They took very good care of our sweet Beagle. They now have a heart specialist!

The worst vet experience I've ever had. Arrived with my pup and the girl was pleasant and showed me into the exam room. About 10 min later, the vet tech came in and did a cursory exam and told me I was next and the Dr. would be about 30 min. Over an hour later, I was still waiting and went to the front desk to check on how much longer it would be to see the Dr. They looked surprised to see me and I wonder if they forgot. At the very least, three of them sitting talking and checking their phones - they could have checked in and kept their customers up to date on the status. I understand that emergencies take priority - but we are all there because we feel our animal is experiencing an emergency so an update would have gone a long way.

Finally after over 1.5 hours, we get to see the vet. More waiting and she comes back to provide options for treatment (including $1,400 for hospital stay and screening or $168 for the exam and $100 for medication). I opt for the "low" end and decide to keep an eye on any further issues.

I wait some more (I was at the clinic for over 3 hours) and go to pay - imagine my surprise when they tell me its $450! That's pretty far from the $270 I was expecting. I find out that they were issuing 9 sachets of probiotics that amounted to $190. I refused the probiotics and found them online direct from the manufacturer for $100 for 30 packets. That's a 600% mark up.

Bottom line - no thank you. Shame on Western Vet for exploiting our concerns about our beloved pets.

I've brought my dog here for emergencies and diagnostics over the years and I have no complaints with the service. They recently guided me through what unexpectedly turned out to be end-of-life care for my dog and I'm grateful for their compassion and professionalism.

They are expensive, but it's important to note that this is a specialist facility with resources beyond those of a general vet practice. In my experience with them, they give detailed and clear cost estimates and work with you to build a treatment plan that you're comfortable with.

We had to bring our dog in to see Dr Lyndsay Kong (cardio specialist). The service we received was extremely professional, accurate, and personal at the same time. We left feeling confident in the game plan for our dog, and that we can always get support when needed form Dr Kong. The facility is very nice, and all of the staff were extremely nice to us as well. They even have a side parking lot which is pretty handy given the location. Highly recommend!

Didn't listen to word I said in person or over the phone. If I treated my patients like that I would be in alot of trouble. Covid-19 seems to give alot of people and facilities an easy out on very poor practice.

We had to take our 5 year old Pomeranian mix in on Saturday after he ingested some multivitamins. They promptly proceeded with the correct treatment to contact pet poison control and subsequently pump his stomach and start him on IV fluids. Our dog had to stay for 48 hours over to weekend to be monitored and run periodic blood panels to ensure his organs (kidney, liver) were functioning properly. Throughout his stay he was given top quality care and lots of affection. He did not want to leave when we picked him up! I was quite upset understandably when he initially had to leave him, and the staff were great. They brought my husband and I a 5 week old kitten to visit with while we waited for an update from the attending veterinarian. Bringing your pet in for emergency care is stressful, the staff here was incredibly helpful and understanding throughout our entire experience. Luckily, we have pet insurance but we hadn't had to use it before. The front end staff were able to submit our claim for us - taking an additional headache out of the equation. We are thankful for the care our dog received during his time at Western. - With the exception of their billing efficiency. We paid our claims upfront, and they failed to submit our claim even though I had called 3 times to ensure it had been submitted. A lesser charge of $100 was submitted for a follow up appointment, but not our bill for our pet's initial treatment which was in excess of $1000. Only upon calling the insurance company for an update on our claim did I learn this. This led to a delay in our claim being paid.

We're from Red Deer and had an emergency situation which unfortunately our beautiful boy didn't survive. It was a terrible situation and we were treated with dignity and respect. They were extremely patient and understanding throughout the whole ordeal. They made sure we understood all our options and we're willing to do whatever our wishes were. They had a very quiet and suitable area set up so that our boy could be put down with dignity with us by his side the whole time as he was too sick for us to take home and do it in the privacy of your own home. We went back the next day to claim the body and bring him home. They were very understanding and helpful throughout the whole process. If we lived in Calgary this would for sure be our vet. Sorry for the raw pictures but that was our reality and his end was as beautiful as we could make it

Vet tech's were very kind and helpful.
Does not get 5 stars because the lay out and signage is hard to understand. Hard to tell where the main entrance is and what the protocol is for pet drop off. Big signs with arrows that don't point the wrong way would be very beneficial.

Very nice, pricey but they were open late and got us in right away. Worth the money.

While the team was great and got my animal in very quickly, I feel they gouged me for every penny I was worth. Wasn't expecting it to cost $500 bucks for some charcoal to make my dog throw up. Be wary if you go here as they don't give any indication of how much things cost and will just tack on tests and treatments you don't really need. And the initial consultation fee is an automatic $168 just to get your animal admitted. Won't be returning here if I don't have to. Unfortunate because the staff were all super nice.

Amazing experience with the doctors, amazing experience in person, but I live far away and trying to get a prescription faxed somewhere local is a nightmare. My dog is terminal and we're just doing pain management now. Last time I called for a prescription, no one passed the message on and it took 4 more calls to get the prescription signed and faxed. This time, I spilled the pill bottle and lost a couple of pills down the drain so I'm out before I planned and they seem to have no ability to tell me when they might actually fax the prescription off. Super frustrating to have to fight with the people who have made tens of thousands of dollars treating her to keep my dog from having pain during her last months.

Edit: Apparently they assumed this is no rush because "all shoppers drug marts are 24 hours." Uh, no, they aren't.

Experienced orthapedic surgeon, nurses and staff who sincerily care about your dog and you.

We took our 4.5 year old Havanese to this clinic due to severe upset of his GI tract and bleeding. The lady on the phone was friendly and took our dog in to be looked at advising we would receive a call in half hour. This was not the case. We had Koda there for over 4 hours without a full assessment. The vet sounded extremely inexperienced and apathetic over the phone. She proceeded to advise us we would receive a quote in the next 5-10 minutes. I had to call them after an hour advising I hadn t received anything yet. Needless to say their communication is very poor.

We requested to take our dog back and take him somewhere else. Please do not put your fur baby or yourself through such a negative experience. This was my second time there and it reminded me why I stopped going after the first time.

If you have an emergency please do yourself a favour and take your beloved pet to VCA Calgary North! We took our dog there after our terrible experience and it was night and day. They admitted our dog, analyzed the stool sample and the vet called me right away. She was experienced, empathetic and knowledgeable. She provided us with timelines, communicated to us what we could expect and provided us updates. Vet care is expensive but if you are having to pay, take your dog to a clinic who treats you like a concerned animal owner, not a dollar sign.

We had a nightmare experience with this practice and would not recommend it to anyone. We spent 7 hours with little treatment for our very sick dog. The inexperienced vet had no idea what was going on with the dog and did not refer to any senior colleagues. We were left in an empty room, with the dog elsewhere, for 5 hours. When we saw the dog again she was unrecognizable and failing badly. The vet recommended a $6,000 hysterectomy on our severely weakened 121/2 year old lab. We spent $1100 to no good effect and then we had to decide to put our poor dog out of her misery, still with no real vet guidance. They refused to let us have her body or her medical records. We did manage to retrieve her body the following day. We have complained and we were fobbed off. The only bad vet experience I ever had in 55 years of pet ownership.

Admin staff needs better training and needs to communicate correct information.

We had our dog scheduled in for a fluoroscopy for February 14, 2019 back in January and I called in the day before to confirm that our dog being on antibiotics for Kennel cough wouldn't have any impact on the flouroscopy examination. I was told by their admin staff that it wouldn't have an impact but *surprise* - we don't have an appointment for February 14, 2019. The radiation team wasn't in that week and they thought someone had already called me to reschedule. Had I not called in advance to check, would have wasted a day off work.

Rescheduled for Tuesday Feb 19, 2019 and we bring her in for 8am since that was the time they told us to bring her in for. Radiation team tells us that since she is on antibiotics, they can't do the procedure. This is the exact reason why I had called a week ahead to confirm and somehow was told the absolute incorrect information. Also was informed that she didn't need to be dropped off at 8am since her procedure was scheduled for 3:30pm.

I'm sure the docs are great (yet to know since we have had to reschedule yet again) but their admin staff really needs to get their information correct before relaying to patients.

I took my bunny here last night, super worried something was wrong with him and unsure what to do. They were so friendly toward me and my bunny. We were there for maybe an hour and got sent home with papers on how to monitor my bunny properly when sick, and a full exam was done on him. I would recommend this vet hospital to anyone!

When our senior Basset, Maddie, took a sudden turn for the worse the VCA on 10th Ave SW helped us through an extremely difficult time.

The staff was very accommodating, empathetic and walked us through the process step by step. We were not rushed and they allowed us to take all the time we needed to say goodbye.

Given the circumstance we found the pricing to be transparent and very reasonable.

My wife and I thank you.

Our second visit on an emergency basis. Very professional, knowledgeable and compassionate team. The veterinarian explained what needed to be done thoroughly and updated me when the procedure was finished.

An estimate was presented with a low and high amount. The cost was appropriate for the work done.

The waiting area was clean and well set up to spend a few hours. The front end staff checked regularly if I needed anything.

I know my dog was well taken care of and treated with compassion and care. I recommend this hospital for any emergency care.

We've taken are dogs here 3 times but I've only been here once and the service was amazing the doctors and vets did an amazing job taking care of are dogs. The place was very clean and the girls at the front desk were very nice.

DO NOT GO HERE OR TO ANY VCA CLINIC - THEY KILLED MY CAT.

A doctor prescribed ear drops for my young cat who had a ruptured eardrum that were ototoxic and not recommended for a ruptured ear drum. He ended up getting a brain infection and dying and I didn't even get to say goodbye. They owned up to the mistake and refunded me but that doesn't help my poor sweet boy.

They overcharge every chance they can get and are not transparent regarding treatment and how much this should cost. Take your pet to Fish Creek if it's an emergency or Ramsay Clinic on weekends - I wouldn't wish my experience on anyone.

I would give zero stars if I could.

A fantastic experience, very helpful and kind. I highly recommend.

Absolutely First Rate!!!!! If there were more than 5 stars, I would give them more! Yes, they are expensive but the skills they have are backed by machinery that I would accept to be used on me. I didn't realize this type of modern first class operation existed for 'animals' to some / four legged furry family member to others. I didn't think our dog had a chance of surviving the first hour trip and then another two hours to Calgary. The first vet (outside Calgary) doubted his survival whatsoever but thankfully Western Veterinary Specialist cleaned and fixed his wound...still can't believe the incredible care they took of our 'dog'. Very expensive but they worked with us when our cash on hand and cards ran out. We were so thankful for their understanding and help. Thank You Again!!!!

Wonderful knowledgeable and thoughtful staff. Thanks for taking such good care of our little pup.

My cat was admitted with hepatic lipidosis, a condition that results when fat cats lose too much weight too quickly, overwhelming their livers. The best treatment for this illness is aggressive refeeding. If the focus at V.C.A. clinics were to do what's best for patients, they would have put in a large-bore PEG tube, right away, and released her home, as soon as possible. The primary consideration of V.C.A. hospitals is profits, however, so they dilly-dallyed with a tiny nasal tube for six days before finally putting in an espophageal tube. Luckily, thanks to the excellent Drs. Stillion and Fung, who truly care for their patients, my cat was given a blood transfusion and the long-awaited esophagostamy, and began to recover. Shifts changed, however, and the next vet refused to release my cat, even though the window for her discharge had closed, and all the check boxes for discharge had been ticked. My cat was obviously stressed and fed up with her prolonged hospitalization (of 10 days, an eternity for a cat), but they kept making excuses to keep her, trying to milk as much money as they could out of me by extending her stay and doing unauthorized x-rays and an unauthorized ultrasound. I later discovered that their excuses were contradicted by the written notes. Her last night, I could tell my cat was going insane, in hospital. Her heart was beating up to 200 bpm, except when my husband held her (when it went down to 146-60 bpm). I begged to take her home. I was told I had to wait until the doctor showed me how to care for her, upon discharge the next day. A nurse/tech (who was great, BTW; his name was Justin) did that, so saying that particular doctor had to do it was another lie. I later learned that stress exacerbates her illness. A vet should have known this and considered it, instead of keeping her hospitalized just to increase profits. My cat was paralysed, by the time I was allowed to take her. No one told me why; she was simply handed to me, in that state. A doctor never saw me, upon discharge. The records for which I'd asked were never sent me. No one ever rang, afterwards, to ask how she was doing. She died just over two hours after I got her home. I know she would have lived, had she been spared those last, stressful days in hospital. Even if she hadn't lived, she deserved to have her last days at home, but there was no respect for my wishes or for my cat's mental state and right to live or die in peace. I have to live with the guilt and regret of leaving my cat in such uncaring hands, for the rest of my life. Don't trust Mars, Incorporated with the life of an animal you love; do your research and find a good, locally owned hospital (Fish Creek comes highly recommended). My cat deserved better. Your pets do, too.

Amazing service prices are steep but care is second to none.

Love this vet. From the front desk staff to the surgeons !! Everyone is so great, we've been in a few times in the past 6 months for different things and the service has been impeccable.

Thank You! I traveled from Vancouver in the middle of a pandemic, is worth it! Thank you for thanking care of Lily Warwarick , she got radiation at VCA and they are truly professionals, Thanks Emily, and Thank you ALL our baby Lilly is doing better now. <3

Staff are very pleasant and professional. They are also open 24/7 which is great. Tara and Dr. Mirescu were amazing!

Truly an amazing facility. Thank you for all your help and hard work Dr. Madden.

I found everyone compassionate, capable and trustworthy.

We took our labrador retriever Oliver here last week when he had stopped eating and was vomiting, as our regular veterinarian wasn't open on Sundays. First impression of the place was that it was very clean! Turns out Oliver needed surgery, as he had an intestinal blockage. The veterinarians, surgeon, and technicians that looked after him were all phenomenal. They were kind, took the time to explain the different options available to us, and called us regularly with updates, even late into the night, and were very patient and accommodating with any questions we had. We were also very impressed when we went to visit - they have a room especially for visiting with comfortable chairs, lots of space, and brought water and a blanket for Oliver to lay down on while he visited with us. We really got the impression that they genuinely cared about the wellbeing of the animals that were there. It was expensive, but top quality care, and 90% of the costs were covered through our insurance. If we ever had another emergency and couldn't see our regular vet, we would definitely come back.

I called them to ask them how long it would take for the condition that I came in for to clear up. They would not tell me. They said that I would have to come in again for another appointment. If I already came in and paid for the treatment, they should be able to then answer any questions that I later have about the treatment. Ridiculous.

Always sad having to rush to the vet at 22:00 on a Friday, good thing their doors are always open.

Extraordinarily organized. Great medical and customer service. You get what you pay for, quality.

Never ever have I been blown away with such well mannered and caring people. They truly treat your pet like their own and give the most optimal care. I truly believe my little Zeus would not be with me today had I not brought him here.

Yes it maybe expensive at times, but you can't put a price on life. Thank you everyone for being such great surgeons, therapists, admis, nurses etc. honestly the best of the best.

Very friendly staff, extremely patient, never felt rushed. Our pet was well looked after

What a beautiful hospital. Staff was amazingly compassionate for my doggies final hours.

My friend rescued an injured orange baby kitten on the roadside. I thought I would do a favour for my friend by bringing her new found kitten in to get surgery and for a veterinarian surgeon to tend to her broken leg/pelvic bone. My friend understood the expenses and was willing to pay for the surgery in split payments, which they said was NOT possible, she had to pay in full. No other veterinary hospital does that. So, When my friend called to check up on the kitten I had dropped off, they gave her the run around and said since it is a stray, that it is not her kitten. The manager said that she would have to adopt the kitten. We told them time and time again that we wanted to adopt the kitten and we would like to check up on her status. Turns out, they put the poor little kitten down! Now he is dead. This place is as shady as it comes. This place is evil! Avoid this place at all costs. No animal should be treated like that, especially when someone says they are willing to pay for the surgery! This is a horrible place. If there were an option to give it 0 stars, I would.

Expensive, but they saw my dog quickly in an emergency and were able to accurately diagnose my dog. Everyone we interacted with here were also very nice.

Veterinary care is OK, surgeons are board certified and proficient. Office management is unresponsive, changes appointments without notice, and does not communicate those changes. Intake forms are late (or do not appear). I have been told this is due to training of staff etc.

Your best bet is to actively call and confirm everything multiple times (3-4 times, separately) as the information you get will change, depending on who you get (and regardless of what email confirmations you receive). It is a pain to call 3-4 times each appointment due to the long wait times up to 45 minutes on hold; however the head ache of the hold music is better than the head ache of trying to figure out why your appointment was rescheduled without your knowledge.

The worst experience I have ever received at a pet hospital and I ve used a few to compare. 5 days later and multiple calls I still haven t received a call back about my dogs urine sample. This on top of a 3 hour wait in my car when I brought her in when I was told it would be 20 mins by the vet once she saw her.. Will not be bringing any of my pets back here in the future. If she has something more serious I ve wasted days addressing it. I d give this place 0 stars if I could

We have had nothing but good experiences with this clinic.

Awesome staff and vet!! They acted fast to help my little guy

My dog was severely injured in a hit and run and after I called for an animal ambulance the only thing the driver said was to
Bring my pup here. I honestly did not think she would make it considering the injuries she sustained but the expertise of the staff combined with the speed of the Calgary vet service saved my dogs life.I understand people are concerned about the price but I personally can't put a price on my pups life and cannot thank the staff of this vet enough.
Im forever thankful for the support this vet offered and would recommend them to anyone.
My mother in law recommended this place as she has four Boston terriers and I will deffinetly be bringing my bull mastiff back if she has any issues.

- a satisfied and happy pet owner

Highly skilled analysis of my pet's ultrasound by Dr. Forde and her staff. Thanks team! Next steps and the handoff of my pet's analysis were top-notch.

Some issues with continuity of care that I attempted to avert unsuccessfully, but it's COVID bit of a perfect storm. We're all learning!

They are excellent at providing emergency and referral services. If you are ever in the unfortunate situation where you need their services, have confidence that your animal will be in excellent, highly skilled hands and deeply cared for.

We've been two WVS twice, once when our boy cat was in kidney failure and the other when our girl cat ate a plastic button sized object.

All the people that rate this place low is because of the cost, GET REAL... This place is a last resort for pet owners that need the best care for acute conditions. Surgery and complex procedures are not cheap but they do it NOW. No vets that say they can't fit you in today when your cat has a chunk of plastic lodged in her stomach. WVS will call surgeons to come in.

The staff have always been friendly, surgeons and ER doctors exceptional given how busy they are. Our girl cat is still alive because of these people...

We were planning to have our dog operated on at this center. We were told we would be given 1hr for a consult. The cost was to be $200. The 1 hr seemed excessive, as an annual checkup for my dog is usually 15-20 minutes. We were informed that even if the consult was 15 minutes we would be charged the $200 fee. Feels like a money grab. Decided to cancel all and go elsewhere.

They are always so helpful and kind when my pup comes for a visit.

They are professional, and they are very knowledgeable. My dog is in remission now, so thanks to them!

Good vets terrible helping staff. Made my insurance refund delay 3 weeks.

I had to say goodbye to my best friend unexpectedly due to a cancer that left him paralyzed. It went undiagnosed for years by my family vet. CWV delivered the news and gave the most realistic outcomes due to his situation. The compassion of the staff at CWV is immeasurable. They were gentle and made me feel as though they cared just as deeply for my friend as I did when it came to saying goodbye. The front desk staff was also very gentle and empathic. They couldn't of made the process more easier for me. As hard as it was, and hard for me to think of revisiting again due to thinking of my friend, I would recommend them to anyone who wants fair and compassionate veterinary care.

Our 11 year old pug Sadie went into respiratory distress 2 weeks ago. We had to rush her to Western Vet Specialist on a Sunday evening. Lindsay at the front desk was very informative and reassuring (we were not allowed to go into the vets office because of COVID). We waited in the parking lot for a call from the Vet. Dr. Alex called and let us know that Sadie was stable but not in good shape, she went through some options but we decided to let her go. Dr. Alex was very informative, and explained everything very clearly, it felt like she had been Sadie's vet all along. Seeing as there were 5 of us (my kids, my husband and I ) and only 2 people were allowed in the vet office to be with her when she went, Lindsay brought Sadie outside for all of us to say goodbye. We got as much time as we needed with her and then went in to let her go. They took the upmost safety when it came to the COVID situation. My son and I had to wear a mask a gloves while in the office. Dr. Alex came in and let us have as much time with her before and after she was gone. It was one of the hardest days for my family and Dr. Alex and Lindsay were the most caring, kind and compassionate during such a hard time. Thank you to you both.

I would not bring my cat anywhere else after my emergency experience a few months ago. He was brought in at 3am with seizures and they diagnosed him with hyperthyroidism that night and scheduled all his future treatments that night. Their care is UNMATCHED. Blew my regular care provider out of the water. My cat had to undergo radioactive iodine treatment and remain on site for a week without contact. They set up a camera I could log into from anywhere to check up on him and see how he was doing during his stay. Dani is the most amazing attendant I have ever met. Her attention to my kitty and daily emails went above and beyond to assure me he was well taken care of.

Love you guys!!!

I was referred to Western Vet by my primary vet for a hip consultation. I have nothing but good things to say about Western Vet through the consult, x-rays and 2 hip replacement surgeries for my puppy. I think the diagnoses and plan was correct and just what he needed. I have seen amazing improvements after the surgeries already. He is no longer in pain and is dying to fully test out his new hips (can t just yet because of activity restrictions post-op).
Everyone who works there is super friendly and helpful. Dr. MacDonald is very knowledgeable and personable. She took her time and answered all of my questions. She made sure to call me daily to check up on my dog during the 1st week post-op after both surgeries. Bernadette is amazing and you can tell she is great at her job.
My dog still absolutely loves to go here even after the many needles, having to stay for several days, and 2 big surgeries. That is a huge testament to how compassionate and loving they are towards all the animals that come to the clinic. Yes the cost of coming to this vet is high, but it is a specialty clinic and for emergency services. You get what you pay for, and what you get is high quality, specialized care. I would highly recommend Western Vet and the hip surgery team to anyone whose dog has hip dysplasia.

I contacted the Western Veterinary Specialist through their website and they COULDN'T EVEN BE BOTHERED TO REPLY. My dog has leukemia and I couldn't get any help from these 'vets' they call themselves. NO HELP at all. Even if I'd contacted them by an incorrect method (through their website ) the least they could have done would be to contact me to advise.
Terrible service; would never bring my dog to these heartless people.

We visited the ophthalmology team for our dog. The team was kind and compassionate, patient and knowledgeable. As we were unable to accompany our dog into the building due to Covid-19 protocols, they kept us up to date on her progress and let us know how she was doing. We would absolutely return (although we hope our puppers stays healthy enough not to have to!)

Unfortunately we have had to make use of the services of this emergency hospital for the same dog. This facility is a first class veterinary hospital staffed with competent and caring staff and veterinarians. The treatment of our large dog in the VCA was wonderful both in the range of services and the care that they provide. My only negative comment is that it is Very Expensive! Plan on $2,000 to $3,000 per day for your pet. Our last visit ended with the painful decision to keep our end of the bargain and allow our older dog to cross the rainbow bridge. This act was handled with the upmost respect and understanding from everyone involved. Thank you for that.

They were fantastic, compassionate and driven when my pup was sick. I can not recommend them enough.

I will never return here.
I have been involved with animal brededing and care for many years. I have dealth with vets of all kinds, and usually find them to be caring and reasonable people. I have had animals brought in for routine procedures who died as a result, have had failed treatments, and have never failed to pay my bill promptly - one can only do so much.

However, we brought our dog in for an ultrasound because of a mass in the abdomen. We needed a diagnosis so as to begin treatment. They kept the dog, and did repeated tests without any resolution. They promised a biopsy for a week without doing one, racking up huge costs. We knew nothing a week later that we did not know at the outset, and the dog was getting weaker. FINALLY we got a biopsy - more delay to get it looked at. Finally: cancer. The oncologist was a jerk, we took out dog home to die rather than stay in that place. People at the front desk were nice, but did not know anything and could not help.

Bill came (unexpectedly) to over $8000. We got no real chance to evaluate it, since we needed to get the animal home and the implicit threat was to delay that.

I can't imagine any reason I would take an animal there again. I'd build my own catscanner first.

To begin, I am not questioning the legitimacy of the medical diagnosis provided by this clinic.

We took our cat into this clinic within the past month, out of a situation that arose at our usual veterinarian. Our 4-year-old cat had been having some irregular health issues that were most likely chronic and had been an ongoing issue throughout her life.

Dr. Laura Osborne explained that our cat was very sick (without giving any new details-or for that matter, any possible cause/ explanation other than "she must have swallowed a plant or antifreeze"- neither of which we have any of in our apartment.)

A course of treatment that would cost between $5500-$7000, on the conservative end was recommended. This treatment was also not guaranteed in any way to actually work, and we were told it was most likely a "50/50 chance at 1-4 more years at best."

When I asked if there were any other courses of treatment, her only response was "humane euthanasia." The thought, possibility or option of taking her home was never once considered or offered as an option until we specifically asked for it. And had we not, I am very unsure it would have ever been offered. Only after we chose to not go ahead with this expensive treatment plan, did Dr. Osborne say there were other options at other affiliate hospitals.

We were given an ultimatum on what turned out to be one of the most difficult days of our lives, in a manner that was extremely judgmental and with little regard to our feelings as pet owners and people.

Fundamentally, we felt as if we had to immediately put or cat down or pay $7,000 to this clinic on the hope she might improve. Fast forward to today, we have had our sweet little girl home and she has shown nothing but signs of improvement. She is playing like she used to, she is eating and drinking normally again, and showing none of the symptoms that we were told to expect. Again, the validity of the diagnosis is not in question, but rather the fact that we would not have had all this current time, and hopefully future time, to spend with our beloved family member if we had heeded the callous advice of Dr. Osborne.

This entire experience felt purely transnational, forceful, and with ulterior motives. Furthermore, due to this experience we both faced undue emotional trauma that was otherwise completely unnecessary.

After being told that all examination fees were waived by Dr. Osborne, she told us that she expected us to return within 1-3 days to put our cat down. Not 90 seconds after we left the clinic in significant, visual emotional distress, we received a phone call demanding payment. That is all you need to know about this clinic.

We understand that our cat has significant health issues and will eventually need to put down, and we will be choosing a different clinic that has no affiliation with VCA Canada.