VCA California Veterinary Specialists-Carlsbad

I drove to San Diego after my dog Bentley had cancer surgery in Canada. Unfortunately, I then received poor biopsy results and therefore radiation treatment was recommended. I'm super grateful that I was referred to Dr. Proulx and Dr. Ogilvie. They were very skilled and compassionate. Also, all of the staff without exception were professional and kind, including Rebecca and Skye. Bentley was always happy when arriving and leaving the hospital. He received 17 radiation treatments. We then returned to Canada and started chemotherapy. Bentley is doing well and we are "both" looking forward to returning to San Diego next winter. We also plan to visit the hospital and say hello!

I can’t thank this team enough 🤍 Freddie’s vet referred us here when my male cat had a blockage, and from the moment I arrived I felt so welcomed and cared for. The front staff — Victoria, Ana, and Alexis — were incredibly kind and gave my cat so much love. Miri was so supportive and understanding of my financial situation, which meant more than I can say. And Sam, Hannah, and Amy took amazing care of Freddie and made me feel confident that he was in good hands. Truly grateful for everyone here.

Sadly had to say goodbye to the bestest girl after 15yrs. VCA was exceptional over the past several weeks as visits were urgent and often at all hours of the day and night. Each time, the docs and team met us with that rare blend of competence, empathy, and kindness that took the edge off and ultimately bought us a little extra time with our baby that we were so grateful to have. I hope you never have to visit, but if you’ve got something urgent, they’re the ones to go to. ❤️🐶

By far, the best place to take your dog for urgent care or oncology needs (if you see Dr. Proulx). I've been taking my dog here for just over a year for quarterly consultations with Dr. Proulx. My 11 year old dog has a history of very aggressive MCTs, and Dr. Proulx has helped us put him on a fantastic regimen that has prevented any new tumors from appearing for 15 months, while minimizing dosages for steroids. Dr. Proulx is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and kind. He answers all of my questions thoughtfully, even when I call from home because I'm a nervous dog mom. We just took my dog to the urgent care this weekend, and it was a great experience. I called in advance to say I was coming up, and they were able to see him right away. They had great bedside manner, thoroughly explained our options for next steps, proactively provided cost transparency, and offered follow up appointments. They also helped me prioritize what was needed so I could decide what to schedule with my pcp to save some money - it's clear they aren't trying to take advantage of you! We saw Dr. Vezeleva, and I can't recommend her enough.

VCA has been wonderful for regular oncology checkups, 2 planned surgeries, and 1 emergency that ended in a week long stay and another surgery. The doctors and staff at this location are some of the best we've had across the country. We were sent here from our regular vet with a misdiagnosis, it was time sensitive and the VCA staff were waiting for us by the door to help. They quickly realized the actual issue from looking at the X-rays the general vet sent over and had they not acted quickly we may not have been able to bring Thor home. Hours before surgery was to start the surgeon had an emergency and they worked diligently to bring in another Dr from a sister location down in San Diego. They let us come visit everyday and even allowed us to bring in Thor's brother prior to surgery for a quick visit. Wonderful establishment, couldn't recommend them more. Care has been expensive and they do require down payments but that should be expected from any location. The emergency surgery and a week-long stay was just over 19k, the prior surgery that required a 3 day stay, blood transfusion, and CT scan was closer to 16k. We also went through cut and dry surgery to remove an external tumor in 2021 with no overnight stay that was around 8k. Again, the care they provide is some of the best and they do give military discounts.

From all of us at TLC K9 Rescue, we cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Garcia and the entire team at VCA. Dr. Garcia has been caring for our very sick rescue dog, Misty, through one of the most critical and frightening medical journeys we’ve ever faced. Quite honestly, we truly believe that without Dr. Garcia’s expertise, persistence, and deep compassion, Misty would not be alive today. Dr. Garcia goes above and beyond — not only in her medical knowledge and attention to detail, but in the way she communicates, advocates, and genuinely cares. She takes the time to explain complex situations, never rushes decisions, and treats Misty not just as a patient, but as a life that matters. Her dedication has given Misty a fighting chance when the odds were stacked against her. The staff at VCA has been equally incredible. Every technician, receptionist, and team member has shown kindness, patience, and understanding — especially knowing how emotional and overwhelming rescue cases can be. They have supported us through countless visits, lab work, and anxious moments with professionalism and heart. As a rescue, we entrust veterinarians with the lives of the most vulnerable dogs, and Dr. Garcia and the VCA team have earned our complete trust and deepest gratitude. Misty is still with us because of them — and that is something we will never forget. Thank you, Dr. Garcia and VCA, for being true lifesavers. ❤️ — TLC K9 Rescue

In June 2019, my dog Skippi underwent elongated soft palate surgery along with another procedure performed at the same time in a sensitive area that was bound to cause postoperative pain. She was discharged afterward with trazodone only and no pain medication, despite having had two procedures that day. The following morning she began hyperventilating and struggling to breathe as the medications from surgery wore off. I returned to the original veterinarian, where she received a steroid injection and I was advised to go to an emergency hospital. I then transported her to VCA on Faraday in Carlsbad and explained that she had just undergone airway surgery and was experiencing labored breathing. I was very concerned that swelling and pain from the procedures could be causing further inflammation secondary to respiratory distress; stabilization and airway protection are time-critical in these situations. She was placed in an oxygen chamber and given another steroid injection, but her breathing continued to worsen. She remained in distress for approximately three hours before the team attempted to intubate her. During the intubation attempt, her heart stopped and Skippi died. She arrived alive and in distress, and she never came home. I later met with the hospital’s review board to discuss the case. During that meeting, I was told the hospital would waive the remaining balance (approx 1-3k) if I agreed not to write a review about the experience. I declined. The bill was never my concern — accountability and learning from what happened to Skippi was. Losing a pet this way is devastating, and it is something I still think about every day. If an animal is struggling to breathe, minutes matter, and pet owners deserve urgency when their animal is in respiratory distress.