VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital

The place was super clean. The staff was very friendly and the parking and entrances were easy to get in and out of. I can to see the Cardiologist for my dog Marley and Dr. Allen was super nice and very informative. They saw us farely quick. Downfall of course it is super pricey. For consultation was like $300 and EKG scan was another $800. Luckily I applied for carecredit which helped to cover my bill and no interest for 6 months.

I’ll start with my cons because the pros are way longer - long wait times (usually between 3-6 hours) and extremely expensive (not doable for the average person without pet insurance.) Pros - they are SOOOO caring and amazing with the animals who need them. The doctors we have worked with have been extremely knowledgeable, empathetic, and thorough. They called multiple times to check up on our cat post ER visit. I feel truly confident in the care my pets receive there at the emergency department. We are switching our primary care to here from modern animal because of how great our experiences have been here. Thank you!

I’ve never left a Google review before but wanted to say Dr. Otero couldn’t have been more kind, patient, or effective with our very vet-anxious dog at her annual exam. I really think he can help retrain her to associate the vet as a positive experience. I came in once before to the ER as well and they were welcoming and amazing. Had negative previous experiences at Modern Animal.

The emergency vets & staff on the late nightshift are amazing, experienced, knowledgeable, caring & thoughtful heroes--THEY CARE! Our adorable DSH black-n-white cat, Patch, appeared to be sleeping except his siblings alerted us to his stillness. He was unresponsive when we tried to wake him, and we rushed him to VCA West LA at 2 a.m. to diagnose his condition. We prayed he'd wake up, but the vet said he died of sudden cardiac arrest and pronounced him dead on arrival. In our sadness, the vets & staff comforted and took care of us during this difficult time, giving us a private room and time to say farewell to our beloved, Mensa-level, genius cat who knew how to open door knobs, hunt small prey, and surf atop our Tesla. The VCA staff gave us with a zippered burial wrap, options for funeral services, and a bag for Patch's sullied blankets. They didn't overcharge for any of their services. We are so grateful to the dedicated 24-hour VCA West LA veterinarians, staff, and services. We're glad to make a large donation to this hospital.

I’ve had to make 2 trips to VCA West LA ER this past year. Both times we were attended with great care. Dr. Ngo treated my pup for a UTI, and Dr. Session treated him after he suffered a seizure in the middle of the night. Both doctors were attentive, caring, and extremely helpful. I would also like to mention the front desk help is also wonderful. Adrienne and Maria made our check-in easy and provided clear directions with the medication the doctors prescribed. This will be my go-to ER from now on. Thank you for all you do!

We brought our senior munchkin cat Doy to VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital on 3/10, and I truly don’t know where to begin. We had accidentally booked the wrong date for our appointment, but when we arrived and they saw Doy’s condition, the front desk immediately stepped in and admitted him through emergency. That alone meant so much to us during such a stressful moment. We came here after a difficult experience with another vet, where we were told Doy likely had abdominal cancer and were essentially pushed toward either immediate euthanasia or aggressive testing, without much space to process or consider what was best for him. We left that appointment emotionally overwhelmed and unsure. Coming to VCA changed everything for us. We were incredibly fortunate to meet Dr. Ponkey, who was truly a godsend. The very first thing she did was ask about our understanding of Doy’s condition before offering her own perspective. She then walked us through everything with clarity, compassion, and honesty. What stood out the most was how she balanced medical expertise with genuine empathy. She also openly shared what she would do if Doy were her own cat, which helped guide us in such an uncertain time. Most importantly, she respected our wishes. When we expressed that we didn’t want to proceed with invasive procedures if the ultrasound results were not promising, she listened and honored that without pressure. In the end, we chose comfort care — something we had been trying to advocate for from the beginning. Dr. Ponkey supported us fully and prescribed medications to keep Doy comfortable, including an appetite stimulant, anti-nausea meds, and steroids. Because of her care, we were able to spend two more meaningful months with Doy. He continued to enjoy the little things he loved, and we got to cherish that time as a family. Doy passed peacefully on 4/29, at home, surrounded by all of us — no suffering, no fear. And we truly believe that outcome was only possible because of the guidance and compassion we received here. We are forever grateful to Dr. Ponkey and the team at VCA West LA for giving us not just more time, but the right kind of time. (Adding photos of Doy’s "borrowed days" — moments we’ll treasure forever.)

I had previously heard mixed feedback about VCA hospitals, which initially made me hesitant. After what I experienced with my dog, I can confidently say that the neurology team at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital completely changed my perspective. My dog Stormi became very sick around the holidays and began experiencing neurological symptoms and seizures. It was an incredibly stressful situation, and I was trying desperately to find help. From the moment I contacted VCA, the difference in professionalism and compassion was clear. Even when they were extremely busy and it was around New Year's Eve, the staff took the time to speak with me with patience and empathy. They even provided guidance and information about other hospitals when their neurologist was unavailable at that moment, which showed they genuinely cared about my dog getting help. Stormy was eventually treated by the neurology team and underwent advanced diagnostics, including an MRI. She was diagnosed with a rare fungal infection affecting the brain. Dr. Caitlin Doran and the entire neurology team, including Hanna and the incredible staff at VCA West LA, were absolutely amazing throughout the entire process. They were compassionate, knowledgeable, and always communicated clearly with me during a very scary time. They squeezed us in when we had urgent issues, answered questions, and treated Stormy with genuine care. Because of their expertise and dedication, my dog is now doing incredibly well. Doctors and staff like the team at VCA West LA truly make a difference in people's lives. Veterinary medicine takes a special type of person, and the people working here clearly have both the skill and the empathy that this profession requires. I will always be grateful to them for helping save my baby. If you ever need a neurologist or specialty care for your pet, I cannot recommend this hospital enough. Thank you, Dr. Doran and VCA Hospital. From Stormi