Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center of Thousand Oaks

There have only been two sad days when I've had to come here, rather than my primary vet, with my cats. First a year and a half ago when Casey had a massive stroke at 20 years old in the middle of the night, and then last week in the early morning when Rajah went into end-stage kidney failure with a sudden massive bloody urinary blockage at the age of 21 after 4 years of daily treatment. They both had zero chance at having much of a pleasant life at these points. Instead of giving us the runaround with excessive expensive tests and promises of heroic treatments, which would have given us maybe an extra very difficult month with each cat, the vets at VSEC confirmed the hard truth that the end was near, and helped us "send them over the rainbow bridge" with the comfort and dignity they deserved after so many years of joy. This last time, there were plenty of other patrons getting their dogs and cats treated for various less deadly matters, and those conversations did in fact discuss tests and treatments. So these vets do show a good, kind degree of discernment that takes the owners' happiness and the pets' dignity into account on a case-by-case basis. They're not nearby for me, so I personally wouldn't have brought my cats here otherwise, but they are the closest 24 hour emergency vet hospital to us. If we were more nearby, I'd definitely consider them for any daytime specialist treatment they needed. As far as an overnight emergency clinic goes, I couldn't ask for anything more. Highly recommended.

We have used VSEC in the past for emergencies and 1 surgery. Their emergency vets are great. However, we brought in our 12 year old chihuahua who had fallen and was lame. She was diagnosed with a dislocated hip but because of her heart condition they sent us home with pain meds and said a specialist would call at 7: 30 the next day with treatment options. No call at 7: 30,9: 30, etc. I finally called at noon and received a call back at 4. The woman I spoke to was not very helpful. She said my little girl needed major surgery (ie cutting off the top of her leg to refit it into the hip). And with her heart condition she would need to see a cardiologist. She also said they were very expensive and since I had waited too long to bring my girl to the ER and the only option was the surgery that I should co-ordinate her care with our primary vet. Thank god our primary vet gave us a referral who then sent us to Access Specialty hospital in Culver City. They were able to put her leg back in place without surgery and after seeing a cardiologist put her on additional heart meds. So happy we went to Access. They saved us/her from having unnecessary surgery. I will probably continue to use VSEC for emergencies because they are close and open 24hrs but have lost total confidence in their diagnostic skills and treatment plans.

After waiting by their suggestion to come later in the evening, we arrived at about 11: 00,
Only one other person there they were finishing up with.
We patiently waited to speak to the doctor as our Doberman laid on the floor crying in pain, something you’d think would bother a normal person.
Not anyone there, about 2 hours later of not one word, and reading a large posted sign, if you’re not kind, or patient, leave now or we’ll tell you to, we decided to leave, as we couldn’t stand watching everyone talking, laughing, without a care in the world about our dog suffering in pain. As we were leaving, I told the girl, I’m sorry, but we need to find a vet, my dog is suffering, she had a great smile on her face as she told us, good luck!
I would not send anyone there, other then someone to inflict pain on them to see how it feels.
The worst disrespectful, cold hearted, non working, worthless vet I’ve ever been to in my 67 years. The worst!

Amazing the surgeon was amazing couldn't be more happier had a problem when I brought him home so I took him back and they kept them for 3 days to get him back to eating and drinking and he's home resting peacefully now kudos to all the staff and kudos for all the times I called and bugged them and they're very nice couldn't say anything nicer

The internal medicine department, specifically Dr. Tangeman has been amazing in helping my dog's intestinal issues. She helped us get a diagnosis and has been working with us to tweak her meds to keep her healthy (even though we've moved away from the area she still takes my calls and knows my dogs situation well). If your dog has gastrointestinal problems call Dr. T, you won't regret it.

Experienced delays in getting prescription refill. Had to personally go to vsec as no one called after 4 days waiting. Their online information states they will get with you within 48 hrs after online request for a prescription refill. Finally did get the refill. Their Dr.s are amazing. They saved my dogs life.

Thank god these people don’t work with humans. We brought our 13 year old dog here who had passed surrounded by her family to have her cremated. We made sure they knew we wanted her to be cremated and to have her back home with our family and even started to arrange plans to spread some of her ashes at one of her favorite beaches. Today we got an EMAIL saying her microchip had been scanned and she had been “found”. Only to find out they labeled her wrong and she had been cremated in a communal cremation… and her ashes then dumped. Our family member of 13 years is now sitting in a waste bin instead of her paradise the beach. There is nothing that can be done except to grieve this new trauma. I just know I would not risk bringing and potentially losing someone so special again.

The front office and support staff were absolutely amazing. The vet unfortunately was the biggest pompous provider I've met in years.

Took my dog here due to a neck injury, they didn’t really do anything and I ended up spending $1500. Within 15 hours my dog was worse and seemed to be in pain, I called asking if they could give her something to help it and they told me she would need to be seen again since it was a different doctor that saw my dog even though all her X-rays and labs were there. This place only cares about money and not about the actual care of the animals.

They diagnosed and treated our dog well. They cleaned out the stomach and were very very sweet and human to us: super well mannered staff and doctors. Thank you for everything

It takes an incredibly special type of person to treat a stranger with so much empathy during the hardest time of their lives. Everyone from the receptionist who took my call, to the front desk when I arrived, to the vet techs to the veterinarian were so incredibly gentle and caring toward my husband and I and our chihuahua, Weezy. I know he was not the kindest back. He always was a little grumpy in his old age.

It’s going to take me so much time to heal from the loss of my baby, Weezy. But I want to thank you for allowing us as much time as we needed with him and for euthanizing him gently and humanely and including me and reassuring me every step of the way. Everyone had just the right words to say. I’m absolutely heart broken but I will never forget how I was treated by your staff on 5/19. Compassion is everything <3 and I truly appreciate it.

Beware……I took my male cat in for a potential urinary tract infection. Was there 5+ hours. It took them more than an hour to take my cat back to an exam room. It took another 3 hours until a doctor called me from behind closed doors, not face to face. He had another person explain all the tests/procedures that the doctor recommended for my cat needed to the tune of 2,643.37. You can imagine my surprise! I only agreed to let them them test for UTI which costs 583.70. When I went to pay my bill, they presented a bill for 700.00+ so they tacked on additional charges not approved by me first. I was able to remove the extra costs. I was told that I would get the results the next morning. Now 2 days later, I still do not have the results that should only take 1-2 hours. After multiple phone calls, I was told that they “send away” for that test. What creditable vet hospital doesn’t have the ability to run their own urinalysis? Please, if you love your animal, DON’T TAKE THEM HERE. VSAC, please don’t respond with some condescending remarks like those I have read, they are so insincere.

UPDATE: this is now day 10 and I have not been contacted by VSEC regarding test results. I contacted my credit card company and they reversed the charges. Thought this may be helpful information for those who are unhappy with their services.

Not sure what happened to this clinic, but it seems like with the change in ownership the employees have become rather rude. We've taken multiple pets to this clinic to be seen for surgeries and I attempted to call this afternoon to schedule another visit. I was rudely cutoff by the receptionist that answered before I could even finish my statements or questions. I was willing to look past this if one of our beloved surgeons was still on staff, but was informed she was no longer there. I'll be going to VMSG for my pet care needs instead. I know that the clinic has changed leadership in recent years, but good grief, I wasn't expecting customer service to go downhill so quickly.

They don’t put you in a room which feels a little impersonal and everyone can hear your business. The Dr did not introduce herself so I had no clue if she was a tech or a vet. She was rude and not compassionate. It was also very loud in there and hard to hear people talk. The vet in a round about way also said that my family and I were neglecting our pet even after we told her we were trying to do something different and it needed time to get into my dogs system. If I had a choice of another emergency vet, I would have gone there but everything is full. If I could give zero stars I would, but sadly I cannot. There is a reason there are more 1 stars and not 5. It's time this business reassess what is going on there.

We took our puppy that recently got spayed (somewhere else) and we noticed she had a possible infection.the staff there was extremely friendly and helpful.it turned out her incision was a bit infected and they did such an excellent job in taking care of it.we left feeling at ease and with peace knowing she was going to be okay.all thanks to doctor Andrietti and the team.

If I could give zero stars, I would. DO NOT give any business to this horrible veterinary center. My boyfriend’s family is distraught over the passing of their sweet family dog. We sadly found out (not informed by them-we had to call ourselves), that she was not cremated separately and they misplaced her ashes. Sweet Maui will not be coming home. They lacked empathy, an explanation & were completely unprofessional & unhelpful regarding this horrible situation. They will be hearing from attorneys. Do not bring them your business.

If I could give zero stars I would, this place turns away sick animals. I called to bring my dog in when his face was swelling up quickly, they told me to bring him in when I called ahead, but when we arrived they turned us away because they were apparently full and closed. Never met such heartless people in my life. Do not go here!