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VCA Crocker Animal Hospital
Rating Details »
Categories: Pet Services, Veterinarians [Edit]
475 N Jackson AveSan Jose, CA 95133
(408) 272-1330
New Client Special
New Clients get a Free First Exam. Click below for the offer:
http://www.vcahospital...
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
20 reviews for VCA Crocker Animal Hospital
My Ratings:
Quality - 5 Stars
Price - 2 Stars
Location - 5 Stars
Service - 5 Stars
Speed - 3 Stars
My Opinion/Story:
I really like this vet clinic despite their price. First time we went here was to put down my husband's dog Manfred. Manfred is a 19 yrs old dashund which was having complications. We took him to VCA Crocker to see if there's a better way of making him more comfortable but the doctor suggested to put him to sleep. We were there for a while trying to make a decision until my husband finally considered it because he can see how Manfred was already suffering. We called Dr. Weale and she came in to take Manfred to put an IV in him. She came back about 10 mins later with Manfred. She said that once she puts the Anesthesia, he'll sleep right away. My husband held Manfred and wanted to talk to him for a while. Dr. Weale left us for a while to give us time to say our goodbyes. We were both bawling by the time she came inside. We told her to go ahead and she started. In less than a minute, Manfred fell asleep. We hugged him for a while until we gave him to Dr. Weale to cremate. Dr. Weale made us feel like normal people grieving for someone we loved. She gave us time and explained the procedure in details. She was very patient and sympathetic to our loss. They gave a nice box with Manfred's name on it back about 2 weeks later. The price was reasonable for the attention they've given us.
We've taken our other dog Yuki to VCA Crocker whenever she has skin, ears, or any problems. Dr. Weale always look at her and does a thorough check. She's very patient about my scared dog who's always jumping to my lap everytime she tries to touch her. She prescribes good meds which lasts a long time so we reuse them whenever Yuki gets the same ear problem (it's coz of her long hair). We don't come here for Yuki's shots because they're a bit expensive. But I don't trust any other vet clinic to treat my Yuki for all her issues.
You gotta love animals to work in a place called a veterinary clinic. The people here do! Yay! They make Flora feel so welcome that she does not mind visiting at all.
We never get the same vet but we always get the same helpful, welcoming-"how can I help you and your pet"not rushing feeling.
I think that this animal hospital is okay for small things such as vaccines and routine shots (although they are kinda pricey), but if your pet has a more serious matter to attend to, i'd go elsewhere.
A while ago, I had a bunny. She got sick and stopped eating and drinking, and so I took her here where she got looked at by Dr. Look (lol.) He prescribed her some medicine and said that she'll start eating/drinking when she starts to feel better. He told me to call him if she didnt start eating/drinking after a day or two. So, I called him to tell him that she hasn't been eating, and he said that she'll get better progressively. Uhh. My poor bunny died the next day. Then, a day later, he called to check up on her. OOH. i was so mad. good thing my sister picked up the phone.
Just recently, my dog has been having respiratory problems, i took her here and had x-rays done. The vet said that he wasn't worried about her lungs, but a mass in/on her stomach, he thought that was the cause of the breathing problems. He recommended me to a internal medicine specialist to get the stomach mass ultrasounded, and when I got there, she told me that the problem was in the lungs.
So, if your pet needs a vaccine or a checkup, i'd go here. But other than that, I'd rather go somewhere else because I don't feel like this hospital is competent in treating some very important people in my life.
as always the people here are very nice and the doctors very knowledgeable. i met the newest dr there and she is very nice. these people know what they are doing! my pets are very lucky to find such good care.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/31/2008
This place is so awesome! all the doctors are very nice and caring. Its so awesome they have a… Read more »
** Edited to add that they are having a dental cleaning special during winter 08 so check it out. I had my girls teeth done. It turned out great. There was a slight mix-up with the bill that Rio, the office manager, handled quickly and well. Thanks Crocker VCA! **
VCA is my animal hospital because when I adopted my cocker spaniel from a shelter in Nevada, the Black Mountain VCA in Henderson did charity work for that shelter. This included fixing my lil girl for them for free. I believe in rewarding those who help others. So...
When I moved to San Jose a few months ago, I had her charts transferred over from VCA to VCA. There were a few things I was really happy with.
First off, you don't make an appt, you can just walk in anytime! I love this convenience. When I called, the nice lady on the phone told me the slowest times to come in. I followed her advice and when I arrived, I was called back almost immediately! That's a nice change from long waits even though you have an appt..
Then, when we got into our private room, an Asian doctor came in and... my Bella absolutely loved her! I rarely see Bella go so crazy over anyone! The lady took a lot of time to love on Bella, petting her and playing with her. Anyone Bella responds to so well must be good people. :) If Bella likes her, I like her.
Finally, after the exam and shots, the doctor talked to me a bit. Upon realizing that I was new to California, she went through a bunch of information that pertained to having pets in California. (Nevada doesn't have ticks, fleas and several other pet problems cause it's so dry.) I thought it was super nice of her to do that.
(She told me about some spear shaped burr that I've forgotten the name of but she said check your pets feet for them after every hike! Apparently they'll dig into the skin and because of the spear shape, if they're not removed, will cont. to dig in deeper, breaking up along the way, causing chronic skin infection.)
The girls behind the front desk were nice too. They even helped me locate Bella's microchip so I could be sure it was working properly. The only thing that I was a bit suprised about was my bill. I had a few tests done that I hadn't bothered with before (heart worm and fecal) which accounted for part but it was quite a bit higher than the VCA in Nevada. LoL I compared the old and new reciepts but then I realized... California rent is quite a bit higher too! :-) My baby is worth it!
I admit though, I am getting my Frontline flea and tick preventative online cause it's so much cheaper!
I was very pleased with the service. They did an excellent job taking care of my dogs.
I still prefer to have the shots done by VIP because it's so affordable.
They let my best friend suffer too much.
My old boxer dog developed epilepsy in the last months of his life. When he had his first seizure, they kept him there for observation to see if his epilepsy was caused by him injesting something. It wasn't, but they DIDN'T GIVE HIM ANYTHING.
I have a couple of friends with epileptic dogs and they said we should have at least gotten valium or liquid valium for anal insertion if he was to have another seizure.
So they released him to us and told us he hadn't had another seizure. They said they would give us the medicine when his test results would come in, about two weeks later. When my dog started getting more frequent seizures in the next couple days, from five or so a night to having one every couple minutes or so, we begged and pleaded with them to give us some valium or phenobarbitol to quell his seizures. They refused until his test results came back, though his seizures became worse and they said he didn't have any when he was at the vet.
We had to sneak valium from our friends and relatives who still had some and gave him appropriate dosages as told to us by my friends with the epileptic pooches.
And we finally got phenobarbitol, the seizure control med for pets, after he had a restless night full of seizures and we begged them, three days before they were to get the test results. After the meds, he was fine and stopped having seizures and within a month, he was back to mostly normal. Two months later, he had a massive stroke and we took him here to put him to sleep, since it was his regular vet. They gave him a GROUP cremation, and I am terribly sad that I didn't get his ashes.
We now have two new dogs. We don't take them here.
I highly recommend Dr. Look and VCA Crocker animal hospital. Our kitty is always well taken care of, and Dr. Look is so gentle and understanding with kitty, and so patient with me! He answers all my questions and someone from the office always calls to check up when we bring kitty in for non-routine things. The hours are convenient.
One star off for longer than expected waiting times in the exam room--kitty would rather wait in the lobby than be tormented with being on the cold metal table for the same amount of time. It seems some days we wait forever and for no (apparent) reason (no other cars in the lot).
They have awesome vets! Dr, Garrand Look and Dr. Wheale has both been taking care of my dog. They are patient, very knowledgeable, caring, and attentive. I was recommended to VCA by the SV Human Society after adopting my dog.
PROS: Lots of VCA around the US, reasonable vet care prices, vets are knowledgeable and friendly, Wednesday vaccine specials, very close to where I live, send reminder postcards for when vaccines/treatments are due, organized receipts/invoices and due dates for vaccines/treatments/annual check-ups, front staff/vets do a follow-up call to check how your pet is doing, lots of educational pamphlets while you wait, small store to purchase pet supplies, prescription dog/cat food, treats, etc.
CONS: Waiting time is long, they are always short on vets, so sometimes they take the last client earlier than the closing time (so best to call ahead to check when they take the last client), prices on their flea/tick meds are higher than other places, they do not write a prescription for online pharm meds (however, they will match the price you find online - must call to get details), front desk staff are not the friendliness, hours are ok, they only take appointments on the weekends
If you don't mind waiting, it's a great place to go especially with the friendly, patient, and knowledgeable vets. Thanks to VCA for taking care of my dog!
Our vet, Dr. Wheale, is such a sweetheart. She takes the time to calm down your dog before she exams him; just in case your little pup is like mine who squirms and squeals in very frightening and new foreign environments. So, for the last couple weeks, she's been very prompt with calling and updating us on test results for our little furry guy and made sure she left very detailed messages in case we missed her call, which was more often than not.
The waiting is a bit of a headache when you go during the weekdays and they only take walk-ins until 7PM Monday through Friday. The weekends are reserved for appointments.
This place is great. I've brought several pets here, a cat and a ball python and had very positive experience each time.
First my ball python had an infected tail. Its difficult to find herlp (reptile) vets in the south bay so it was a relief to find somebody who was knowledgable and compentent handling my snake.
Later my cat was bitten by a wild animal,maybe a raccoon. I forget who treated my cat, but she was very good at handling him. She kept him calm and was helpful and my cat was better in no-time.
p.s. I wrote a more detailed review about their reptile vet. Do a search for "Garrand Look" and "VCA" or search for the same address.
My cat caught a cold and then eye infection. It was Sunday and there were not many available vets. My previous experience with VCA is at another branch (VCA Orchard Plaza). I had excellent experience there. So I thought I go with another VCA branch and VCA Crocker was open on Sunday.
Well, my experience at VCA Crocker was not good. Technically, the visit did its job and my cat got the needed medication, which cleared up her eye infection in just 2 days. However, the vet didn't take the time to make personal connection with me or the cat. The vet didn't introduce herself. She took the cat's temperature. Then she spent 30 sec examining the cat, listening to her lungs. That was it. She give her diagnoses and the necessary medication. The exam was shorter than the time it took for me to take my cat out of her cage.
At that point, I asked a lot of questions. The vet was patient and answered all my questions. But if I hadn't ask anything, the exam would be over in around 3 minutes. At the end, I asked that they apply the eye medication, so a technician did that afterwards.
Cost: $55 for office visit, $25 for eye medication (necessary), and $25 for oral medication to boost her immune system (probably not needed).
I haven't had a problem here, but Regina's review was well noted.
I took my puppy here for her first check-ups and they were both thorough and speedy with their tests. The Doctor and tech were gentle and caring in dealing with my pug, which is very important.
I have had questions a few times about small worries, and each time the doctor took a quick look and saw that there was nothing to worry about. I was not billed for the time either, which was nice.
I also had my dog spayed here, and had no hiccups. However there were a few disconcerting things:
A. They suggested we leave our dog overnight. That's fine normally, but they have nobody there overnight! Why would I leave a post surgery puppy alone with no-one to watch over her?
-crazy-
B. We disagreed slightly with how long we need to medicate her after the surgery, but that is common.
One negative that has nothing to do with the quality of the treatment was that one of the front desk workers was annoyingly slow... reading through a checklist... slowly... one...word...at...a...time...argh
Just give it to us and let us read it.
But, all in all, no complaints about the quality of treatment.
Pros ...
*Pretty convenient hours that most people can work around ... as long as you are there before 7 you will be seen
*Honest vets that don't try to scam you, and they give you a good explanation for everything ... I always felt comfortable asking a lot of questions
*The staff in general is very friendly and kind
*You don't need an appointment on the weekdays (only Saturday), and there is hardly a wait time
Cons ...
*A bit pricey for my liking which is why we switched (although not too sure that was a good idea because now we are "victims" of the Banfield Wellness plan ... we'll see how that goes)
*Not a lot of parking, so hope they are not busy when you go
*A tad on the dirty side
*You never know which vet you will see
*Our vaccination records were all moved up so he would have had to get them sooner than necessary .. I felt like they were a bit unorganized and inaccurate with our dogs records
All in all, they are pretty good. I would go back because I do trust them, and they are good people. For us it's a matter of pet insurance over a wellness plan, but if Banfield doesn't work out (which I am fearful it won't) I will take the pet insurance and go back to VCA
yeah... i'm not too pleased with the high prices here. usually, i have to wait at least 30min to be seen. i really liked dr. wheale and dr. look, but then there was a new dr.... dr. shen. although they are all nice, i feel like dr. shen wasn't exactly as helpful as the others.
its nice when they give these helpful postcards to remind you when its time to get another vaccine for your pet.
i agree with other people about the front desk. yuck.
i only came to this place because it was close to my house. i've moved now so i'm changing vets.
This is the absolute best animal hospital! I have been taking two dogs there for the last seven years, and the entire staff is very competent and compassionate. One of my dogs died two years ago, and in the 18 months leading up to his death, we were in there a lot. At one point, I noticed his eye was red, took him in and they had me to an eye surgeon the same day - turns out he had a brain tumor pushing on his eye and the eye had to be removed. When my darling died, the staff sent me a condolence card and made a donation in his name to UC Davis vet school (I'm a Davis grad myself). They have always responded quickly to my inquiries, the wait isn't long, the staff is very kind and the vets are the best, particularly Rebecca Weale and Alicia Shen. They're also a little cheaper than vets on the westside, where I live. Further, they will price match prescriptions with those you find on the interent. They're the best!
Pretty good service and nice staff but prices aren't the best. Being part of a corporation they're tied to sales goals etc so it kind of takes away from the genuine service other places might offer.
If you are not aware of your rights as a client or what your pet may need, I believe that this location will try to hoodwink you in order to keep you purchasing products and obtaining services only from them. Granted, they are friendly, and are on a first come, first serve basis, I do not believe this place is the location to look to when seeking beyond basic care for your pet.
They initially would not give our pet a prescription so that I could get medication for our pet from other locations. After complaining and seeking to contact others, they decided that a prescription was actually possible. Honestly, it should not take this much dancing around a bush to figure something as basic as a prescription out, after having charged us for a test required for the prescription.
I've been meaning to drop them as a vet after our dog got sick at daycare. They charged us over $400 for special fecal testing, when two additional weeks on a holistic antibiotic ended up doing the trick.
This place is only good for cheap vaccinations. If you are looking for veterinary services beyond this, look elsewhere!!!
OMG this place is awful! My wabbit died after they gave it a shot and I had a friend that brought her dog in and they sutured her badly!
We just got a cat a week ago and when she was acting kind of out of character we decided to take her to get checked out. Being new pet owners we didn't know where to go but luckily our neighbors, who have a dog, recommended the VCA Crocker Animal Hospital. Our experience was very positive from the moment we walked in the door and were greeted by the tech. Filling out the initial paperwork was quick and before we knew it we were in the examining room (granted it was 7:30a and we were the only ones in there). The vet met us in the room in no time and proceeded to check out our cat. He was very soft spoken and had a great bedside manner through the difficult task of trying to check out our cat. After the checkup he took the time to answer all of our questions and never once tried to sell us on anything that we didn't need. I'm so happy that we've found a good quality vet that we can trust for the new member of our family.
