Camden Pet Hospital

CPH is fantastic. We took our pets there for years until we moved down to Hollister. Dr Hoffman is fantastic with all the animal members of our family. When our beautiful German Shepherd passed away they sent a beautiful card and followed you with phone calls to check on how we were doing after the loss of our beloved "Duke". They not only sent a beautiful card but called to see if we were doing okay after the loss of our beautiful "Duke", When our animals were in their hospital overnight they would call and give us updates on their progress after the surgery and did follow calls to assure us that our pet was fine. Others that have experienced bad service from the front desk -report it to one of the Vets and also let the employee that you don't appreciate their behavior. more

Dr Hoge is the best, but my work hours make it hard to get there before they close. We have used CPH for over 25 yrs. Dr Hoge is very caring, realistic and practical. Dr Hoffman is ok, but she is a bit more like she looks for anyway to get you to spend money. Most of the office people are ok, and the techs are pretty good. One office person (Katelin) needs training in customer relations. Thank goodness Vasholtz left. One of my dogs had a surgery from her and the next time I brought him in, SHE scared the excrement right out of him by coming into the room! Can't tell you how bad I felt for the young dog (he was 2.5 yrs old) more

We have been taking our dogs to Camden Pet Hospital for years now, and we have only had positive experiences. The office staff have always been friendly and the doctors very knowledgeable. Recently we had to put down one of our dogs which was a very sad experience for us, but Dr. Hoge and his staff were wonderful during that very difficult time for us. They were incredibly supportive to us and very loving to our dog. We always ask to see Dr. Hoge whenever we have the need to take one of our pets in for a visit. more

My experience with Camden Pet Hospital over the past few months has been generally good. They have shown themselves to be friendly and responsive to our needs. The facilites are well kept, the quality of care seems to be very good, the doctors and front office staff are personable, and the key indicator, our dog appears less scared with each visit. On the flip side of that same coin, our dog has a cyst which was known to be a non-issue. During a general check up, they choose to voluntarily drain her cyst, which we did not request. After that the cyst became problematic and we have had to spend $$ on antibiotics and elizabethan collars and follow up office visits. I realize that there was no intent, but as a result of this 'good deed' we have been contending now with a cyst that will not close and continues to become infected. I think the law of unintended consequences applies. That being said, unless there is a sudden drop in the quality or value of the services rendered, we will continue to use take our dog here. more

I'm looking for a place to take my sick dog. I don't care if a vet contributes money to a political campaign or not. I don't care if the vets here are liberal or conservative, gay or straight, men or women, black, white, or any other color. I'm trying to find someone that is concerned about my dog's health and is knowledgeable enough to take care of her.\r \r You don't want people to discriminate against you for your beliefs? Stop discriminating against others for their beliefs; you're being hypocritical. \r \r Camden Pet Hospital - I apologize for posting this comment here. This forum should be an avenue for concerned pet owners looking for a vet and seeking some advice from people that have used your services, not people with an axe to grind looking to smear your business. I don't care whether you're for or against prop 8 or anything else that doesn't involve your level of commitment to caring for my pet. I admire your posts here in clarifying your position. I'm sorry that you had to do so.\r more

I've been taking our many pets to the Camden Pet hospital for over 35 years. I've seen doctors come and go. There is one thing that keeps us returning, they provide excellent care for our pets. The front office staff has been fine. Yes, they have made mistakes. Since, everyone makes mistakes, what matters is what they do after, and they have always corrected them. As for Prop 8, I voted "No", and that was my right. It is not my right to tell others how to vote. When I look for a doctor for my family and pets, I want someone who is knowledgeable, competent and compassionate, and that is what I've always found at the Camden Pet Hospital. more

Response to Proposition 8\r \r On September 16, 2008 I was writing checks for accounts payable at Camden Pet Hospital. One of the accounts was from PG&E. As I wrote out the check I was reminded that they had just donated $250,000.00 to the no on Prop 8. It bothered me that a non-political monopoly corporation that provided services to all would be taking money they collected from all and choose sides on a non energy/service proposition. I then wrote a check to yes on Prop 8 because I felt that big corporation money should not buy an election but that all sides should have enough resources to adequately defend their position. I feel that my country will be at its best only when people have an opportunity to understand an issue before they vote. If they are informed enough to understand both sides of an issue they are much more capable of accepting the outcome of an election even if the majority doesn?t agree with them.\r \r Dr. Hoge, CPH more

Well like many of you others the office staff is horrible. They are young, rude and too into themselves to care about the clients. However, they are not the ones working with your pets (thank god). The office is old but dont let it fool you. Dr. Hoffman is amazing. She is so sincere and you can just tell she genuinely cares about animals. That is the most important thing in a vet, that they really care for your pet and dont just treat it as an anonymous animal. She takes the time to get to know them as if they were people. If i bring in one of my pets she asks how all my others are doing as well. She takes great care of them when they go through hard times and has done numerous surgeries for them as well. All successful =). more

I LOVE Dr. Hoffman and my furbabies do too! She has seen us through some pretty harrowing and sad times. A true gem. You can tell that she loves animals. Dr. Hoge is fabulous as well - he performed a pretty intricate surgery on one of my dogs and he was as good as new. \r \r PS - What does Prop 8 have to do with a veterinary clininc? Hmmmm, maybe because pets KNOW how mating is supposed work? It has nothing to do with hate mongering, which it appears the last post is FULL OF. more

All of our pets have been going here since day one! Now we are down to one dog, who is in diar need of surgery to remove a cyst! 2 weeks ago Dr. Hoffman said she would remove the growth! gave us antibiotics, today we take our dog in for the surgery and now they are saying they cannot do it b/c of the size! not only did they charge us $350.00 on the first visit, but again $200.00 today FOR ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! not to mention the staff is extremely rude! So today they send our dog back home to suffer more.. We left the hospital extremely confused.. so now we are almost down $600.00 and absolutely nothing has happened, except for our dog to get worse!!! more

I have seen both Dr. Hoge and Dr. Hoffman, both are friendly, competent and very professional.\r I am a little partial to Dr. Hoffman. She helped me through a very difficult time with my dog. Staff is okay, I guess. The doctor's make it worth it. Pros: Doctors are great, and really listen and take their time with you. Cons: Staff not so friendly and aren't open on Saturdays more

The front desk office staff is rude. Dr Hoffman made bad decisions regarding my very sick cat and prolonged her life to only make her suffer. She made me feel bad when I knew it was time to say goodbye to my pet after many years, so I left and never went back. This was 4 years ago so maybe she has learned something by now. Other reviews seem to like her. I would never go back there. more

Dr Jill Hoffman is a wonderful vet. I brought our cat there in later stages of kidney disease and she did everything to help and make his life more comfortable. She also took care of my young kitten who ate a foam disc and probably saved her life by calling us back to check on her and making her come back for an ultrasound. \r She's bright, knowledgeable, but takes a lot of time with pets and owners to explain things. You can tell she really loves animals too. She's everything you wish for in a vet.\r The office itself is older and a bit shabby, but don't let that dissuade you from going to this Dr. The care of your pets is what matters the most.The front office people have been good in my experience. more

I went in to this hospital with my sick dog. I have never been there before and just ran him right over. The female front office person with the dark hair (name?) was extreemly rude. The person that was before me was told to pick up his dog right away in the most ill mannered way. It was then my turn and I went up to tell this person of my problem. She would not listen to me and asked if I had an appointment. Then went onto state that an appointment is the policy and she should know since she has been there for eight years. There were a few other office people, and they simply ignored me. This one rude person with dark hair INSISTED that I make an appointment when my dog was SO sick he had to be seen right away. I think all they care about is money, not in the least concerned about my dogs illness, nor polite enough in any form. Nothing to say about the doctors, for I left and went to a much better place where they are efficient, polite and took care of him without a fight! more

He is caring and is very knowledgeable. I have always gotten fair pricing. The only downside is that they are not open on weekends. I have had good luck w/ the office staff and Donna is awesome! more

I also love Dr. Hoffman, she is professional, courteous and very loving to you animal (s) but i agree that the office staff has much to be desired. They have been rude in person and on the phone. Not very helpful and I also have had problems with charges. Every time I go get my pets meds the cost goes up. From 1.00 to 10.00 depending on the meds. I was very disappointed and they gave me no explanation as to why the meds increased. I just had to deal with it and pay it. I am also considering going somewhere else. I feel that if the doctors aren't represented well then maybe I don't want to give them my business. I have felt from them that they can afford to loose me as a patient and that doesn't make me feel valued as a customer. Again that is representative of the staff not doctors but the doctors should be more aware of what is going on in their office. Pros: good vets, clean office Cons: unprofessional office staff, occassionally rude more

I was quoted one rate over the phone for boarding my cats. I was charged another rate at pickup. I did not have the paperwork from drop off so I had no way to dispute it. The staff was not helpful, said they would never have quoted the rate I understood. The expected rate is also what a frieind was charged for her cat and what I was quoted at reservation time. The difference in the rates amounts to hundreds of dollars in charges. I have been ripped off and must pay to get my pets back. \r We have used this office for almost twenty years. I still love the vets. I think the animals get very good care, but I will never trust the front office again. Check everything very carefully. The billing software is old, weird, hard to follow, and the ofice staff is not trustworthy. more

The vets in this office are wonderful and the people handle the animals with respect and care. The front office billing staff are not so wonderful. I have been overcharged hundereds of dollars for boarding today. The rate I was quoted is not the rate I was charged. The office staff are sure this is my mistake. I know that a friend was charged the rate I was quoted only a few months ago. I have paid up to get my pets back after our vacation, but I do not know if I will ever return to the office. Check your bills very carefully here, and make sure you understand the staff is charging you correctly. This is not the first billing error I have caught, but is the first I was unable to resolve with them. The front office was very indifferent, they know you will pay to get your pets back whatever they want to charge, especially if you have your kids with you.\r I wholeheartedly recommend the doctors, they have been there a long time and are well respectd in the area and used by many people in the neighborhood. They take good care of your pet and were very nice when our dog had to be euthanized several years ago. We have used this office since the 1980's for two generations of pets, but I can't let this pass. I would have used the Kitty Hotel on Bascom If I had known they would switch the rate on me. Pros: Excellent vets. Explain and listen. good location and parking. Cons: Poor front desk staff. Billing error not resolved. more

I absolutely LOVE Dr. Hoffman. \r I have been bringing my furbabies to Camden Pet Hospital for over 15 years. They have never overcharged me and have provided follow up visits at no charge. \r Initially, Dr. Hoge was our main vet, who is very kind, loving and thorough - he did a fabulous job of putting our little terrier back together after a car accident. He is a dear, dear man and a fabulous vet. \r Afterwards, we ended up seeing Dr. Hoffman and I can't say enough good things about her. He truly loves animals, you can see it and feel it and your pets do as well. When one of our little guys got cancer, she stuck through it with us throughout the entire ordeal with the oncology office and even offered to be the one to lay him to rest when the time came. She is truly a wonderful and compassionate woman.... her "bedside manner" with pets and humans alike is unsurpassed. I wish MY doctor was as wonderful! more

We have been taking our cats to Dr. Hoge since we adopted them, and will continue to do so. He is very competent, thorough, and caring. He takes the time to listen and like the first reviewer says - that empathy is there. You can tell that he really cares and is passionate about what he does.\r \r We have experience with one of the other vets there, Dr. Lamb, and she will never touch our cats again. When we got the cats from C.A.R.E., they had worms. A malady very common among animals that have been rescued from the pound. At first we only had evidence that one of the cats had them, and so Dr. Hoge gave her an oral medication to take care of them, it worked just fine. A couple days later, we discovered that the other cat had them as well, and so wanted to get him on medication as soon as possible so they didn?t re-infect each other. Dr. Hoge was all booked up, but Dr. Lamb was available? and now we know why. This woman charged us an exam fee, in addition to the office visit, when more