GATEWAY ANIMAL HOSPITAL

I can't beileve all the reviews on this site. My husband and I have been clients of Gateway Animal Hospital for over 20 years now. In all these years we have found Gateway Animal Hospital to be an excellent hospital for taking care of our pets. The doctors and staff are ALWAYS so kind to us and we feel at home unlike some of the other clinics we have been to. Even though the wait can be long at times, the front office works so hard to get us in as quick as possible and we meet some of the nicest people in the reception area. We have seen many of the doctors there and every one of them we have always found to be extremely professional. We have talked with the doctors there to find out what really happened with all the stories I am reading here. Educate yourself and remember that just because someone writes it here - there are always two sides to every story. Why not stop in and talk to them directly. We will ALWAYS keep bringing our pets to Gateway Animal Hospital and keep continuing to receive the best care for our loved ones. BTW Frumpy sends a meow and hugs.\r \r Thank you Jim & Margaret Pros: Everyone is great there Cons: Sometimes it gets a little busy more

We had been customers of Gateway for over 5 years before this tragedy occured. On June 13, 2006 we took our 9 year old Chow for removal of foxtails and teeth cleaning. He was returned to us 3 days later unable to walk, swollen and listless. ""We forgot about him"" was the sorry excuse Dr. Jimerson and Dr. Villicana gave us. They never said sorry for leaving our dog outside in 100 degree weather. They reassured us that they felt that our dog would be alright. The following three weeks were hell. He was bedridden so he pooed and peed on himself so we had to clean him and his bedding three times at everyday and we had to flip him side to side so he could be comfortable. He never walked again. We tried to keep him alive while it seemed he had a chance and he seemed to improve when the swelling went down, but in the following 2 weeks the burns came to the surface and his hind legs liquified-I could see down to the bone! His internal organs were recovering, but his immune system turned on itself destroying red cells that it was producing to fight off infection faster than they could be produced. He died of sepsis 3 weeks later. A biopsy confirmed 2nd and 3rd degree burns. It is angering to think that Dr. Jimerson and Dr. Villicana would lie to us and play down what happened. They gave him steroids without ever clearly telling us what happened and kept him for ""observation"" while he should of been elsewhere receiving emergency care and plasma for heatstroke. His immune system had been compromised not only by the heatstroke but by the steroids that Gateway administered. To put the cherry on top, when my wife went for copies of the records, there was absolutely no record of what occured and Dr. Jimerson got defensive when asked why the medical records did not reflect exactly what happened. Yes, we sued them, yes our costs will be reimbursed, but no apologies, no explanations, no sympathy were ever expressed. I ask you, would you trust Gateway with your baby? Pros: affordable Cons: they are negligent and unprofessional more

I have taken pet cats, dogs and birds to this hospital for more than 20 years. I have also take feral cats for spay/neuter and release back into the community. At all times my animals were given excellent treatment. I have found the staff to be very professional. \r Dr. Jimmerson treats most of my animals and I find him very knowledgeable and very compassionate. He and I have a similar philosophy about the responsibility pet owners have toward their pets. \r He has pulled several of my animals through serious illnesses and injuries. When my animals are old and ill, Dr. J is always very upfront with me about their chances for any quality of life. If an animal has to be euthanized, I always stay in the room with my pet to ease him through death. \r I recommend Gateway to all my friends. There are several doctors to choose from. Take the time to find the right one for you and your pet. more

I took my pet here for almost a year. \r My dog had a somewhat common skin condition (demodex) yet the doctors seemed particularly unknowledgable. One doctor would recommend treatment 'a', another treatment 'b', while still another turned to me, flabbergasted, and said 'I'm not sure, what do YOU think it is?' \r Regardless it never seemed to get any better, though they would try to convince me otherwise: \r 'Oh you're dogs stomach is looking fine' \r 'I thought he had Demodex (skin disease)' \r 'Oh yeah, yeah thats right, yeah thats looking better' \r Well when it came time to prescribe medicine they &^*$%!-ed up and prescribed him 10 TIMES the normal dose. Being a small dog this was toxic. He walked around the house like a zombie bumping into walls for 2 days. When we called the vet to confirm everything they said it was 'Fine just fine'. A call to another vet AND a little research on the net revealed thier mistake, that the medicine in larger doses is HIGHLY TOXIC. When we called them about our findings and how they almost k!lled our pet, the reply was flippant 'well yeah then give him less then'. \r In addition they were careless on other things as well. Whenever he got his nails clipped they were always dripping bloood. Not too mention they would drag my dog by the neck with a rope to return him to me (fyi he has no behaivor issues and can walk fine). \r So sure, they're economical, but if you cherish your pet more than your pocketbook....\r AVOID GATEWAY ANIMAL HOSPITAL. Pros: If you want to euthanize your animal (whether he needs it or not) here's your place... Cons: See the description more

My horror story with Gateway came when I rescued a 6 week old kitten from South L.A.. Some kid had thrown the kitten into the street causing a very severe fracture which caused the arm to dangle from the socket. I rushed the kitten to Gateway where the vet told me the only options were euthanasia or amputation. I chose amputation. This was Friday. I was told the kitten would have to remain in the hospital for two days after the surgery and that I could pick the kitten up on Monday. When I came to pick up the kitten on Monday the KITTEN HAD STILL NOT HAD SURGERY. The vet stated that he got ""too busy"" over the weekend and so had left this tiny creature with his painful broken arm dangling for two days because apparently this was not a priority; taking in even more money by seeing as many clients as possible was.\r They are so rushed during any exam that they barely listen to you; getting you in and out to get as many exam fees as possible is.\r \r Cons: crowded, terrible vetting more

We take both of our cats to Gateway Animal Hospital and have always had excellent service. We had one of our cats neutered there - in addition to extremely reasonable rates, our kitty was well taken care of. Our other cat had an irritated eye and the vet. examined her, gave her an eye test and got us the medication for $80. \r \r The clinic opperates on a walk-in basis, so try to get there early to avoid a wait. The doctors and staff here are the best! Pros: Reasonable Rates, Excellent Staff and Doctors Cons: Small-ish Waiting Room more

I had to take my cat to the hospital because she was having trouble breathing. I chose gateway because she had a $1000 surgery there 6 years ago. Apparently, I had a previous balance from years ago which I was unaware of. While my cat is huffing and puffing, opening her mouth to breath, they said they wouldnt treat my cat until i paid the $100 balance. MY CAT COULDNT BREATH AND THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT $100. In my opinion, this is a type of extortion. I work in a hospital, and it is illegal to refuse treatment to someone because they owe money. It was late at night, they were about to close, they took my money. THEN, after they took my money they said i needed to go somewhere else. My cat ended up having a chronic condition with no cure. They took my money, knew my cat wasnt going to make it, and sent me packing. The care i got was a joke. this place is not animal friendly, they are money hungry. They dont have a seperate dog and cat enterance, and they people who brought dogs in just let the dogs bark, sniff the cats in cages and be rude. no staff stopped them, it was like animal anarchy. If there hasnt been an animal fight in the lobby yet, there will be.\r I am appalled at the way they treated my cat and me. they only wanted their money. they really didnt care about my cat or her illness, or making her better. they wanted the money, they at closing they kicked me out and sent me somewhere else. Take your animals anywhere but here. Cons: BAD LOCATION, BAD PARKING BAD SERVICE MONEY HUNGRY VETS more

Gateway Animal Hospital was unprofessional and rude to me, my wife, and our pet. The hospital is overcrowded, the staff is unattentive and unfriendly. The Vet and staff do not care about our pets and tried to scare us into a million tests our cat doesn't need. Look elsewhere! more

The staff and vets at Gateway are amazing and I love them. They are human though and the facilities are too small, too overcrowded and too busy so sometimes the communication and pet healthcare suffers. They were great to me because I was trying to save a seriously ill rescued animal and they were wonderful about providing good healthcare while keeping their fees low. If I had a lot of money I'd donate some to help them with the work they do. Pros: Inexpensive, caring Cons: overcrowding effects quality more

On Saturday August 5 2006, my wife and I brought our 10-week-old pup Ranger to Gateway Animal Hospital in Glendale, for an examination and to begin the necessary rounds of vaccinations and procedures required to ensure her health and well being. Id been a regular customer of Gateways for several years and knew the hospital and its staff to be caring, professional and dedicated.\r \r Not any more.\r \r Deciding with the attending veterinarian to leave Ranger so that she could have a flea bath in addition to her shots, we returned not even two hours later to pick her up. When we did we were brought into an examination room and informed not by the vet but by another hospital staff member that Ranger had somehow suffered a serious injury and he asked us if she had incurred the wound prior to the arrival at the hospital. When we told her she had been injury-free up to the moment we released her into Gateways care he said he figured as such but that it was a disturbing mystery as to how she could have gotten so hurt.\r \r Alarmed we asked what he meant by hurt and he told us that she had somehow sustained a cut near the base of her tail that required stitches to close. As to how it happened, he could not say anything but that it was pretty bad and that he planned to conduct a thorough investigation to find out if it had been human error or failure of some other sort.\r \r Ranger was brought in to us and we were shocked by her demeanor. The happy and hearty young dog that we had brought in to Gateway for standard treatment had been replaced by a frightened and unhappy pup not at all understanding why it was having to suffer a cone collar to keep her from ripping out the multiple sutures that now laced up the ugly gash at the base of her tail.\r \r As I said Gateway did well by me until this incident but when something as horrible as this happens stitches may mend Ranger but there's nothing that can repair a broken trust. more

The staff at Gateway is kind and caring. The costs are reasonable and the doctors are compasionate and care about their patients and their owners. When my cat was diagnosed with renal failure Dr. Jimmerson did everything possible to keep him going without sacrificing his quality of life. When it was time to face the end he stood with us and helped us through a very sad experience. I wouldn't trust my cats to anyone else. I always go with them to the examining room and have been in the various treatment rooms many times. PROS: Staff, cost CONS: Parking more

Everyone at Gateway is great. Dr. Jimmerson has been our vet for 8 years. When our cat Josh was dying of renal failure Dr. J did everything to help him and when it was clear that his time had come he was so compassionate and caring it made it easier to let him go. I would never trust my babies to anyone else. Pros: Great staff, Cost Cons: Parking, Saturday Hours more

There nice enough-I've taken my dogs here for almost 7 years. I must say though, for routine visits, maintenance, and shots, it's fine. My dogs have been healthy. WARNING: If you sense anything is really wrong with your pet DON'T bring them here. You're shuffled in, waiting room is packed, and they are definitely not into going the extra mile to find out what's wrong. I went to two different doctors here for the same issue (it wasn't getting better) and they both were pleasant but very dismissive...it ended up being a very serious issue and I went to a highly recommended Doctor in Pasadena and got top rate service and care.\r \r Bottom line, if you have a backyard pet you don't really care too much about, take them here, otherwise, find a better doctor. You get what you pay for... Pros: inexpensive, kind Cons: no parking, crowded, not intuitive care, unpleasant environment more

i brought my dog for a tooth extraction with dr. prezkop and he did a great job of informing me what would be happening. i had already brought my dog to a vet in san francisco who said that the tooth extraction would be $600. however, at gateway animal hospital the total bill came out to around $250 and it was done with care for my dog's well being as well as my financial situation as a student. i would highly recommend this place-- it is almost always busy and a little bit hectic, but overall everyone is very nice, responsible, and well informed. more

This place may be tiny on the outside but on the inside its very nice and clean and they do an excellent job.. The prices here are a bit lower than average and all the vets and employees here were very friendly and even admiring my dog, making us feel special and at home. They're very smart about animals and they give GREAT advice about how to take care of my doggy.. more

Many years ago I was recommended to this animal hospital for a rescue dog I had adopted. He needed to be neutered and needed eye surgery for a genetic condition.They offered reduced prices for rescue dogs, so I drove out to glendale from Venice for that reason. Their prices are very low and they do take exotic pets. If these are your priorities I'd recommend them. However, they take the animals in the back, so you can't see what is going on, or support your pet if that is what you wish to do. One time I heard the vet screaming at my dog in the backroom, but he denied it when I asked him about it. My dog at that time was a chow, but he was very reserved, loving and was not a biter or a problem at all. That was the last time I went there. PROS: Help exotic animals, reasonably priced, okay for routine care CONS: I'd look elsewhere for any serious problems more

I about died when I came home from vacation and my kitty's hair was falling out. I am a poor college student, and I couldn't afford to take him to the vet. Gateway was only $34 for a visit, they treated him like gold, and explained everything thoroughly. Although he needed lots of meds, the cost was reasonable. I would recommend this place 100%. :] more

This is a solid low-cost veterinary clinic. We take all of our rescues here for spay / neuter procedures (they accept vouchers) and vaccinations. You do not receive the individual attention that you get at some other vets, and you generally cannot accompany your pet to be examined. It's a great economical choice for basic vet services, but I would not recommend it for complex health issues that might require more individual attention or specialists. more

...best vet ever... From the moment you walk in the door until you leave, everyone seems sincerely concerned for your pet's well being and comfort. They all know my puppy by name now. The vet was very comforting to my nervous little puppy on our first visit, and now continues to be his buddy. more