Oakland Veterinary Referral Services

To describe our experience at Oakland Veterinary Hospital would be like describing a trip to hell and back. Here's our story:\r \r Our initial experience with the reception staff was not pleasant. On our first visit, the gentleman at the counter slammed the pen down when we tried explaining why we wanted to cancel another appointment. Each time we called, we had to explain the reason why we were calling, only to be told, ""I can't answer that I don't know. You'll have to speak to the doctor."" Later on when we wanted to speak to the manager, we endured even more rudeness and unprofessional demeanor from the reception staff; what a way to make someone feel welcomed.\r \r Meeting the internist doctor who would later explain to us that our cat had cancer was also quite an experience. When she entered the room, she made no eye contact, never extended her hand, and spoke in such a low tone of voice that we had to listen carefully. During the most difficult part of the discussion, in which we were given the news that our cat had cancer, the doctor was playing with a pen. We were told that we needed to begin chemotherapy because he had lymphoma but the CT scan came back negative for cancer . We made him fast for 12 hours as prescribed and then, on the day he was to begin the treatment, a mere 4 hours before the appointment, the Oncologist calls to say he cannot perform the chemotherapy because he does not have a diagnosis to treat since the initial tests that were run were skewed from a steroid shot our cat was given a month prior by our regular veterinarian. Why didn't the Internist and the Oncologist talk to one another before hand? We made our cat fast for nothing and stressed ourselves for nothing. I ended up taking my cat to another hospital.\r \r Consider yourselves warned, folks.Stay clear. more

My honest, informative, and important reviews have been taken down by a few other sites regarding OVRS and quite honestly, that just makes me search out as many review sites as possible to post more. I hope this review will be kept up seeing that taking down customer reviews concerning the care (or lack there of) of a beloved pet at a vet is very dangerous. If the content of the review is negative, the establishment needs to take responsibility for their actions and face the review. I will continuously check back on every review site I've left reviews on, and if my reviews get taken down, I will continue to repost. I will not be silenced over what my family had to go through and what my precious pet had to face. The vets at OVRS mishandled my pet's health and put their life in serious jeopardy. People need to be aware of this extreme negligence. Trying to sweep these experiences under the rug from the general public will help no one. more

My honest, informative, and important reviews have been taken down by a few other sites regarding OVRS and quite honestly, that just makes me search out as many review sites as possible to post more. I hope this review will be kept up seeing that taking down customer reviews concerning the care (or lack there of) of a beloved pet at a vet is very dangerous. If the content of the review is negative, the establishment needs to take responsibility for their actions and face the review. I will continuously check back on every review site I've left reviews on, and if my reviews get taken down, I will continue to repost. I will not be silenced over what my family had to go through and what my precious pet had to face. The vets at OVRS mishandled my pet's health and put their life in serious jeopardy. People need to be aware of this extreme negligence. Trying to sweep these experiences under the rug from the general public will help no one. more

This a GREAT speciality hospital!! The doctors and staff are professional, knowledgeable and compassionate. This hospital provides very advanced medical care for your furry friends. \r \r I do sympathize with those who have lost their friends(Traci_s). We must remember that it is not the medicine, doctors or nurses that cause the diseases, they are here to help. Anger is a part of the grieving process. A university doing "a" study does not mean that it is a good option for everyone, surviving and living are not the same. more

Please do NOT take your animal to this clinic. Or... if you must, make sure you get a second opinion (outside of this clinic) on treatment options. Dr. Sara Snow lied to my family about the treatment options for our 10 year old dog. Our dog had an adrenal mass that had invaded her vena cava. She was in critical condition and we told them numerous times that we wanted them to do everything possible to save her life, and that money was not an issue. They ran multiple tests and told us she was dying and there was nothing that could be done. Dr. Snow said that our only option was to euthanize her or take her home, in which case she would die a slow, painful death. We asked multiple times if there was anyone else in the country that would do surgery on her to try and remove the mass and repair her vein. Dr. Snow told us that technology simply did not exist for animals. We asked two other doctors at the clinic, and they all said that nothing could be done either. \r \r We ended up mak more

I don't typically write reviews but felt the need to in this case. Prior to going in for a consult for my cat, I googled this facility and found less than favorable reviews on many sites. I became skeptical as to whether I was making the right decision to go there. My 7 month old kitten needed a polyp removed from his ear, and our local vet clinic wasn't comfortable doing this special procedure, so they recommended OVRS. We also checked with two other specialty clinics for a quote since we thought the price seemed very high. OVRS was the most reasonable of the three. When I arrived I found a beautiful, clean facility and I have to say, I was very pleased with the entire experience. Dr. Mattise came in and explained in detail what she planned to do, and what complications could arise. She was very professional and friendly. I was given a quote that ranged in price depending on how things went with the procedure, if a biopsy or culture would be needed and potential follow-up treatment w more

Today I write my first review for anything because I feel so strongly about this. The staff is cold and heartless, the last thing you need when your pet has cancer. Will not answer a simple yes or no question without a full exam and work up - even when the pet is due to be seen again in a week. This leads me to believe that all they care about is profit, not your pet. The vets themselves are knowledgeable and qualified, but the support staff is terrible. I was told that if I didn't want to bring my pet in for the "extra" visit, that I probably couldn't afford the treatment anyway. WHAT?!?! Are you kidding? I have never received customer service this terrible in my entire life. There are many qualified places in the area, and if you want compassionate care for you and your animal, you should avoid this place at all costs. more

Save yourself from severe price shock and over paying for high business overhead. If you don't have to use their 24hr/7day model, why pay for it? Get quotes from other vet facilities before agreeing to ANY service being done here. You'll be happy you did. more

Great place ! My dear Golden managed to get a raw bone stuck on her lower jar. Try as I may I could not get it off her jaw and had to take her to Oakland Vet Emergency Group since it was late evening and my regular vet was closed. My dog was taken in quickly, checked by a very nice vet ,sedated, and the bone slipped off her jar. The staff and doctor were great , the price was reasonable and my dog is back to her wonderful self . I recommend this Veterinary Emergency place highly. more

I highly recommend OVRS. They took excellent care of my 2 dogs when an emergency arose. They are professional and very compassionate. They lay out all your options for treatment. Both my dogs are alive today because of Drs. Rice and Latra. more

I am very pleased with the oncology services of OVRS. My Yorkie is going strong after a year because of their professional care. I would not have thought my Yorkie would still be with us after this long and still enjoying her life. It has not been cheap but it has been worth the cost. more

This worldclass veterinary hospital is amazing. The doctors, technicians, receptionists are the most compassionate people I have ever met. After my dog was hit by a car, they saved his life. They let me visit him, be with him and held my hand through his recovery. The knowledge of everyone there is incredible. If there is ever anything seriously wrong with any of my pets this is where I'm headed. more