Advanced Veterinary Internal Medicine in Tustin

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  J. P.

  :: 28 April 2018 18:52:38

  PLEASE READ: VETERINARY MALPRACTICE. After suffering +1mth in their care, my dog died in horrific pain. I took my beloved dog here after being told that they were board certified “specialists”. I had received full ultrasounds and x-rays of her body at another animal hospital prior to coming in. When I first came in, I was referred to the emergency vet (after calling internal medicine for a non-ER appointment). I took her in and was told she needed to redo all the ultrasounds and scans so this hospital would have their own records (even though my prior vet had sent over his records). I agreed. I paid $1,295 + $250= $1,545 ($250 for medication which I was told to discontinue a few days later). The veterinarian (like in all the prior scans) saw nothing awry to explain her discomfort. I was told to bring her back to see the internal medicine doctor. I brought her back to see the internal medicine doctor, who immediately took her off most of the medications prescribed, because they were not necessary and causing bad side effects. She said it would be necessary for her to do all her own ultrasounds and x-rays AGAIN. I was required to pay $1,456.20 for x-rays and ultrasounds of her entire body (for the third time in two weeks). This doctor identified something near the bottom of her esophagus. She said it was either a tumor or a foreign object, but she strongly believed it was most likely a tumor. She said I should wait two weeks for their mobile cardiologist to be in office so they could confirm her heart was ok, put her under anesthesia and either scope her esophagus or do a CT Scan. After waiting several days with my dog in pain, and being relatively certain her heart was fine since she had very recently had a long dental under general anesthesia, I requested to have something done. I came in and saw a third doctor. She recommended an endoscopy since she said it was most likely a foreign object inside her because it looked very different in the two sets of X-rays and scans this hospital did. (Please note BOTH other doctors who charged me for the second and third set of x-rays and ultrasounds didn’t even look for or notice this. I don't believe they even compared the X-rays.). I signed an estimate for a $11,000 endoscopy + surgery to remove a foreign object. The ultimate price was less as the endoscopy showed no tumor or foreign object but what the doctor said was a hiatel hernia. She was treated for the hiatel hernia. She continued to get worse and I continued to return and pay more and more money to these “specialists”. I had to request pain meds because they didn’t even offer them to make her comfortable. I came in Friday 4/13, paid for a full physical exam, full blood work and medications, and was sent home hopeful that she would now improve. Finally, I brought her back to the ER vet in the middle of the night Monday 4/16 for a pain med injection because she was in excruciating pain. They suggested x-rays. After my last experience of paying twice with ER and internal medicine, I said I would bring her back in the morning to internal medicine. That morning she died in my arms at home after a horrific night of suffering. I was absolutely never given a correct diagnosis here in the over one month I kept coming back and spending money. (Please note, if they had told me what was wrong and made my dog comfortable, I would have welcomed spending any amount of money for her.) I do not believe my dog died of a hiatel hernia. My dog spent the last month of her life in excruciating pain because these “specialists” couldn’t make an accurate diagnosis (rather they just kept requesting I spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on more and more tests) or even keep her comfortable. And to top it off they marked her medicines incorrectly. The red line they put on the stopper where I was to give her medication was in the wrong place. Please DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG HERE. I am so sorry to my baby dog that I did this to her in her final months. She did nothing but suffer.

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  Wats TheDili

  :: 25 April 2018 17:35:47

  This place went above and beyond to help me and my Goldie. I came here to write a review which I rarely do because the service I received from a wonderful nurse named was just excellent. She calmed me down and was really great with my dog. Answered and explained every question I had and just made an unfortunate event as easy as it could every be. Thank you for the great service Tammy! You can tell when one is going the extra mile and are are doing it because they get joy out of helping people. That's Tammy. I hope I never have to go to a vet hospital again, but if I have to, definitely this place.

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  G F

  :: 08 November 2017 10:51:21

  I gave up ! Smart decision " I found a PHD Vet inside the University ( teacher) 100 times more efficient , conscious and knowledgeable.Also less busy and lovely human being.Good news! I did not pay more for" excellence." My dog deserves it !Professors! Ps It is same rule for us ( human) It is safer a doctors with PHD( Professors ) in remarkable University Hospital. Ps1 The records are under my husband name.

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  Lindsey Lombardi

  :: 07 March 2016 18:05:24

  Dr. Vorathavorn is so caring and sweet. My experience the AVIM is top of the line! From the time I first went in to meet the Doctor, all the front desk staff was professional and kind. The back office assistants to the Doctor are so caring and detailed and concerned for your pet and you. I had to bring my pup in after hours too and the Doctor and Stephanie were lovely. I had the very best care and great experience. Thank you for all you do to keep our pets healthy!

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  Diana K

  :: 10 October 2013 16:59:51

  I found the staff here to be so compassionate. I took my French bulldog here on a Saturday after a referral from his vet. It turned out he had internal cancer that had quickly spread to most of his internal organs and a mass that exploded in his stomach. The vet was so understanding and upset for us and explained all of our options. She was gave us her opinion which I very much appreciated. Unfortunately he had to be euthanized that day. She called on Monday and checked up on us and called our regular vet to give her the news as well. They made my furbaby comfortable in his last moments and when I asked for a nose and paw print, they did everything they could to get it. I will be forever grateful that we were with him in his last moments and they did not rush us to say goodbye.