VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital
Strong clinical care from select vets-especially in specialty, emergency, and internal medicine work-but marred by steep pricing, aggressive testing recommendations, and inconsistent customer service. Some reviewers report transformative outcomes under doctors like Mason, Malishkin, and Emch; others describe being charged significantly more than competitor quotes for identical or simpler procedures, left waiting hours without updates, or pressured into expensive diagnostics. Billing errors and mishandled payment arrangements have left long-time clients without refunds. The hospital shines when the clinical team takes time to listen and plan carefully; it stumbles on transparency, operational efficiency, and treating cost-conscious or elderly clients with the same dignity afforded wealthier ones. Named vets praised: Dr. Mason (Internal Medicine), Dr. Malishkin (ER), Dr. Oliver, Dr. Fitzgerald, Dr. Raj, Dr. Yeager, Dr. Emch, Dr. Erin Miller, Drs. Millar, Giannasi, Deitschel. A minority of appointments feel rushed or dismissive, and several accounts suggest the facility uses insurance coverage as a trigger to recommend higher-cost procedures. Emergency care quality is inconsistent: some patients receive close, compassionate attention; others endure multi-hour waits in a poorly air-conditioned intensive care room.
