- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital
Category: Pets Veterinarians Veterinarians [Edit]
105 Broadway EVancouver, BC V5T 1W1
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
(604) 738-4664
- Hours:
Mon, Thu-Fri 9 am - 6 pm
Tue-Wed 9 am - 7 pm
Sat 9 am - 5 pm
13 reviews for Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital
13 reviews in English
-
Review from Dee B.
Updated - 2/11/2012
This clinic really does go the extra mile, as I've said before.
I had a couple food/supplement questions, so I gave them a call. The receptionist told me a vet would call me back. Dr. Kramer called me back, we played phone tag for a day, but once we connected, she spent a good half an hour (free of charge) walking me through a few things.
Thanks!Listed in: All Things Dogs
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/6/2012
I gotta give this clinic 5 stars.
Ok, so I will agree with those who say the wellness exam fee is… Read more »
-
-
Review from Sijia W.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 4/7/2012
My new kitty got neutered here and let me just say WOW!
First of all (as you already come to expect from VAWH), it is expensive as the shitznitz. I'm talking about 5 times more expensive than a SPCA neutering session.
Second of all, it is WORTH IT!
I live in an expensive part of Vancouver and I'm not rich. As a result I nickle and dime the crap out of everything. So, when it came time to neuter my new kitty I called SPCA. You know, because that's what they advocate and such.
3 phone calls to SPCA, all 3 times going to a ridiculous automated system only to be put on hold for 20min each, I gave up; Picked up the phone and called VAWH. They picked up on second ring, (oh thank heavens because my patience was thin), gave us a quote (that was astronomical but we accepted anyway) and had the appointment booked all in 10 min.
They took the time to give my kitty a full exam before proceeding with the neuter just to confirm there won't be any complications. What was super amazing was my kitty was "healed" the same day. I don't know what they did but there were no stitches, no cuts; just a shaved spot on his leg for the anaesthesia and he didn't even have to wear a cone. Apparently they had "laser'ed" the nuts off??? The wounds were instantly cauterized. I'm sure the cat was happy that he didn't have to walk into walls for the next week.
Again, besides the cost, this place is AMAZING. So, if you can afford it, by all means go to them with your beloved pets.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/11/2012
The only reason I gave this business a 4 instead of a 5 is due to the cost. I agree that you do get… Read more »
-
-
Review from Sahra G.
1/23/2012
Now I've been to my share of vet's in my hometown... none of which compare to this place.
1st off the staff are just excellent. When choosing a vet you want to see people who are compassionate and knowledgeable about animals. BAM. Right here. 2nd they offer holistic alternatives and diet consults two of which are big on my list because you are what you eat.
They have a great facility here, I took my cat to be tested for FeLV :( which she has, but Dr. Kramer explained how I could help make my little Tomato's diet better, keeping the disease at bay for as long as possible. She also offered advice on how to ease stress in my home for the cats with pheromones.
I just moved here a few months ago so this was my first experience in Vancouver at a vet. I found the price to be a little high, but the swanky facility and the fact that I live in a fairly well off area I wasn't expecting cheap. I think for the service they offer there is value in that price.
This vet is a good one. -
Review from Doris C.
Vancouver, BC
5/14/2012
My dog, Ruby, has been a patient of Michael Goldberg's since his Hudson Street Clinic. The move to open VAWH at Quebec and Broadway was a real treat for me, as he is now in my neighbourhood.
This is a clinic that really cares about animals. Some of the the veterinarians there are conventional doctors, but Michael is also an animal homeopath and believes in a raw meat diet, so I'm very pleased with that. Money has sometimes been tight and Michael has always tried to come up with less expensive methods and medicines.
Their prices are high, but this is a team that goes out of its way to help your beloved pet. -
Review from Dee C.
Vancouver, BC
2/21/2011
This is the best vet I've ever taken my dog to!
The front desk staff were very friendly. The place is very clean! Sorta reminds me of a doggie spa/grooming salon.
I brought my yorkie in because he had some sort of ear infection where he would shake his head every so often.
The doctor is very knowledgeable, provided very understanding explanation and information. He was very gentle with my yorkie and he had his nurses to help out as well when he did some testings so that my dog wouldn't feel discomfort while the procedure.
He also gave some great advice that I never knew about and recommendations for food - along with some samples to see if my dog likes it.
After a week or so, they sent me an email to follow up to see if I have any questions and to see how my dog is doing. -
Review from Christine B.
Burnaby, BC
6/20/2011
June 19, 2011. " Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital" is the best that I have been to and I highly recommend them to you!
Dr. Goldberg & all of his staff are fantastic, friendly & knowledgeable, and if you go there a lot like I did... you almost feel like a family member. They take time to explain things to you & make sure you understand how to give medications, squeeze you in for emergency appointments and the follow-up phone calls are great. The Hospital is clean. I found this Vet online seeking Homeopathic remedies after I was told by another Vet about 4 years ago that I should think about putting my 2 cats down because they were old & sick, with a bit of kidney failure. Well I'm happy I didn't do that because I was able to enjoy & love them up until this year. My 2 cats were 1 year apart and just weeks from turning 22 yrs. old. COCO passed this January and SILVER passed in May.
The only problem..is that the office fees are higher. I wish they had a coffee/tea maker there...I could have really used several cups with all of my emotional visits.
When I finish my grieving process, in time, I will get another pet and I will return to this Vet.
Christine B.
June 19, 2011 -
Review from Charlie C.
Vancouver, BC
11/15/2010
I've been a client of this hospital for a few months and have had only positive experiences with my dog. The front desk staff are always friendly and helpful. Dr. Irre has always been attentive and patient - keep in mind that they bill at $94/hr. It's not cheap (every minute of consult is billed) so if you're on a budget this is not the vet for you. There's ample parking at the back which is a concern in Vancouver.
i haven't experienced the holistic wellness approach yet as they seem like any other vet but with more upscale decor. As a new patient be prepared to get the high pressure spiel by the billing staff on trying out 6 weeks of "free" vet insurance. The only concern I have about their setup is that you check-in at one end and check-out at the store end - kind of like how when you visit a museum you always get funneled out the gift shop exit :) The store also rarely displays prices for food, medication etc so "if you have to ask ..."
I've heard that if you want a more holistic approach you're better off at Healing Place Vet Clinic in North Van where the original founder started up another practice.
I'd compare this place to Granville Island Vet hospital in terms of pricing and setup. Both are used to dealing with Westside clients where money is no object so if you want better service, be prepared to pay for it. -
Review from beki L.
Vancouver, BC
12/13/2009
it seems like i havent graced my fellow Yelpers with a review in months!! and my first one back is a little bit sad...
My sweet baby Kali, just a few months shy of 11 yrs (who knows how to convert into cat years??), got a bad wound on her belly....freakin out, i called them to try to get in right away but they were almost closed.
the lady was so concerned she suggested every other vet clinic she knew...then offered to squeeze me in the next day. since i had to be at work, my roommate (bless his soul) offered to take Kali in.
To make a long and painful story short, we find out Kali had a ruptured tumour and is slowly dying from cancer. =*(
I continue to write this as my vision goes blurry and my heart sinks... but my spirit is calm and no worries invade my mind because when i spoke to the dr who took care of Kali, i knew without a doubt she was being handled by someone who genuinely cared and loved animals. i trusted her completely.
she took so much time to explain everything to me, to reassure me, to console me.... then re explained everything and reassured me again... and offered to explain anything else i might not understand. the way she spoke about kali, proved to me that her heart went out to my cat and she wanted what was best for her.
we had to put her down. she made the whole event bearable and i felt that Kali trusted the dr as well.
after everything was done, she let me hold Kali for as long as i wanted and stayed with me and talked.
Thank you so much Dr. Pollen for taking the time to do everything you did for Kali and for me. And thank you to all the staff helping with her too...she may be a tiny cat, but she is a feisty one.Listed in: LifestYleS
-
Review from Lex B.
12/16/2010
This place really cares about animals. (I am one of those weird cat ladies who will do anything for her cat, so you can believe me.) My cat's primary doctor has been Dr, Pollen, but I have also had some great advice from the other vets when she wasn't in, so I am very confident with everyone here.
Context: I have an elderly (14 year old) cat I adopted as an adult, so I did not have his medical history. He has a heart murmur (that the vets at the Wellness Centre have helped to discern that it was likely from birth but gets worse with stress.)
Dr. Pollen knew from my cat's behavior that something was wrong with his tummy. My cat licks spots obsessively, so previous vets (and myself) had written off his belly licking to that, but she could see something was wrong, and after a blood test he was diagnosed with pancreatitis, and I'm so glad we were able to treat it quickly! She was also able to prescribe something effective for his licking anxiety after we had exhausted all other non-prescription options.
The animal nurses (I'm not sure the actual title) are all very quick to help, and seem genuinely interested in the wellbeing of animals.
As well as the attentiveness, the knowledge has impressed me - I had a veterinary technician in another office give me certain advice that when I told someone at the Wellness Centre it was immediately refuted as being strictly dog advice that did not apply to cats, and explained why and what the alternatives are. They are very happy to share their knowlege so I can make more informed observations and help them help my cat better.
This place is more expensive for check-ups, but I really think it is worth it when you consider the quality of the care. (And I am very much on a budget. VERY much.) I am comfortable as a cat-patient-parent calling the Wellness Centre with my concerns and observations for advice. The veterinarians will gladly look up his file, talk to me and suggest remedies without necessarily insisting my cat be brought in or that I give them more money. Because of this I really feel that it's about the care, not the money, and with the phonecalls for advice the price has probably evened out at least with the less expensive places. It's just better value. They take my meager means in consideration when recommending treatments, and do not make me feel guilty for not being able to afford the best of the best right away and are happy to suggest less costly treatments as a starting point, and so far they have worked very well.
As for the holistic approach - don't think this means they just use herbs and meditation, it simply means they look at the health of the entire animal, have a broad base of medicines and remedies to reach into including the chemicals, injections and pills we all know, but also natural medicines and treatments.
I'm sure there are less expensive places that are good vets as well, but definitely don't write this place off because of the price. What you get is worth it. -
Review from Marty p.
Vancouver, BC
1/5/2011
I couldn;t decide between 3 and 5 stars! I give the Vets and support staff 5 out of 5 stars. I give the prices 1 out of 5 stars. This place is more than expensive, it is ridiculous! I thought $98 for my first "wellness exam" was expensive but doable considering Dr. Pollen spent an hour with us. But when we had to go in for a quick visit they charged us another $98.00 for the "exam" (10 mins) and then charged us for the bandage, cone etc, $150.00 for a 20 minute exam. A bit crazy. Still I will go back because the vets are so great and it is so close to home. But really you guys need to have a follow up visit price, it's reallllyyyyy not fair to charge so much for such a short visit.
-
Review from tuna f.
Vancouver, BC
2/25/2011
I'm not sure if it's just Vancouver, but it can be difficult to find a good vet in Vancouver, never mind a holistic one.
Animal Wellness has gone through several vet changes throughout the years, it's made me realize that even though vets have your pet in mind, at the end of the day it is a business--- profits are definitely kept in mind!
This past year we've had good experiences here nonetheless. The staff is friendly and professional and the vets are well-trained. I can't speak to Dr.Goldberg as we've never had him as our vet but Dr.Pollen our chosen vet is amazing! Unfortunately, she is leaving for another clinic, hopefully, it won't be far away as we will definitely follow her. If you are looking for a holistic vet that marries conventional medicine as well and is obviously very knowledgable and has great intuition pet wise then look no further. We have received countless calls from Dr.Pollen-free from charge and as one yelper has noted the value you get in time with her and information weighs out the expense at the end of the day.
I'm not sure who will replace her here, but I have a feeling there was conflict ensuing. I think Dr.Pollen is one of those rare vets that is truly in it to help pets and doesn't agree with such pricey procedures or unnecessary products that aren't effective-she often recommends cost effective procedures or treatments if possible. When the average vet bill is $300-400 and your pet needs treatment twice a month at least that can be extremely helpful.
Dr.Irre is more of a conventional vet and focuses on dental health. He is patient and kind, not a bad choice if you are looking for a conventional approach. -
Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
9/23/2008
I wish I could find a doctor's office as nice as my dog's doctor's office! We brought one of our dogs, Henry, in because he had a cough. We called and got a same day appointment. We came a little early and they had us come in through the back as to not possibly infect any other dogs. We waited in the vet's office for a while and the vet technician brought some treats in for Henry. The vet was very nice and took her time examining Henry. She determined that he didn't have kennel cough or anything serious. He needed to have his shots updated, but she recommended that we come back once his cough had subsided. She prescribed some thing natural for him to boost his immune system and his cough was gone a few days later. This might not be the cheapest deal in town, but it sure was a pleasant experience for canine and human alike.
-
Review from siobhan d.
Vancouver, BC
11/2/2008
Little Stevie the Wonder Cat voluntarily climbs into his pet carrier so he can go see the nice folks at Vancouver Animal Wellness Hospital. Not only does he get great medical care, he gets lots of kisses and cuddles.
