My dog has been gone for just over half of a year from kidney failure. I knew of her kidney issues for five years before her death and told each and every vet who ever treated her that she had weak kidneys. I recently came across a receipt from medication prescribed for her from this clinic in 2023 and decided to look into it. Not only was the dosage wrong for her weight, the drug specifically says to not prescribe for dogs with kidney issues as it is extremely dangerous. Funny thing is the only concern I recall the vet speaking of is “possible heart condition” which her regular vet (after examining her) said was absolute nonsense. VCA on 17th made up a heart condition in my dog as an attempt to run extremely expensive tests while prescribing a medication that was deadly to my dogs’ actual condition.
This chain of vet clinics are to be treated with extreme caution.
Eden Tremayne
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February 24, 2021
Dr. Evan Vandervalk is an excellent veterinarian. He is kind, thoughtful, and has a wealth of knowledge. He was able to answer all of my questions in a friendly and professional manner, and provided valuable information about my puppy. It is my first puppy and I walked out of there armed with a greater understanding of what I need to do, and feeling confident about this journey. The staff was kind, patient, and took excellent care of my dog. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Vandervalk and the team at VCA Canada 17th Avenue Animal Hospital.
Trena Laine
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November 20, 2019
Knowledgeable and accomodating! We've always had great experience with our cats, no matter their ages. Transparency is key for us and have been in weird situations where other vets have just expected us to pay for a non mentioned blood work assessment, VCA has always been gracious in providing options, suggestions, approx quotes/costs to make an educated decision on whats best for our cats. Highly suggest this place.
Allan Lavallee
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July 01, 2023
I am writing a negative Google review for the first time ever! I have a 16 year old cat (special needs, deaf, cerebellar hypoplasia) and she’s super special to me. I’ve had her since she was 4 months old. Pumpkin was a patient of at VCA Forrest Lawn; however, I moved downtown and 17 Ave Clinic was an obvious choice to have her file moved to this location. I brought Pumpkin to her appointment at 16h00 today for her Solensia shot. It was administered by a Veterinary Technician - they missed the first shot completely, and the second attempt was in the left hind leg. Pumpkin let everyone know it didn’t feel very good and she didn’t like it. Since Pumpkin is deaf, she is not a very vocal cat but when she is, she commands attention. I know I might sound like a helicopter parent to some, but truthfully, I am doing what any parent would do and not go where there is pain. Back to Forrest Lawn we go. I cannot speak negatively about all of VCA… I’m going back to Forrest Lawn… but I know that because VCA is a large corporation with a bottom line, not much will happen. I do not want anyone to be terminated because of this; I prefer that more training be mandated for Vet Techs so this can be avoided.
Dan Dac
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April 28, 2024
This place is a rip-off and doesn't even deserve 1 star.
I know it is a privately run for-profit business but they upsell and over-charge shamelessly. They prescribe expensive tests & treatments that are not needed, and prescribe medications that could easily be avoided.
My dog had multiple symptoms which could have been related but this vet called Reza Hassanzad stopped me from informing him more than 1 symptom and asked me to book separate appointments for each issue or symptom. How ridiculous!
What if the symptoms are related to the same issue. And even if they are unrelated, why does one need to book multiple appointments when all issues could be dealt in the same appointment. To be greedy is one thing but to make it so obvious, is another thing.
Besides, this vet Dr. Reza Hassanzad doesn't know what he is doing. Did he bribe someone to get his vet license or is he operating on a fake certification documents?! He did a skin-sample on my dog so brutally that it scared the skin and damaged the coat permanently.
During the appointment, he asked a few questions regarding the dog's condition. At every response from me, he would run out of the consultation room to the back office and then come back with an answer. And he kept doing this for the entire duration of consultation that was supposed to last not more than 10 minutes but dragged it to over 25-minutes or so.
Above all, he is rude, uncultured and has an aggressiveness demeanor. I am not sure if it is his personality or the culture from where he originates but certainly doesn't demonstrate Canadian values & culture.
Be careful with VCA clinic on 17th Avenue and stay clear of this vet Reza Hassanzad, who comes across more like some kind of "medicine man" or "witch-doctor"!!!!
My dog has been gone for just over half of a year from kidney failure. I knew of her kidney issues for five years before her death and told each and every vet who ever treated her that she had weak kidneys. I recently came across a receipt from medication prescribed for her from this clinic in 2023 and decided to look into it. Not only was the dosage wrong for her weight, the drug specifically says to not prescribe for dogs with kidney issues as it is extremely dangerous. Funny thing is the only concern I recall the vet speaking of is “possible heart condition” which her regular vet (after examining her) said was absolute nonsense. VCA on 17th made up a heart condition in my dog as an attempt to run extremely expensive tests while prescribing a medication that was deadly to my dogs’ actual condition. This chain of vet clinics are to be treated with extreme caution.
Dr. Evan Vandervalk is an excellent veterinarian. He is kind, thoughtful, and has a wealth of knowledge. He was able to answer all of my questions in a friendly and professional manner, and provided valuable information about my puppy. It is my first puppy and I walked out of there armed with a greater understanding of what I need to do, and feeling confident about this journey. The staff was kind, patient, and took excellent care of my dog. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Vandervalk and the team at VCA Canada 17th Avenue Animal Hospital.
Knowledgeable and accomodating! We've always had great experience with our cats, no matter their ages. Transparency is key for us and have been in weird situations where other vets have just expected us to pay for a non mentioned blood work assessment, VCA has always been gracious in providing options, suggestions, approx quotes/costs to make an educated decision on whats best for our cats. Highly suggest this place.
I am writing a negative Google review for the first time ever! I have a 16 year old cat (special needs, deaf, cerebellar hypoplasia) and she’s super special to me. I’ve had her since she was 4 months old. Pumpkin was a patient of at VCA Forrest Lawn; however, I moved downtown and 17 Ave Clinic was an obvious choice to have her file moved to this location. I brought Pumpkin to her appointment at 16h00 today for her Solensia shot. It was administered by a Veterinary Technician - they missed the first shot completely, and the second attempt was in the left hind leg. Pumpkin let everyone know it didn’t feel very good and she didn’t like it. Since Pumpkin is deaf, she is not a very vocal cat but when she is, she commands attention. I know I might sound like a helicopter parent to some, but truthfully, I am doing what any parent would do and not go where there is pain. Back to Forrest Lawn we go. I cannot speak negatively about all of VCA… I’m going back to Forrest Lawn… but I know that because VCA is a large corporation with a bottom line, not much will happen. I do not want anyone to be terminated because of this; I prefer that more training be mandated for Vet Techs so this can be avoided.
This place is a rip-off and doesn't even deserve 1 star. I know it is a privately run for-profit business but they upsell and over-charge shamelessly. They prescribe expensive tests & treatments that are not needed, and prescribe medications that could easily be avoided. My dog had multiple symptoms which could have been related but this vet called Reza Hassanzad stopped me from informing him more than 1 symptom and asked me to book separate appointments for each issue or symptom. How ridiculous! What if the symptoms are related to the same issue. And even if they are unrelated, why does one need to book multiple appointments when all issues could be dealt in the same appointment. To be greedy is one thing but to make it so obvious, is another thing. Besides, this vet Dr. Reza Hassanzad doesn't know what he is doing. Did he bribe someone to get his vet license or is he operating on a fake certification documents?! He did a skin-sample on my dog so brutally that it scared the skin and damaged the coat permanently. During the appointment, he asked a few questions regarding the dog's condition. At every response from me, he would run out of the consultation room to the back office and then come back with an answer. And he kept doing this for the entire duration of consultation that was supposed to last not more than 10 minutes but dragged it to over 25-minutes or so. Above all, he is rude, uncultured and has an aggressiveness demeanor. I am not sure if it is his personality or the culture from where he originates but certainly doesn't demonstrate Canadian values & culture. Be careful with VCA clinic on 17th Avenue and stay clear of this vet Reza Hassanzad, who comes across more like some kind of "medicine man" or "witch-doctor"!!!!