Michael Chang

The ONLY reason to EVER set foot in VCA West LA is Dr. Chang. Not only a great doctor, he’s very reassuring, especially if you’re a little nervous about eyes. He’s calm, friendly, and he has a great support team working with him. He also takes the time to explain what the problem is and what the approach will be. Between my group of seniors, as well as shelter dogs, I’ve brought probably ten dogs to see him over the years and he’s always been great.

Dr. Chang operated on my 7 yr cockerpoo a few days ago to remove two «complete» cataracts. He is experienced in this field because he has performed this surgery 3 – 5 times per month for the past 15 years. In our initial visit, he took me to school first on dog ophthalmology and told us cocker spaniel + poodle are two breeds that have high risks of getting complete cataract at young age. We ruled out diabetes and old age, so it is definitely genetics.
He explained to us why and how to treat it. Told us the risks of surgery and the possibilities of an unsuccessful surgery. He was upfront on the uglies of dog going blind and other complications, because not all dogs– like humans– are good surgery candidates. I had lasik corrections a few years ago and I recall the same tests and information before I went to the clinic. He told us the option of not having a surgery and the impact or no impact on a dogs life. Told us everything we need to do and an itemized list of fees and potential fees, and there are nothing hidden. We had to come back before surgery to do 2 exams to make sure Sammy is a good candidate plus blood work from my main vet. 25% of all dogs are not good candidates so these tests are to make sure we can go ahead.
We decided to go ahead and do this. I live in Pasadena and it is at a minimum of 45 – 60 min drive time to get to West LA but I would not take him to a close-​by vet ophthalmologist (which I will not mention) only 10 minutes away. The West LA VCA Hospital is clean, bright, cheerful and lively. I see happy pets come in and out of surgery rooms so I know the 1+ hour commute is very worth it!
In the end, Dr. Chang performed a very successful surgery on Sammy’s eyes with an additional laser therapy to treat a slight condition located at the rear of his eyeball. We were very worried but Dr. Chang updated us daily (had to stay overnight for observation). His assistants Patty and Carlos were awesome and explained and answered every question that we had. Patty went over a medication schedule because we came home with 4 different eyedrops and ointments plus one chicken-​flavored pill to treat inflammation. Happy ending right before Thanksgiving, Sammy is barking at squirrel and butterflies again! Thanks to Dr. Chang and Patty and Carlos!

I just came across photos of my dog when her eyes were infected and uploaded them (and an after photo that was taken a year later) so you all can see what Dr. Chang did for her. Again… he agreed to squeeze her in IMMEDIATELY when all other veterinary ophthalmologists I called within a 2-​hour radius were booked for two weeks or more. Her eyes could have scarred and required surgery. It took months of meds and treatments, but Dr. Chang saved her sight… and, effectively saved me heartache and money because I would have had to pay for surgeries if not for his immediate help and expertise. Thank you, Dr. Chang!

Like a few other good people who have reviewed Dr. Chang, we went to him for a second opinion. While he did agree with the eye specialists in Pasadena, his glowing Unilocal reviews convinced us to have the surgery done by him.
He and his assistants (Carlos and Patty) are kind and understanding people and helped calm our fears regarding our dog’s health and her surgery. They have each dealt with our phone calls and our questions with patience.
The facility they work out of is beautiful and everyone on staff is helpful and friendly.
To top it all of they take CareCredit which is a type of emergency insurance that you can sign up for online.
We are glad we decided to bring her to the LA VCA. Our girl is home and resting comfortably and we’re so relieved.

*My response to the only negative reviews is below.
PROGNOSIS
My dog has cataracts and I was hoping she’d be a good candidate for cataract surgery but Dr Chang tested her to see if she would benefit from an operation and he found that even with surgery, she wouldn’t be able to see.

BOTTOM LINE
My dog was seen by an excellent specialist; she got what she needed, she didn’t get what she didn’t need; the charges were reasonable.

THE LONGER STORY
Visiting Dr Chang is like visiting Dr Doolittle: he is kind, gentle and intelligent. He didn’t even charge me for an ultrasound because he said it wasn’t necessary but he was curious about what it would find so he did it anyway. I later realized how important it was (to me and obviously to him) because it showed that a different part of my dog’s eyes are healthy so she didn’t need a different type of surgery. Dr Chang sent me home sad but grateful knowing that I did the best I could for my dog by bringing her to him. After 10 days, when I finally came to accept that she would never see my face again –even though she probably hasn’t seen it for 1 – 2 years, I left a message on his voicemail saying that I had a few questions. On the same day, Dr Chang called back and answered all 13 of them. His staff is also great. One of the supervisors, Beth, worked out a kink with me prior to our visit and Dr Chang’s assistant, Patty, tried to get me in on the same day for testing so I didn’t have to show up twice. They have TV’s, a comfy waiting room, and even serve free coffee.
RESPONSE TO 2 NEGATIVE REVIEWS
Dr Chang has the rare quality of being exceptionally good with pets AND people. He goes out of his way to be sensitive. If you’re going to make a negative comment about a person that dedicates their life to saving animals and improving their quality of life, at least be fair and true.

One Unilocaler bases her entire negative review on a factual error, where she claims that the cost of cataract surgery at his office is $ 10K. It’s not and it would have been more appropriate telling him how she feels instead of us –because he would have clarified. Anyone can verify the cost by calling and asking. She says her dog has juvenille cataracts (surgery is easier) and my dog has mature cataracts (surgery is more difficult). His charges are less than what I was quoted by another local vet and less or comparable to what this Unilocaler says she was quoted at UC Davis, which is near Sacramento –nowhere near L.A. I was denied surgery by two out-​of-​state ophthalmologist offices when they learned that an ophthalmologist in L.A. would do the rechecks, which span for months, and from what I understand that’s par for the course because it’s safer for your dog to be checked by the same vet doing the surgery. It’s not less expensive traveling back and forth to Davis or paying for the well-​intentioned mistakes of a different, competent vet doing rechecks.

Another Unilocaler begins by saying that she tried writing her review under an alias and that it was rejected and this makes her skeptical about Unilocal.I didn’t know this about Unilocal and I’m glad to know they don’t allow someone to use an alias when attempting to degrade another person’s name since they’re unwilling to even state their own. She then complains that she was not told beforehand about a charge for a test, then complains the test was done, then complains her visit would have been meaningless if the test was not done. This makes think of how dogs love to please their owners and how hard it would be if you’re impossible to please. I was charged about $ 50 for a test that I wasn’t told of beforehand and I was told beforehand of the more expensive tests. She then accuses the doctor of «staring» at her dog when ophthalmologists are trained to «stare» at your pet’s eyes since they are indicators of health. Even my neurologist «stares» into my dog’s eyes and finds things the rest of us can’t see.
You can’t go wrong with Dr Chang. Your pet deserves the best.

This guy is a true gem. He has helped both of our pups — Boston Terriers, lots of eye problems — and is a true expert and professional. Takes the time to explain what’s wrong, even drawing diagrams to illustrate the concepts. He has a tech named Carlos who is similarly professional, responsive, and always works to fit you in if he can. What’s really special about both of them is their temperament with the dogs. Truly calming and comforting in what can be a scary situation for your pet. We love Dr. Chang and Carlos and feel so lucky to have found them.

Hands down the best eye doctor for pets in the Southern California area. I drove all the way from the Pasadena area. There’s a veterinary eye center in Pasadena that is twice as much money & has misdiagnosed my dogs with a main vet who has a terrible bedside manner. Dr. Chang is smart, kind, thorough, and saved my dog’s vision with cataract surgery. I wholeheartedly recommend him & would suggest people stay away from the eye place in Pasadena.

I came to Dr. Chang for a second opinion because I had a suspicious feeling about another ophthalmologist we went to whose came to a quick conclusion she wanted to perform a very expensive cataract surgery.
I drove from Pasadena to see him and am so happy I did. Dr Chang performed several more tests than the doctor in Pasadena and came to the conclusion that a cataract surgery was a waste of money. How often do you hear a doctor say that?! The eye doctor in Pasadena misdiagnosed our dog and it appears she needs surgery on her eye but for glaucoma and not a cataract!
Where we were quoted about $ 6000 for a cataract surgery at the place in Pasadena, Dr. Chang have us an estimate for half. Dr. Chang gave us eye drops to try in dog’s eye to see if we could avoid surgery but should she need surgery we were given three surgical options. Really amazing!
The drive is far, but so worth it for a competent doctor whose first interest is in the health of your dog. Not many like him anymore!

We brought our newly adopted puppy Rosie in for surgery after being referred to Dr. Chang by another VCA. Her situation was complex — she had an eyelid coloboma, entropion, and dermoid which I was told was extremely rare and something she was born with. It took 2 different surgical procedures and a follow up appointment to freeze some hair follicles but thanks to the expertise of Dr. Chang, I believe she will live a happier and healthier life and we won’t have to worry about her going blind in the eye. Eye surgery isn’t cheap and you want an expert like Dr. Chang to do it right. He was worth the 45 min drive out to LA since he was affordable (I called other vet ophthalmologists) and knowledgeable.

Dr. Chang and his assistant Pattie are the most wonderful caring providers. My 8 old Shih Tzu had an indolent eye ulcer on his right eye. I followed all his instructions and a week later I took him for his check up and his eye is healed and toward complete recovery. He is not trying to charge you extra and to perform unnecessary procedures just to charge the patient. He is kind, caring and has great people skill. His assistant Pattie was so helpful with my anxiety and continuous worry. She was gentle with my baby and totally understood my dilemma.
Highly recommend Dr. Chang, the best you can find.

Dr. Chang was the best! I live in Santa Barbara and we went to see him because our dog had a non-​healing ulcer on his eye. He suggested a few options at different price ranges. He was remarkably warm and kind and really worked will with me and my dog to make us comfortable and feel cared for. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Dr. Chang is truly an angel to dogs! I am so grateful to Unilocal to have helped me find this AMAZING Dr.
My dog Smudge has sight in both eyes after being blind for six years with cataracts!
Dr. Chang you are an incredible Veterinarian !
Thank You!
Wendy & Smudge

What an incredible experience with Dr. Chang!
I rescue & foster with Bichons & Buddies in Culver city and one of our wonderful animals, Teddy, was blind & sad.
Dr.Chang had so much time & patience with Teddy and restored the sight in his one operable eye to make a lovely dog, his owner & everyone who met Teddy very happy.
what a wonderful and kind doctor! with the time, dedication & experience to make it a great experience.
I can’t say enough good things about both the doctor all his staff and the experience a s a whole, Thank you.

what a wonderful and kind doctor! They were able to fit me in with my dog with her ulcerated eye. I can’t say enough good things about both the doctor and his staff. Everyone was so kind and compassionate and everything was very well run and effficient. I have been to the VCA before they moved and would not have had the same review but they definitely have changed.

Can’t believe someone complained that it would cost $ 10,000 to have a cataract surgery. From reading that review, I hesitated in taking my dog in for a thorough eye exam and just had the vet do it’s normal eye exam.
The surgery is NOT EVEN CLOSE to that cost. It is so very much cheaper.
After hearing horror stories about dogs losing their eye from cataract. I took my dog in and for $ 270, I got the best eye exam for my dog. More detailed than even my optometry exam.
Dr. Chang was very good and attentive. He’s very patient at answering questions and explaining everything.
So for one eye, I don’t know if I want to take the risk of surgery. I will keep monitoring the eye for now.
And never again will I hesitate in taking my dog in again due to cost.

I just had to let everyone know what a great person Dr. Chang is. My dog Loki had a deep laceration on his left eye so I freaked out because he has a cataract on his right eye. I feared that he would be completely blind.
I had seen another eye specialist who recommended that I surgically repair the laceration and the cataract on his other eye. i wanted to get a second opinion so luckily I found Dr. Chang on Unilocal.
His staff Carlos and Patti were great and they were able to fit me in the same morning I called. When I met Dr. Chang, i was so pleased he explained everything in detail. He recommended that we not do the cataract surgery and just concentrate on fixing the laceration. So I agreed and the surgery went very well.
The facility is also great because they allow you to drop off your pet in the morning and pick him up after work.

Dr. Chang saved our German Shepherd Buffy’s life when he and Dr. Sean Yoshimoto identified the cause of her detached retinas was Cryptococcus a fungus. We had been to another Vet’s Clinic, and a Pet Emergency Center but they did not recognize the issue, they even said her retinas weren’t detached.
Thank GOD we went to VCA WLA. Dr. Chang even let us view the fungus in her eyes using a special scope that allowed us to view as he examined her. She was put on medication, with regular check ups. It saved her life.
DR. MICHAEL CHANG, & DR. SEAN YOSHIMOTO ARE THE BEST.

I think Dr. Chang was extremely professional, knowledgable, and nice — I agree with all the other reviewers on most points about his office and staff.
I have one ethical problem though that will not stop bugging me and I had to write this for people in my situation whom I might be able to help.
I took my dog in for juvenile cataracts, Dr. Chang assessed them and told me my alternatives were surgery or coping with the blindness. He’s my first pet — the news took me by surprise and it hit me hard. I’m a teacher and there was no way I could afford the 10K on my doggie’s eyes. I couldn’t hold back my tears of guilt over not being able to help my little guy avoid blindness for the next 10 years of his life.
Dr. Chang offered me tissues and told me a reassuring anecdote about a very capable but blind German Shepard he knows, indistinguishable from another with sight. I asked him if there was any other alternative, and he said no. I went into the lobby still crying and other pet owners came to give me some support and tell their stories.
After a lot of my own research, I discovered UC Davis vet school can do it for about half that price — still out of my price range, but I have to wonder HOW DID HE NOT KNOW ABOUT THE UC DAVIS SCHOOL OF VET OPT? The vet world is a small one, likewise, how could he sit there watching me cry my eyes out and not mention this cheaper alternative? Just sad that most of the people we entrust as caretakers, and actually businessmen at the end of the day.
I FELT I HAD TO WRITE THIS REVIEW in order to help any of you in my situation, for whom the 5K price tag might not be out of the question. As for us, we’re now looking into Mexico.

**DR. CHANG KNOWS DOGGY EYEBALLS**
===REVIEW FOR Dr. CHANG ONLY — NOT FOR VCA ==========
Dr. Chang needs to be cloned because he is hands-​down the best optometrist for dogs.
If your dog has any EYE issues, I strongly suggest and recommend Dr. Chang.
Yoshi’s eye was scratched at doggy daycare and our regular vet (at the other VCA on Wilshire) couldn’t properly diagnose him. BOO!
HOWEVER, after a Dr. Chang visit, we were able to discover Yoshi’s cornea ulcers. And because he is an English Bulldog, it takes additional time to heal.
YOSHI WAS IN GOOD HANDS.
Yes, not cheap, but not overly expensive.
Nice facilities, too.
Assistant was comforting and nice.
Make an appointment NOW because he gets booked weeks in advance.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
P. S. Dr. Chang is the *exception* to VCA.
P. S.S. I’m not a fan of VCA in general (IMO, they will over-​prescribe your pets with skeptical meds and not discuss other options [e.g. home remedies] whatsoever. Also very limited knowledge and expertise of the bulldog breed — — - separate review altogether).

My 10-​year old shih-​tzu (adopted from East Valley Animal shelter 3 months ago
), is slowly going blind… or so I thought. She would run into walls or fall when stepping off of a sidewalk (she can’t see the differences in height). Then she has this thick cloudy layer on top of her eyes and encrusted with foul smelling mucous. I’ve been using naural eye drops to clear out the debris and made necessary steps to keep her eyes clean on a daily basis. At one point, I was about to accept that fact that this is a senior dog and there is nothing that I can do to help her.
Until one day when my sister urged me to take her to see a specialist… even if I couldn’t make her situation better, at least I can reserve what little vision she has left.
And so the serach began for the BEST ophthamologist in LA County. Of course I Unilocaled and saw many reviews on possible candidates. Dr. Michael Chang caught my eye and I bookmarked him. The next day, I was reseraching Dr. Chang and ran into this video:
I would have to say this is the determining factor… my search was over.
I took Samantha to see Dr. Chang at VCA Animal Hospital near WeHo. His assistant Carlos, was very accomodating and he stayed with Samantha the entire time. When we got into the check-​up room… met with Dr. Chang and he took to looking at Samantha right away.
Perhaps the best way I can explain this is… when you go see a human Opthamologist, they turn the light off with a big head gear to really study your eyes at every angle, they use different lighting, various eye drops and dilate your eyes. Well Dr. Chang did exactly that on my Samantha. Carlos was holding her while Dr. Chang explored so many options to study her eyes. She was such a good sport!
Dr. Chang’s findings: No glaucoma, no cataracts, just really DRY EYES causing her eyes to produce excess mucous, which in turn creates a thick cloudy layer on her eyes… which in turn restricted her vision. My poor little girl! He put her on 2 types of antibiotics and natural eye drops for in-​between doses.
Samantha’s eyes were clear that day but I was still uncertain. After the second day, third day, which turned into a week… Samantha’s eyes are brand new again, clear as sky, free of mucous and SHE CAN SEE! No more running into walls, falling off of sidewalks. She is a new little lady! In three weeks, we have another check-​up with Dr. Chang to follow up on Samantha’s treatment.
I am so grateful that I made the decision to take her to see Dr. Chang! I came so close to just let her be…