VSEC – Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center

Worst vet I have ever been too. I regret ever going there. I went in with my 10 week old puppy on valentines day. I told them he was throwing up and they immediately told me it was parvo. I didn’t believe them so I had him tested and they said it was positive. The so called vet then begins to tell me that my dog WILL DIE if I don’t have SIX TO SEVEN THOUSAND dollars and he has no chance of living if I take him home. After that they had a brand new nurse that had no idea what she was doing or talking about stick a needle in his back and continued to squeeze fluid in his back waaayyyyy to fast and he was screaming in pain. I chose to take him home and after crying all night with my girlfriend, making it the worst valentines day ever, I searched across the entire internet and found out ALOT of information that the vet wouldn’t tell me because he knew they would loose money. Long story short.
1. My baby puppy DID NOT HAVE PARVO
2. The staff was completely uninformative
3. My puppy endured a seriously unnecessary amount of pain
4. Marley is a 100% healthy happy puppy now
5. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND TAKE YOUR ANIMAL SOMEWHERE ELSE
PS and if your dog is tested positive for parvo seek another vet before doing anything. There are many vets doing treatment for under 1500 $ and will do payments!

This is actually a very tough review to write because we saw Dr. Tangeman here months ago for a surgery for our dog and she was absolutely fabulous. Then, last week when we had another emergency we went back expecting the same level of care and compassion. Unfortunately, we saw Dr. Cris Fontes. He was cold, unconcerned, seemed bothered by us being there and to top it off gave us a completely inaccurate and terrifying diagnosis. Worse yet, the differential diagnosis which was much more benign he adamantly ruled out and got an attitude when I questioned him. Lucky for us we saw a canine neurologist (the only good part of seeing Dr. Fontes was that he recommended that we see the neurologist for follow up to his misdiagnosis). It turned out that my diagnosis was accurate and that our dog was going to be just fine. So, as much as we liked working with Dr. Tangeman — stay far away from Dr. Fontes!

Many uses for dead fish. Some of which work at this place. Reception was terrible. Check out was terrible.
Doctor Craig was helpful and thorough. Took care of my cat and I am confident of her diagnostic.
Explained to me in layman’s terms, which I like.
When three people are standing around and I am the only person standing there… take my payment. Streamlining of my time is appreciated.
Overall, they are good. But don’t expect chit chat if you don’t meet the clientele that walk in there. Next time, I am going to the ghetto. Where people are people. And I don’t feel like an outsider.

Love this place! I had to put my very elderly American Bulldog down because he was in pain and not doing very well. This was the best veterinarian experience I have every had-​hands down. Thank you for everything… especially in helping to make it a little easier in having to make a really hard choice.

Office staff is horrible! My visit in the room was 20 minutes. I waited 40 minutes for the bill. I checked a couple times to see about the bill and each time they acted like I was being a jerk. As if I was interrupting them from something important. Since there was only my dog and another dog in there I know they were not busy. The extra rude girl who checked me out actually said she had not checked anybody out in 5 hours. So yeah, they were not busy.
They said they had an emergency, but that seems to be their stock excuse for having to actually turn their chair around.
Never once did they say, sorry it is taking so long. They just gave me attitude for bothering them.

We brought our 10 month old lab in and we were very impressed with the care we received. So grateful to the kind and thorough veterinarians. Very nice and clean facility, highly recommend!

Yesterday both my 9 month old pups were neutered and one of them had to have an extra incision because he had an undescended testicle. Well needless to say he was screaming in pain anytime he moved. I called another emergency clinic to see if this was normal and the guy told me to use my own judgement, but if I do decide to bring him in it’ll be $ 150 um hello?! I’m not a veterinarian to judge whether that’s normal or not! I called VSEC and spoke with Sara who was just amazing and so compassionate over the phone. She listened to my concerns, answered all my questions and reassured me it was normal and to just keep a good eye on him. This morning he’s almost back to his normal self and even wanting to climb the stairs on his own. Thank you Sara !

Yesterday I was driving around TO when I spotted a small dog roaming the streets of a heavy traffic area. I pulled over to help this little pup out. After corralling the pup and avoiding her being hit by on coming traffic. I was pleased to find out that she was collared and their was even a number and name on the collar. After countless calls, text messages and voicemails I was unable to get a hold of maddies parents. My first thought was this animal hospital. I arrived and to my dismay the vet was very rude and would not help me. She said I am not a shelter. You need to take that dog to the shelter which was understandable. But I was more concerned with getting this dog off the streets, out of harms way and considering the weather lately to a warm place. Over the vet was very very rude. She never even offered to scan the pup for a chip. I know the dog had a collar but it doesn’t mean the chip didn’t have a different number to call. She also stated that they can only take in hurt or wounded dogs. So it was hard for me to comprehend that the only way you can take poor Madie girl was is if she’s hurt. I wish they would have been more friendly about how they handled the situation. I was just trying to do something to help this poor pup and they were offended that I brought her there.

Today was a tough day for our family. Our border collie lost use of his legs. We brought him in to the Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center in Thousand Oaks, and we knew the outcome would probably be euthanasia.
The staff was wonderful, very compassionate, and comforted us along the way. The front desk nurse (sorry — don’t remember her name) was so wonderful and helpful. She is perfect for this caring position. The Vet (Elizabeth Craig) came in and went over our options and also examined our buddy and gave us her opinion. The procedure was way better than I ever expected. Our Sparkey passed very peacefully with no discomfort. The Vet was so compassionate and caring towards our animal and to us.
Again, it was a bad day for my family, but VSEC did their best to make it compassionate.

There aren’t enough words to begin to describe my experience today. Dr. Russell not only was compassionate and kind, but took so much time explaining everything in detail and actually making sure I understood what he was saying.
The girls were so sweet, reviewing the meds my baby needed, explaining the charges and scheduling our follow up.
Overall, the best vet experience we have had to date, especially considering our circumstances weren’t fantastic.

Dr Nick Russell is the absolute best! So knowledgable, so kind and so caring! He spent tons of time explaining everything to me. I highly recommend him! His hospital is really nice and the staff is great!

Formerly Thousand Oaks Pet Emergency Center they are under new ownership and nicely remodeled. Care and service are exceptional and the facility offers treatment not available for hundreds of miles. They are more then just an emergency hospital now open 24 hours a day for emergency and specialty practice. Sounds like an ad, right? You couldn’t be more wrong. Just the most accurate assessment you are going to get from someone with no professional affiliation with the business. Just someone in the field, who is able to look at them with a very critical eye.

So happy to be right down the road from this place. My dog was diagnosed with an aggressive form of diabetes and needed around the clock emergency insulin and iv fluids until we got her insulin regiment established. They were so compassionate and good to her here. The amazing overnight care she got here was cheaper than the daytime care she got at our regular vet, and they were so much more attentive here.
Also good to know they have rattlesnake anti venom, should the need arise. Highly, highly recommend.

On 2÷3÷15 we rushed in because my pug was have these shaking spells. We did not know what was going on with our little guy. Prior to this we had taken him to his vet. He misdiagnosed him. We saw Doctor Sibrian right of the bat she knew what was going on. She was so helpful and answered all our questions. The girls in the front are very nice. They take the time to explain everything. This is a really good place.
THANK YOU DOCTOR SIBRIAN AND VSEC STAFF

AMAZING PEOPLE AMAZING HOSPITAL!!! I have a 14 years old cat that is the love of my life (don’t tell my husband I said that). «The Lovelly» has led a pretty healthy life, but as she has gotten older she has developed a few small problems. One of her issues is that she has a heart murmur. Several years ago I had her evaluated by a cardiologist in south LA, and was told that she had heart disease that needed to be medicated and reevaluated on a regular basis. Well, she is absolutely impossible to medicate. So I didn’t give her the meds, and also I didn’t didn’t go back to that vet (bc I didn’t have a good feeling there, and also because they were far and expensive). My vet told me about Dr. Nick Russell, a cardiologist in Thousand Oaks, a do-​able drive for us.
The front staff was polite and efficient, and the technicians very obviously cared for their patients. Dr. Russell was SO GREAT!!! He took his time explaining to me that the changes to her heart were common in old age, and that my cat was not «diseased» and did not need meds. No up-​sell, no time wasted. My vet told me that Dr. Tangeman and their entire emergency department was great as well. These folks have totally won me over!
The best part — it was easy to get an appointment, and their prices were SO reasonable!!! I have been to several specialty and emergency clinics in the area, these guys took the cake for best service at best prices. Thank you VSEC, you guys really knocked my socks off! You really are as good as it gets!!!

The wonderful people at this center helped my family and I deal with the loss of our golden retriever on Thanksgiving night. They were compassionate and sensitive with us and with our wonderful pet. I have talked to several people who have used their services, and ALL of them loved how they and especially their animals were treated. I wish I could give them 10 stars. If your pet ever needs emergency services, this is the only place to go in the Conejo valley. Just look at the reviews, that should tell you all you need to know. Glowing review for this place and the people who work there!

Brought my 19 year old cat, Boopers, into the office for what I thought was an abscess but ended up being a cancerous tumor resulting in him needing to transcend to eternal peace. Dr. Nakamura and ALL the staff were wonderful and supportive. I was never rushed to make a decision but given the surgical options for a fast growing cancer, and knowing what I know as a nurse, the latter one was the most humane. I was supported every step of the way. The center is impeccable. The waiting area comfortable with bottled water, Keurig coffee available and even knoshes. Sarah, at the front desk was kind from the get go, as was all the staff. Aside from paying the bill which was very reasonable, I gave a donation because I was so impressed with the care and compassion displayed. My thanks and appreciation to VSEC.

We brought our 13 ½ year old Olde English Sheepdog in after she was vomiting for a few hours. The staff moved quickly and proficiently to administer fluids. Im sure that any emergency vet would have done the same, but I’m not sure that they would do it in such a kind and loving manners as the staff at this location. Dr. Tracy Brown met with us twice during the emergency visit and never rushed us. She was compassionate and professional, as was the entire staff. On behalf of Angel and our entire family, THANK YOU!

The compassion and care we and our dog received from everyone at this facility was first rate. We took our active 10 year old golden in after he went limp on his hind leg. After an exam and X-​rays he was diagnosed with an advanced cancerous bone tumor and dysplasia. The news was not good for a dog his size. We discussed our options and went home with pain and anti-​inflammatory meds. We returned for more meds as needed and evaluation. His disease advanced quickly and he was miserable, as were we. This had been the best dog, EVER. With heavy hearts we returned to euthanize our beloved dog. The Doctor explained everything that would take place and again gave us our options and she kindly got us through the heartbreaking experience.
When we are ready to get a new friend we will most definitely be coming back to Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center!

Wow, couldn’t be happier. We first saw Dr. Tangeman at her old hospital for some funny growths, and followed her to her new emergency center when she opened it up (I think in the last month?). My 13 pound Portuguese Podengo ate a 13 pound steak courtesy of a well-​intentioned babysitter, and got violently ill the day after I got him back. Howling in pain if he ate, throwing up, making the wrong kind of messes all over the house. I had no idea what was wrong with him. Dr. Tangeman tended to him late at night, and diagnosed pancreatitis, without even having to do a single test. I know that the money is in doing procedures. I was desperate and would have gladly paid for endoscopy, imaging, bloodwork, the whole nine yards, and I think many other vets (and doctors) would be all too happy to run up a big bill in a hurry. I really didn’t want to have to leave him for IV fluids (more $$$), and understanding my thoughts Dr. Tangeman gave me some things to do at home to keep him hydrated and nourished while he recovered. Its not been about 10 days and he is completely recovered, and my total cost was less than what the babysitter got paid. We’ll be telling all our friends to visit our favorite Portuguese Podengo pancreatitis expert!