Reviews of 1st Ave Animal Hospital (Veterinarian)

TRUMP WEARS DIAPER FUCK TRUMP

the receptionist needs to be more sensitive they are not. It's all about the money $

Jisoo Hungary Kim

I have had the most lovely experience working alongside Dr. Dhunna and the VOA team at First Avenue Animal Hospital. There is no other team of professionals I would rather entrust my pets with, and for anyone who knows me, they know how much my animals mean to me! As someone who has worked in the veterinary medicine field for the last three years, I can attest to the fair-priced and honest treatment that Dr. Dhunna and the VOAs will provide for your pet. A huge thank you to Dr. Dhunna, Phaedra, Mariah, and Andrea for being friendly, welcoming, honest, and the huge animal lovers I respect and love them for! I would definitely recommend this animal hospital to anyone who wants to get the best treatment for their animal companion and a team who will make sure to love and take care your pet like their own.

Loveleen Sandhu

I made the best decision by changing vets and coming to 1st Ave Animal Hospital. Dr. Dhunna took the best care of my pomchi, and made sure both Penny and I were comfortable with every service. Both of us felt taken care of the moment we stepped inside the clinic! Great staff & doctor, would definitely recommend to anyone looking for any type of vet services (check-ups, surgeries, etc) !!

Karry Flynn

They really take great care of my fur baby thank you

Adlai Newson

Excellent experience with a caring doctor and same-day appointment - recommended.

Shaina D'Souza

This place always takes so much care of our pet, best animal hospital in Vancouver, the Vet is extremely knowledgeable and knows exactly what is wrong with the animals.

Jimmy Kim

Our cat was really really sick (vomited 10 times throughout the night) so we took him to an emergency clinic. Turns out he ate a string-like material (added in the picture) and it got obstructed in his intestines. Surgery was the only way but the cost was way too expensive so we looked and called every other hospital and this was the only helpful best price place we could find. The doctors are the nicest doctors i've ever met they were ever so understanding of our situation. All the staff members were very helpful and kind. They performed the surgery perfectly and saved our cat's life!! Our cat is now well and healthy! Thanks again everyone 10/10 recommend!!

Tessa

I have only been here with my cat twice so far, both times for kitten shots and deworming. Both times, the shots and examination were very quick, and I was provided with very little feedback besides being told that my cat is healthy. It felt like they were rushing to get to the next client. I also had a negative experience with the woman at the front desk; upon arrival, she told me that they'd had an emergency surgery that would take at least another half hour. I asked why I hadn't been contacted and she rudely annunciated the word "emergency" and said that they couldn't have known since it was an emergency. The surgery was already well under way when I arrived, so they definitely could have called me beforehand. Regardless, a simple "sorry, we were very busy" would have sufficed. The prices of the shots were very reasonable, though.

Chloe Carter

Good service, good doctor.

Fem Fic

Great vet. Was able to save my hairless kitties life when he had a horrible, life threatening blood infection. I called about 15 different vets, and the rates they were quoting me were totally out of my budget. Luckily I called this vet and …

Biffs Werd

Cheap and efficient. The friendliness depends on the day and who’s working otherwise it would be 5 star. But they will save your dogs if you’re in need of help. They fixed my lil lady up and she’s happy and so am I.

Joseph Jiang

Super friendly place❤️

sheila sunshine Pelletier

Very fast and professional

Brian

The vet seems to be very reluctant to explain the situation of my dog health issues and urge me to agree on the survey that has a small fatality risk. Also, their quote seems to be fairly high as I found another vet that cost 40% less.

Carol Ferraz (Carol)

Great people :)

King Is me

Great place recommended

Darren “Grey” Devlin

I would give this place a negative star review if I could. Don't trust this clinic. They are negligent, unprofessional, and not compassionate. They ignored the concerns of one of our closest friends for years which led to the death of their cat from what was a treatable condition. When our friends took their cat to a different emergency clinic when things took a turn for the worst, the vets there were shocked that the cats condition hadn't been caught sooner. It was too late to treat the condition properly and their baby died. Then to top it all off when our friend criticised this clinic for being negligent in their care the clinic replied to them telling our friend that it was their fault their cat died, calling them negligent owners. Our friends treat their cats like their children, they are the best damn cat parents you will ever meet. They're concerns were ignored for years, and preventative treatment was never offered by this clinic. If you love your pets don't bring them here. They'll tell you everything is fine until it's too late and then blame you. It's abhorrent.

Liz Moran

Wonderful experience. Efficient and prompt service. Good prices too

Beana King13

Friendly staff and knowledgeable. Reasonable prices cheaper than most other places. Our first visit with our kitten and we were treated well. Willing to help and accommodate us being we were early and the vet was not there yet. Fast service and they gave our kitten what he needed let us know when he is due back. Good place to take your pet if on a budget and or low income. Easy to find, nice big parking lot if you drive and simple to get to on bus. Thank you for helping our baby kitty and see you next month

Jamie C

Good for their flexible appointments... But it's not the highest level of care and the doctors seem very unenthused and almost annoyed. They didn't explain the treatment options thoroughly to me. The first doctor wore heavy cologne when he came in. I didn't get a peace of mind since they were so vague with the exam and the doctor seemed unhappy when I didn't want to leave my cat alone overnight here for additional fluids and hung up on me. My cat did not like it here and came home smelling really bad after spending the day here. They weren't able to collect a urine sample with him "peeing everywhere" but I had no trouble at home. They didn't know if my cat ate or not even though they said that they would try to feed him and assist feed him if needed. They were able to help my cat feel better with fluids and medication, and identified kidney issues, but overall experience felt negative.

Andrea Cepeda

I took my cat there for 1 year. My first visits were ok. The doctor was nice and the VOA was friendly.the first time I went there was because my cat ate a toothpick. They couldn’t find the tooth pick on the X-rays. My cat has had some problems with her anal glands so they expressed her anal sacs. The next few days my cat started not eating much and being lethargic. I took her back and they took another X-ray. They had missed it the first time that the head of the femur was broken and already had some signs of arthritis. (A 2 year old cat) So we had to operate... Operation went well although my cat is still limping a bit after 1 year and a half and cannot jump much. In April 2017 I took her in because I saw she was not eating again and feeling weird. Apparently she had a fever and constipation, and they did some blood work. When the results came back, they sent them to me saying nothing was wrong even though I noticed her Calcium level was higher than normal. I called again and the doctor had not really noticed it. He suggested I come back to get another more specific blood test, if I was worried (I googled it and asked another vet so yeah). I went back in for another blood test... this time was the worst experience of my life. They took my friendly, super calm cat to the back and said it would take 5 min. 45 min later I was still waiting and all this time I kept hearing my poor cat hissing (never had heard her do that!! Not even after surgery when she was in pain!), crying super loudly, complaining like never before... and I just heard the doctor telling the vet assistant off. I guess she was new and training so she may not have had much experience. I kept hearing the razor going again... which meant they were shaving her in more places to take some blood... Then silence. The vet assistant comes out pale and almost about to cry. I almost had a heart attack. I asked her if everything was ok, if my cat was ok. She said my cat was fine and she should be out in a few min and she just left the room with tears in her eyes. I heard nothing again for a few min and then ventured out to ask the doctor what was going on. He said that my cat needed to recover for 15min and that she was being too difficult and was not cooperating. He seemed like if nothing had happened and dismissed me. I was surprised that for a blood test, my cat needed almost an hour and that she had to “recover”. When they brought her out my cat was super scared and went into her carrier immediately (she HATES that thing!). The doctor told me not to remove the bandage from her leg in at least an hour. I had to go back to work (had already missed almost 2 hours by now) so he said to leave it until the evening. On top of that I had to pay over $200 for that. I left my very very scared cat at home. She was even hiding from me! When I came back I saw she had removed the bandage... and I see the bandage was full (not exaggerating!) of blood. She was limping a bit.. I saw her leg and it was all bruised and still full of blood... her neck was also bruised. It was horrible. I took pictures just to have proof. Two days later the doctor calls me. He says I need to go back because the blood work had been damaged. That because my cat was not cooperating, the blood had coagulated and the test was not good. He blamed it on my cat! I was so mad. I told him I was not happy with the situation and the fact that they had blamed it on my cat and not been honest about the situation or the fact that the vet assistant was not experienced. He said I wouldn’t have to pay and he would even pay for my taxi to take her since I don’t have a car. I decided not to take her there again and asked to get the money back. Remember, this was in the summer of 2017. I had to email them again to get my money back and they said they would issue a check. Even a few weeks later, I had not received anything, I had sent them my correct address, they said they had sent it but to my old address. In the end I received the check in January 2018. But I definitely will not go back to this doctor.

Jessica Li

We brought our dog in for emergency surgery a few weeks ago and though they didn't have the most welcoming first impression out of various locations we went to, they were the ones who were able to confidently and quickly tell us what was wrong unlike others. They have fair pricing (I'd recommend to invest in pet insurance still though since no pet healthcare is cheap, but worth every penny in the end), and can quickly and accurately diagnose your pet. The surgery they preformed went great and we didn't face any complications even post-op. They're also great with quick replys to questions you may have through emails or calls.

Jennifer Mitchell

I went to 1st Ave Animal Hospital after my dog was bit in the eye by another dog. They were able to see her right away and very reasonably priced. When I brought her back, because we were worried about the healing they didn't charge me, and they also said they would take out the stitches for free if needed (they were dissolving, but in case it was bothering her too much after a week). They also didn't make me feel pressured to pursue any specific treatment option.

shannen cajucom

The staff and the doctor himself is just awesome. They always make sure that you are getting 11 out of 10 service from them. Can't say anything bad about this vet hospital. They are very helpful and they really care about the animals and not on the money they will earn. Will totally recommend them to take care of your furry friends.

Duncan

Awesome vet, brilliant care, always ready to help and take very good care of my cats!

david massey

Kind and reasonable vet:-)

Ali Joy Scout

After receiving medicine prescribed from 1st animal hospital my cat was under neurological distress with vision loss. I've been told from Canadian vets that the medicine that was given by the vet working at 1St Ave was too strong to give to an older cat, and that there wasn't enough reason to treat a UTI with give such strong medications, 'No high white cell count'. Because of this I have had my cat in hospital because of toxic reactions to medications and she is continuing to need treatment. What I learned from the team of other Vets who treated her was that in Canada, vet's learn to not to give 'baytril' to older cats, because of the severity of this drug, and have seen older cats become blind as a reaction to this antibiotic. Vets who studied in India may not be familiar with the toxicity of certain medications, things that drug companies won't tell you but information that is passed on in Canadian veterinary schools. I did contact the vet at 1st ave asking them to report the toxicity to the drug company, and they said it was impossible that her symptoms were related to the medication. Frustrating for me, as I tried to explain that she went into her first seizure ever, 30 minutes after I administered the baytril. Take your time finding a well studied vet, the team at BLUE CROSS PET HOSPITAL is great, and the Roving Vet is wonderful and makes house calls.

Shamim Sh

Scam alert They will overcharge and lie to your face

Heston Koch

We've been going here for a year now. The assistance are wonderful, and the vet is very nice. Price wise one of the more reasonable places in Vancouver. Would recommend.

Alexia Arnold

The staff here are great! they are friendly and knowledgeable. Dr Dhunna is always happy to help and genuinely cares about his patients. They have taken really good care of me and my dog.

Y Natant

Have always used SPCA services, so this was my first experience with a Vet business. I was not able to get my cat in her carrier, and Dr. Dhunna came in person with his staff to get my cat Cayenne to their office. He showed me x-rays and allowed me to observe placing an IV, and let me stay while Cayenne came to from the sedative. She had to stay overnight, but is home now, and I have clear understanding of the issue, and what I need to do, and I feel very supported going forwards. I feel I have just found my cat's lifetime doctor! You get what you pay for, and I feel like a more responsible cat owner getting full, proper care for my feline friend.

Greg Gy Lin

Doctor is very knowledgeable and patient.

szaradic

Took my cat in with a semi-emergency. The doctor was rude, relatively non-communicative and lacked a personable bedside manner. He barely asked me any questions about my cat to help assess his recent behavioural issues. I did not feel comfortable at this clinic. Overall, based on my experience today I can not recommend this clinic.

Martin Merrigold

Quick same day visit for a hurt paw. But of a wait but expected with pandemic protocols. Always had a decent experience with fair pricing here, not much more you want from a vet. Thank you.

Janelle Bell

Super friendly and great value. Glad we found a new great vet!

Shawn Berry

went to get food few days ago, there was this white lady with bangs, dont know if she was the vet herself or receptionist but was very rude to me. Told me to stand outside which is ok but in a very rude and ignorant tone.

Johanie Martin Lafond

Understanding stuff gave treatment or dog true this be safe free. The receptionist is really rude though and quite classist, although the vet is awesome

Zebra Alwayszebra

The doctor and staff are so genuine and have always offered me and my pets the best care.

J Leckman

Reasonably priced, GREAT staff - empathetic and caring. We’ve brought our dog in a few times and we have always been looked after exceptionally well. Our dog needed full bloodwork and xrays. The vet called us at home the next evening to ask how our dog was doing and let us know the results of the bloodwork.....I highly recommend this veterinary clinic.

Tatiana Reyes

Last week my dog Lily went into labour and after having one puppy it seemed she needed emergency C section. We took her to 1st ave clinic in which the vet staff and doctor were very attentive and saved Lily and her puppies lives. I am so thankful for them and their care. The doctor is very kind and his prices are very reasonable. This is not the first time that the doctor has assisted one of my pets. I will always bring my dogs to 1st ave vet clinic. I highly highly recommend taking your pet to this clinic. They will always assist no matter what. Thank you so much again.

Mike L. BBY

Brought my 18 yo feline to see Dr. Dhunna and the team at 1st Ave Animal Hospital. This was our First trip to see a Veterinarian since moving to Vancouver in Sept. I am very happy with the way that Bailey and I were treated durring our visit. The whole team was friendly and caring towards Bailey in thier handeling and treatment of her. Respectful and empathetic when speaking to me and informing me of what needs to be done in order to try and find out what problems Bailey was encountering at this time. Dr. Dhunna recommended that a physical exam, xray, blood, and urine tests be conducted to find out how her body is functioning. ( I would expect the same kinds of tests to be conducted if I was an 80 yo human seeing a new Dr. ) I feel that I paid a fair price to have Bailey examined and X-rayed by Dr. Dhunna, as well as have the blood and urine tests performed. I will be coming back to see 1st Ave Animal Hospital when anything else arises with Bailey, and have complete confidence in the team there. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.

Michelle Chase

Best Vet I've ever been too. Explains everything in great detail as well as shows you X-rays & results. I really appreciate all the call backs and he'll call to check in to see how your pet is doing at home after a heavy treatment process. I have had both my cat & dog treated at different times for different situations and they have been treated with the greatest care. I highly recommend seeing this doctor!

Steven Feng

Experienced doctor , very quick and good service ,for our cat, highly recommended

ursula gutteridge

They are a great vet, had my dog spayed here and all routine care, vaccinations etc

Babs Ben

This was a good experience with staff and doctor that cares for your pet like their own. My dog had his teeth cleaned. It turned out less expensive than the quote and I appreciate that.

Greg Dunn

Great vet

Hope Johnson

I would reccomend this vet 100%. Very clean and professional They did surgery on my dog today even though it was a bit short notice due to the holidays. Staff were nice and pleasant. Doctor was helpful in explaining her medicine schedule and after care. I work at a pet store and would happily recommend our clients bring their pets here. They called us to update us on our dogs status after her surgery and had contacted the emergency vet we took her to for her diagnosis. She is doing well and we are very pleased all around. Thank you to the staff and Dr.Dhunna at 1st Ave for helping our Kiwi pup ????????

Kyla Nesbitt

I had a great experience here. My cat was in great hands. You can tell they really care about the animals, and it’s fair pricing. Would highly recommend.

Chris MacDonald

Unpleasant experience... We felt like a huge inconvenience anytime we contacted them about our cat. Was a rude, non compassionate and money forward environment. To be fair I'm sure they know what they're doing and I've seen a lot of positive reviews, but our experience just made an already stressful situation feel even more stressful. I could relate to alot of other people's reviews and felt my review would hopefully add to the the understanding that there is a issue and hopefully they can work on it.

Alexander Kovalevskiy

They saved the life of my french bulldog pup ! Everything was done in a professional manner and at reasonable prices. Thanks Doc !

Kaylie Prefontaine

Be very wary of bringing your pets here. This used to be my neighborhood clinic, I brought my cat in multiple times over the years with concern of weight loss, and each time they acknowledged the accumulative weight loss but dismissed it as …

Shahla Bozorgzadeh

amazing in every regard, ... lovely staff, ... she gave me peace of mind, with her kind words, caring & clear communication, and professional, kind and caring Doctor/ Vet! without their help I was lost. thank you on behalf of me & my Pishoo.

Todd Byers

I was able to get an appointment on short notice. Nice staff and the vet is very thorough.

Chill streams Iptv

Great service but very expensive

Bria Dean

I can say that this is honestly the best vet I've ever been too. They are so helpful, HONEST and supportive, not to mention give quality care. Costs are affordable, which is even better. I've been going here for two years now and will continue to go even though I reside on the Island now.

Rob M

First off I would like to say thanks to the staff and Vet for accommodating are pets needs promptly. Our rabbit was in urgent need of care . The Vet was very professional and did everything above and beyond to help him . The prices here are very good . I would highly recommend this place to everyone I know . Thanks again for all your help .

anna p

I'm really happy with this vet clinic. Very knowledgable. No waiting. Compassionate and kind. The vet himself called me with some follow-up details, which I thought was classy and was very much appreciated. I recommend them to others in the neighbourhood.

Lindsey Drury

The staff at 1st Ave have been taking care of my three dogs for the 5 years that I have been living in Vancouver. They are friendly, make you and you furry friend feel comfortable, and the procedures don’t break the bank (I wish I didn’t have to mention the money aspect, but you can pay a lot more elsewhere). One dog has gone through a cruciate ligament surgery, and one has been living comfortably with a terminal heart condition. The staff at 1st Ave have taken the greatest care of my dogs, and I would highly recommend.

Alexandria Carstens

I was looking for a vet in Vancouver that had experience with Sphynx cats, and was delighted that 1st Ave. Animal Hospital was not only close to me, but quite knowledgeable regarding Sphynx. Sphynx have a few different needs, so it's comforting to know that my feline companion is well taken care of. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. Very down to earth. The equipment is great (love the X Ray machine). It's clear they are all pet lovers. Dr. Dhunna is a very nice vet who takes his time and LISTENS. He seems to have excellent knowledge and skills. I recommend them highly!

J. M.

love the care my doggo has received here. They really care and won't rip you off.

j ma

Great caring vet and staff.

Naoko Shiratori

My cat fell ill, kept vomiting every time she ate. I took her to an emergency and got radiology done but could not keep her there for further treatment due to my finance. I called 1st Ave as soon as they opened and they scheduled an appointment for my cat right away. Their response was fast, very professional, explanation was logical and compassionate. Thank you!!

Sarita

My cat recently got bitten by another cat in the neighbourhood and her wound got infected and it was very painful for her. Dr. Vinod immediately took her into surgery and cleaned out her wound. Being the difficult kitty she is, my cat managed to take off her cone that night and pulled out all her stitches. Right away, Dr. Vinod took care of it and this time added staples and even gave me a discounted price for the surgery! I wouldn't trust my cat with anyone else! This place is great. Consider me a loyal client :)

Kelsie Priest

I brought a cat in that was throwing-up and lethargic, and informed the staff when I booked that the owner had tested positive for COVID. I asked the front desk staff multiple times if the cat should be isolated from other cats in case it had COVID, and had no response from them. The cat sat in the waiting room in a kennel for 30 minutes with other cats and kittens close by before being moved to the back (cat's spread COVID to other cats just like humans do). The vet did not discuss care for a cat having COVID and informed me that cat's can't get COVID. I followed-up with an email with CDC and Gov. Can. links showing that Cats do in fact get COVD. The vet responded promptly but is taking no responsibility, instead blaming me for my communication. I would never trust my cat in their care.

Laura Murphy

Dr. Dhuna was amazing! He discovered my dog's tumour and put together a surgical team to save his life. Excellent diagnosis techniques used and patient follow up. ????????????

David Thomson

Dr V is a great vet who cares about the animals he looks after. He does not charge for unnecessary tests or medication. THe staff are very friendly and show kindness to our pets. I’d recommend this vet to anyone.

Dee C

had my cat brought in to check up on why he wasn't eating. Was told that it was nothing major, just needed IV drop over night. Got call back to pick up the next day and that he was good and ready to go home. Got home for less than 6 hours and my cat passed away.

yueqi sun

just do n’t think it ’s very professional and I do n’t have a professional explanation.

janet mai

My dog had an emergency c-section and everything was handled with freedom and ease. Everyone was attentive, kind and informative. Before, during and even after post surgery. My puppies are 5 weeks now, alive and really healthy! Thank you so much!

alicia chaa

They over charged me from the quote they gave me and my dog came home with fleas

Eta Lucattini

This is a vet that is driven by money, not concern or care for animals. First of all, Dr. Vinod was late for our appointment, making my cat wait in misery in his carrier. When he did finally arrive, he started by insisting on additional procedures and vaccinations that we had not come in for before even a basic examination of the cat. Before any treatment was given, I asked for an estimate. When I came to pick up my cat an hour later, that estimate had suddenly tripled. I will not be going back, and I recommend the same to anyone looking for honesty and compassion in their vet.

Angela Pan Art

Failed to give us the correct information 2 times in a row. Cut our newly adopted cat open for a spaying procedure without noticing a cat was 5 weeks pregnant. Then closed her back up and told us she was 7 weeks pregnant. Turns out the trauma made our cat abort all her babies shortly after and ended with an infection.

Ron Allan

While many Vets Offices are cutting back on emergency services, My dog Harley was given access to all the service's that I couldn't obtain through other veterinarians. Within two days I was given X-rays, medications, and, referrals to specialists.

Melon

The vet and vet assistants here are quite knowledgeable and friendly. They’re experienced and know what to do. They also seem to care a lot about animals. They’re not a super busy vet so expect to be able to book an appointment same day or at least within 1-3 days. I brought my two cats here and have been coming here ever since.

Kevin Yee

Our little 5 lb Yorkie was having a severe bout of diarrhea and vomiting, which made him unable to keep down any sort of food or liquid, so he was also very lethargic. We thought it was a pretty serious situation so we decided to take him to 1st Ave Animal Hospital since they're so close to where we live. We were initially surprised to see that there were new employees there, but we thought nothing of it because our dog's health was the priority. Dr. Vinod suggested that we give him an xray to check on his internals as well as a blood and fecal test. I'll be honest, we were a bit skeptical as to whether all of these were really necessary, because it was the first time we dealt with him and you always have that doubt as to whether the vet is doing what's best for your pet or what's best for their wallet. Our little guy's health was the main concern so we decided to authorize the x-ray, blood/fecal work, hospitalization, meds, and IV fluids. The total cost for that day was quite significant $500+ but we had to figure out what was wrong with him, so it is what it is. We ended up going back to pick him up later that evening prior to closing and tests showed that he had pancreatitis and needed to be on 3 different types of oral medication over the next week. We ended up bringing our dog for hospitalization over the next 2 days so they could keep an eye on his progress. Another note to mention is that he brought us into the x-ray machine room in the back of the vet, and in order to get there, you had to walk through all the kennels and the main operating area of the animal hospital. I was pleasantly surprised to see how clean and tidy everything was in the back. We walked past our dog on the way to the x-ray room and he seemed pretty comfortable where he was. Throughout the entire time, Dr. Vinod and the staff at 1st Ave. Animal Hospital kept a very clear line of communication with us and were very honest and upfront about the procedures and their associated costs. They took their time explaining the break down of everything and what each procedure was for and what each type of medication was indicated for. The cost of everything included was close to $1000, but the level of care and compassion exhibited by them means it was money well spent. They called us over the next several days just to check in and see how he was doing and if we had any questions or concerns. Dr. Vinod and the staff at this animal hospital are clearly in it because they care about your pet's well being and it shows with their empathy and honest communication. Going forward, I'd have no issues recommended 1st Ave. Animal Hospital to all my pet owning friends.

Boby

Seriously the best vet you will ever find ! They are actually the only ones that doesn't try to rip you off on drugs and treatment cost.... I traveled a lot and did hundreds of vets in my life, and this is from far the best and cheapest veterinarian i ever went to ! Thanks for everything that you are doing for your clients ????????

William

1st Ave Animal Hospital is an amazing place to take your pet. Dr.Dhunna is an extremely experienced and caring Veterinarian. The entire staff was so friendly and was nothing but supportive and helpful. I took my dog there and they provided me with the best care at a very reasonable price, especially compared to other veterinary hospitals. They went above and beyond for me when i need help the most, I will forever be grateful for this. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Vanessa Goncalves

My cat was suddenly very sick and needed emergency treatment. I drove him to the vet without making an appointment and they saw him right away. They had to give him two emergency surgeries (which required calling in a specialist- who arrived within hours) and he had to stay there for 3 days. They allowed me to visit him every day and I could tell that everyone had gotten to know my cat Desi by the way they described him. I will be taking all of my current and future pets here from now on. They saved my boys life, gave me peace of mind, made him comfortable and charged me less money then many other places have. They even gave me food for free and knocked some money off the bill. They are very caring and good at what they do.

Corey Backman

Called in to see if they had an opening for my sick dog and after explaining the situation I was able to bring her in right away. Making time for her was a great relief to me, and to her especially because they managed to stop the 48 hours of endless pooping. They were so good to us I really have no complaints. The bill was a tough pill to swallow for me but I guess that's the cost of loving an idiot dog. The pills for my dog weren't as challenging to swallow though because the Vet gave us some handy treats to hide them in. They even gave a courtesy call then next day to see how Cairo was doing.

Dylan Wagner

Do not take your pets here! Not only are there sanitizing issues, this "vet" misdiagnosed my cat which resulted in many more medical complication. This place is an animal cruetly epicenter!

Tomson Hu

Good food, reasonable price

Timothy Kaye

100% recommend. I can see why someone from the BCSPCA recommended this vet to me. I wish I'd asked for the front desk manager's name because the balancing act I saw between talking to patients' parents, answering phones and dealing with what's going on behind the curtain deserves a lot of credit. I've seen enough vets to know which ones care and which ones don't, and this clinic clearly cares.

Alicia Kent

I have been going to First Ave and seeing Dr. Dhunna with my two sphynx cats since they were kittens (the oldest one is now 3). I do not have enough words to express how caring and compassionate Dr. Dhunna and the whole team are. My cats have had a number of issues, from eating things they shouldn't to hip displasia/dislocation to allergies, and they have been so amazing in answering all of my questions and addressing my concerns. Due to the breed of my cats, I have had special requests around anesthesia during procedures and they are knowledgeable about what can and cannot be used for them. I often have requests around insurance and they assist me in making my claims. Even without pet insurance, they are pretty affordable. If I need a certain food or medicine, they will order it in for me. When a test result comes back, they will call right away and have even answered my "emergency" calls when it is not such an emergency in order to give me peace of mind. Thank you to Dr. Dhunna and the First Ave Animal Hospital Team - you all have saved my sanity (and my cats) on a number of occasions. For that, I am grateful!

aaron Sutherland

Great service and value. Our dog is now doing great.

Bernie Moller

Absolutly outstanding experience. Very easy to deal with. After another Vet nearly killed my dog, Dr. Dhunna brought my little pup back. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH.

Elizabeth Sullivan

They took great care with our kitty and flawlessly performed complex surgery. She is now happily bouncing around again. Highly recommend.

nomi malone

I've been taking my Pomeranian to 1st Ave Animal hospital for around 4 years now. Very recently my pom was experiencing health issues that required immediate attention. When your pet is having serious problems, it can be a very vulnerable and unsettling position to be in and when you have to put your faith into someone else when you are in crisis mode, it's extremely assuring to know that your pet is getting The BEST CARE at the BEST Possible Price ! Dr. Duhnna is an honest, affordable vet that you can trust not to gouge you. My senior Pom required 3 surgeries simultaneously and was high risk b/c she has a heart murmur... I tried going to an emergency vet the previous evening but was left feeling uncertain as they wanted to do preliminary tests as well ask keep my pet overnight until they could perform the surgery the next day and quoted me a high price for both services not including the surgeries. I'm glad I was able to get the issue diagnosed right away in the evening by the emergency clinic however, it can be extra stressful financially dealing with a pet emergency. My stress was altogether alleviated by going to 1st Ave Animal Hospital the next day as I was able to get the surgery required without any extra hidden or added fees. There was a slight misunderstanding with the receptionist about the severity of my Pomeranians condition but once sorted, I was able to see the Dr. on a day he's not usually available and he eased my fears by taking care of the situation as economically , promptly and efficiently as possible. The office is modest and unpretentious, that way you know you are not paying for the decor just the sincerity and diligence, the receptionists are unassuming and can have a somber phone manner proving their dedication to the job. I would recommend 1st ave animal clinic for quality Veterinary Service with reasonable rates.

glen thorp

i am from the sunshine coast and gone to see my daughter in vancouver ,unfortunately my 3 years old lab was not keeping his food down ,so i googled the nearest vet and end up with these people .the vet there was very kind and caring and seemed to know the stuff and satisfied me .she seemed like young but was quite good with her skills ,to be honest the staff there needs bit more training

Dianne Bishop

Practical and effective advice and treatment after nothing but bills from an emergency clinic. My cat is now on the mend - thank you!

kareen treasure

My 9 yr cat had 3 fat tumors ,cracked teeth.uti infection they gave her great care , doubled/extended her life im sure !! Good prices, staff really are compassionate and professional.i feel lucky that i called them..

Mabel Mabel

I cried so sadly for days and had nightmare because my cat’s case is the worst. He ate nearly two meters of thread by accident and kept vomiting for days, could not poo. The doctor V.Dhunna should be one of the best veterinarians in Vancouver I must say that. because I took my cat to visit other animal hospitals and my cat was very lucky to be veterinarian V.Dhunna’s patient. He is outrageously professional, could find the right treatment approach at once, did not waste precious time to save animal’s life , he did not hook client to do extra treatment which was not needed , which saved money for clients. He is very compassionate and helped me a lot !! And today I got an amazing news, the operation was successful!!!! Vet V. Dhunna saved my cat’s life He showed me the videos of the operation process and explained to me in details what happened and what he did . I could see how complicated the operation was and my cat should be one of the luckiest cats in Vancouver !!! Today is a great day for me, no more tears and say good bye to all worries I strongly recommend this pet hospital to all whom own pets. Assistants are lovely too, they tried to comfort me when I felt desperate and gave me lots of tissue when i cried hardly. I won’t let my cat touch threads, floss etc anymore and thank this amazing pet hospital again from the bottom of my heart Happy Halloween:D

Tara Collins

Everybody is truly amazing at thier office. Very friendly, clean and I know they care about their clients and the animals we call family. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a vet

Lavinnia Reyes

I've had nothing but great experiences going to this vet so far. Dr. Vinod Dhunna has taken extraordinary care of my 18 year old feline who he quite literally helped save. He really has a big heart and cares a lot for the animals he sees, as well as the humans that bring them in. I appreciate that he takes the time to explain things when I don't understand them. I also never feel rushed or like he's trying to tack on as many medications as possible just to make money. The fees are very reasonable and I'll be bringing my other 2 cats to see him from now on.

Kelsey Miller

The doctor was rude and condescending. He was clearly trying to pressure me into buying the allergy medication that they are subsidized for (there are ads all over the office for it) even though the issue was a simple and obvious infection on my dog's foot. When I asked for clarification, he just said that he's a doctor and I wasn't listening - it was very rude. I immediately went and got a second opinion elsewhere, and they were equally surprised a vet would try to push allergy medication in this case. Do not recommend, and I will not be back.

Brë K

I don’t even know where to start. An issue as simple as an allergy ended up being $500+; conned into various medications, and an x-Ray (which I didn’t need at all). The vet obviously cared more about spending my money than my kitties health and took every shot in the dark that he could. To top it off, the medication which was eventually prescribed, had way too intense side effects and made my kitty’s health WORSE. I was told by the receptionist during a cheap and careless phone call on her behalf, to take my kitty off of the steroid medication by stopping it, when really you’re supposed to wean the animal off, due to avoiding complications. The lack of effort which was put into making the client understand the medications that were prescribed for their clients pet, is disgusting. The vet and the receptionists come off careless and cold; they have horrible bedside manner and do not make you or your animal feel cared for. I tried this vet many times due to their low cost examination fee, but I cannot count how many times I left the vet angered and frustrated. Love the $30 examination fee, but everything else about this vet is horrible. It’s not worth it. In the end you will waste your time and your money. My kitties breathing issues are still not fixed. I can go on goggle and diagnose my animal just as well as this veterinarian. He’s a complete joke, I wouldn’t be shocked if he paid for his license. I am being 100% genuine. I went there to fix a problem, not spend a ton of money to make it worse. I want to worry about my kitty less, not more. I am absolutely bewildered how this veterinarian any has decent reviews.

Brenda Rudko

our cat recently became quite ill and our usual vet was not available for a few days. Dr Vinood saw her immediately and provided competent and kind care right up to and including when it was necessary to help her die. All the staff were also attentive and professional in this little neighborhood animal hospital. Not fancy but fabulous.

Tully Pinkerton

My dog is still alive, despite himself.

Brian Johnson

We have been bringing our dog to First Avenue Animal Hospital for about 9 months, and we only have good things to say. The doctor and staff are friendly, thorough, and most importantly gentle with our dog. Their prices are extremely reasonable (compared with other vets we have used in the area), and they always give options for care that take into consideration not only our pet's well being but also affordability. I highly recommend this veterinarian!

Faith Vaughan

Went here a few months ago on two different occasions for my cat Momo. When we first came here my cat seemed to have an eye infection (from a cat cold) and they nicely explained what happened to her. She healed up nicely and perfectly. We then decided to get her spayed, they treated her with care and she healed up perfectly nicely. The vets are really nice and customer service is friendly. Prices are fair. For those of you who complain about paying for your pets health need to reconsider having a pet. Dog or cat there will always be some type of expense, as just like humans, they get sick and it's our job as owners to take care of them.

joe clair

I brought my dog here first time for concern as my vet was booked for a few weeks, They showed professionalism and Dr. Dhunna was very knowledgeable with explaining to me of what he was going to do and front desk staff is amazing I felt comfortable! My dog usually hates going into vet clinic but she was so comfortable and happy here. I will transferring all 2 of my animals to this clinic. I highly recommend 1st Ave animal hospital for all your veterinarian needs.

Fannie Gagnon

Nice staff! Super price! Thank you for the good care for Yoda :)

Susanna Firley

Took my kitten here for her initial visit. Kind front staff but vet was 20 minutes late coming in for the appointment with no acknowledgement. The exam was very fast. I didn't feel confident with the quality of the service and wasn't told what was done when asked. I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt and brought her in for follow up appointment. I could hear the vet berating one of his front staff about her technique in the exam room. He said that he would fire her if she didn't change her attitude and technique. Very unprofessional as it was clearly audible from the waiting room. I asked to speak to the vet about my kitten but was told no, so I had to ask the front staff my questions and they went to the back to ask them and report back to me. The communication seemed really poor between staff and the vibe was weird. The fees were unclear and I was given a $300 bill at the end that I was really not expecting. Like I said, kind front staff but a really unpleasant visit that left me questioning the quality. Would not go again and have found a different awesome vet in the meantime.

Brian Jones

Like most people posting, it's always better to tell your story so other pet owners have a point of reference. After that, you can be the judge where you want to take your pet. A close friend has a young cat that was recently seriously unwell; we'd taken him twice to one of the emergency vets in Vancouver and the diagnosis was ingestion of something toxic. (We ripped her place apart, cleaned everything - all the steps any caring owner would take). Yet he was still really sick. The third time he had an episode we took him to 1st Ave Vets. After a quick exam, he had an X-ray. His first one. It showed that he'd eaten a bunch of hair bands. He subsequently had surgery to remove them and now he's healthy and happy. The lessons here: first, get pet insurance (my friend got coverage after the first instance of illness). I spent nearly $5,000 helping her pay for his care - half of which was on incorrect diagnosis. Vets are not cheap but then what price do you put on your pet's life? Second, don't be wow'd by the bells and whistles and fancy decor of some of these 24/7 vets. All the fancy equipment in the world is worth nothing if the vet can't diagnose the issue and doesn't do something simple like take an X-ray. Last, take your pet to someone who cares. Here, my friend's cat was taken home with the vet - rather than leaving him overnight at the vet's office - so he had some extra company and felt like he was at home. That's how much they care about your pet. The staff here know their trade and they care profoundly about the pets in their care. I've had pets myself and I know how upsetting it is when they're unwell or pass away. If / when I get another pet, I won't hesitate to take them here even though they're not the closest. Proximity can't compensate for quality care and as I said this team really, really cares.

aloma ferris

Dr. Dhunna and his staff are highly caring professionals that we have been fortunate enough to know. They have looked after our dogs for the past five years, taking the time to address any issues and explain in an educated, empathic way. …

Kat Moxie

My favourite vet. They have always been kind and incredible with my family (both animal and human). I recommend them all the time to people and everyone has had good experiences. Pricing is fair, service is fast, and they always seem to try their hardest.

Rex W

friendly vet place.good treatments and get well soon.good answers for your request.

Dennese Wood

I was pleasantly surprised The staff was wonderful Treated us so well. Dr. Dhunna answer all our concerns.

Marilyn Shay

It was a wonderful experience and you can't beat with 1st Ave. The staff is very caring and the Vet especially, explains everything thoroughly, making it very easy to understand. They have state-of-the-art facilities and most of all they treat your pet like their own and care for the animal as well as being helpful to the owner. My dog received great care and was well on his way to recovery after the surgery. I would like to say a big thank you to the 1st Ave Animal hospital's dedicated staff. I want to say that whoever is looking for excellent and compassionate team of people to care of their dog, go to 1st Ave. Not only will they treat you and your dog right, but also give the best available service in Vancouver from my perspective.

Auberon Wolf

Grew up the child of a small town vet, and have never been fully satisfied with my vet experience as an adult fur parent until these folks became my go-to. They are kind, patient, and hit that wonderul mix between caring deeply about the welfare of your pets without being judgemental or pushing folks into unnecessary expenses.

sean dufault

Mean nasty people. So my cat says. They seem nice to me.

Watts Carpet & Cleaners

Very caring, and professional

Anonymous

The secretary is very caring and friendly and the vet was very nice. Resonable prices.

Rocio Rod (Rose)

We took our cat Cleo (whom had a bad infection in her mouth ended up being an ulcer) Dr.Dhunna treated excellent and our cat got better in a few days with the medication. Now I took our dog chiki for cranimandibular osteopathy because she has not been eating or drinking for a few days. Dr. Dhunna gave her an IV and other madication to make her feel more comfortable and she’s doing great now! Love the way they show care for the animals.

Alli C

if you love your pet, dont come here. i was concerned for my kitten not eating or playing and was worried she was sick, but she was still active, walking around, and i thought it could be from just getting used to the new environment. i mentioned this to the people before her first vaccines, and they said it should be fine because they always inspect the cat before giving vaccines to make sure its ok. they said it was fine after doing a quick exam and said she was just a little underweight, and proceeded to vaccinate and deworm her. that night she threw up and had diarrhea. i called them and they told me to come in the next day. they did blood work, x-rays and some other things for additional testing (she threw up during the visit too). i could see where they shaved her under her neck to take the blood, and obviously they didnt care cause i saw shave marks around the poor kitten where it DUG into her skin and left clear red marks from the teeth of the razor. i just thought that was standard procedure but thinking back it was probably careless and cruel and could have been avoided. this was on a sunday. was sent away with antibiotics for the time being. they said it wasnt anything she ate since xrays were fine. tuesday i get the results back. shes increasingly lethargic at this time. the vet says its a liver problem and she should be good after some medication (no other details were given). i was so relieved, happy, and glad it wasnt a chronic disease or condition. i went and picked it up right away. they said we can check up on her after 2 weeks of taking the meds. the next day she died. that evening i had found her breathing heavily. i rushed her to the ER at an animal hospital. they said she had backed up poop, extremely low blood sugar, and was in critical condition. NONE OF WHICH WAS MENTIONED BY THE VET. unf--ing believable. despite all the additional tests that were done doc doesnt seem to know what hes doing, left out a lot of details, and one of the assistants there had the worst "i dont care" attitude as if she was working at a mcdonalds, giving me meds and rushing me out without trying to help answer my concerns when i picked up the liver medicine. im out 593$ for the vet bill and was given no invoice. shady as hell. i asked for it to be emailed and they never sent it too, just gave me a credit card receipt. like...????? and they couldnt even diagnose her properly. definitely finding another vet. never going here again. seek somewhere more reputable, its worth the cost + extra drive. she was sick before she saw these people, but after the first vaccination day/visit she had EXTREMELY NOTICABLE deterioration. i think it definitely made her worse and she was not in the right state to do those things. my fault for thinking all vets were trustworthy. learn from my mistake.

Becky R.

I can't say enough good things about this business! I have two English Bulldogs and will never take them anywhere else. The vet and their staff are honest, up front and truly have the animals' best interested at heart.

My Email

I have been in touch with the College of Veterinarians of BC to file a complaint towards the Vet, Vinod Dhunna, regarding my experience of being on the receiving end of his verbal abuse. As well, as a person who is deaf, I was treated very poorly, my disability dismissed and mocked by him. The lack of professionalism on his part, as well as one of his front end reception was appalling. The abusive nature he presented, and bigotry was unacceptable. I will never patronize this business again, and caution anyone dealing with him.

Tanja Hinder

AVOID THIS VET! I took my dog there because the other hospital is quite far away and we just moved to this neighbourhood. She had an ear infection. She is the most loving dog without any signs of aggression. He came in, barely looked at her. My doggy didn't like him either, wouldn't take his treat, and tried to hide behind me. No offence but that's not a German Shepherd's normal behaviour. He told me that I should leave her with him right now and he will put her under in order to "scrape" her ears. It’s seemed wired to me that he would not be busy all day to take care of her right away. Then he went outside to put together the estimate. The cost was about $400.00 which seemed crazy considering it was just and ear infection. Besides the fact that it's not about the money (I'd pay whatever it takes to keep her healthy) - he seemed shady and everything inside me told me to leave. I paid for my initial visit and left the building. Then I called my old vet (Cambie animal hospital – they are fantastic and worth the drive!!!) and took brought her there. They treated her in the afternoon and gave me the ointment. The cost was approx. $60.00 and my doggy is doing great! Afterwards, I called this vet again to tell him that I will never come back. And not because of the money but because of how he treated me and my dog. I thought he should know. Although I doubt he cares.

Joanne Sriranpong

Professional and caring ..The front end Dr and all staff not rushing you answered all questions. Vets are expensive however I feel very reasonable for what was involved with kitty

T. F.

I went in for a microchip. They sedated my cat for some reason. She was sick for two days after and wouldn't eat anything. They lost the records too. My friend told me that Indian vets are cheap but I guess you get what you pay for. That's what I get for taking my dog to a Chinese vet with Indian doctors. Take your pet somewhere that cares about animals more than they care about money.

Allison Zentner

We’ve been coming here many years. Friendly services and caring. My dog loves the staff, and they do too :) Always clear about what they can do, you can pick and choose. All my dog’s issues over the years have been solved (allergies, cut paw, dew claw infection, pneumonia etc.). They’re also very accommodating with appointment times.

Jonathan Vincent

Excellent service and friendly staff. They had our dog in their care for the whole and sent him home happy and healthy ????

Linda B

I have a very sweet 100+ lb, 8 yr old, dog (hound mix) who had an ear infection. My regular vet was not available, so I went to this vet clinic. The vet tech was great. The veterinarian, however, was horrible. He was really afraid of my dog (pulled away from him, never once petted him, never gave him a proper examination). He kept saying, "you're such a big guy!" - All while he cringed and barely examined my poor dog. He said he was going to sedate my dog to clean his ears. When I refused, and noted that my dog was not showing any signs of aggression, he said, "we will put him in a muzzle". I couldn't believe my ears. Then the vet tech came in, got right down on the floor with my dog, and put him in a hold so the frightened vet could clean his ears and put in drops.. I couldn't leave there fast enough. Cheap vet, but horrible level of care.

Jodi MacDonald

Love our vet! Knowledgeable and patient never have an issue getting our asthmatic cat in which is a huge relief

Kayne Grant

Grate place very friendly staff an they are very good with my fur baby

Tara Torres

Very thorough. I've been taking my rescue dog here for 3 or 4 years now. They are always easy to communicate with and I've never had an issue scheduling an appointment. The staff are very honest and knowledgeable. I took my dog here to have his teeth cleaned because he had quite a bit of tartar buildup (he is 7 years old and had never had dental work). His teeth were so brown and I didn't expect them to be able to remove everything. I'm amazed at how clean his teeth are now! Highly recommend. They also give you a lot of information on the procedure and how to best take care of your dog afterwards.

Paige Morrris

Took my Dr. Satan to them for his first vet checkup and shots. They made him and me feel really at ease. Really well priced, and very nice staff.

megan moore

I came in late last week with one of my rats. The doctor was very attentive in telling me the steps that needed to happen and taking the time to go over cost with me. After I arrived to pick her up, he went over meds with me. Would definitely recommend to others. The staff were very understanding how emotional it can be to take a member of your family in.

Tandi Pohl

Though the front counter woman is amazing, the vet himself and especially the veterinary assistants were excessively rude, condescending, and over all unpleasant. They repeatedly attempted to give as little information as possible and when I enquired further, it was met with rapidly building frustration from them. For simply asking into their suggested treatment. When I was finally able to point out the assistant had made a mistake in her recommended course of action, no apology was given, just the simple concession that perhaps she’d made a mistake... that mistake, had I not had basic understanding of biology would’ve been rather expensive... the vet himself, when I’d pointed out excessive tests they were wanting to run, immediately was harsh toned and asked if I’m a practicing veterinarian. Completely unacceptable. I informed him though I am not a vet, I do have basic understanding of biology and I can see he’s attempting to run tests that do not fit with the symptoms of the dog. He conceded and simply went with what was needed. But a word of caution, do be careful with this vet and his assistants. They also speak another language with one another right in front of you. Which doesn’t help to qualm any suspicion of them attempting to pull the wool over ones eyes.

Nadia S

I don't know who is answering your phones, but if you are closed, don't answer the phone. Rude. Also, please update the hours on your website, they are obviously not correct.

Lychee M

My dog had symptoms of an early pyometra and we took her to 1st Ave Animal Hospital for an emergency spay. we were booked in quickly and they were all really good with my girl. These situations always make me feel nervous but the veterinarian seemed very experienced, knowledgeable, and explained everything to me. My dog has since made a full recovery and is back to her normal self again. I'm very happy with my experience there.

J P

Dr. Dhunna is a wonderful vet, we took our 13 year old cat Emily to him after the SPCA turned us away because we didn't have an appointment. Luckily they advised us to try First Ave Animal hospital and Dr. Dhunna saw us within half an hour!. Our cat had a stomach/intestine blockage and needed urgent surgery which Dr. Dhunna did the very next day. The staff are helpful and very caring as well. We will be using First Ave Animal Hospital from now on.

R. G.

I brought my 14yr old dog in for a surgery (a growth on his snout) and teeth removal. I called a few different places and all had very long wait. This place gave me an appointment the next day and did the surgery on that same day. The doctor and the staff were amazing, and gave us all the post surgery medicines. As for the cost, it was quite reasonable, as I have no insurance. For my experience, this place definitely deserves more stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

BeeLee Lee

Yesterday my dog was attacked by a Pitbull and Dr. D and his techs were so professional and caring and fixed my girl right up. We were in and out within a couple hours. They have followed up with me by phone to check on how Sadie is recovering. Unfortunately about 18 hours after her surgery she escaped the cone while I was sleeping and ripped out all her stitches. So at 1 am I had to bring her to another hospital to get it redone. The next day I was very concerned infection was setting in and I called the office. I asked if I could email a picture to the Veterinarian and I immediately got a call back letting me know he wasn't worried that it was 100% normal. Thank you. I have no hesitation referring this hospital and Veterinarian to anyones furbaby. The price is very fair as well.

Herppetta D.

No follow up and uncompassionate.

K T

Dr. Dhunna and his staff are professional, kind, and genuinely care about their animal patients. Our cat has multiple health problems involving: eye, gallstones, liver, and kidneys. He was able to determine the best course of action for our cat and she is still with us. Dr. Dhunna is very generous with his care and knowledge and we recommend him and his staff with the highest regard. His hospital is very clean and his prices are very reasonable. Don't hesitate to pay him a visit with your sick pet. You will be glad you did.