I've been taking my dog (and now new puppy) here for 4 years. Over the past 4 years it has gotten progressively worse. I should've picked up on many clues over the years but kept going back.
Here's some of my experiences:
1) I never saw the same doctor twice
2) I was told my 5 year old dog had a murmur and needed 600$ worth of work up. I waited it out and by the next visit, no murmur reported from the new doctor. Glad I didn't drop the 600$.
3) Inconsistent messages of care from the front desk, techs and vets. This would probably not be an issue if you didn't see a new vet every visit. Apparently they have a high turnover rate. I wonder why? If you do choose to go here. Take notes or a second set of ears because the messages always change. Vaccinating my puppy here was horrible on top of her having reactions to the vaccines. I will say that Dr Marion tried to make it right even though I was furious with the care my dog had been given. My advice is to make sure to see the same doctor every time. But I'm not sure that is even possible because of the turnover rate.
4) Rooms don't appear to be cleaned between visits. This is especially troubling to me as I have a new puppy who is not fully vaccinated.
5) They will try to get as much money from you as possible. Just a warning as this has been my experience. I definitely overpaid for a "vaccine package."
6) The wait period for an appointment is at the very least 45 minutes. Sitting in a crowded waiting room full of animals. And a resident cat. I've never made it out of there in less than 1 and a half hours.
7) I felt that they used scare tactics to get me to buy procedures and medications that I didn't need. Sad to say this as I feel like I should be able to trust providers: do some homework if you choose to go here.
8) I did not call the doctor back when he left a message checking on my dog. Apparently he wanted to tell me she needed to be medicated next round of vaccines (which in my opinion, he could have easily included this in the message but I guess he wanted to tell me in person?)
This resulted in me being told that my dog would have to wait 30 mins for the oral Benadryl to kick in (on top of the 45 mins I was in the waiting room) or pay for a Benadryl shot (10 min wait). I raised a stink. Why was there not some sort of note to get that started while I was in the waiting room?!
Hmmm. Well like I said, Dr Marion made it right by comping the shot (which I do appreciate).
I could keep going on and on. I will not spend a single cent or minute of my time on this place and I feel like others should be warned.
Two positive things about Alta Vista are their operating hours and Dr Marion's attempt to make good on 4 years of terrible service.