West Charleston Animal Hospital

08/22/2008 Posted by LyssaBaker

My boyfriend's dog was diagnosed with Addison's Disease a few months ago and thanks to her hormone replacement therapy she has shown a 90% improvement! Since she is now living with me for the next year we needed to find a vet here in Las Vegas (as opposed to her usual vet in Studio City California). I decided to ask some pet owners at the dog park and was rewarded with the recommendation of the West Charleston Animal Hospital. I also checked this site and others and read every review I could find. We met today with Dr Simmons who examined her and gave her the required DOCP shot she now receives once a month. As loving pet owners we have reservations about the side effects and long term issues that may occur as a result of steroid treatment. Not only did he mention an alternative medication that the LA vet NEVER mentioned but he researched her information with regards to this med. He then called me back a few hours after our visit and had a 30 min conversation with me that was full of information on the alternate med, a website I can visit to get more answers and an assurance that he is making phone calls to a national expert in these types of disorders! Unlike the vet in California (where I have taken her several times myself) I didn't feel that it was get in, get your meds, pay your bill and get out! I have found a vet with a sincere dedication to the profession of taking care of our beloved family members even when the answer may be "I don't know". I do not expect any doctor to have all the answers especially for such a rare disease that is difficult to even diagnose, but the diligence in obtaining those answers is what makes all the difference! I received no unnecessary testing and no ridiculous fees. The shot she received was actually 1/3 of what we have been paying in California and they didn't charge for her exam AT ALL! My boyfriend wants to fly in from Canada to personally meet this doctor and thank him! If you care for your pets bring them here!

Pros: Great facility, friendly staff, and AMAZING vet!

Cons: If I find any in the future I will put them here!

07/25/2008 Posted by LAWest702

I have lived in Las Vegas for over eight years and I have family who have lived here for over 18 years. I also live with four dogs. The West Charleston Animal Hospital provides thorough and outstanding service. During the last week of June, our dog was treated for a serious injury and infection to his skin. He was examined by a doctor from another hospital 24 hours following an incident. The second day after the injury occured, the condition escalated. I was not satisfied with the service from the animal hospital in the 89104 neighborhood. I contacted WCAH from a referral of a realtor from Realty Executives who lives in the 89145 neighborhood who owns 3 dogs. I was referred to Dr. Wanous. Both Dr. Wanous and Dr. Simmons demonstrated knowledge of the condition and a remedy. Our dog was hospitalized for 6 days. The doctors were congenial and gave ample time to address my questions and concerns. The entire staff, including the front desk clerks, technicians and doctors showed compassionate to our dog and to our feelings. The West Charleston Animal Hospital saved our dog's life. He was well cared for and he was happy each day I visited him during his arduous and painful recovery. West Charleston Animal Hospital is located at Charleston and Buffalo. I live on the opposite side of the Las Vegas Valley, BUT I will continue to use the services of this hospital to serve all needs of our four dogs. I CANNOT BELIEVE THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS POSTED ABOUT WCAH. I observed PROFESSIONAL, QUALITY, COMPLETE service even on the holiday 4th of July! I highly recommend the services of this hospital ! Pros: 1. Our dog recovered from his injury and is healthy! 2. The doctors and technicians have the accurate knowledge and apply their skills 3. Hours and days of operation are convenient. 4. I was provided with an immediate response to my questions and needs for service. 5. Kind and friendly staff. I did not feel like an inconvenience or burden.

Pros: Services are delivered with confidence. Doctors are well-informed. Staff is kind and sympathetic. I was treated with responsiveness to my needs and my dog's needs.

Cons: None

07/14/2008 Posted by WESTCHARLESTONSUCKS

Typically i am not one to make a stink about a business and or a person in general specially in a publically viewed situation. I am so FRUSTRATED (that isnt even a big enough word to describe it) about this whole situation i AM doing something.Take cat in saturday, icky mouth,hard breathing, infection of some sort in his mouth. Vet gives some shots and sends home with some medicine$200. 2 days pass, cat is doing worse then before, take cat back in.Vet tests for everything under the sun, not even looking in his mouth where the issue is cleary from. Hold cat for 3 days for results, meanwhile cat is getting worse. These 3 days accumulate to roughly $600 with 0 result.We suggest they check his mouth for something he could have lodged or eaten that had a reaction,VET notices finally a absest in the cat's throat, surgery right away, all fixed and done right? this was ANOTHER $700 which should of been the first and last and ONLY money needed for the animal.Cat comes home after 2 day wait period. His leg where the IV was inserted is now hugely infected(dirty equiptment) and his leg is 2 times its normal size and the cat is ALSO limping on the OTHER leg which got 0 anything according to them.Take cat BACK IN for the 3rd time now to get this issue fixed, luckily they resolved this without charging(wow impressed) Get home let cat from the carrier and he is covered in old and new urine from his carrier with matted fur. Obviously been in the carrier for awhile in his own urine.700 bill for all the tests, overnight stay,medicine ect. This Isnt the only "overcharging while we learn" issue i have had here. I thought the first time was a mistake and things were normal. After this last incident with excessive uneeded expensive treatment i WILL NO LONGER EVER USE THIS VET. i HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING AROUND FROM PET OWNERS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE MUCH MORE REGULAR then I would have thought. They will never get another dime from me and I will pass the word to as many as possible

Pros: they SEEEEEEMMM NICE

Cons: THEY CHARGE WHILE THEY LEARN

07/05/2008 Posted by buANDbailey

I have been taking my dogs to this animal hospital for the past 4 years and I will never bring them back again! Before leaving on a short weekend trip last month, I brought my three small dogs to this place for boarding. I requested the following: I wanted all three dogs to be placed together, which they said was not a problem; two of them needed their nails trimmed and their ears flushed; the other one will need just an anal-glands expression. When I picked them up a couple days later, I found out that the ears were not flushed; and instead of doing the anal-glands expression for the one dog, her nails were trimmed. The ONLY thing they got right was trimming the nails for the two dogs. The worst part of this whole event was that they had separated one of my dogs (the youngest one) from the other two and when I asked about it, the woman at the front reception area (Mandy) who initially assisted me when I brought my dogs in totally brushed it off and made it seem that money was the issue and just told the other woman who was helping me out to charge me for just one kennel. Mandy missed the whole point and had absolutely no regard, let alone any respect. The scary thing about this whole deal is that I filled out the necessary forms and they obviously did not follow it. The Vet had even asked me about their needs, but he didn't listen. Yes, my requests were quite petty, but their carelessness says a lot!

06/04/2008 Posted by Nanschutz

We recently took our dog Baby there who was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Dr. Kempf made sure everything was stable enough before letting Baby come home with us. They don't overcharge you or perform unecessary testing. Everyone is very friendly, the office is very nice and never smells like animals. I would never dream of going to another vet. I'm so glad I found them!

05/31/2008 Posted by CamilleHughWillowNDagny

Our (2) pet mini-schnauzers - Willow and Dagny are patients of Dr. Kempf. The staff is responsive and caring. Last October when my 14 year old, Willow, was in respiratory distress - the responsiveness and quality emergency care she received that day has given us more time with her. That day Dr. Kempf ran a series of tests on Willow - tests that wouldn't or couldn't have been done at another facility. I had already spent the morning in a different clinic waiting -only to be told tests couldn't be done for at least a couple of days. I trusted my gut - and promptly brought Willow to Dr. Kempf. By the time Willow arrived at WCAH she was blown up like the Goodyear blimp. Dr. Kempf performed an emergency ultrasound. Sadly, Willow was diagnosed with heart-based hemangiosarcoma - a highly metastatic form of cancer with a poor prognosis. Devastated by this awful news - Dr. Kempf shared with us his personal story of his own dog who lost the battle with this same cancer. Not only did we know then that we were at a state of the art clinic - it was a from the heart clinic also. Dr. Kemp explained the risks of drawing off the fluid around Willow's heart and lungs. It was the only option and were able to take Willow home to recover in the peace of our loving home. She's had a couple of those procedures. Every time she's been in distress Dr. Kempf and his efficient and caring staff have delivered emergent loving care. Whether it's a routine prescription refill or a benign lump/bump - the clinical care, the level of knowledge and experience is the best in town. My husband and I are both involved in the medical surgical field and can say without reservation that if Dr. Kempf should ever get into human medicine-we want to be his first human patients! Thank you Dr. Kempf for the excellent care as Willow enters the "Back Nine of Her Life". We know we don't have much more time with her. Thank you for always being there, setting realistic expectations and for caring so much.

Pros: Clinical, Caring, Clean, Experienced, Spacious

03/15/2008 Posted by LindasZoo

We have had 4 animals with this animal hospital and they are fantastic. We have an English Mastiff (8) named Lassie, another little dog, (6) (Lucky) and our cat Bandit who is (11). We had to put our pure white, blue-eyed cat Snoball put down last month after kidney failure. They were the most caring, considerate hospital I have ever been too. I don't think that I have ever had a vet hold me at my worst possible moment, losing my cat. It's the best place, Dr. Carney is fantastic with Mastiff's and they go out of their way for a loved pet. I recommend them highly as the best animal hospital to go to. They take the time and they care over and above most hospitals. Thank you so much!

Pros: Caring Hospital

01/31/2008 Posted by disneyland255

We recently had to put our 18 year old dog down and Dr. Wanous and Brenda were absolutely amazing. They both have such a knack for handling patients and their owners that you really feel at home. Dr. Wanous has such a love for the animals he takes care of and it shows through and through. Brenda is exactly the same way. I have never met a more caring Vet and Vet Tech than these two. I highly recomned both of them.

Pros: Wonderful Vet (Dr. Wanous) and Vet Tech (Brenda) as wel as staff

Cons: As with any vet hospital, expensive. But the care more than makes up for it.

12/29/2007 Posted by aggiechas

Dr. Kempf and the staff at West Charleston Animal Hospital are very caring, professional, and attentive to my Maltese. My baby has never and will never go to another vet office. Every time we go, they remember my dog by name. Also, the hours at WCAH are amazing (7 days a week). They have accommodated me very quickly on numerous occasions when we just walked in spur of the moment.

Pros: Great hours, caring staff, reasonable prices

Cons: None found

07/12/2007 Posted by ddlo

Have been to other animal hopitals/centers but wouldn't take my dogs to anyone other than here. Dr. Jones is the best. I have 3 small dogs and the way they respond to him is heartwarming and reassuring that I have chosen someone who loves animals. The care and love they extended to my Maltese, Dempsey, when he was extremely ill assured me I was at the right place. All three of my dogs go there and all are healthy, happy and excited to go there.

Pros: knowlegeable, loving care

Cons: absolutely none