VCA Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists

Reviews

• CR

  Carrie Rautiola

  2 days ago
  5.0
  Dr. Tarricone and the whole team including the front desk staff, nurses and surgery team were so wonderful with our dog and us. Neil had a large tumor on his liver and also a mass on his spleen. He had both removed and is back to our sweet boy. He is older and we were considering not putting him through it but Dr Tarricone was very supportive, reassuring and confident that he would do well. The consult with him was comforting in an anxious time. Dr Tarricone spoke to us directly several times throughout the process, and I never felt rushed when asking him questions. He is thorough and professional. Overnight the nurses sent me photos of our boy and kept me updated on his progress. Very happy with our experience at VCA. Thank you for treating our boy like your own. Some of the reviews initially made me nervous but after digging into them, the majority of the negative ones are price related. We went in knowing what the services cost so we were prepared and also understand these things aren’t inexpensive. I did not feel pressured into anything unnecessary cost wise.
• EG

  Eian Gosselin

  Jul 1, 2026
  5.0
  I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional care my puppy received at your facility early this morning. After arriving for an emergency, we were immediately greeted and assessed. Nurse Cori assisted us right away, gently taking my dog to the back to determine the cause of his intoxication. I truly appreciated how she kept me informed throughout the entire process. Despite the frightening nature of the situation, the professionalism of Nurse Cori, Dr. Gray, and the rest of your staff gave me complete confidence that my dog was being prioritized and was in excellent hands. I am very grateful that I was able to pick him up just a few hours later. We feel fortunate to have access to your services, and I will not hesitate to return to VCA Palm Beach should any issues arise in the future. Thank you all for your quick response and amazing care. I will highly recommend your team to others.
• MM

  Mariya

  Jun 24, 2026
  1.0
  Our beloved dog, Sky, was only 5 years old. He had been healthy his entire life until developing pancreatitis two weeks before we were referred to this specialty hospital. The experience we had with this clinic was one of the most devastating and disturbing experiences our family has ever endured. From the moment we arrived, we felt pressured into making a $14,000 surgical decision with virtually no opportunity to slow down, process the information, or seek a second opinion. We were told our dog had a pancreatic abscess and required immediate surgery. The message was clear: surgery needed to happen right away. The surgery was $18,000 but VCA covered $4000 from a charity. What stood out to us from the beginning was how often money was discussed. Instead of focusing on helping us understand all available options, we were repeatedly asked about our budget and how much we were willing to spend. We ultimately agreed to the surgery because we were led to believe it was necessary to save Sky's life. We were given an extremely optimistic outlook and were told that after surgery he will live another 15 years. Four days later, he was dead. What makes this even more difficult to accept is that an ultrasound performed by our regular veterinarian only two days earlier reportedly did not identify any pancreatic abscess. We were then told that an abscess had appeared and become so severe within a matter of days that emergency surgery was required. We still do not understand how such a dramatic change occurred or why we were never encouraged to obtain an independent second opinion before proceeding with a major surgery. After surgery, the focus on finances continued. During Sky's hospitalization, we were repeatedly asked about our budget and how long we could afford to keep him there. We explained that we intended to transfer him to our regular veterinarian on Thursday because the cost of continued hospitalization at the specialty clinic was becoming financially overwhelming. Then, on the very morning we planned to transfer him, we received a call informing us that Sky was dying. When I arrived at the hospital, I felt intense pressure to euthanize him immediately. I was strongly discouraged from transferring him elsewhere or obtaining another opinion. After days of conversations centered around our financial limits and our plan to move him to a more affordable facility, we were suddenly told that he was in liver failure and that euthanasia was the only option. The timing of these events has never sat right with us. Financial discussions played far too large a role in our dog's care. We understand that veterinary medicine does not come with guarantees and that even the best doctors lose patients. That is not the issue. The issue is that we never felt like informed partners in Sky's treatment. We felt pressured into surgery. We felt pressured regarding costs. We felt pressured when discussing transfer options. And ultimately, we felt pressured when making end-of-life decisions. Sky deserved better. Our family deserved better. We entrusted this hospital with the life of a young dog who should have had many years ahead of him. Instead, we left with an empty leash, a broken heart, a $20,000 bill (surgery + before & after tests/treatment), and countless unanswered questions. We would never return, and we would strongly encourage other pet owners to ask hard questions, seek independent opinions, and fully understand all available options before making irreversible decisions.
• JJ

  JORGE JARAMILLO

  Jun 17, 2026
  5.0
  Thanks to Nurse Cane and her team, this little guy, Mulligan, is safe and was able to come home with a clean bill of health! We were very scared when he developed a bad case of kennel cough. He was not eating, throwing up, and was lethargic the day after we got him. But thankfully Nurse Cane and all the caring staff and veterinarians were able to treat and care for him! We understand (and were thankful) that we were not the most serious case by far. This whole amazing team deals with around the clock emergencies, and still manages to treat each patient (and worried owners) with compassion, courtesy, and professionalism! I hope to never have to come back, but if we ever have another emergency situation, we'll be sure to take our little guy to VCA Palm Beach ASAP!
• MM

  Monica Martinez

  Jun 13, 2026
  5.0
  My girl, Pebbles, came in having trouble breathing. The team took her back immediately to help her become more comfortable and breathe without distress. This was one of the hardest experiences of my life. They cared for her through the weekend until the specialist was able to evaluate her on Monday. Unfortunately, the news was not what I had hoped for, but it was the reality of her condition—not the nightmare I wished I could wake up from. I had to make the incredibly difficult decision to let her go so she would no longer be in pain. I loved my girl more than words can express. Afterward, I found myself spiraling through all the possibilities, wondering if I had asked the right questions or explored every option. Dr. Rhodes took the time to speak with me and give me a much-needed reality check with compassion, kindness, and honesty. The doctors, nurses, and front desk staff were all amazing. Of course, we always wish for more time with the ones we love, but there are limits to what medicine can do. I am deeply grateful for the care, support, and compassion they showed Pebbles and me during such a heartbreaking time.