Be aware that most of the reviews under this listing are for another business that essentially closed in 2015. Nothing remains of the original business. I would not recommend the current practice.
The reviews prior to 2016 should not be included in this Yelp listing, as they are for the fantastic vets who established the original practice under the Feline Medical Center name. The bulk of the positive reviews are deservedly for that practice, which is long gone. The current practice is owned and run by a different company (Bishop Ranch). Since 2012, I've taken my cats to the original FMC/FVC, as well as BR and BR's other practice, Amador Valley Veterinary Center. The current FVC is nothing like the original FMC practice, with exception of only treating cats. Doctors, pricing, service, and mentality are completely different now.
FMC was easily a five-star business. Dr. Marshall was rare and truly wonderful; Dr. Connally was also very good. My senior guys had typical old man chronic health issues but were kept under control and did well for years under their care. After Sue Marshall's illness and departure, my cats' health went downhill, despite continuing to see various vets within the practice, which was now run by BR. We spent several thousand here within a year. From ultrasounds and x-rays to blood tests up the wazoo, there was always another test being recommended; I was in here multiple times a month. It was ridiculous. Yet none of the vets across FVC/BR/AVVC could diagnose my cat with chronic upper respiratory issues. One of them said, "there's something big going on" but couldn't tell me what. For a nasal exam he needed to be put under general, which his age and heart prevented.
At one point, one of the vets said he had abdominal cancer based on his ultrasound. We began treatment. During a subsequent checkup, my regular vet at the same practice took another look at the ultrasound and said the other vet had been mistaken. I suspect the unnecessary chemo reduced his immunity and worsened his respiratory issue, as, while he'd been stable for years, he worsened soon after. Things culminated with my primary vet leaving town without notice, during which time my cat suddenly declined. I contacted the practice to be told my vet was out for a week, so I took him to the "abdominal cancer" backup vet at Bishop, who guessed he now had a facial tumor (?!) based on a bump no one else had felt (nor had I) and essentially said there's nothing to be done. I should have known better than to trust her again. I regret it every day.
Despite medication and crazed-mom care, he deteriorated so quickly he could barely walk and I had to let him go a day later. He had also apparently been dehydrated (despite getting sub-q fluids at home) but the vet never mentioned it. He was my child, total love of my life. I later discovered that dehydration was likely behind his mobility issues but the vet missed it. I didn't suspect it because I'd been giving him fluids. I still wonder what would've happened if the vet had him put on more fluids and monitored instead of telling me by palpating his nose that he probably had cancer and sending us home.
My other senior cat died two months later but to my knowledge it was not to do with the care provided here, unless they missed his cancer along the way. He'd been receiving treatment for kidney failure and hyperthyroidism but those were stable when he died.
Two+ years and a couple cats later, I reluctantly returned here (and once to BR) because my cats were well and young. Two healthy kitten checkups were uneventful. I took my third in and at the vet's suggestion (he also suggested a second test and a dental cleaning), had a CBC run. I was told I'd be called in about 48 hours with the results to find out if he had kidney dysfunction, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism, all of which the vet said could be behind his (mild) issues. It took a week and a half with my leaving two messages to get them to contact me with the results.
One consistent factor among the BR vets is that they are always upselling tests, etc. They are, kindly put, not competitively priced. The real issue is that their treatment and service don't warrant the price scale. Yes, it's nice to have a cats-only practice but unlike Marshall and Connally, the vets here are not cat specialists. They are general vets that worked at the other practices before BR bought out Feline Medical Center.
Bottom line to this absurdly long review: believe the negative reviews and don't bother reading beyond 2015, as those reviews have nothing to do with this business. This place is fine for healthy check-ups, buying RX food, and paying through the nose, etc. But if you have cats with serious or chronic illnesses or if you value professionalism, dependability, and quality service, perhaps look around Yelp a bit more. I gave them an undeserved second chance and they managed to blow it. read more
