VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital

04/09/2025

Does your dog bark non-stop? It's time for an attitude check! We're sharing some must-knows to see if your dog is experiencing medical or behavioral issues.

04/07/2025

Medical emergencies can occur suddenly and without warning, so it's best to be prepared. A Pet First Aid Kit allows you to have important items available to care for your pet in one area. No one can be prepared for all emergencies, but it's still important to have the basics.

If the emergency is severe, get your pet to your local hospital as soon as possible.

04/04/2025

Meowzart...Bark Twain...Mary Puppins? We love meeting pets with names just as special as they are.

Is your pet's name unique? Let us know in the comments!

04/03/2025

This Heartworm Awareness Month, make sure that your pet has the proper protection against heartworms. Year-round parasite prevention is always the best form of protection.

04/01/2025

It's not every day that you hear the wildest pet stories, but at VCA, it's a daily occurrence!

03/31/2025

What is anesthesia, and why is it so important?

Anesthesia can seem intimidating, but it can help your pet be treated without pain, stress, or discomfort. We're sharing the importance of anesthesia and how it may be necessary to make sure your pet is cared for.

03/28/2025

Pup quiz time! How did you score? Comment below and tell us how many you got right!

03/26/2025

Blood work is an important step in helping your pet get better. It can help diagnose hidden ailments, expose parasites, or uncover what's affecting your pet.

We're sharing a few reasons on how a little bit of blood can make a difference in their care plan.

03/25/2025

While it can cause severe illness in pets, leptospirosis is preventable through routine vaccination for all dogs.

Contact your local VCA to schedule your vaccine now.

03/25/2025

One year ago, Charlie was diagnosed with cutaneous lymphoma, a form of skin cancer. Under the expert care of Dr. Carter, Dr. Gomez, and our dedicated oncology team, Charlie has reached one year of cancer treatment and is stronger than ever before!

Our team was lucky enough to join Charlie's family to celebrate this milestone with him on his 10th birthday.

We are so proud of Charlie and honored to be part of his care team. Please join us in wishing Charlie a very happy birthday!

03/24/2025

Watch out for this hidden outdoor danger! 🌾🐾 Foxtails may look harmless, but these pesky grass seeds can cause serious harm to your pet on your next hike. Learn more about the risks and how to avoid them!

03/23/2025

There's no greater love than puppy love! Celebrate National Puppy Day with the best gift for your new furry friend—a FREE first exam at participating VCA Animal Hospitals!

📍 Find a hospital & book today. New clients only. Terms and conditions apply.

Visit Now: vca.mobi/NationalPuppyDay

03/21/2025

Safety first! Whether you're out for a walk or relaxing at home, the right pet safety gear is a must. We've rounded up our top picks to keep our pets protected. Watch to see our favorites!

03/20/2025

Spring is in the air 🌼 Next time you stop and smell the flowers, make sure they're safe for your pet to sniff too!

What's your favorite Spring activity with your pet? Let us know in the comments.

03/18/2025

Meeting your pet is one of the easiest hellos, but it's also one of the hardest goodbyes.

Jennifer Scanlon, VCA South Shore (Weymouth) Animal Hospital, spoke with Newsweek about pet grief and how important it is to help pet owners navigate these difficult times.

Read More:

An X-ray revealed my 12-year-old dog had hemangiosarcoma, a type of cancer known as the "silent killer."

03/17/2025

We're feline lucky cause it's St. Cat-ricks Day 🍀!

03/14/2025

When it comes to pet health, make sure you're in the know. We're debunking a few common myths that can put your pet's health at risk.

03/13/2025

March 13th is

Today is dedicated to the incredible canines out there whose service and sacrifice help to keep us safe.

03/12/2025

Raise your hand if your timeline is just photos of the cutest pets! 😹🤚

02/22/2025

🦷🐾 February is National Pet Dental Month! 🐾🦷

While we often think of dental health in cats and dogs, it's important to remember our floppy-eared friends as well! Rabbit oral health differs greatly from other pets, so understanding their teeth is essential for proper care. Here’s what you need to know:

• Rabbits have a unique dental structure to reflect their specialized chewing needs (and have no canine teeth!)
• Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their lives and need constant chewing to naturally wear them down
• Common dental problems in rabbits can include misalignment of teeth, dental spurs, and tooth overgrowth
• Signs of dental disease to look out for include changes in food preference, weight loss, excessive salivation, and facial swelling

VCA WLA is proud to have ZooMed specialist Dr. Jessica Robertson, DVM, DACZM, available for consultations and appointments Wednesday through Saturday. Book your bunny's dental appointment today!

02/18/2025

February is National Pet Dental month, which makes it a great time to think about what you are doing for your pet’s oral health!

If your pet has smelly breath, bleeding gums, or difficulty chewing, it may be time for a routine dental cleaning under general anesthesia. Contact your local VCA veterinarian to talk about oral health.

01/21/2025

We are so excited to introduce you to the newest member of our Primary Care team, Dr. Devon K. Otero! Self-described as a "people-informed pet professional,” he is excited to serve you and your loved ones as a culturally competent and patient-centered clinician. Dr. Otero has appointment availability starting on January 27th, and you can book your visit today with the myVCA app or on our website: https://vcahospitals.com/west-los-angeles/primary/book-an-appointment?returnUrl=/west-los-angeles/primary.

Although he grew up under the Florida sun, Dr. Otero was born in the Bronx, NY and still claims his New Yorker heritage. He is a proud "triple Gator," having graduated from the University of Florida in 2018 with a B.S. in Zoology and a Disability Studies minor, and again in 2022 as one of only two concurrent Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health degree candidates. He worked as an associate veterinarian at VCA Cypress Creek Animal Hospital in Tampa, until accepting the exciting opportunity to trade coasts and join the VCA West Los Angeles team in 2025.

Dr. Otero recognizes that human and animal health are tightly linked, and his understanding of medicine is reinforced by a diverse background and specialized training. His professional interests include high-quality primary and preventive medicine, general surgery and anesthesia, community health practice, intersectional health inequities, justice-centered advocacy, and veterinary health literacy. Dr. Otero is Fear Free Certified and a member of PrideVMC, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Public Health Association, American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology, and Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health. His research collaborations have been published in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education and the Journal of Veterinary Behavior.

Dr. Otero is passionate about improving access to care for marginalized populations, but also about pineapple-on-pizza and corn tortillas. While not in the hospital, Dr. Otero may be found longboarding to a nearby tennis court, volunteering at the local library, or lounging in front of Netflix with his partner and their beloved foster-fail Oliver.

01/17/2025

Have you and your family been affected by the wildfires? VCA West Los Angeles is here to help. We have a variety of pet foods available at no cost for affected pet owners, including Hill's Science Diet, select Royal Canin Prescription Food, and even bird food!

This offer is available while supplies last. To check availability and arrange pickup, call us at (310) 473-2951 and select option 5. Los Angeles, we're in this together!

01/13/2025

To further support our community, we’ve compiled an up-to-date list of resources, shelters, tips, foster information, and more.

Questions about how to keep your pets safe during the the fires? Let us know and we’ll work with our medical team to get you the answers you need.

Los Angeles, we are all in this together!

01/13/2025

VCA West Los Angeles is still here to support our community during this time of need. Our doors are open to pets who require boarding or medical care due to the fires ravaging our community.

Additionally, we have resources and supplies for people and their pets displaced by the fires. At this time, we have cat/small dog carriers, dog and cat essentials bags, a selection of prescription food, and more for your use.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you or any facilities are in need of support. We are in this together!

01/10/2025

Now through January 31, all donations made to VCA Charities at VCA Animal Hospitals throughout California will support disaster relief efforts, including support for pets impacted by the current devasting fires in the Los Angeles area. VCA Animal Hospitals is proud to support VCA Charities, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in their disaster relief efforts. Every dollar helps local animal welfare organizations shelter, transport and care for pets through grants that fund veterinary care, medication, food, and supplies.

Donations can be made at any VCA Animal Hospitals or visit VCACharities.org to donate online.

01/09/2025

VCA is here to support the Los Angeles community and their pets during this time of need. We will continue to update the caption of this post with any new developments in service or support. Please call the hospital or boarding facility ahead of time to confirm there is space available for your pet.

Additionally, VCA WLA has the following resources available for those in need:

- Cat carriers
- Cat litter scoops
- Pop-up dog bowls
- Dog p**p bags
- Hand sanitizer

Please contact us for more information or if you know of a facility that needs support.

01/07/2025

VCA WLA is here to support our clients in need! Please reach out to the hospital directly if you or your pets are in need of support by calling (310) 473-2951.

VCA is offering free boarding at many locations for those displaced by the fires. Please contact the hospitals directly for availability.

For the pets displaced in the Palisades Fire:
VCA Chatsworth: (818) 341-7770
VCA Adler: (818) 893-6366
The Barkley Pet Hotel & Day Spa: (818) 889-2275
VCA Kennel Club Resort & Spa: (310) 539-2201

For pets displaced by the Eaton fire:
VCA Community: (626) 287-0527
VCA Mission: (626) 289-3643

For pets displaced by the Hurst fire:
VCA Chatsworth: (818) 341-7770
VCA Adler: (818) 893-6366
The Barkley Pet Hotel & Day Spa: (818) 889-2275

Additional LA County resources include:
Large animals - Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Located at 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91506
Large animals - Pierce College Equestrian Center. Located at 7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills
Small animals - Agoura Animal Care Center. Located at 29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills
Livestock - Pierce College. Located at 6201 Winnetka Ave in Woodland Hills
Humans and small animals - Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
Humans - Pasadena Convention Center, 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 (note - the humane society is on-site to accept pets for boarding)


For VCA clients, please make sure to download myVCA app to have all of your pet's records on hand. We will continue to update this page with any new resources.

12/25/2024

Happy holidays, from our family at VCA WLA to yours
❤️
Our ER is open 24/7 today, and all primary care and specialty services will resume in full capacity tomorrow.