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September 2024 by Ann Kardel
Dr. Arteaga and her staff did an amazing job taking care of our 11 year old Boston Terrier! She has been in cancer remission for 3 years. I was told she had maybe three months in September of 2021. Dr. Arteaga took her on as a patient. She lived three more full years of life. She left for the Rainbow Bridge September 19, 2024. Thank you Dr. Arteaga for the additional three years of life we are so blessed! ? God Bless you!
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March 2024 by Hayley M.
Nov 2022 my peanut (min pin 12 years old) got diagnosed with lymphoma. The animal cancer center staff has been nothing but amazing to us. They've some how given me another year half with my baby and I'm so grateful. I know not every story is like mine but I am so gratefu for this place and its staff!! Robert has always been caring and nice even when I had questions about how much treatment was. I drive six hours to take my dog to chemo I wouldn't do it if this place was anything short of a miracle. Dr. A is an angel helping our sweet babies. if you need their services and are lucky enough to get in I hope you're blessed like I was with more time.
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February 2024 by Monica A.
At first they act like they care. I called their office continuously because I had to reschedule one of my dogs appointments and ROBERT (front desk) kept saying "sure, let me move some things around and give you a call back". Days would go by with no call. I called back a few days later and the same thing he promised to call back and the week went by with NO CALL BACK FROM ROBERT. When i called him again(because he NEVER called me back), he said Dr. Arteaga would no longer see my dog because I missed the appointment but after trying to reschedule HOW was that my fault? He never called me back for WEEKS. I told him, my dog isn't getting treatment all I needed was to monitor her lump and he was so careless not even trying to help. And I called days before to cancel her appointment because I couldn't miss my work day. I followed up to get a copy of my dogs records after they left my dog with cancer and I trying to find a different oncologist and ROBERT, again, was so RUDE. This place should really reconsider replacing this person ROBERT. as someone with a pet with cancer, I hate to call a place where they give false information of calling you back to schedule your pets appointment and ROBERT being so unprofessional not keeping up with his word or leaving me in limbo for a month to get a slap in the face with a "we can no longer see Xeena". He could've told me this the first time I called so I wouldn't wait an entire month for a call back and receiving false hope and I could've gladly looked for a BETTER place to take my pet.
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December 2023 by C H.
Dr. Arteaga has profound knowledge and expertise coupled with a strong sense of compassion and empathy. Here is a vet who literally got down on the floor and held our precious little dog during visits. Dr. Arteaga was recommended to us by our local vet, as we don't have a cancer center in our county (San Luis Obispo). The vibe at the facility is calm, quiet and peaceful, with fresh chicken offered at every visit. Our dog loved it there. We will be forever grateful for the excellent care provided by Dr. A and her amazing staff.
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December 2023 by Brian R.
I wish I never needed the services of Dr. Arteaga, but I'm beyond grateful that she is here. Having had two dogs with debilitating bone cancer over the years, her expertise and kindness helped us through some very difficult times. It's never easy to decide how to proceed with treatment for serious illnesses like cancers, but everyone at ACC helps to make you understand all your options with the care and compassion you need.
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November 2023 by Ashlee J
Dr. Arteaga is a wonderful vet and was there for me and for my fur baby Lucy in the toughest times. She is so thorough and explained everything in great detail. She is always prompt to get back to my questions immediately. She not only gave my hope for my dog Lucy, she saved my Mom’s dog Fiona as well who is doing fantastic, years in remission!! As a veterinarian myself, I highly recommend her and her excellent care!
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November 2023 by C C.
Terry the receptionist was very rude on multiple occasions, by her tone and choice of words she seems annoyed to answer questions or ask the oncologist questions on which is odd given our animals are receiving care from the facility and we are instructed to call with any issues our sick pets may have with cancer treatment. My phone calls with questions were also not returned after leaving messages with Terry regarding my sick pet. The oncologist however friendly, kind to your pet, and happy to answer all questions but I would GET A SECOND OPINION IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH TREATMENT PLAN SUGGESTED. The veterinary assistant/nurses were very caring and supportive, no issue. I would highly recommend improving the experience many people are expressing with the receptionist. It was enough for me to look for another oncology location so I don't have to deal with my sick pet and the receptionist's disrespect. Your clients are investing in getting their pets the best care as a oncology practice and as paying clients we should be respected and treated kindly. Towards the end of my pets life, the staff was incredibly difficult and refused to see my pet. Basically they'll help you so they get your money but kick you to the curb and act as though they are inconvenienced by your pet once your pet is nearing death. After reading other reviews I would always get a second opinion, my pet may still be here if it wasn't for their careless attitudes. My pet was more of an experiment in my opinion.
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October 2023 by J Max
Very friendly and informative
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August 2023 by Leslie H.
Dr. Arteaga and staff are wonderful. Our dog Abbey has been battling Lymphoma for over 2 years and is currently in remission. We are extremely grateful they were able to care for Abbey when she was first diagnosed and have continued to care for her when it came back. She visits often for check ups and we adopted a cancer pup that is also seen by Animal Cancer Center. I highly recommend them and will always be truly grateful we still have Abbey with us.
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August 2023 by M Linwood
Horrible! I am still traumatized after trusting my dog Buddha's care to the Animal Cancer Center (ACC). I brought him to Dr. Arteaga starting 9/22, ending in 5/23 when she abruptly announced, "he's in kidney failure!" and then dismissed us as clients in the coldest, most brutal manner. When I brought Buddha in initially, his BRAF test revealed 2% cancer - very early stage bladder cancer. I gave him all the cancer meds she suggested along with the NSAID, Meloxicam. In 3/23 we tested his blood, Dr. A said to come back in May - 2 months later. He started to not eat very close to our appt. Friday before - we live a few hours away. When we got into see her that Monday, Dr. A tested his blood again and announced his kidney failure, as if telling me that the weather was nice. No emotion, no kindness, no compassion. I didn't understand the severity since I had a dog with "kidney failure" who lived a good quality of life for an extra year and a half on subcutaneous fluids. I got him home and back to my local vet, we re-ran the CBC panel and he confirmed that Buddha's kidneys were in failure. When I checked the CBC panel from 2 months prior and consulted with others, I was told conclusively that he should NOT have continued the Meloxicam because of his kidneys. Instead, Dr. Arteaga continued those meds and didn't have us return for 2 months. Many times, we came once a month. On my way out of town from the May appt., I dropped off a BRAF test at ACC. Instead the Dr. ran and charged me for a test that was totally invalid due to the liquid in the collection jar for BRAF. It was diluted, so not valid. It made no sense why she ran that test with BRAF liquid. My home vet had to redo this test and I paid twice for it. Then, I got the horrifying news that Buddha was going to have to be put down, not for the cancer he was being treated for, but for his kidney failure. Dr. Arteaga even rejected a prescription order I made for Buddha one week after visiting her office telling Chewy's pharamacy that "Buddha was no longer a patient". ONE WEEK LATER! I was beside myself, going through the worst time, facing putting down my beloved dog while ordering the very same fluid kit ACC sold me. I had to find out from Chewy's (not ACC) what her office had done. ACC discarded us completely. No condolences, no kindness - just heartless. After that, I had to scramble for fluids since I was almost out of what Dr. A sold me. Another demonstration of Dr. A's heartlessness is what she did regarding my dog Winston. He had bloodwork with elevated lymphocytes, likely leukemia or lymphoma. I immediately sent his bloodwork and called ACC to set up a consultation. I was making the trip to see her in a week. Dr. A said she would need a "two hour block" of her time to consult on Winston's case along with Buddha's appt. Her office did not have a block of two hours the following week. I ALWAYS traveled to her office with both of my dogs, as I did for that appointment, but respected her need for a "two hour block". So, I waited a heart-wrenching, anxiety-provoking additional month, waiting on pins and needles over Winston while also dealing with Buddha's cancer. We went up a month later, Dr. A re-ran his bloodwork, which was the same result as the bloodwork I sent to her from my local vet the month prior. Dr. A told me not much could be done to help him since it is such an early stage. She had us in and out - seeing both Buddha and Winston in less than an hour. !? She made me wait an entire month just to tell me nothing could be done for Winston. What kind of a person would do this? Buddha died on June 2, 2023. I miss him terribly and the grief is severe. Dr. Arteaga made everything even more painful. I will never understand why and how she was so heartless. I can only think that she is overworked - she is the only oncologist at ACC and clearly doesn't take enough time off. Her obvious burn out results in poor outcomes, callousness, lack of adequate research and a
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July 2023 by nicole p.
Terrible, dishonest and conniving. Bedside manner leaves something to be desired and by the way if you ask a question, you are harassing her. Some (not all) of her staff seem to be so afraid of her they won't admit when they make a mistake even when the proof is right in front of them. Lastly, I had to put my dog down because of her negligence which she tried to cover up. Go to Santa Cruz if you love your dog!
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April 2023 by Derek Baine
She is wonderful, has saved the lives of two of my cats now. I only wish that we had a way to put people in remission of cancer so quickly. Truly a miracle, Bella Noche is in remission in less than one week.
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December 2022 by Heather S.
I have never experienced such a wonderful vet in my life of owning dogs. Dr. Arteaga comes in the room with us every time to make sure we are doing well and our dog is responding well to treatment. She takes the time to listen, respond, and we never feel rushed. She has accommodated our needs and abilities to treat our dog effectively and we would recommend this vet to anyone. Top of the line customer service, Terry at the front desk is so kind and comforting, and the vet techs show our dog so much love every time we visit.
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December 2022 by Becka W.
really offended with whoever the receptionist was who called me back. I waited a week for a call back as well. (the recieptIonian sounded like an older women, didn't catch her name.) I called for a consult sicne my dog has cancer. she questioned me as why I wanted to see them, since I lived so far. Then she refused to book me for a consult, saying I should Jsut keep my appointment with the other clinic I booked. I called for a second opinion and told her I had no problem waiting for the appointment she had for few weeks out. my friend reccomendEd this place, I would expect more empathy given this sensitive situation, instead she blantable refused booking a consult for me. I hope the manager sees this or the oncologist.
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September 2022 by Trish C.
I couldn't be more grateful for the care and compassion I recieved for my sweet pup. I brought my girl in after finding out she had lymphoma. Dr. Artegea worked right away to try her best to give my girl quality of life for as long as possible. Unfortunately we didn't win the fight but I will forever be truly grateful I found this place to help me in such a hard time. I dont know how she does what she does but she's amazing.
