James J Isaacs, DVM

I have been going to Dr. Isaacs for years. His whole staff and Dr. Linda Mackinnon are the best. Truly knowledgeable and caring. They make me feel very comfortable when I need to bring my pets in to be seen.

My dogs love them and I am happy with their care as well

Dr. Isaacs is a tremendous vet and has given both of my pups exceptional care over the past 15 years. He always takes his time during the exam to thoroughly discuss my pups health with me. He has a wealth of knowledge and I trust his recommendations implicitly.

I have been taking my Shar Peis to Dr. Isaacs for as long as the clinics have been open. Proffesional and curtious staff. If you love your pets as much as I do, and I know you do! Dr. Isaacs is the Veternarian for your pets. You will get unrushed explanations and options for aaaaaany problems for your beloved animals. I should know. I own 4 Shar peis…

I just drove my dead dog Sam to the pet cementary in Calabasas (written Nov. 2009). This was a dog that I had for thirteen years and that I raised from a puppy that fit inside the palm of my hand. I did everything possible to care and protect her hoping that when she had to go it would be due to old age. Instead my dog has died as a result of what now seems to be unnecessary surgery performed by Dr. JAMES ISAACS at this clinic. We took Sam two weeks ago in Nov. 2009 to have her examined for a tumor that was growing on the side of her mouth. Dr. ISAACS visually diagnosed it as a cancerous tumor and indicated that it needed to be surgically removed immediately so an appointment was made for the following week. Sam was being medicated for a heart condition and it was clear from the medical records that she would not be able to withstand the anesthesia so Dr. ISAACS stated that Sam would have to be given valium for sedation. The thought of my pet being subjected to surgery without anesthesia was hard to accept, but the tumor was small about 7 mm in diameter so I assumed that the surgery would require a minor incision and removal. Instead I was shocked to see my dog returned to me with a massive inch and a half cut through the side of her mouth. Worse yet, we were told at the clinic that tissue from the tumor had been sent out for testing to see if it was malignant. This raised a question in my mind as to why was this testing was not done prior to surgery. If Dr. ISAACS did not know the tumor was malignant, then what was the urgency? What type of doctor performs life threatening surgery on a patient without conducting testing? At first I thought she was weakened by the surgery as she seemed lethargic and had no appetite eating half her usual portions. Two days later on Nov. 7, she refused her favorite treat in the afternoon and an hour later Sam died, obviously from complications arising out of the surgery. I have not been able to forgive myself for permitting my dog to be operated and have her mouth cut open without anesthesia, a surgery that would surely traumatize a human being, so imagine a small older animal awake and restrained while her mouth was being cut open by strangers. Some would call that torture but Dr. JAMES ISAACS say it was humane. My dog was traumatized and catatonic after the surgery. I believe that the trauma of the surgery ultimately killed her. On Nov. 9^th, 2009 I called Dr. ISAACS and pointedly asked: …“if you did not know that the tumor was malignant why was the surgery so urgently necessary”. In a voice full of arrogance at being questioned he blatantly said something like «NO…she had a tumor and it had to be removed». So when I asked …“but what was the urgency for the surgery that killed my dog if Dr. ISAACS did not know at the time the tumor was malignant… why was the biopsy to find out if the tumor was malignant not done BEFORE the surgery?” …his reply was «I don’t like the tone of your voice and this conversation is over.» So my dog dies as a result of a surgery performed by this miscreant and instead of explaining what happened he gave me attitude???
In the absence of an intelligent medical explanation and his evasiveness in detailing the facts behind the procedure I could only conclude that my dog was subjected to an unnecessary brutal operation and surgically tormented solely for the purpose of running up a bill. After faxing a letter to his office calling him among many things «an incompetent degenerate miscreant» Dr. JAMES ISAACS sent me an email warning me to have no contact with his office because I was disturbing his business and in a second missive he threatened legal action. So, now I’m looking for an attorney specializing in veterinary malpractice.
Update November 10, 2009: Today I received a copy of the pathology report on the tissue culture from Sam. The «tumor» was not malignant, the report is not conclusive on what Sam had, and it raises the possibility that it could have been nothing more than an inflamed insect bite. When I asked Dr. ISAACS if he would still have operated on my dog if he had known this before he said YES.
Update May 5, 2010– Dr. ISAACS has finally posted a reply. He made fun of my comments and found it necessary to point out that I did not bring my dog in person, but rather had my brother bring her in. I guess that makes me into a very bad person. Nothing he said changes the fact that an elderly dog with a serious heart problem was subjected to UNNECESSARY surgery without anesthesia. While he attempts to paint the surgery as minimal and non-​invasive, look at the picture I took of my dead dog. Did he say «There was never any incision in this pet’s mouth.» Look at the picture again. Think about next time you’re charged hundreds of dollars to cure your pet and if it dies this doctor has no liability and not subject to malpractice because legally your pet is a cheap piece of property.