Firestone Animal Hospital

If it was up to me this place would get negative stars. The vet Dr. Rocha does not even have the courage to deal with a conflict!!! Instead I get to speak with his rude staff. The women with an accent who claimed to be the manager (which I doubt) not only called me a liar… she still then asked me to take my dog in for a consult… she said it will only cost 40 dollars… my dog does not have to go in to see a vet for what is needed. Just trying to make money because of Dr. Rochas mistake… very highly disappointed in this place. Fucken rude people. And that lady is such a bitch!!! Not a nicer way to put it… hopefully someone from that office has the courage to reply to my comment

This place is amazing! I’m honestly shocked to see all the one star reviews it has. First of all complaining about a language barrier between the clients and Dr. Rocha is absolutely ridiculous. Dr. Rocha tries his best to accommodate to his clients language. As an individual who speaks both English and Spanish, I have been able to have a clear conversation with him in both languages. I have a four month year old chihuahua mix, and Dr. Rocha has been his primary vet. The main reason why I choose the Firestone Animal Hospital is because they are one of the few places near Huntington Park, that allow me to be by my puppy’s side during his check up. They also have a puppy plan that cost $ 190. This includes nine vaccines separated into four visits, a fecal test, and two de-​wormings. This is my first pet, and I do not think these prices are unreasonable for the type of care my puppy receives. While waiting for my turn, there is a nice grass area designated specifically to keep your pets entertained and reduce any possible anxiety. Once you step in the hospital, it is extremely clean. The receptionists are very kind and try their best to address any concerns. As a first time pet owner and an overprotective mother, I’ve dropped by the hospital freaking out about whether certain things are normal for puppies/​dogs. The receptionist always do their best to try and calm me down by asking questions and reassuring me while I wait for Dr. Rocha. Regardless of how small the issue may be, the Firestone Animal Hospital has been there for me to guide and reassure me as a first time pet owner. They’ve come to love and care for my pup almost as much as I do! They know his name as soon as we walk in the door and Dr. Rocha’s assistants always show him affection before measuring his temperature; something that extremely uncomfortable for any pup. In addition, I feel that they are extremely fair with their pricing and I have never been charged or offered things that weren’t necessary for my pup. I think it’s important to be critical and recognize the conditions in which we bring our pets. It’s difficult to admit that we may have waited a bit long or some other external forces prevented us from getting appropriate care sooner. Between college course work and work, I know I’ve rescheduled appointments at this Hospital for a later time or sometimes for the next day. The staff is extremely understanding when I reschedule and they have my pets well-​being on their mind at all times because they always check on any possible signs that things may be getting worst as well. They understand that sometime life gets in the way but never at the cost of my puppy’s health and well being. I am extremely grateful for the care that Dr. Rocha provides. I hope that his hardwork, honesty, and love for animals is noted by the individuals who visit this hospital. Thank you!

I came here about a year ago, but I didn’t have a Unilocal account back then so I’m posting now. Why, you might ask? For two reasons:
1. I’ve never forgotten about my experience here. It was traumatic, stressful, and cold.
2. I just came back from my new vet in Pico Rivera. They treated my dog so kindly and I felt so insanely grateful that I could not believe I had allowed these people at Firestone Animal Hospital to treat my dog any less. Realizing this, I wanted to come back and write a review that could save other future clients the grief, trauma, and MONEY that FAH will drain you of, with practically NO service.
I remember my visit as clear as day. Where do I begin with what was unbelievably wrong with FAH? Let’s just make a list:
1. The «doctor» only seems to know how to repeat the same «diagnoses» over and over again. There is a language barrier. He will answer all of your questions with the very same answer each time. You will be left with no idea of what you can do for your pet, only with what they will charge you
2. The «doctor» misdiagnosed my dog, INSANELY. He told me my dog needed a pacemaker because he had a terribly enlarged heart. He kept repeating that over and over again as a response to all of the questions I had to try to understand the situation. This was my first red flag. When the «doctor» could only rely on repeating his diagnoses, I felt that he didn’t even know what he was talking about. Turns out, (when I went to get a second opinion), my fur baby was FINE. ALL STATS WERE NORMAL. Yes, my dog’s breed typically suffers from enlarged hearts, but it was NOT AS DIRE AND LIFE THREATENING as the FAH «doctor» made it seem! Seems to me that he simply did not care about the quality of life for my dog, but instead tired to pressure and rush me into thinking that a pacemaker was absolutely necessary WHEN IT WASN’T.
3. The «doctor» has absolutely no bedside manner. ZERO. ZIP. NONEXISTENT. What kind of heartless person decides they want to become someone as warmhearted and noble as a vet? When I started crying because I thought his diagnosis was credible, he did not give two bleeps. I’m not asking for a hug, seriously, but to repeat your diagnosis and what you want me to do is kind of really heartless when I think that my dog is dying due to a gross misdiagnosis!!! He. does. not. care.
4. I spent ~$ 500 for two xrays, a cold interaction with the «doctor,» and a reference to a heart specialist. They charged me an arm and a leg for THAT. No medication or explanation as to why my dog was acting lethargic and limping. No help. No kindness. I spent half a thousand dollars to be told that I would need to see a specialist. That’s it.
5. Here’s the kicker: after I went to get a second opinion (where the vet there said everything was fine), MY DOG GOT BETTER ON HIS OWN 2 DAYS LATER. He went back to being his playful, energetic self! He’s been healthy and happy ever since. I’m so grateful for this, but I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I ALMOST GOT TALKED INTO PUTTING MY FUR BABY THROUGH A PROCEDURE AS SERIOUS AS A PACEMAKER WHEN HE ENDED UP GETTING BETTER ON HIS OWN. When I think about how I would have put my baby through such an unnecessary, painful surgery, my blood boils in hatred. How could this «doctor» put monetary gain above the lives of our doggies?! My dog is sitting next to me right now, chewing on his toy with gusto. I shrivel up inside whenever I think about what I almost put him through unnecessarily. The pain I would have caused. All because of the money-​grubbing, careless diagnosis that this «doctor» gave me. And NO, there can be NO excuse for his diagnosis. This is not a «simple mistake.» Especially when my next vet was able to immediately tell me that my dog was FINE.
I love my dog like no other, so I remember this day clearly. Especially because I thought he was dying. I’m happy to say that he is doing well and runs around barking his head off to this day, but that’s only because I did NOT continue my visits to this «doctor.» PLEASE save yourself the grief and the well being of your pet by taking them elsewhere. All the negative reviews here speak for themselves! And I guarantee you that we would not spend so much time typing out these lengthy reviews unless we were passionate about our pets and yours.
PS: When you go to FAH, they will have their own set of «positive reviews» printed in their office. Their «reviews» there are glowing, wonderful, and obviously hand-​picked and doctored.
PPS: Please, go to a vet who shows as much love for your pet as you do. Only those vets are worthy of the care of our furry family members

I’d just recently shifted into the area and was looking for vet clinics for my 2 dogs. On asking around, I found out about Firestone Animal Hospital. I’d been told that this place gave family like care to the pets and went over and beyond their call of duty. I took in my Cassie and Beacon to Dr. Rocha for regular check ups. It was on one of these check ups that it was found out that Cassie was limping slightly and it could perhaps be serious. Dr. Rocha thoroughly examined her and found out it was a slight hairline fracture and mended it by putting it in a splint. I was so happy she was diagnosed early. Their pet care program is excellent and value for money. Cassie and Beacon have benefited from it. The staff is also so friendly with them that I really feel like I’m home. It is true what they say about this place. You can trust Dr. Rocha. He only has your pet’s best interests at heart. Thank you.

My pet dog Elsie was pregnant but I was inexperienced about when she would deliver. We’d been told she needed to be monitored because Elsie didn’t always keep good health. Nobody in my family had a dog before. There was once when she was looking very uneasy. She kept whining softly, when I decided I’d better take her to the vet. We’ve been frequenting Firestone Animal Hospital and I called on the way in to take the appointment. By the time we reached, Elsie was in a mess. Dr. Rocha rushed her in and I was out there waiting for what would happen. Dr. Rocha didn’t appear for the next hour and I got really worried. When he did, it turned out, Elsie delivered 5 puppies. Dr. Rocha had stayed back to ensure Elsie was all cleaned and to avoid any complications during the pregnancy. I’m a happy grandma of 5 puppies and I can’t thank Dr. Rocha enough. Thank you so much.

Rateros, doctor mal encarado y la señora piro dinero. No tiene corazón, carísimo. Tienen q pagar los lujos de casas y carros. Lleve a mi perrita y me cobraron $ 500 dólares sólo le pusieron una bendita en la pierna y rayos x y ya estuvo sin medicina y a la final tuve q sacarle Yo la venda porque ellos estaban de apuro malo malo nunca mas voy

Do not bring your pet here. Vet couldn’t speak English at all I had to just try to figure out what he meant or the assistant would translate which was a huge pain in the A omg. Couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her paw if it was infected or what no help at all then in the end we were told one price in the room then in the front we were told it was double and she kept denying it even though all 4 of us heard her say a much lower price in the room. 250 $ for some antibiotics and for some guy to just look it it and do something I could have done myself lol… so go somewhere else that’s honest.

Worst experience of my life my dog is sick he has stones this place since I got here was telling me about another place I should go to all care saying that they have more sophisticated equipment the receptionist was rude there 20% off for veterinary service is a lie it was only the exam that they took it off gave me two different prices and didn’t want to attend my pup this place should be shut down its a robbery and a joke worst experience I could write forever about how terrible this place is if u have a pet and care about him or her At all avoide this place at all cost

I went here a few years ago when there was no Unilocal. I’m posting now…
Worst experience ever! I dropped off my dog for a three night stay. Returned and was charged for shots I never authorized and they gave my dog a $ 30 bath! Again, not authorized. The owner (I’m assuming because her rude remarks) an older lady, was not nice and rolled her eyes when spoken to.
I hope there’s different management now! If not, please drive right by and find another pet and customer friendly location.
NO STARS BUT YOU HAVE TO PUT ONE TO POST

I was there today an have been coming here for a while. Service is okay, but they can most definitely work on their customer service. Prices are rather high.

Everyone who works at Firestone is not only amazingly professional, but also so very sweet and friendly. They might not always remember your name, but they sure do remember your pet’s name! Even when we drop in unannounced. The vet is phenomenal and his knowledge is more extensive than any vet I have ever gone to, and I’ve gone to many since I’ve moved a lot. The vet, Dr. Rocha, is whip smart and very skilled. What I like the most about Firestone Animal Hospital is that they don’t try to upsell you on things you don’t really need, like extra tests. They suggest it, but they’re honest. We’ll be clients for life.

DO NOT TAKE YOUR BIRD or PET to this place!!! I read the bad reviews but decided to take my bird anyway because she was bleeding a bit from a broken feather!!! This vet, who did not tell us his name, has NO knowledge of birds! Here is what you can expect:
1. Parking is plentiful and they can take you on short notice. Those are probably the only good things.
2. The receptionist is not the nicest lady. She told me a consultation was 55, but when I arrived she said it was 65. Maybe I misheard? That was fine with me. One younger girl in scrubs was actually really nice.
3. They put us in a room and two people walked in. They did not tell us who they were, or why they were there. They just took my bird out of the cage with a towel and began weighing her. No gloves despite the fact that my bird is injured and is bleeding.
4. They put a thermometer with no disposable cover, into my birds anus. Again, no gloves.
5. The vet walks in and does not introduce himself as the vet. He is dressed like everyone else. I had to ask him if he was the vet.
6. He begins questioning my birds living situation (eg. Type of food she eats, if she lives with other birds, if she plucks her own feathers) These questions are expected, but it took so long, we hadn’t even gotten to the fact that my bird was injured! To some, this may seem like a thorough questioning, but he ignored half of my answers anyway. This was far from a thorough questioning, it was more like a lecture on how to care for birds. It didn’t matter what I said, he ignored 90% of it. For example, he asked what I feed the bird, I said «fruits, veggies, and seeds». Then later, he said that I should not give the bird just seeds! And he asked, do you give the bird fruits and vegetables? So I repeated again, «yes, fruits veggies and seeds»
7. I Realize that this vet may not be fluent in English. I began talking to him in Spanish to see if that would help him actually listen to what I was saying to him. I was frustrated because I had to explain the situation several times, but he still wasn’t listening.
8. He grabbed the bird and walked out of the room. Not a peep! Just walked out with my bird in his hand!!! I freaked out because if my bird got away, I doubt he would take responsibility. So I followed him. I said «excuse me! Can you please explain what is happening? Where is my bird going?» He said, «I’m going to examine the under a special light, but if you don’t want me to…» As he handed me the my bird!!! I just wanted to know what was happening to my bird! Wouldn’t we all? If our pet is injured, don’t we want to know where it’s going??? Again, no gloves.
9. He returns with the bird and tells me my bird has a tumor. A bleeding tumor. So he puts quikstop on the wing and antibiotic powder. He squeezes the wing of my bird and draws blood, and tells me «see? He’s bleeding from the tumor». Puts more quick stop. He keeps trying to show me the tumor, but all I see is a regular bird wing (I’m familiar with bird anatomy as I took ornithology as an upper division class at UCI). At this point, I had had it. I didn’t want to put my poor bird through any more of this.
10. When he put my bird back in its cage, the bird dusted himself off and the vet said «see, only your bird knows what discomfort he’s feeling because of the tumor. He’s shaking himself because he’s uncomfortable from the tumor». At that point, I wanted to laugh. He obviously never owned a bird before.
11. In the end, the vet concluded that my pet bird had a tumor, that it removed its own feathers because the tumor causes so much discomfort. No other signs of plucking in my bird. At all. This was his conclusion despite the fact that I told him my bird suffers from night terrors (as many cockatiels do) and that she has hurt her wings a few times in the past in a similar fashion. It didn’t matter that we had actually seen the flapping and the injury happen. He won’t listen.
Best part, I asked him AGAIN if it was possible that a tumor would cause her to pluck her feathers over night. I wanted him to humor me. He said something along the lines of «this happened overnight? She was fine yesterday?»
Yup, he hadn’t heard a thing I said, English or Spanish.
He then referred me to a specialist.
I refused the antibiotic meds. I don’t know if he actually knows how to treat birds! Will be taking my pet to her regular vet on Monday.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND you take your pet here unless you don’t mind unsanitary practice, and a vet with very little knowledge who will not listen to you AT ALL.
I also think they make their own Unilocal reviews. They actually have a booklet in the office that says that they «good» Unilocal reviews are «mysteriously disappearing». I really don’t think they’re mysteriously disappearing. That’s just what happens when you write your own Unilocal reviews :/​
Hope this review will save another animal from this place. Every pet deserves quality healthcare, especially at $ 65 a consultation.

Took my two month old pomeranian around 8 ish he was falling out and throwing up the Dr came in and only speaks Spanish and informed us it seems like parvo i jad previously explained I thought it could be poisoning due to cleaning training kennel with lysol to disinfect it he insisted to conduct parvo test we did so negative the result our bill went from 146 to 361 in a second he states he would treat for poisoning took the pup home Dr wanted him to return the next day and charge for a check up will deff be taking him to our normal vet for further info.

It’s difficult to put in the words the disappointment I have this this place. I’ve read all of the previous reviews and had to ignore them because I wanted immediate care for my 4 yr old Siberian Husky, and other locations were closed by evening. The place was very lonely, the receptionist is elderly and I suspect is the wife of the main veterinarian. They were both very dry and at points somewhat condescending. My dog came in with a swollen and lightly bleeding back left paw. Something either pricked him, or insect bite, and it swelled and was probably infected.
The vet wasn’t very friendly and warm to my pet to make him feel at ease. Once he was checked he determined he had an infection and assumed he had a foxtail week I’m his paw. Long story short is that he wanted to give him penicillin, bring him back the next day to sedate him, do lab work, and «minor» surgery to find the weed that pricked him. I was sent to receptionist to discuss pricing. $ 750! I asked for an itemized price breakdown and they would refuse to give it to me. They said they could only give me a total and even my receipt would only have a total amount. They obviously move process around for their own convenience. I knew it was fishy. I said I wouldn’t go through with the procedure. Just asked for a shot of antibiotics and paid $ 80. This was yesterday. Today I looked up another vet place in Downey (Thomas Veterinarian Hospital). I can’t even describe the pleasure and professionalism there.
Whatever. Screw this Firestone place.

I signed to Unilocal just to write this review!
Please please please, DO NOT take your pets to this hospital. The prices are expensive, the service is horrible. Especially the doctor’s wife, worst customer service I have ever got. I’m scared to leave my pets in her care. She is so bitter all the time.
I feel bad for the doctor, he is a good doctor and he is losing clients because of the bad management around him.
If you care for your pets, again do not take them here.

The worst doctors in the world this doctor could not help us out at all with are pet I would ask the man that is suppose to be the doctor what my dog need and I couldn’t get a straight answer from him $ 526.00 dollars later I felt as if he was only trying to feel me out to see how much money they could out of me not caring for what is in my pets best interest only what’s in his best interest money also the lady in charge of billing was very Rudd and wanted the money before they would do any type of check up on my dog. This place should be shut down pet owner beware of this place

That’s funny let me show up there and then you’ll recognize me let me show you my debit card transactions and your hospital will show up there you’re trying to say I’ve never been there? I’ll prove to you I’ve been there and tell you guys to your face how bad of customer service you guys provide
No fucking stars for your business and I stick to what I say

I had a terrible experience here one year ago. I took my dog to this hospital for a seizure emergency, and the doctor not only made it clear that he did not think there was much he could do (which I could understand), but he just made me feel like he didn’t want to bother. Even when he saw me crying because I was about to lose my animal son he scolded me some more! It’s not my fault my dog had epilepsy. I did everything I could do.
I was charged $ 1,000 for the exam, to put my baby to sleep, and to be yelled at. I wouldn’t have bothered leaving this review, but comparing how I was treated here to the animal hospital I take my other pets to now is ridiculous. The helpers here were friendly. It was that doctor that made this experience so terrible.

Don’t recommend it for Large Birds. Very bad experience… Will never return
I called ahead and to make sure they saw birds. I wanted to get a nail and wing trim for my Cockatoo. The receptionist said yes and asked me to make an appointment. I explained I couldn’t make an appointment because my cockatoo is great at avoiding being put in a carrier. She understood and we agreed I would walk in between 1 – 7. I showed up and the Dr. had just gone on lunch. I knew that as a walk in I couldn’t complain. I patiently waited for the dr. to return. That wasn’t an issue.
When the Dr. came back he said he wouldn’t do the trim unless an exam was performed prior. I didn’t want an exam. I just wanted the trims, which is what I called ahead for. I should have been told that an initial exam was required when I called ahead. Oh well. I agreed to go through the exam. I was put in a room and when the dr. showed up he just stared at my bird in its carrier cage. He asked me how old he was and if he ate well, NOTHING ELSE. Kept starring and asked me if he was nice. I explained to him that at home he was a puppy dog but had never taken him to the Vet myself and I didn’t know how he would react. I told him I could tell he was very scared. I tried to encourage my cockatoo out but no luck. I was able to pet him and touch him and grab his feet but could not get him to step up on command.
The dr. grabbed a tech with a towel. Likewise they just stared for a while, without ever trying to get the bird out even once. I then offer to step out of the room for them to get him. They said no. The Dr. then starts trying to scare my bird out of the cage by banging on the rear and brushing his tail feathers! HE WAS ALREADY SCARED! How is that supposed to make him leave the safety of his carrier? So what does my bird do? He clutches on the perch with all his strength! I ask the Dr. if he normally sees birds. He gives a confused answer mumbling yes and no and small talk. So then he begins to flip the cage around and around! My bird gets more and more scared. I ask him to stop. As I’m closing the cage I tell the Dr. «if you’re not comfortable doing it lets forget it». He says that it isn’t that. That it’s because those birds are nice at home to their owners but not to stranger. NO DUH! You think?! Many dogs are the same way. Mostly ALL LARGE BIRDS are that way. If you see birds you already know the way this goes! A large bird isn’t going to come right out and let you clip its wings and nails! There’s a reason why I’m not doing this at home myself!
Finally the Dr. asks the tech to get him. They get him and take him. Why didn’t they do that in the beginning?! That’s the way it should be done! They take him. They leave a blank sheet of paper which somehow is supposed to be my birds chart stapled on my registration form. It says nothing but «7 years old and wing and nail trim» on it. They left the alleged chart in the room with me. They didn’t take it for the exam in the back. The Dr. returns a while later with my bird. Puts him in the cage says nothing at all and walks out, I’m wondering when he’s going to go over the «exam» he conducted. A LONG time later the receptionist comes and says that I’m done that I can be charged out. I’m charged the exam and half price of the trims. The Dr. never said a thing of the alleged exam he did in the back. IM VERY SURE IT WASN’T done! There was no weight, temp, or any notations made on the sheet of paper in the room. I left the room and the paper stayed there. I didn’t want the exam. But the Dr. did require it. Makes little sense that he was so eager to request an initial exam and yet had no spirit to do it!
They said they did see birds. But they were terrified of my cockatoo. They requested and charged an exam. Which I have doubts it was ever done. If it was done it was never gone over with me and no notations were made of such exam on my «chart». I don’t think an exam charge was reasonable.

Forced to give 1 star and that’s extremely generous. Took in my puppy after I accidentally closed the door on his leg. My concern was that it could be broken. I called before going and was told the visit would be $ 30+ $ 20 for X-​rays.
When the vet comes into the room he was scared of my 3 month old puppy and would not examine him unless I held his mouth shut. After he examined his leg he said no X-​rays were needed but would be giving him a shot and medicine, medicine? For what exactly? He tried to push for me to do a fecal exam, WAY off from what I went for.
Before anything was done I was told by the lady in the front it would be $ 147, HUH? I asked for her to brake it down and it turns out she was charging me $ 70 for the visit, not the $ 30 she mentioned over the phone. I made this aware to her and she acted as if I had not talk to her, after I made it clear I knew it was her she then said the price changes after 7pm however I was there 15 minutes before 7p, besides she should have explained that when I first called. I was extremely upset by that point and all I wanted to pay for was the visit. She then said «ok I’ll charge you $ 30 for the visit if you buy the medicine» WHAT??? After arguing with her and making it known I would not be taken advantage of I paid only $ 30
Please be kind to your pet and take them to a place where they will be genuinely concern for your pets health and won’t try to squeeze the most cash from you as possible. I understand that a Vet is running a business but there’s something called respect, business ethics, and customer service which this place is lacking.

Do NOT come here.
I stopped by to get a check up on my baby sisters cat as I was worried about her behavior following her spay. Turns out the doctor can not tell what is wrong without testing. I understand and respect medical work but there are always signs to watch for and I feel like i gained nothing from this visit. I asked for pain medication and antibiotics, was told front desk would be right with me. I was left with my sister in the room for half an hour. Then another doctor comes in and «reiterates» that without ordering more testing, the pain meds/​antibiotics would just be a «meager» attempt at treating my cat. Um, sorry, but I can’t throw down the $ 650 they were asking for all the testing they wanted to do… And on top of that, to be made to feel like I didn’t care of my sisters pet because I wasn’t going to do the testing? How can you talk to people that way?
Oh, and get this: after he leaves, the front desk girl comes and says the pain meds and the consult would be 42. I thought, oh? That’s cheap. We were left for 20 more minutes and then at the desk were charged 30 for a consult and 45 and 55 each for the meds/​antibiotics.
42 dollars turns into 142 in a matter of minutes, and your front desk girl didn’t even spell our cats name correctly… plus they were super rude. Our cat likely doesn’t even have an infection (something they also couldn’t tell us «without testing» lol).
I honestly blame Siri for recommending this place. Why you gotta be shady