Echo Park Veterinary Hospital

Andrew Wang

My extremely healthy 2.5 year old dog San died at Echo Park Veterinary Hospital while under anesthesia for a simple broken nail. San was a super healthy pup, we would always take him on walks and to parks. He was full of life, usually the fastest dog in the park, running circles around other dogs. He had been under anesthesia before for his neuter and teeth cleaning and was always perfectly fine. On 10/26, he broke his dewclaw at the park. It was a minor injury, there was barely any bleeding. My regular vet couldn't get us in, so I made the mistake of going to Echo Park Veterinary Hospital for the first time. My appointment was at 2:30 pm, right after their lunch break, and my first impression was that the vet appeared sleepy. The vet listened to San's heart and said he sounded "strong” and gave me the treatment plan. When I saw it, I repeatedly asked if anesthesia was necessary for a simple nail trim. The technician insisted it was. It is clear in hindsight that they just wanted to upcharge me for a simple procedure. They took him away, and that was the last time I ever saw San alive. A while later, the vet came out and told me San was dead. The vet told me it was likely a "pulmonary embolism." This was a complete lie. They let me into the "operating room," and I was horrified. The place looked run-down, and San was on a ventilator, but there wasn't even a heart monitor in sight. Later, I was given the medical notes, all written after the event with parts scratched out. The notes indicate they tried to give him two 0.5cc of dexmedetomidine and claimed one "missed”. Most importantly, the notes show no attempt to administer Antisedan, the reversal agent for dexmedetomidine. My perfectly healthy dog died on their table from a broken nail. I am sharing our story so this doesn't happen to anyone else's family. Do not take your pet to this hospital.

Oct 31, 2025

Jiyoon

My sweet 2-year-old dog never returned home after he left to fix his broken nail. Please read my review before visiting this vet. Let our dog's death not be in vain. Instead, let it serve to save other lives. I still can’t believe this at all. When I got a call from my husband that our dog had just passed away while trimming his broken nail, I immediately ran to the hospital with my 10-month-old baby. We saw our poor dog laying without any movement in such a cold room. This was such a simple procedure. They could have literally asked my husband to hold him and fix the nail. Anesthesia was NEVER needed in the first place. Obviously, they tried to scam and overcharge us, which eventually resulted in my poor dog dying. I had never thought this could ever happen to me. He was happily running and chasing other dogs in the dog park just 2 hours before he passed away. I am still in tears ever since Sunday, wishing I had one more day to cuddle him and take a long walk with him. If he were old or had a chronic condition, I would have prepared for his goodbye. But my poor boy was only 2 years old. Too young to die, too sudden. Now he is no longer with us. We are so devastated that he just disappeared in a blink.

Oct 29, 2025

Ramon Moline

My 18, year old female cat Princess , had been going to this hospital for a couple of years now, she had been a very healthy cat but like humans as you get older you develop illnesses. She was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism, 3 months ago and was treated . This is a manageable long term illness, but things go complicated . Her Thyroid medication gave her anemia and Dr Polk suspended the medication immediately. She progressively got worse. They then ran more tests and diagnosed her with pancreatitis, the steroids and treatments got her worse. I knew it was time to let her go , but I held on to some hope. I wanted to have her for the Holidays, but my worry was having to make that difficult decision to put her down. She gave me a last gift. She died at home on Christmas Day when I got home from work. I notified the hospital a couple of days after her passing and not even an email or call from her Dr to at least send their condolences. I’m very disappointed with customer relations. To me that’s not acting in a professional way. But to charge for treatments that don’t work and upcharge the bill, there they have no mercy. Money comes first and your pet come second. I read all those negative reviews and gave them the benefit of the doubt, but I made a bad decision taking my girl there. As a pet Dad I did all that was possible and I am at peace and I can go to bed with a clean conscience. Think twice before taking your most precious 4 legged family member there.☹️

Jan 2, 2026

Melissa Estrada

Dora has been coming here for years, and even though she’s a feisty 13 lb senior pup at the vet, the staff is always patient and calm with her. The front desk is super kind, both in person and when I call as the paranoid pet mom I am. Techs and doctors are great, and the relief vet we saw yesterday was amazing and answered all my questions. Pricing has always been clear and explained. Overall, nothing but good vibes and great care for my girl.

Nov 18, 2025

Sung Kim

A healthy 2.5 year-old dog shouldn’t walk into a clinic for a simple broken nail and leave his family searching for answers. I knew San well, and he was not only incredibly sweet and friendly, but full of energy and life. When I learned what happened, I was heartbroken. I genuinely can’t understand how this could happen under competent care. What’s most concerning is the lack of accountability from Echo Park Veterinary Hospital. The explanation given to his family didn’t match the documentation, which appeared altered after the fact rather than recorded as events happened. Instead of a straightforward medical record, what they provided looked incomplete, contradictory, and edited only after San was already gone. When a perfectly healthy dog dies during a minor procedure and the paperwork raises more questions than answers, it becomes impossible not to view the care here as careless and incompetent. Families shouldn’t have to fight for clarity after something this preventable. If a clinic stands behind its work, it should be able to explain it without vague language, altered notes, or avoidance of responsibility. If something like this ever happens to your pet, request every document and report discrepancies to the state veterinary board. Honest veterinarians should welcome oversight. Our animals deserve competent care, and families deserve accountability.

Dec 8, 2025