VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital: Premier Pet Care in Fountain Valley, CA

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Introduce

For pet owners across Fountain Valley, Orange County, and the broader Southern California region, a pet emergency is one of the most stressful experiences imaginable. When every second counts, having a reliable and highly-specialized emergency animal hospital is non-negotiable. VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital stands as a beacon of advanced medical care, offering a full spectrum of services from emergency medicine to specialized treatments. This article will provide a detailed look into what makes this facility a premier destination for California pet owners seeking the highest level of care for their companions in critical situations.

The hospital’s reputation is built on its ability to handle complex and urgent cases with both expert precision and deep compassion. The staff and veterinarians are widely praised for their professionalism and empathy, which is crucial during such difficult times. One incredibly moving review shares the story of a 15-year-old Dachshund/Chihuahua mix named Lexy who was admitted with severe breathing issues. The family's experience highlights the exceptional care provided by Dr. Hwe and Dr. Yegan, who were not only medically adept but also communicative and understanding. They took the time to explain a devastating diagnosis and helped the family navigate the heartbreaking decision to let their beloved pet go peacefully. The staff's willingness to go the extra mile, allowing Lexy to have her own bed and blanket overnight and even retrieving a lost fur clipping, transformed a "traumatizing experience" into one "sealed with grace and care."

Another testament to the hospital's excellence comes from a pet owner whose golden retriever, Chewy, was diagnosed with an abdominal mass. Referred by their local vet, the owner was immediately impressed with the clinic's ability to schedule advanced diagnostics, including a CT scan, in a timely manner. The reviewer's praise for Dr. Ikuta is immense; she was "thorough with what to expect for the day," and her communication was "greatly appreciated," with updates via text and phone calls after Chewy's successful surgery. The fact that the surgeon was able to remove the entire tumor is a powerful statement about the team’s skill and dedication. The pet owner's gratitude to the entire staff, including Joyce at the front desk, underscores the cohesive and compassionate environment that the hospital fosters.

Location and Accessibility

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital is centrally located at 18300 Euclid St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, USA. Its position makes it a critical resource for pet owners throughout Orange County, from Huntington Beach to Costa Mesa and beyond.

The facility is designed for accessibility, recognizing that pet emergencies can be stressful enough without added logistical challenges. It features a wheelchair-accessible parking lot and a wheelchair-accessible restroom. A restroom is also available for all clients. While appointments are recommended for specialty services, the clinic's primary function as an emergency hospital means they are prepared to handle walk-in emergencies 24/7.

Services Offered

As a specialty and emergency animal hospital, VCA West Coast offers a vast and impressive range of services that go far beyond a general practice. They are equipped with advanced technology and specialists to handle the most complex cases.

Emergency and Critical Care:
- 24/7 Emergency Facility and Intensive Care Unit
- Advanced Medical Care and Surgical Treatments
- Blood Transfusions and Oxygen Therapy
- Poison Control
- Critical Care for Severe Illnesses and Injuries
Specialty Services:
- Oncology (Medical, Surgical, and Radiation Oncology)
- Cardiology (Echocardiography, Electrocardiogram, Cardiac Ultrasound)
- Neurology (Neurological Exams, Brain and Back Surgery)
- Ophthalmology (Eye Surgery)
- Internal Medicine
- Veterinary Anesthesiology
Diagnostics & Imaging:
- Advanced Imaging (CT Scans, X-Rays)
- Comprehensive Diagnostics (Blood Testing, Disease Diagnosis)
- Ultrasound Examinations
General & Preventative Care:
- Physical Examinations and Check-ups
- Dental Care
- Parasite Prevention and Heartworm Prevention Medications
- Behavioral Counseling
Additional Services:
- Boarding for Pets
- Pet Adoption Information
- Physical Rehabilitation and Therapy

Features and Highlights

What makes VCA West Coast a top-tier choice for pet owners in California are its specialized features and the quality of care.

The hospital operates 24/7 as an emergency and critical care center, providing peace of mind for pet owners during off-hours.
It boasts a full roster of specialists in a variety of fields, including oncology, cardiology, neurology, and internal medicine.
The staff, including doctors and support teams, are consistently praised for their compassionate, empathetic, and communicative approach.
The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical equipment, including CT scanners and an intensive care unit.
The team goes above and beyond to provide emotional support and comfort to both pets and their grieving families, as evidenced by the offer of a grief counselor and thoughtful gestures like retrieving a fur clipping.
The clinic’s ability to coordinate care and communicate effectively with pet owners throughout a complex process is a major highlight.

Contact Information

To contact VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital for emergency services or to inquire about specialty appointments, use the information below:

Address: 18300 Euclid St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, USA
Phone: (714) 241-9001

What is Worth Choosing?

For California pet owners, particularly those in Orange County, VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital is a choice of immense value, especially in times of crisis. The clinic’s round-the-clock availability, combined with its advanced diagnostic capabilities and a team of specialists, makes it an indispensable resource for any pet emergency. The testimonials from pet owners like Lexy's family and Chewy's owner are the most powerful endorsement. They don’t just praise the medical skill but also the genuine human kindness that makes an unbearable situation more manageable. The ability to handle everything from a sudden, life-threatening emergency to complex surgical procedures with a high level of care and communication is what sets this hospital apart. For anyone who wants to be prepared for the unexpected or who has a pet with complex health needs, choosing VCA West Coast means choosing peace of mind and the assurance that your pet will receive the best possible care from a team that truly understands what it means to be a loving pet owner.

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Services

Emergency Veterinarian Service
Advanced Diagnostics
Advanced Imaging
Advanced Veterinary Care
Animal Cardiology
Animal Diagnostic Imaging
Animal Hospital Emergency
Animal Internal Medicine
Animal Oncology
Animal Ophthalmology
Animal Rescue
Back Surgery
Blood Pressure Measurement
Blood Pressure Monitoring
Blood Testing
Blood Transfusions
Boarding & Grooming
Boarding For Pets
Brain Surgery
Cancer Therapy
Cardiac Ultrasound
Cat Only
Cat Scan
Check Ups
Complete Diagnostic
Complete Physical Exam
Comprehensive Medical Care
Critical Care Units
Ct Scans
Dental Care
Diagnostic Tests
Disease Diagnosis
Dog Care
Early Detection
Emergency Facility
Emergency Medicine
Foreign Body Removal
General Practices
General Practitioner
Health Assessment
Health Screenings
Heartworm Disease
Heartworm Infection
Heartworm Prevention Medications
Home Delivery
Infectious Diseases
Intensive Care Unit
Internal Medicine Specialists
Liver Disease
Medical And Surgical
Medical Assistance
Medical Oncology
Medical Tests
Medical Treatment
Medication Administration
Neurological Exam
Neurological Examinations
Nutritional Support
Oncology Surgery
Oxygen Therapy
Pain Management
Parasite Prevention
Pet Adoption
Pet Cancer Treatment
Pet Emergency
Pet Healthcare
Pet Medical
Pet Rescue
Pet Sick
Petcare Services
Physical Examination
Physical Rehabilitation
Physical Therapy
Prevention Treatment
Primary Care
Puppies And Kittens
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncology
Radiation Treatment
Respiratory Support
Skin Care
Small Animal Medicine And Surgery
Soft-Tissue Surgery
Specialist Surgery
Specialized Care
Specialty Services
Stem Cell Therapy
Surgical Treatments
Tick Prevention
Ultrasound Examinations
Veterinarian Anesthesiology
Veterinarian Internal Medicine
Veterinary Cardiology
Veterinary Echocardiography
Veterinary Electrocardiogram
Veterinary Emergency
Veterinary Health Care
Veterinary Imaging
Veterinary Internal Medicine
Veterinary Neurologist
Veterinary Neurology
Veterinary Oncology
Veterinary Ophthalmologist
Veterinary Ophthalmology
Veterinary Radiologists
Veterinary Radiology
Veterinary X-Ray

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Details

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom

Amenities
Restroom

Planning
Appointments recommended

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Photos

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Picture 1

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Picture 2

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Picture 3

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Picture 4

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Picture 5

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Picture 6

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Picture 7

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Picture 8

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Picture 9

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Location

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital

California Orange County Fountain Valley Euclid Street

18300 Euclid St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, USA

VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Animal Hospital Reviews

An average rating of ★3.4 from 278 user reviews.

compassionx-rayquestionscalldeskinformationmorningwalkwritingnurses

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

The past week has been so stressful and sad as my 15 yr old senior family Dachshund/Chihuahua mix Lexy had an overnight emergency on Sunday night. She was breathing fast and it wasn't normal so my parents took her to VCA West Coast ER. Thankfully the ER wasn't busy and my parents were admitted in. Dr. Hwe was amazing to check her out on the initial exam and reported a heart murmur she picked up, which was later confirmed to be mitral valve disease that had fluids leaking into my poor girl's lungs. This was labeled as pulmonary edema and her lungs were filling up as she breathed in and out over 100+bpm, which is highly abnormal. Lexy had an x-ray done and Dr. Hwe sadly told us her heart was enlarged so they put her on an IV diuretic drip overnight to hopefully thin the fluids out by morning. My parents went home and next morning around 6AM, I got a follow up call from Dr. Hwe. She told me that the diuretic drip that usually works on dogs with her case, wasn't working as she hoped. It seemed like we'd need her in another day (costs weren't cheap but it was worth planning for our family baby). A couple hours later, Dr. Hwe switched shifts with Dr. Yegan. She let me know that our dog seemed to be declining and wanted our family in asap. My brother drove up from SD as my parents and I raced over from different cities to make it in time to determine the next steps for her. Our hearts sank seeing Lexy in the oxygen therapy chamber that the staff had put her in to have her breathe easier. We knew her time was slowly up so we made the decision to let her go so she wouldn't suffer anymore. Dr. Hwe, Dr. Yegan, Andrea Lindquist (grief counselor), and Brittany (receptionist) were monumental to this journey. The VCA staff was absolutely helpful, gentle, and understanding to make this process professional and compassionate. They were also communicative every step of the way and were patient with my parents having me on speakerphone to talk to the staff when I wasn't there. Another part they assisted me with was that I wanted Lexy to be in her own bed surrounded by her blanket overnight. They told me they had a lot of supplies for her but I knew she'd be comforted with the smell of home while she was alone. They allowed me to give them her bed and blanket and it made my heart feel better that she at least had that. I have nothing to say but great things. Lexy left with an oxygen mask placed over her snout and Dr. Yegan was able to assist her to sleep forever. I also had a moment where I lost Lexy's fur clipping that they gave me. Brittany was able to make things work to get another fur clipping from the driver before she got cremated and had it dropped back off at VCA for me to pick up. I'm so grateful for the efforts of kindness she gave me to do that. Thank you so much for allowing our family to be in the holding room as we all said goodbye to her. We won't ever forget how this traumatizing experience was sealed with grace and care from your hospital. Sleep in Pawradise, Lexy. 03.24.25.
April 02 · Jules C.
My golden retriever, Chewy, was diagnosed via xray with an abdominal mass at my local vet. I was referred to VCA because my vet was unable to do an ultrasound in a timely manner nor did they have CT capability. "If this were my dog, this is where I would take him" is what she said. A short amount of time after my vet visit the VCA called and said they had an appointment the following day for US, or if needed, CT with biopsy.I arrived early next morning (Thursday) to drop Chewy off and met with Dr. Ikuta. She was thorough with what to expect for the day, as well as what it would potentially cost. She also shared her thoughts on what the diagnosis would likely be and what the plan of care would look like if she was right. I skipped the ultrasound and went straight to CT with biopsy based on her recommendations. At the end of the day, I took Chewy home.The next evening Dr. Ikuta called and confirmed the preliminary results of the biopsy were pointing towards hepatocellular carcinoma. After reviewing the case with another surgeon, the plan was made to do surgery the following Thursday.That surgery happened yesterday morning, around 0930. I was texted when Chewy was going to the OR. I was called by Dr. Ikuta and updated about the surgery and Chewy's progress when the procedure was finished. And in the evening, the staff sent me photos of my sweet sweet old man and a small update. The communication was greatly appreciated.The following morning I received an update about his plan of care, and later in the afternoon I was able to take Chewy home. They reviewed the discharge and prescription information and answered any questions I had. After that, they scheduled the surgical follow ups.Now at 1730 I am sitting at home with my golden, who is now tumorless (Dr. Ikuta was able to get everything!). The surgical site is clean, dry, and it looks fantastic. He is obviously a bit sore, but he has enough energy to give me his golden smile and a bit of sass every now and then.To Dr. Ikuta, words cannot adequately express my appreciation for the work you have done.To Joyce, when I dropped Chewy off on the day of his surgery the first thing I saw was how happy you were to see him. It was a relief to know someone was going to be there for him when I couldn't be.To the rest of the staff, thank you so very much for taking care of my best friend.
August 23 · Alexandria Harding
Yesterday, I had to bring my 15-year-old dog, Harley, to VCA emergency vet clinic for respiratory distress related to her recent congestive heart failure diagnosis. After waking up in severe respiratory distress due to congestive heart failure, I reluctantly brought her in based on necessity and despite some concerning reviews, but our experience was exceptional. The front desk staff immediately recognized the urgency and took Harley in while I checked in. Dr. Nguyen and her assistant, Melanie, quickly provided potential diagnoses and a treatment plan, showing genuine sympathy. Despite Harley not responding to treatment, they kept me well-informed and allowed me to stay by her side. What truly stood out was that Dr. Nguyen and Melanie stayed beyond their scheduled shift to speak with my husband when he finally arrived. This meant so much to us. When we made the difficult decision to end Harley's suffering, Dr. Nguyen and Melanie stayed with us through the entire process, even though their shift was over. Their commitment to us during Harley's final moments was a profound comfort. Thank you, Dr. Nguyen and Melanie, for your exceptional compassion and care during a very difficult time.
April 16 · Monica Gill
This is the most professionally run emergency clinic I have ever seen. The staff was top notch. Exceptional care and attention to our pet and us. Unfortunately, our cat did not make it, but the Doctor and the staff were so comforting. We were provided with several options and explained the outcomes. They allowed us as much time as we needed to make our decision and an extra box of tissues. The loss of a pet is one of the hardest things to deal with and we have nothing but great things to say about VCA and their team in handling the process and supporting us.
August 27 · Nancy Stephens
I've never once had to go to a ER for one of my animals, and VCA really was my first pick. My poor cat was dealing with some issues in her behind and she was in a lot of stress & pain. It wasn't a dire emergency, but my cat was still treated with care and like any other patient. The front desk lady who was working 07/05-06/2025 at the early hours [12am-3am] in the morning, was so sweet and kind. All the nurses and doctors as well were super communicative and helpful, especially with treatment options and the rundown of what was going to happen during my cat's visit.Yes, ER vets can be expensive, However, it was really worth it to make sure my cat was going to be okay.Thank you to the nurses, doctors and the front desk for being an amazing hospital for my cat.
July 07 · Mia Brownlee