I first visited them after researching vets for my cat's breathing problem. I wanted a doctor with extensive cat experience. I was not disappointed! They were very thorough and their treatment plan was reasonable and easy to follow. I have since brought my dogs to them, and appreciate how thorough and knowledgeable Dr. Wheaton is. He is personable and his love of animals shows. Yes, they cost a bit more, and I go elsewhere for vaccines, but for health concerns, I want an experienced, thorough doctor.

The cost is high. My cat was misdiagnosed with an ACL tear and I was told that I needed to hurry up and get surgery even though I really felt the issue was in my cats food. The cat jumped with an ACL tear?? He has a high standard of care but can overdo things and with Pets sometimes its best to allow recovery, our cat got better. I felt also that this doctor really is very high cost and will guilt or rather attempt to guilt to get one to hurry up and pay. Perhaps they have changed and if one does not mind flushing money down the toliet and perhaps overtreating a pet that does not need it. There are worst places. I would go to the Animal and Bird Clinic in Mission Viejo. Dr Coward and Dr Drake are Awesome and they care and will actually wait for a pet to see if they get better when it is best to do so.

Updated***** I thought I'd add a recent experience with Alicia Pet Care. I had to start taking care of my mother's 9 year old Boston Terrier. He really began to go downhill, and we had to make the decision to give him some peace. Alicia Pet Care not only was able to make room for us, but they gave us the time, privacy, and compassion during this difficult time. They also had the compassion to do any paperwork in the room, so we didn't have to be in the lobby. It was a peaceful process, and everyone involved, front desk, nurses, and Dr Wheaton were wonderful. A few days later, we received a card. It wasn't a generic card, but actually hand written by all of the staff, and included the dogs paw prints. They went more than the extra mile, and it just reinforces our decision to bring out current pet to this office! Thanks Alicia Pet Care!! 7 years ago I had to take my boxer to the emergency room in the middle of the night. As I talked to the emergency room Dr at the time, I had mentioned at one time taking this dog to Wheaton, but had changed vets a few times since. She asked why I had stopped seeing him, and my response was it was a bit more expensive. Her response- sometimes you get what you pay for. My boxer died the next morning, and I have never forgotten what that Dr said that night. I always knew the next pet I would get, the choice was made- Wheaton and Alicia Pet Care. We now have a Mastiff, and she has seen all 3 vets at Alicia. They are all wonderful. They spend time with you, never make you feel rushed, and answer all of you questions. I also am given the choice on procedures and tests, and do not feel pressured or a bad doggy parent when I do make my choices. I highly recommend Alicia Pet Care!

We have been going to Dr. Wheaton at Alicia Pet Care for 6 years. After we adopted our first dog, we wanted the very best veterinarian. As we asked around, Dr. Wheaton's name kept coming up with Alicia Pet Care. We have received the best care and are extremely happy with Dr. Wheaton and his Staff. We can highly recommend Alicia Pet Care Center.

We feel very lucky to have found such a caring and wonderful team at APCC. They make a point to really get to know you and your pet, and I feel they are on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine. I really appreciate how organized they are, and the reminders that are sent both via email and through the mail, when boosters, blood exams, fecal screening, etc. are due. I also appreciate that they price match on meds and offer preferred customer discounts (when you've been with them awhile), which turn out to save us a lot. Our dog is on a life-long medicine that is very expensive, so any savings we can get is a big help. And the fact we are purchasing the meds through them (who get it straight from the manufacturer) rather than Costco or an online service (who get meds through a 3rd party), we qualify for manufacturer rebates and free refills, which would not be available otherwise. Yes, this practice is a bit more expensive than others, and luckily our dog has not had any major health issue or accident, but we feel their higher prices are justified because of what they do for the community. They work with shelters to treat animals who would otherwise not get the urgent medical treatment they need, and actually run a rescue center in the same facility. We feel that the extra price we pay for an exam (are people really willing to nitpick about $10 or $15) is a donation to help them help these other poor animals who have been betrayed by their families and abandoned.