Mt. Diablo Veterinary Medical Center 3344 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549

"We saw Dr Howland for routine exams for two dogs. The vet techs and vet were all knowledgeable and considerate of our dogs’ needs and anxieties. They recommended necessary treatments (shots, meds, tests) that made sense to us and did not push for superfluous additional work as some vets have done in the past. That was all good. The checkout procedures seemed to take a bit longer than necessary and seemed a bit disorganized accounting for the four-star rather than five-star rating."

"I always feel like my dog (German Wirehair Pointer) is well cared for by Dr Tam and her staff. She is a good listener, very well educated in her field and compassionate. I appreciate her and the staff at MDVC!"

"TL;DR: Avoid. They care more about billing than they do about your dog. I’d add the pictures of my dog’s sore, but it’s probably graphic as it’s bloody. My dog had a sore and the Vet didn’t even properly check it even though it was mentioned on our visit. They don’t check your dog with you in the room. Their customer service is as bad as the vet. They also pressure you to do tests that make no sense."

"TL:DR - Vet takes dog in back for exam so the owner doesn't get to be present, then during the exam missed his huge cracked canines making me think they did an incomplete job, and then did invasive testing (used needles to test lumps) without confirming it was okay with me first. I have loved our vet in Marin but moved out to the east bay a few years ago and have decided I needed someone local. I had an all around not great experience at this vet when I brought my dog in for a general wellness exam and to check out a few lumps. Generally, the vet felt like she was just reading a script rather than having an actual conversation. The one good thing was that the receptionists and the vet techs were all incredibly nice and patient. 1. The way they see patients is that they bring you into an exam room and then take your pet away from you and just leave you in the room. I understand that maybe some dogs act better not around their owners but it seems shady to me since we aren’t there to see the exam is completed and discuss. Also my dog hates the vet and is kind of scared of strangers so it feels awful to leave him. 2. Although I asked that they take a look at the lumps, I didn’t authorize anything specific m. They apparently used needles to take samples to test what they thought it might be. I definitely would have allowed it but the fact that they didn’t ask before they did something invasive or let me know they would be charging me for additional work was just kind of suspect compounded by the fact they do it all behind closed doors. 3. The vet came out to tell me the wellness exam was good, and one part of that was specifically said they looked at the teeth and it looked good. I asked if she had seen the large chips in a few of the teeth and she said yes but they didn’t look concerning since they were just the tips of the teeth. Then when I was waiting to check out the vet came out to say that she actually missed them and that she was concerned about them because you could see the roots. So we should put him under general anesthesia and do X-rays and determine the best course of action. Again— not opposed to doing that if it’s really needed but the fact you take the dog for the exam and don’t have the owner around just left a bad taste in my mouth. Because he has 2 large chips on 2 of his canines so if you really looked in his mouth at all it would have been almost impossible to miss them. 4. Lastly when I was checking out they said that they were giving me a discount since the visit took so long (an hour and a half). It was a full 45 minutes before they even took my dog back and then I waited another 45 before I was finally done and out of there. Then I got my receipt emailed and there was no discount. Again— I didn’t need a discount I understand sometimes things run late, but why say I was getting one? Anyways, I will be finding another vet locally."

"It use to be a great experience coming to this veterinary. The staff at front desk was so caring and friendly! But the last few times I have visited which is usually every 6 to 8 weeks (my dogs nails clipped and expressed) the front desk receptionist (older woman) was scolding the younger receptionist in front of everyone for miss filling a prescription! Totally ignoring me and my dog and I stood there at the front desk listening to how unprofessional she was .I finally got her attention and she was just not into her job almost like I was annoying her for standing there . No “hi” no friendly greeting .!!! All she said was “go weigh your dog” Are you kidding me!!! Another client that was waiting felt the same was as me on how the place has changed sadly and she was looking for another veterinarian. Also a routine nail clip and express took 45 minutes! Why used to be 10 minutes in and out!! The front Desk is the first impression of a business like this and you come with your pets to have kind friendly staff to make you feel like they care!! Well this older receptionist that has been there for 6 months (won’t name her) needs training on how to welcome people who come in with a friendly smile or get another job!! There are other reasons why I’m not happy with this place , raising their prices and dinging clients if they’re 10 minutes late . My experience this last time has made my decision to follow through and find a new veterinary that has a happy staff."