1st Ave Animal Hospital

Emma Chang

Jan 13, 2026

Woke up to a weird thing on my cat's pupil. I called this vet and they were able to squeeze me in for a visit immediately, even though I was a new patient! According to the good doctor, my senior cat is either developing cataracts or has a fat deposit in her eye 🥲 the wellness exam was $50. They have earned my cat and my business.

Carman Chan

Jan 4, 2026

I’ve been seeing Dr. Dhunna at East 1st Ave Animal Hospital for almost five years, and I felt compelled to leave a detailed review after reading some of the negative comments here. Our family brings two Frenchies and a cat to Dr. Dhunna, and my brother’s family now brings their two cats as well. Over the years, Dr. Dhunna has consistently shown himself to be very knowledgeable, thorough, and honest. He always clearly explains the issue, answers questions patiently, and provides multiple treatment options rather than pushing one solution. One thing I especially appreciate is his transparency with cost. He is very understanding of financial concerns and has never pressured us into unnecessary or expensive procedures. In fact, our experience has been the opposite of some comments mentioning high costs. My brother was once quoted over $1,800 CAD for a grade 1 dental cleaning for his cat at another clinic in East Vancouver. We went to Dr. Dhunna for a second opinion, and he explained that the issue was not urgent, provided preventive advice, and clearly outlined when dental cleaning would actually be necessary. The same procedure was quoted at $600 CAD per cat. But I also want to clarify something for readers who may be concerned about cost. For proper diagnosis, procedures like blood work, urine analysis, X-rays, or ultrasounds are often necessary, not optional. Without these diagnostic tests, it’s simply not possible to accurately determine what’s wrong or to treat the problem safely. Because of this, a typical vet visit can easily be in the $400–$500 range, which is honestly, from experience, considered the norm for veterinary care—not something unique to this clinic. As for comments about him seeming serious or not very friendly—yes, Dr. Dhunna can appear serious at first, but we’ve come to understand that this comes from his focus and professionalism. He is actually very easy to talk to, patient when explaining medical details, and genuinely cares about the animals he treats. Our pets have always been handled with care and respect. Trust is incredibly important when choosing a vet, and that’s why our entire family continues to see Dr. Dhunna. He prioritizes education, preventive care, and long-term health rather than upselling treatments. Because of our consistently positive experiences, all five of our pets—two Frenchies and three cats—are under his care. If you’re looking for an experienced veterinarian who is honest, knowledgeable, and respectful of both your pet’s needs and your financial situation, I highly recommend Dr. Dhunna.

Sherry Li

Dec 7, 2025

Last Friday, we noticed our male cat had not peed for 16 hours. With his history of urinary track blockage, we were immediately alerted. It was 5pm, and all the vets were closing. I called all the vets in the area, only 1st Ave picked up. Dr. Vinod Dhunna was so kind to take us in last minute, took an xray, then helped empty our cat’s bladder immediately. He and his team were so warm, helpful, professional, and caring. I’m transferring our babies to this hospital! Thank you team for the amazing work that you’re doing :)

shae white

Nov 27, 2025

Terrible experience. The vet was cold, dismissive, and seems to lack any empathy. I was given a quote but no explanation of the procedure, the medications, or any post-care instructions. Every piece of information had to be pulled out through questioning, and the responses were curt and dismissive. I wasn’t informed that extractions might be needed in the initial check up, yet the morning of the procedure they added another $500 while my cat was already sedated and gave me only minutes to decide. This lack of transparency and urgency felt unfair and unethical, especially given that I had already discussed financial limitations. They also opted for the most expensive medications without offering alternatives and refused any kind of payment plan. Overall, I felt there was no empathy, no communication, and no transparency. I left feeling pressured, unprepared, and taken advantage of. I will not be returning.

Kerry Friesen

Oct 10, 2025

Dr. Vinod Dhunna and his staff and friendly, kind, and knowledgeable. I brought my cat Virginia to 1st ave animal hospital when she was suffering from bladder stones. The surgery and recovery went perfectly. My cat is healthy and happy. Their prices are reasonable. The staff was available to answer my (frequent) questions during the recovery period. I highly recommend this clinic. Thank you! ❤️