Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.8

                                VCA ANTECH, INC.

                               SECOND AMENDMENT TO
                          CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

         This SECOND AMENDMENT, dated as of November 16, 2001 (this
"Amendment"), to the Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of September 20,
2000 (as amended through the date hereof, the "Credit Agreement"), by and among
VICAR OPERATING, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), VCA ANTECH, INC. a
Delaware corporation (formerly known as Veterinary Centers of America, Inc.,
"Holdings"), CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF COMPANY, as Guarantors, the Lenders party
thereto from time to time, GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P. ("GSCP"), as Sole
Lead Arranger (in such capacity, "Lead Arranger"), and as Sole Syndication Agent
(in such capacity, "Syndication Agent"), and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. ("Wells
Fargo"), as Administrative Agent (together with its permitted successors in such
capacity, "Administrative Agent") and as Collateral Agent (together with its
permitted successor in such capacity, "Collateral Agent"). Capitalized terms
used herein not otherwise defined herein or otherwise amended hereby shall have
the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.

                                    RECITALS:

         WHEREAS, Company proposes issuing subordinated indebtedness in an
aggregate principal amount of not less than $150,000,000 and consummating an
initial public offering of common stock of Holdings providing aggregate gross
proceeds of not less than $168,000,000; and

         WHEREAS, Holdings and Company have requested that Requisite Lenders
agree to make amendments to certain provisions to the Credit Agreement in order
to effectuate the above transactions.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements,
provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION I.   AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

        A.   Amendments to Section 1: Definitions.

     (a) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding thereto
the following definitions in proper alphabetical order:

          "New Company Subordinated Note Indenture" means an Indenture to be
     entered into between Company and JP Morgan Chase, pursuant to which the New
     Company Subordinated Notes are to be issued in form and substance
     reasonably acceptable to the Agents, as such Indenture may hereafter be
     amended, restated,

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     supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time to the extent
     permitted under Section 6.16.

          "New Company Subordinated Notes" means the subordinated notes due no
     earlier than 2010 in an aggregate principal amount of not less than
     $150,000,000 in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agents, as
     such notes may hereafter be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
     modified from time to time to the extent permitted under Section 6.16.

          "Holdings IPO" means an initial public offering of common stock of
     Holdings consummated no later than November 30, 2001 and providing gross
     proceeds to Holdings of not less than $168,000,000.

          "Immaterial Subsidiary" for purposes of Section 8.1(f) and Section
     8.1(g), shall mean one or more Subsidiaries of Holdings that, on a
     consolidated basis did not (i) for the most recently concluded Fiscal Year
     account for more than 3.0% of consolidated revenues of Holdings and its
     Subsidiaries and (ii) as of the last day of such Fiscal Year own more than
     3.0% of the consolidated assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries.

          "Second Amendment" means the Second Amendment dated November 16, 2001
     to this Agreement by and among Company, Holdings, Requisite Lenders as of
     the date of such amendment and the Agents.

          "Second Amendment Closing Date" has the meaning assigned to that term
     in the Second Amendment.

     (b) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting each
of the definitions of "Change of Control", "Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA",
"Material Real Estate Asset", "Permitted Acquisition", "Permitted
Partially-Owned Subsidiary", "Permitted Seller Notes" and "Senior Subordinated
Note Documents" in their entirety and substituting therefor the following:

          "Change of Control" means, at any time, (i) (A) prior to the
     consummation of the Holdings IPO, Sponsor, Co-Investors and Management
     Investors shall cease to beneficially own and control at least 51% on a
     fully diluted basis of the voting interests of the Capital Stock of
     Holdings and (B) concurrently with or at any time after the consummation of
     the Holdings IPO, Sponsor, Co-Investors and Management Investors shall
     collectively cease to beneficially own and control at least 35% on a fully
     diluted basis of the voting interests in the Capital Stock of Holdings;
     (ii) any Person or "group" (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5
     under the Exchange Act) other than Sponsor (a) (I) at any time prior to the
     consummation of the Holdings IPO, shall have acquired beneficial ownership
     of 35% or more on a fully diluted basis of the voting interests in the
     Capital Stock of Holdings and (II) concurrently with or at any time after
     the consummation of the Holdings IPO shall have acquired beneficial
     ownership of a percentage greater than that owned by the Sponsor,
     Co-Investors and Management Investors collectively, on a fully diluted
     basis of the voting interests in the Capital Stock

                                       -2-

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     of Holdings or (b) at all times, shall have obtained the power (whether or
     not exercised) to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors
     (or similar governing body) of Holdings; (iii) Sponsor and Co-Investors
     shall collectively cease to beneficially own and control on a fully diluted
     basis a percentage of the voting interests in the Capital Stock of Holdings
     greater than any other Person or group (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3
     and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act); (iv) Holdings shall cease to beneficially
     own and control 100% on a fully diluted basis of the Capital Stock of
     Company; or (v) the majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the
     board of directors (or similar governing body) of Company cease to be
     occupied by Persons who either (a) were members of the board of directors
     of Company on the Closing Date or (b) were nominated for election by the
     board of directors of Company, a majority of whom were directors on the
     Closing Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously
     approved by a majority of such directors; or (vi) any "change of control"
     or similar event under the Holdings Senior Note Documents or the Senior
     Subordinated Note Documents shall occur.

          "Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA" means, for any period, an amount
     determined for Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis equal
     to (i) the sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such period of (a)
     Consolidated Net Income, (b) Consolidated Interest Expense, (c) provisions
     for taxes based on income, (d) total depreciation expense, (e) total
     amortization expense, (f) other non-Cash items reducing Consolidated Net
     Income (excluding any such non-Cash item to the extent that it represents
     an accrual or reserve for potential Cash items in any future period or
     amortization of a prepaid Cash item that was paid in a prior period but,
     notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, including without
     limitation, reserves for lease expense and other charges and expenses
     related to the closure of hospitals to the extent not paid in cash), (g) to
     the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income, Transaction
     Costs, (h) payments made under the Management Services Agreement in
     accordance with the provisions of Section 6.5(l) and (i) to the extent
     deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income, other one-time
     non-recurring charges incurred by Holdings, Company or any of Company's
     Subsidiaries associated with the Holdings IPO and the New Company
     Subordinated Notes, including, without limitation (A) any non-cash charges
     incurred by Holdings and/or Company; provided, that such non-cash charges
     shall not exceed $10,400,000 in the aggregate; (B) a one-time payment to
     Sponsor; provided, that such one-time payment to Sponsor shall not exceed
     $8,000,000; and (C) underwriting discounts and commissions and other
     reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, including reasonable
     legal fees and expenses, minus (ii) non-Cash items increasing Consolidated
     Net Income for such period (excluding any such non-Cash item to the extent
     it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential Cash item
     in any prior period); provided that the foregoing shall be subject to the
     adjustments described in Schedule 1.1.

          "Material Real Estate Asset" means (i) (a) any fee-owned Real Estate
     Asset having a fair market value in excess of $150,000 as of the date of
     the acquisition thereof and (b) all Leasehold Properties other than those
     with respect to which the aggregate payments under the term of the lease
     are less than $500,000 per annum or (ii) any Real

                                       -3-

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     Estate Asset that the Requisite Lenders have determined is material to
     the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or
     otherwise) or prospects of Holdings or any Subsidiary thereof, including
     Company.

          "Permitted Acquisition" means any acquisition by Company or any of its
     Subsidiaries, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, of all or
     substantially all of the assets of, 51% or more of the Capital Stock of, or
     a business line or unit or a division of, any Person; provided,

               (i)   immediately prior to, and after giving effect thereto, no
          Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or
          would result therefrom;

               (ii)  all transactions in connection therewith shall be
          consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with all
          applicable laws and in conformity with all applicable Governmental
          Authorizations;

              (iii)  in the case of the acquisition of Capital Stock, (i) at
          least 51% of the Capital Stock (except for any such Securities in the
          nature of directors' qualifying shares required pursuant to applicable
          law) acquired or otherwise issued by such Person or any newly formed
          Subsidiary of Company in connection with such acquisition shall be
          owned by Company or a Guarantor Subsidiary thereof, (ii) in the case
          of acquisitions where Company owns more than 51% but less than 100% of
          such Subsidiary, Company shall designate such Subsidiary as a
          Permitted Partially-Owned Subsidiary, and (iii) except in the case of
          a Permitted Partially-Owned Subsidiary, Company shall have taken, or
          caused to be taken, as of the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of
          Company, each of the actions set forth in Sections 5.10 and/or 5.11,
          as applicable;

               (iv)  Any Person or assets so acquired shall be located
          exclusively in the United States;

               (v)   Holdings and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with
          the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.8 on a pro forma basis
          after giving effect to such acquisition as of the last day of the
          Fiscal Quarter most recently ended (as determined in accordance with
          Section 6.8(f));

               (vi)  Company shall have delivered to Administrative Agent (A) at
          least five Business Days prior to such proposed acquisition, a
          Compliance Certificate evidencing compliance with Section 6.8 as
          required under clause (v) above, together with all relevant financial
          information with respect to such acquired assets, including, without
          limitation, the aggregate consideration for such acquisition and any
          other information required to demonstrate compliance with Section 6.8;
          provided, however, that Company shall not be required to comply with
          the provisions of this clause (vi) with respect to acquisitions unless
          the consideration of such acquisition is greater than $3,000,000; and

               (vii) any Person or assets or division as acquired in accordance
          herewith shall be in a business or lines of business the same as,
          related, complementary or

                                       -4-

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         ancillary to, the business or lines of business in which Company
         and/or its Subsidiaries are engaged as of the Closing Date.

                  "Permitted Partially-Owned Subsidiary" means (a) those
         Subsidiaries of Company listed on Schedule 1.2 existing on the Closing
         Date, and (b) those Subsidiaries of Company acquired or created after
         the Closing Date and designated by Company as a Permitted
         Partially-Owned Subsidiary by written notice to the Administrative
         Agent, provided, that, with respect to Permitted Partially-Owned
         Subsidiaries acquired or created after the Closing Date, (i) Company
         owns at least 51% of the outstanding Capital Stock of such Subsidiary,
         (ii) the remaining Capital Stock of such Subsidiary is owned directly
         or indirectly, by one or more licensed veterinarians who are actively
         involved in the business of such Subsidiary, (iii) Company shall use
         its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Subsidiary to become
         a Guarantor Subsidiary, (iv) if Company fails to obtain a Guaranty from
         such Subsidiary, then such Subsidiary shall not own and lease any
         Material Real Estate Assets, and (v) Company shall use commercially
         reasonable efforts to cause such veterinarian to pledge his or her
         Capital Stock in such Permitted Partially-Owned Subsidiary in favor of
         the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties; provided,
         further, that (i) at no time shall the total portion of Consolidated
         Adjusted EBITDA contributed by all Subsidiaries constituting Permitted
         Partially-Owned Subsidiaries exceed 15% of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
         and (ii) at no time shall the portion of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
         contributed by all Permitted Partially-Owned Subsidiaries acquired or
         created after the Closing Date which are not Guarantor Subsidiaries
         exceed 10% of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.

                  "Permitted Seller Notes" means promissory notes containing
         subordination provisions in substantially the form of, or no less
         favorable to Lenders (in the reasonable judgment of Administrative
         Agent) than the subordination provisions contained in, Exhibit K
         annexed hereto, representing any Indebtedness of Holdings or Company
         incurred in connection with any Permitted Acquisition payable to the
         seller in connection therewith, as such note may be amended,
         supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time to the extent
         permitted under subsection 6.16; provided that, no Permitted Seller
         Note shall (i) be guarantied by any Subsidiary of Holdings or secured
         by any property of Holdings, Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii)
         bear cash interest at a rate greater than 8.5% per annum; or, (iii)
         except in accordance with subsection 6.5, provide for any prepayment or
         repayment of all or any portion of the principal thereof prior to the
         date of the final scheduled installment of principal of the Loans;
         provided, further, that in no event shall the aggregate scheduled cash
         payments of principal and interest on all outstanding Permitted Seller
         Notes exceed $4,000,000 in any Fiscal Year.

                  "Senior Subordinated Note Documents" means the Senior
         Subordinated Notes, the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture, the New
         Company Subordinated Notes, the New Company Subordinated Note
         Indenture, the Company Purchase Agreement, the Senior Subordinated Note
         Registration Rights Agreement, and each other document executed in
         connection with the Senior Subordinated Notes, as such document may be
         amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time
         to the extent permitted under Section 6.16.

                                       -5-

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     B. Amendments to Section 2: Mandatory Prepayments.

     (a) Section 2.13(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the
following paragraph at the conclusion thereof as follows:

     "Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, on the date of
   receipt by Holdings of any Cash proceeds from the Holdings IPO, such Cash
   proceeds (together with additional Cash on hand as of the Second Amendment
   Effective Date) shall be applied, net of underwriting discounts and
   commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith,
   including reasonable legal fees and expenses to (i) redeem the Preferred
   Stock (which, together with the redemption set forth in Section 2.13(d) shall
   redeem the Preferred Stock in full) and (ii) prepay a portion of the Holdings
   Senior Notes; provided, that in the event that Holdings or any of its
   Subsidiaries receives gross proceeds from the issuance of the Holdings IPO in
   excess of $168,000,000 (such excess above $168,000,000, the "Excess IPO
   Proceeds"), Holdings and/or Company, as applicable, shall apply such Excess
   IPO Proceeds to prepay the Holdings Senior Notes, prepay the Loans as set
   forth in Section 2.14(b) and/or prepay the Senior Subordinated Notes at
   Holdings' and/or Company's discretion."

     (b) Section 2.13(d) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the
following paragraph at the conclusion thereof as follows:

     "Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, on the date of
   receipt by Holdings and any of its Subsidiaries of any Cash proceeds from the
   incurrence by Company of the New Company Subordinated Notes, such Cash
   proceeds shall be applied, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and
   other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, including
   reasonable legal fees and expenses to (i) redeem Preferred Stock (which,
   together with the redemption set forth in Section 2.13(c) shall redeem the
   Preferred Stock in full) and (ii) prepay the Loans as set forth in Section
   2.14(b); provided that in any event, the Loans shall be prepaid with the
   proceeds of the New Company Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal
   amount of not less than $100,000,000; provided, further, that in the event
   that Company receives gross proceeds from the issuance of the New Company
   Subordinated Notes in excess of $150,000,000 (such excess above $150,000,000,
   the "Excess Note Proceeds"), Holdings and/or Company, as applicable, shall
   apply such Excess Note Proceeds to prepay the Holdings Senior Notes, prepay
   the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(b) and/or prepay the Senior
   Subordinated Notes at Holdings' and/or Company's discretion."

     (b) Section 2.14(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the
following paragraph at the conclusion thereof as follows:

     "Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, any Loans required
   to be prepaid pursuant to the receipt by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries
   of the proceeds from the Holdings IPO and/or the New Company Subordinated
   Notes pursuant to Sections 2.13(c) and 2.13(d) shall be applied to prepay
   Term Loans on a pro rata basis (in accordance with the respective outstanding
   principal amounts thereof) and shall be

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   further applied on a pro rata basis to the remaining scheduled Installments
   of principal of the Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche B Term Loans."

     C. Amendments to Section 6: Negative Covenants.

     (a) Section 6.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
Section 6.1(c) in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

     "(c) (x) (i) Indebtedness incurred by Company with respect to the Senior
   Subordinated Notes and (ii) other Indebtedness incurred to refinance, in
   whole or in part, Indebtedness under the Senior Subordinated Notes if the
   terms and conditions thereof are not less favorable, taken as a whole, to the
   obligor thereon or to the Lenders than the Indebtedness being refinanced and
   the average life to maturity thereof is greater than or equal to that of the
   Indebtedness being refinanced; provided, such Indebtedness permitted under
   the immediately preceding clause (ii) above shall (A) not include
   Indebtedness of an obligor that was not an obligor with respect to the
   Indebtedness being refinanced, (B) not exceed in principal amount (or
   accreted value, in the case of any such refinancing Indebtedness issued with
   a discount) of the Indebtedness (including the amount of interest and
   principal (and premium, if any)) being refinanced plus the amount of
   customary underwriting discounts, financing fees and commissions and other
   reasonable costs and expenses associated with the issuance thereof, (C) be
   subordinated to the Obligations on terms which are not less favorable, taken
   as a whole, to the Lenders than the corresponding terms of the Indebtedness
   being refinanced, and (D) not be incurred, created or assumed if any Default
   or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;
   (y) (i) Indebtedness incurred by Holdings with respect to the Holdings Senior
   Notes and (ii) other Indebtedness incurred to refinance, in whole or in part,
   Indebtedness under the Holdings Senior Notes if the terms and conditions
   thereof are not less favorable, taken as a whole, to the obligor thereon or
   to the Lenders than the Indebtedness being refinanced and the average life to
   maturity thereof is greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being
   refinanced; provided, such Indebtedness permitted under the immediately
   preceding clause (ii) above shall (A) not include Indebtedness of an obligor
   that was not an obligor with respect to the Indebtedness being refinanced,
   (B) not exceed in principal amount (or accreted value, in the case of any
   such refinancing Indebtedness issued with a discount) of the Indebtedness
   (including the amount of interest and principal (and premium, if any)) being
   refinanced plus the amount of customary underwriting discounts, financing
   fees and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated with
   the issuance thereof, and (C) not be incurred, created or assumed if any
   Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
   therefrom; and (z) (i) Indebtedness incurred by Company with respect to the
   New Company Subordinated Notes and (ii) other Indebtedness incurred to
   refinance, in whole or in part, Indebtedness under the New Company
   Subordinated Notes if the terms and conditions thereof are not less
   favorable, taken as a whole, to the obligor thereon or to the Lenders than
   the Indebtedness being refinanced and the average life to maturity thereof is
   greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being refinanced; provided,
   such Indebtedness permitted under the immediately preceding clause (ii) above
   shall (A) not include Indebtedness of an obligor that was not an obligor with
   respect to the

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   Indebtedness being refinanced, (B) not exceed in principal amount (or
   accreted value, in the case of any such refinancing Indebtedness issued with
   a discount) of the Indebtedness (including the amount of interest and
   principal (and premium, if any)) being refinanced plus the amount of
   customary underwriting discounts, financing fees and commissions and other
   reasonable costs and expenses associated with the issuance thereof, (C) be
   subordinated to the Obligations on terms which are not less favorable, taken
   as a whole, to the Lenders than the corresponding terms of the Indebtedness
   being refinanced and (D) not be incurred, created or assumed if any Default
   or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
   therefrom;"

     (b) Section 6.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by
deleting Section 6.1(m) in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

     "(m) Permitted Seller Notes (i) issued by Holdings as consideration in
   Permitted Acquisitions; provided, that the aggregate principal amount of such
   Permitted Seller Notes issued by Holdings shall not exceed $17,500,000; and
   (ii) issued by Company as consideration in Permitted Acquisitions; provided,
   that the aggregate principal amount of such Permitted Seller Notes issued by
   Company shall not exceed $7,500,000;"

     (c) Section 6.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by
deleting the word "and" at the conclusion of Section 6.1(r), deleting "." at the
conclusion of Section 6.1(s) and replacing it with "; and", and by adding the
following Section 6.1(t):

     "(t) the guaranty by Holdings of Indebtedness of Company pursuant to the
   New Company Subordinated Notes; provided, that such guaranty is unsecured and
   subordinated to the Obligations."

     (d) Section 6.5 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the
word "and" at the conclusion of Section 6.5(l), deleting "." at the conclusion
of Section 6.5(m) and replacing it with "; and", and by adding the following
Section 6.5(n):

     "(n) Holdings and Company may make the Restricted Junior Payments
   contemplated in connection with the Holdings IPO and the New Company
   Subordinated Notes, as set forth in Section 2.13(c) and 2.13(d)."

     (e) Section 6.7 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
Section 6.7(m) in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

     "(m) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time
   $6,000,000."

     (f) Section 6.8 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
Sections 6.8(a) through and including Section 6.8(e) in their entirety and
replacing them with the following:

                                       -8-

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          "(a) Interest Coverage Ratio. Company shall not permit the Interest
     Coverage Ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, beginning with the
     Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2001 to be less than the correlative
     ratio indicated:

                                                       Interest
                    Fiscal Quarter                  Coverage Ratio
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2001                       2.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               March 31, 2002                          2.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               June 30, 2002                           2.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               September 30, 2002                      2.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2002                       2.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               March 31, 2003                          2.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               June 30, 2003                           2.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               September 30, 2003                      2.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2003                       2.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               March 31, 2004                          2.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               June 30, 2004                           2.75:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               September 30, 2004                      2.75:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2004 and thereafter        3.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------

          (b) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Company shall not permit the Fixed
     Charge Coverage Ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, beginning
     with the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2001, to be less than the
     correlative ratio indicated:

                                                     Fixed Charge
                    Fiscal Quarter                  Coverage Ratio
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2001
                and thereafter                         1.10:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------

                                       -9-

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          (c) Leverage Ratio. Company shall not permit the Leverage Ratio as of
     the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, beginning with the Fiscal Quarter
     ending December 31, 2001, to exceed the correlative ratio indicated:

                          Fiscal                        Leverage
                          Quarter                        Ratio
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2001                       4.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               March 31, 2002                          4.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               June 30, 2002                           4.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               September 30, 2002                      4.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2002                       4.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               March 31, 2003                          3.75:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               June 30, 2003                           3.75:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               September 30, 2003                      3.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2003                       3.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               March 31, 2004                          3.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               June 30, 2004                           3.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               September 30, 2004                      3.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2004                       2.75:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               March 31, 2005                          2.75:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               June 30, 2005                           2.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               September 30 2005 and thereafter        2.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------

                                       -10-

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          (d) Senior Leverage Ratio. Company shall not permit the Senior
     Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, beginning with the
     Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2001, to exceed the correlative ratio
     indicated:

                                                        Senior
                     Fiscal Quarter                 Leverage Ratio
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2001                       2.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               March 31, 2002                          2.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               June 30, 2002                           2.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               September 30, 2002                      2.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2002                       2.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               March 31, 2003                          2.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               June 30, 2003                           1.75:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               September 30, 2003                      1.75:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2003                       1.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               March 31, 2004                          1.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               June 30, 2004                           1.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               September 30, 2004                      1.50:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2004                       1.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               March 31, 2005                          1.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               June 30, 2005                           1.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               September 30, 2005                      1.25:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------
               December 31, 2005 and thereafter        1.00:1.00
               --------------------------------     --------------

                  (e) Maximum Consolidated Capital Expenditures. Holdings shall
         not, and shall not permit its Subsidiaries to, make or incur
         Consolidated Capital Expenditures, in any Fiscal Year beginning with
         the Fiscal Year 2001, in an aggregate amount for Holdings and its
         Subsidiaries in excess of the following:

                                       -11-

<PAGE>

                                                    Maximum Consolidated
                         Fiscal Year                Capital Expenditures
               ----------------------------------   --------------------
               Fiscal Year 2001 and in any Fiscal
               Year prior to the consummation of
               the Holdings IPO                          $20,000,000
               --------------------------------     --------------------
               In any Fiscal Year (other than
               Fiscal Year 2001) after the
               consummation of the Holdings IPO          $22,000,000
               --------------------------------     --------------------

     ; provided, that 50% of any unutilized amount for any Fiscal Year may be
     utilized in the next succeeding Fiscal Year, but in no event shall any
     amount from any Fiscal Year prior to the immediately preceding Fiscal Year
     be utilized in the calculations of the foregoing."

     (g) Section 6.9 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
Section 6.9(h) in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

          "(h) Permitted Acquisitions, the consideration for which constitutes
     (i) $10,000,000 or less in the aggregate from the Closing Date through the
     end of the fourth Fiscal Quarter of Fiscal Year 2000, (ii) $25,000,000 or
     less in the aggregate in Fiscal Year 2001, and (iii) $30,000,000 or less in
     the aggregate in any Fiscal Year thereafter; provided, that $5,000,000 of
     any unutilized amount for any Fiscal Year may be utilized in the next
     immediately succeeding Fiscal Year (but not in any Fiscal Years
     thereafter); provided, further, however, that with respect to any
     acquisition the consideration of which is (i) prior to the consummation of
     the Holdings IPO, greater than $7,500,000 and (ii) after the consummation
     of the Holdings IPO, greater than $12,500,000, Company shall not make such
     acquisition without the prior consent of Administrative Agent and
     Syndication Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld;"

          D. Amendments to Section 8: Events of Default.

     Section 8.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting Section
8.1(f) and 8.1(g) in their entirety and replacing them with the following:

          "(f) Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc. (i) A court
     of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in
     respect of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial
     Subsidiaries) in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any
     other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in
     effect, which decree or order is not stayed; or any other similar relief
     shall be granted under any applicable federal or state law; or (ii) an
     involuntary case shall be commenced against Holdings or any of its
     Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) under the Bankruptcy Code
     or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or
     hereafter in effect; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in
     the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator,
     trustee, custodian or other officer having similar powers over Holdings or
     any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries), or over all
     or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered; or there
     shall have occurred the involuntary

                                       -12-

<PAGE>

     appointment of an interim receiver, trustee or other custodian of Holdings
     or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) for all or
     a substantial part of its property; or a warrant of attachment, execution
     or similar process shall have been issued against any substantial part of
     the property of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial
     Subsidiaries), and any such event described in this clause (ii) shall
     continue for sixty (60) days without having been dismissed, bonded or
     discharged; or

          (g) Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc. (i) Holdings
     or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) shall have
     an order for relief entered with respect to it or shall commence a
     voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable
     bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, or shall
     consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or to
     the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case, under any such
     law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a
     receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its
     property; or Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial
     Subsidiaries) shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors; or
     (ii) Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial
     Subsidiaries) shall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in
     writing its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due; or the
     board of directors (or similar governing body) of Holdings or any of its
     Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) (or any committee
     thereof) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to
     approve any of the actions referred to herein or in Section 8.1(f); or"

SECTION II.       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS

     The effectiveness of the amendments set forth at Section I hereof are
subject to the satisfaction, or waiver, of the following conditions on or before
the date hereof (the "Second Amendment Closing Date"):

     (a) The Company, Holdings and Requisite Lenders shall have indicated their
consent by the execution and delivery of the signature pages hereof to the
Agent.

     (b) Company shall have received net proceeds from the New Company
Subordinated Notes of not less than $147,000,000 and such proceeds shall have
been applied as contemplated by this Second Amendment.

     (c) The Agent shall have received a certificate from an officer of the
Company stating that as of the Second Amendment Closing Date, the
representations and warranties contained in Section III herein and in the other
Credit Documents are true, correct and complete in all respects on and as of the
Second Amendment Closing Date to the same extent as though made on and as of
that date, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically
relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties are
true, correct and complete in all respects on and as of such earlier date.

                                       -13-

<PAGE>

                  (d) The Agent shall have received a certificate from an
officer of the Company stating that as of the Second Amendment Closing Date, no
event has occurred and is continuing that would constitute an Event of Default
or a Default.

                  (e) The Agent shall have received a certificate from an
officer of the Company demonstrating that as of the Second Amendment Closing
Date, the ratio of total net debt of the Company (defined as Consolidated Total
Debt less Company's Cash on hand as of the Second Amendment Closing Date) to pro
forma Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of the Company for the twelve month period
ending September 30, 2001 (which for purposes of this ratio shall be
$89,000,000) shall not exceed 3.75:1.00.

                  (f) Company shall have paid all fees and other amounts due and
payable on or prior to the Second Amendment Closing Date, including, to the
extent invoiced, reimbursement or other payment of all out-of-pocket expenses
required to be reimbursed or paid by the Company hereunder or under any other
Credit Document.

                  (g) The Agent and Lenders shall have received such other
documents and information regarding Credit Parties and the Credit Agreement as
the Agents or Lenders may reasonably request.

SECTION III.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                   A. Corporate Power and Authority. Each Credit Party has all
requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Second Amendment and
to carry out the transactions contemplated by, and perform its obligations under
the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

                   B. Authorization of Agreements. The execution and delivery of
this Second Amendment and the performance of the Credit Agreement and the other
Credit Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or
partnership (as applicable) action on the part of each Credit Party.

                   C. No Conflict. The execution and delivery by each Credit
Party of this Second Amendment and the performance by each Credit Party of the
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents do not (i) violate (A) any
provision of any law, statute, rule or regulation, or of the certificate or
articles of incorporation or partnership agreement, other constitutive documents
or by-laws of each Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries except to the extent
such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, (B) any applicable order of any court or any rule, regulation or order
of any Governmental Authority except to the extent such violation could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (C) any provision of
any indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or
other instrument to which each Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party or by which any of them or any of their property is or may be bound except
to the extent such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, (ii) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute
(alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any such

                                       -14-

<PAGE>

indenture, certificate of designation for preferred stock, agreement or other
instrument, where any such conflict, violation, breach or default referred to in
clause (i) or (ii) of this Section III.C., individually or in the aggregate
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) result in
or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or
assets of each Credit Party (other than any Liens created under any of the
Credit Documents in favor of Collateral Agent on behalf of Lenders), or (iv)
require any approval of stockholders or partners or any approval or consent of
any Person under any contractual obligation of each Credit Party, except for
such approvals or consents which will be obtained on or before the Second
Amendment Closing Date.

                   D. Governmental Consents. No action, consent or approval of,
registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is
required in connection with the execution and delivery by each Credit Party of
this Second Amendment and the performance by each Credit Party of the Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents, except for such actions, consents and
approvals the failure to obtain or make which could not reasonably be expected
to result in a Material Adverse Effect or which have been obtained and are in
full force and effect.

                   E. Binding Obligation. This Second Amendment and the Credit
Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by each Credit Party and each
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Credit Party
enforceable against each Credit Party in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and
except as enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law).

                   F. Incorporation of Representations and Warranties From
Credit Agreement. The representations and warranties contained in Section 4 of
the Credit Agreement are and will be true, correct and complete in all material
respects on and as of the Second Amendment Closing Date to the same extent as
though made on and as of that date, except to the extent such representations
and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case they were
true, correct and complete in all material respects on and as of such earlier
date.

                   G. Absence of Default. No event has occurred and is
continuing or will result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Second Amendment that would constitute an Event of Default or a Default.

SECTION IV.   ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT

         Each of Holdings and each Domestic Subsidiary of Holdings (other than
Company and certain Permitted Partially-Owned Subsidiaries) has (i) guaranteed
the Obligations and (ii) created Liens in favor of Lenders on certain Collateral
to secure its obligations under the Credit Agreement and the Collateral
Documents subject to the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement. Each of
Holdings and each Domestic Subsidiary of Holdings who has guaranteed the
Obligations are collectively referred to herein as the "Credit Support Parties",
and the

                                       -15-

<PAGE>

Credit Agreement and the Collateral Documents are collectively referred to
herein as the "Credit Support Documents".

         Each Credit Support Party hereby acknowledges that it has reviewed the
terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement and this Second Amendment and
consents to the amendment of the Credit Agreement effected pursuant to this
Second Amendment. Each Credit Support Party hereby confirms that each Credit
Support Document to which it is a party or otherwise bound and all Collateral
encumbered thereby will continue to guarantee or secure, as the case may be, to
the fullest extent possible in accordance with the Credit Support Documents the
payment and performance of all "Obligations" under each of the Credit Support
Documents, as the case may be (in each case as such terms are defined in the
applicable Credit Support Document), including without limitation the payment
and performance of all such "Obligations" under each of the Credit Support
Documents, as the case may be, in respect of the Obligations of the Company now
or hereafter existing under or in respect of the Credit Agreement and hereby
pledges and assigns to the Collateral Agent, and grants to the Collateral Agent
a continuing lien on and security interest in and to all Collateral as
collateral security for the prompt payment and performance in full when due of
the "Obligations" under each of the Credit Support Documents to which it is a
party (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise).

         Each Credit Support Party acknowledges and agrees that any of the
Credit Support Documents to which it is a party or otherwise bound shall
continue in full force and effect and that all of its obligations thereunder
shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be impaired or limited by the
execution or effectiveness of this Second Amendment. Each Credit Support Party
represents and warrants that all representations and warranties contained in the
Credit Agreement, this Second Amendment and the Credit Support Documents to
which it is a party or otherwise bound are true, correct and complete in all
material respects on and as of the Second Amendment Closing Date to the same
extent as though made on and as of that date, except to the extent such
representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which
case they were true, correct and complete in all material respects on and as of
such earlier date.

         Each Credit Support Party acknowledges and agrees that (i)
notwithstanding the conditions to effectiveness set forth in this Second
Amendment, such Credit Support Party is not required by the terms of the Credit
Agreement or any other Credit Document to consent to the amendments to the
Credit Agreement effected pursuant to this Second Amendment and (ii) nothing in
the Credit Agreement, this Second Amendment or any other Credit Document shall
be deemed to require the consent of such Credit Support Party to any future
amendments to the Credit Agreement.

SECTION V.   MISCELLANEOUS

                   A. Binding Effect. This Amendment shall be binding upon the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors and assigns of Lenders. No
Credit Party's rights or obligations hereunder or any interest therein may be
assigned or delegated by any Credit Party without the prior written consent of
all Lenders.

                                       -16-

<PAGE>

                   B. Severability. In case any provision in or obligation
hereunder shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or
obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

                   C. Reference to Credit Agreement. On and after the Second
Amendment Closing Date, each reference in the Credit Agreement to "this
Agreement", "hereunder", "hereof", "herein" or words of like import referring to
the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Credit Documents to the
"Credit Agreement", "thereunder", "thereof" or words of like import referring to
the Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as
amended by this Amendment.

                   D. Effect on Credit Agreement. Except as specifically amended
by this Amendment, the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall
remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

                   E. Execution. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, constitute a waiver of
any provision of, or operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any
Agent or Lender under, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit
Documents.

                   F. Headings. Section headings herein are included herein for
convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any
other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

                   G. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                   H. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an
original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the
same instrument. As set forth herein, this Amendment shall become effective upon
the execution of a counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto and receipt
by Company, Holdings and Administrative Agent and Syndication Agent of written
or telephonic notification of such execution and authorization of delivery
thereof.

            [The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

                                       -17-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.

COMPANY:                                      VICAR OPERATING, INC.

                                              By:____________________________
                                                 Name: Robert L. Antin
                                                 Title:  Chief Executive Officer
                                                         and President

                                              By:____________________________
                                                 Name: Tomas W. Fuller
                                                 Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                                        and Assistant Secretary

HOLDINGS:                                     VCA ANTECH, INC.

                                              By:_____________________________
                                                 Name: Robert L. Antin
                                                 Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                                        and President

                                              By:_____________________________
                                                Name: Tomas W. Fuller
                                                Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                                       and Assistant Secretary

GUARANTORS:                              AAH MERGER CORPORATION
                                         ACADEMY ANIMAL, INC.
                                         ANDERSON ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                         ANIMAL EMERGENCY CLINIC, P.C.
                                         ANIMAL CLINIC OF SANTA CRUZ, INC.
                                         BEAUMONT VETERINARY ASSOCIATES, P.C.
                                           BERLA, INC.

                                       -18-

<PAGE>

                                      CACOOSING ANIMAL HOSPITAL, LTD.
                                      CACOOSING PET CARE & NUTRITION CENTER,
                                        INC.
                                      CLARMAR ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      DETWILER VETERINARY CLINIC, INC.
                                      DIAGNOSTIC VETERINARY SERVICE, INC.
                                      EAGLE PARK ANIMAL CLINIC, INC.
                                      EAGLE RIVER VETERINARY HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      EDGEBROOK, INC.
                                      FLORIDA VETERINARY LABORATORIES, INC.
                                      FOX CHAPEL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      FREEHOLD, INC.
                                      GLEN ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      GOLDEN MERGER CORPORATION
                                      H.B. ANIMAL CLINICS, INC.
                                      HOWELL BRANCH ANIMAL HOSPITAL, P.A.
                                      HIGHLANDS ANIMAL HOSPITAL, , INC.
                                      LAKE JACKSON VETERINARY CLINIC, INC.
                                      LAKEWOOD ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      LAMMERS VETERINARY HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      LEWELLING VETERINARY CLINIC, INC.
                                      MILLER ANIMAL HOSPITAL
                                      M.S. ANIMAL HOSPITALS, INC.
                                      NEWARK ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      NORTHERN ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      NORTH ROCKVILLE VETERINARY HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      NORTHSIDE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, P.C.
                                      NOYES ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      OAK HILL VETERINARY HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      OLD TOWN VETERINARY HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      PET PRACTICE (MASSACHUSETTS), INC.
                                      PETS' RX, INC.
                                      PETS' RX NEVADA, INC.
                                      PPI OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.
                                      PRINCETON ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      PROFESSIONAL VETERINARY SERVICES, INC.
                                      RIVIERA ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      ROBERTSON BLVD. ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.

                                       -19-

<PAGE>
                                      ROSSMOOR - EL DORADO ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      ROSSMOOR CENTER ANIMAL CLINIC, INC.
                                      SAN VICENTE ANIMAL CLINIC
                                      SILVER SPUR ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      SOUTH COUNTY VETERINARY CLINIC, INC.
                                      SPANISH RIVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      TAMPA ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER, INC.
                                      THE PET PRACTICE (FLORIDA), INC.
                                      THE PET PRACTICE (ILLINOIS), INC.
                                      THE PET PRACTICE (MASSACHUSETTS), INC.
                                      THE PET PRACTICE OF MICHIGAN, INC.
                                      VCA ALABAMA, INC.
                                      VCA ALBANY ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA ALBUQUERQUE, INC.
                                      VCA ALL PETS ANIMAL COMPLEX, INC.
                                      VCA ALPINE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA ANDERSON OF CALIFORNIA ANIMAL
                                        HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA ANIMAL HOSPITALS, INC.
                                      VCA ANIMAL HOSPITAL WEST, INC.
                                      VCA APAC ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA - ASHER, INC.
                                      VCA BAY AREA ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA CACOOSING ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA CASTLE SHANNON VETERINARY HOSPITAL,
                                        INC.
                                      VCA CENTERS-TEXAS, INC.
                                      VCA CENVET, INC.
                                      VCA CLARMAR ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA CLINICAL VETERINARY LABS, INC.
                                      VCA CLINIPATH LABS, INC.
                                      VCA CLOSTER, INC.
                                      VCA DETWILER ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA DOVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA EAGLE RIVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA EAST ANCHORAGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA GOLDEN COVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.

                                       -20-

<PAGE>

                                      VCA GREATER SAVANNAH ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA HOWELL BRANCH ANIMAL HOSPITAL, NC.
                                      VCA INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
                                      VCA KANEOHE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA LAKESIDE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA LAMB AND STEWART ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA LAMMERS ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA LEWIS ANIMAL HOSPITAL, NC.
                                      VCA MARINA ANIMAL HOSPITAL, NC.
                                      VCA MILLER ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA MISSION, INC.
                                      VCA NORTHBORO ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA NORTHWEST VETERINARY DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
                                      VCA OF COLORADO-ANDERSON, INC.
                                      VCA OF NEW YORK, INC.
                                      VCA OF SAN JOSE, INC.
                                      VCA OF TERESITA, INC.
                                      CA PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL LABORATORY, INC.
                                      VCA REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION
                                        CORPORATIONVCA REFERRAL ASSOCIATES
                                        ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA ROHRIG ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA - ROSSMOOR, INC.
                                      VCA SILVER SPUR ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA SOUTH SHORE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      SPECIALTY PET PRODUCTS, INC.
                                      VCA SQUIRE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA ST. PETERSBURG ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VCA TEXAS MANAGEMENT, INC.
                                      VCA WYOMING ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                                      VETERINARY HOSPITALS, INC.
                                      WEST LOS ANGELES VETERINARY MEDICAL GROUP,
                                        INC.
                                      WESTWOOD DOG & CAT HOSPITAL
                                      W.E. ZUSCHLAG, D.V.M., WORTH ANIMAL
                                        HOSPITAL, CHARTERED

                                       -21-

<PAGE>

                                      WILLIAM C. FOUTS, D.V.M., LTD.
                                        WINGATE, INC.

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name: Robert L. Antin
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer and
                                             President

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name: Tomas W. Fuller
                                      Title: Chief Financial Officer and
                                             Assistant Secretary

                                      VCA VILLA ANIMAL HOSPITAL, L.P.
                                      By: VCA Animal Hospitals, Inc.
                                      General Partner

                                      By:____________________________
                                         Name: Robert L. Antin
                                         Title: Chief Executive Officer and
                                                President

                                      By:____________________________
                                         Name: Tomas W. Fuller
                                         Title: Chief Financial Officer and
                                                Assistant Secretary

                                      VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA-TEXAS, L.P.
                                      By: VCA Centers-Texas, Inc.,
                                      General Partner

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name: Robert L. Antin
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer and
                                             President

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name: Tomas W. Fuller
                                      Title: Chief Financial Officer and
                                             Assistant Secretary

                                       -22-

<PAGE>

                                      ANIMAL CENTER, INC.

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                      ASSOCIATES IN PET CARE, S.C.

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                      KIRKWOOD ANIMAL HOSPITAL - LEA M.E. TAMMI,
                                        V.M.D., P.A.

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                      MAIN STREET SMALL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                      SOUTHEAST AREA VETERINARY MEDICAL CENTER,
                                        P.C.

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                       -23-

<PAGE>

                                      VCA ASSOCIATE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, L.P.

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                      VCA HERITAGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, L.P.

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                      TOMS RIVER VETERINARY HOSPITAL, P.A.

                                      By:____________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                       -24-

<PAGE>

SOLE SYNDICATION AGENT,
SOLE LEAD ARRANGER,
AND A LENDER:                         GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.,

                                      By:________________________
                                           Authorized Signatory

                                       -25-

<PAGE>

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,
COLLATERAL AGENT
AND A LENDER:                         WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

                                      By: __________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                                       -26-<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit 4.9

         NUMBER               [LOGO OF VCA ANTECH]            SHARES

     WOOF-                 INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS
                            OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
      COMMON STOCK                                       CUSIP 92551Q 10 2
                                                          SEE REVERSE FOR
                                                        CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

         THIS CERTIFIES THAT ___________________________________________

         is the record holder of _______________________________________

   FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, $0.001 PAR VALUE, OF

=============================== VCA Antech, Inc. ===============================

transferable on the books of the Corporation in person or by duly authorized
attorney upon surrender of the Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate
is not valid until countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the
Registrar.

     Witness the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures
of its duly authorized officers.

Dated:
                                     [SEAL]
        /s/ ART ANTIN           VCA Antech, Inc.     /s/ ROBERT L. ANTIN
    Chief Operating Officer,      INCORPORATED     Chief Executive Officer,
     Senior Vice President        MAY 7, 1987              President
                                    DELAWARE

                                      COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:
                                             U.S. STOCK TRANSFER CORPORATION
                                                                  TRANSFER AGENT
                                                                  AND REGISTRAR.
                                      By

                                                            AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>
     The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as
though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM -- as tenants in common                          UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -- ............ Custodian .............
TEN ENT -- as tenants by the entireties                                          (Cust)                 (Minor)
JT TEN  -- as joint tenants with right of                                     under Uniform Gifts to Minors
           survivorship and not as tenants                                    Act.................................
           in common                                                                          (State)

                                                         UNIF TRF MIN ACT  -- ............ Custodian (until age .......)
                                                                                 (Cust)
                                                                              ............. under Uniform Transfers
                                                                                 (Minor)
                                                                              to Minors Act .......................
                                                                                                    (State)

                       Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

For value received, ____________________________________________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
     IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
______________________________________

______________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                  PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE WRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Shares

of the Common Stock represented by the within certificate, and do(es) hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Attorney

to transfer the said stock on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated ______________________________________

                                                                 X _____________________________________________________

                                                                 X _____________________________________________________
                                                           NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND
                                                                   WITH THE NAME(S) AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE
                                                                   CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR WITHOUT ALTERATION OR
                                                                   ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

Signature(s) Guaranteed:

By ________________________________________________________________________________
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN
APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.
</TABLE>

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