Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.8

                              Vicar Operating, Inc.
                       Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010

                                VCA Antech, Inc.
                              Senior Notes due 2010

                               Consent and Waiver

This Consent and Waiver ("Consent and Waiver") is dated as of November 20, 2001.

Reference is hereby made to (i) the Vicar Operating, Inc. Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2010 (the "Company Notes"), issued pursuant to the Indenture (the
"Company Indenture"), dated as of September 20, 2000, by and among Vicar
Operating, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the Guarantors (as
defined therein) and Chase Manhattan Bank and Trust Company National
Association, a national banking association organized under the federal laws of
the United States, as trustee (the "Trustee"), (ii) the VCA Antech, Inc. Senior
Notes due 2010 (the "Holdings Notes"), issued pursuant to the Indenture (the
"Holdings Indenture"), dated as of September 20, 2000, by and between VCA
Antech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (formerly known as Veterinary Centers of
America, Inc.) ("Holdings") and the Trustee, as trustee. Capitalized terms used
herein and not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to
such terms in the Holdings Indenture.

The undersigned, being all of the holders of the Company Notes and the Holdings
Notes, hereby consent to:

                (i)     the issuance of up to $175 million of the 9 7/8% Senior
                        Subordinated Notes due 2009 (the "Company 144A Notes")
                        to be issued pursuant to the Indenture to be entered
                        into among the Company, the guarantors and the trustee
                        named therein, provided that the net proceeds of the
                        issuance of the Company 144A Notes and the net proceeds
                        of Holdings' initial public offering (the "Holdings
                        I.P.O.") are used as described in the preliminary
                        Offering Circular dated October 31, 2001 with any
                        additional net proceeds used in accordance with clause
                        (iv) below or to pay other currently outstanding
                        Indebtedness of Holdings or the Company;

                (ii)    the payment by the Company of a dividend to Holdings of
                        a portion of the proceeds of the issuance of the Company
                        144A Notes solely for the purpose of allowing the
                        transactions contemplated in clause (iii) and (iv) of
                        this paragraph;

                (iii)   the redemption by Holdings of all of the outstanding
                        Preferred Stock of Holdings; and

<PAGE>

                (iv)    Holdings' optional redemption of (i) 35% of the
                        aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Holdings
                        Notes at a price of 110% of the aggregate principal
                        amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest as of
                        the date of the redemption on a pro rata basis from each
                        of the Holders of the Holdings Notes, (ii) up to an
                        additional $7.0 million in principal amount of the
                        Holdings Notes at a price of 110% of the aggregate
                        principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
                        interest as of the date of the redemption to be split
                        amongst the following entities as they shall determine:
                        (a) TCW Leveraged Income Trust, L.P., a Delaware limited
                        partnership, (b) TCW Leveraged Income Trust II, L.P., a
                        Delaware limited partnership, (c) TCW Leveraged Income
                        Trust IV, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, (d)
                        TCW/Crescent Mezzanine Partners II, L.P., a Delaware
                        limited partnership, and (e) TCW/Crescent Mezzanine
                        Trust II, a closed-end Delaware statutory business trust
                        (each of the entities described in subsection (a)
                        through (e) of this section collectively referred to as
                        the "TCW Entities") and (iii) if the gross proceeds of
                        the Holdings I.P.O. are greater than $182 million or the
                        gross proceeds from the issuance of the Company 144A
                        Notes are greater than $150 million, as Holdings or the
                        Company may elect, up to the remaining aggregate
                        principal amount of the outstanding Holdings Notes held
                        by the TCW Entities and The Northwestern Mutual Life
                        Insurance Company, a Wisconsin corporation
                        ("Northwestern") (after the redemptions contemplated by
                        clause (i) of this paragraph), at a price of 110% of the
                        aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and
                        unpaid interest as of the date of the redemption and/or
                        up to approximately $5.8 million in principal amount of
                        the outstanding Company Notes at a price of 110% of the
                        aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and
                        unpaid interest as of the date of the redemption on a
                        pro rata basis from Northwestern and the TCW Entities.

The undersigned also irrevocably waive any breach of the following provisions,
solely to the extent resulting from the consummation of the optional redemptions
and other transactions consented to above:

                (i)     paragraph 5 of the Holdings Notes;

                (ii)    paragraph 5 of the Company Notes;

                (iii)   the notice requirements of paragraph 7 of the Holdings
                        Notes;

                (iv)    the notice requirements of paragraph 7 of the Company
                        Notes;

                                       2
<PAGE>

                (v)     the pro rata redemption provisions of Section 3.02 of
                        the Holdings Indenture;

                (vi)    the pro rata redemption provisions of Section 3.02 of
                        the Company Indenture;

                (vii)   Section 3.03(a) of the Holdings Indenture;

                (viii)  Section 3.03(a) of the Company Indenture;

                (ix)    Section 5.02 of the Holdings Indenture;

                (x)     Section 5.02 of the Company Indenture;

                (xi)    Section 5.04 of the Holdings Indenture;

                (xii)   Section 5.04 of the Company Indenture;

                (xiii)  Section 5.06 of the Holdings Indenture; and

                (xiv)   Section 5.06 of the Company Indenture.

        The optional redemptions and other transactions consented to herein
shall take place using the proceeds of the the Company 144A Notes and the
Holdings I.P.O. and shall take place immediately upon the closing of the sale of
the Company 144A Notes; provided, however, that any portion of the optional
redemptions consented to under subclause (iii) of clause (iv) above being
financed with the proceeds of any "green shoe" under the Holdings I.P.O. may
take place immediately upon the closing of such green shoe.

        Pursuant to Section 13 of the Purchase Agreement and the Company
Purchase Agreement, Holdings, the Company and the Guarantors shall pay all
expenses incurred by the Purchasers (including, without limitation, the
reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of Fried, Frank, Harris,
Shriver & Jacobson, counsel to the Purchasers) in connection with this Consent
and Waiver, the proposed amendments to the Holdings Indenture and the Company
Indenture and any other agreements, instruments or documents executed pursuant
to the transactions consented to herein, whether or not the same shall become
effective.

        The effectiveness of this Consent and Waiver shall be contingent on the
execution of the Company 144A Notes Indenture, the sale of the Company 144A
Notes and the consummation of the Holdings I.P.O.

                                       3
<PAGE>

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment
to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.

GS MEZZANINE PARTNERS II, L.P.

By:     GS Mezzanine Advisors II, L.L.C.,
        its general partner

By:     /s/ Katherine L. Nissenbaum
        Name:  Katherine L. Nissenbaum
        Title: Vice President

GS MEZZANINE PARTNERS II OFFSHORE, L.P.

By:     GS Mezzanine Advisors II, L.L.C.
        its general partner

By:     /s/ Katherine L. Nissenbaum
        Name:  Katherine L. Nissenbaum
        Title: Vice President

TCW LEVERAGED INCOME TRUST, L.P.

By:     TCW Advisers (Bermuda), Ltd.
        as its General Partner

By:     /s/ Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
        Name:  Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
        Title: Managing Director

By:     TCW Investment Management Company
        as Investment Adviser

By:     /s/ Jean-Marc Chapus
        Name:  Jean-Marc Chapus
        Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

TCW LEVERAGED INCOME TRUST II, L.P.

By:     TCW (LINC II), L.P.
        as its General Partner

By:     TCW Advisers (Bermuda), Ltd.
        its General Partner

By:     /s/ Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
        Name:  Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
        Title: Managing Director

By:     TCW Investment Management Company
        as Investment Adviser

By:     /s/ Jean-Marc Chapus
        Name:  Jean-Marc Chapus
        Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

TCW LEVERAGED INCOME TRUST IV, L.P.

By:     TCW Asset Management Company
        As its Investment Adviser

By:     /s/ Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
        Name:  Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
        Title: Managing Director

By:     /s/ Jean-Marc Chapus
        Name:  Jean-Marc Chapus
        Title: Managing Director

By:     TCW (LINC IV), L.L.C.
        As General Partner

By:     TCW Asset Management Company
        As its Managing Member

By:     /s/ Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
        Name:  Nicholas W. Tell, Jr.
        Title: Managing Director

By:     /s/ Jean-Marc Chapus
        Name:  Jean-Marc Chapus
        Title: Managing Director

TCW/CRESCENT MEZZANINE PARTNERS II, L.P.

By:     TCW/Crescent Mezzanine II, L.P.
        its general partner or managing owner

By:     TCW/Crescent Mezzanine, L.L.C.
        its general partner

By:     /s/ Jean-Marc Chapus
        Name:  Jean-Marc Chapus
        Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

TCW/CRESCENT MEZZANINE TRUST II

By:     TCW/Crescent Mezzanine II, L.P.
        its general partner or managing owner

By:     TCW/Crescent Mezzanine, L.L.C.
        its general partner

By:     /s/ Jean-Marc Chapus
        Name:  Jean-Marc Chapus
        Title: Managing Director

THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By:     /s/ J. Leech
        Name:
        Title:

<PAGE>

Agreed to and accepted by:

VCA ANTECH, INC.

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

VICAR OPERATING, INC.

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

CHASE MANHATTAN BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By:     /s/ Rose T. Maravilla
        Name:  Rose T. Maravilla
        Title: Assistant Vice President

<PAGE>

GUARANTORS:

                      AAH MERGER CORPORATION
                      ACADEMY ANIMAL, INC.
                      ANDERSON ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                      ANIMAL CLINIC OF SANTA CRUZ, INC.
                      ANIMAL EMERGENCY CLINIC, P.C.
                      BEAUMONT VETERINARY ASSOCIATES, P.C.
                      BERLA, INC.
                      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.
                      HIGHLANDS ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                      HOWELL BRANCH ANIMAL HOSPITAL, P.A.
                      LAKE JACKSON VETERINARY HOSPITAL, 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 ANIMAL 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.

<PAGE>

                      ROBERTSON BLVD. ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                      ROSSMOOR CENTER ANIMAL CLINIC, INC.
                      ROSSMOOR - EL DORADO ANIMAL HOSPITAL, 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.
                      VCA GREATER SAVANNAH ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                      VCA HOWELL BRANCH ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                      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, INC.
                      VCA MARINA ANIMAL HOSPITAL,  INC.

<PAGE>

                      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.
                      VCA PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL LABORATORY, INC.
                      VCA REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION CORPORATION
                      VCA REFERRAL ASSOCIATES ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                      VCA ROHRIG ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                      VCA - ROSSMOOR, INC.
                      VCA ST. PETERSBURG ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                      VCA SILVER SPUR ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                      VCA SOUTH SHORE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.
                      VCA SPECIALTY PET PRODUCTS, INC.
                      VCA SQUIRE 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
                      WILLIAM C. FOUTS, D.V.M., LTD.
                      WINGATE, INC.

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

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

<PAGE>

VCA VILLA ANIMAL HOSPITAL, L.P.

By:     VCA Animal Hospitals, Inc.,
        General Partner

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

By:     /s/ Tomas W. Fuller
        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:     /s/ Robert L. Antin
        Name:  Robert L. Antin
        Title: Chief Executive Officer and President

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

<PAGE>

ANIMAL CENTER, INC.

By:     /s/ Robert L. Antin
        Name:
        Title:

ASSOCIATES IN PET CARE, S.C.

By:     /s/ Robert L. Antin
        Name:
        Title:

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

By:     /s/ Robert L. Antin
        Name:
        Title:

MAIN STREET SMALL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC.

By:     /s/ Robert L. Antin
        Name:
        Title:

SOUTHEAST AREA VETERINARY MEDICAL
CENTER, P.C.

By:     /s/ Robert L. Antin
        Name:
        Title:

<PAGE>

VCA ASSOCIATE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, L.P.

By:     /s/ Robert L. Antin
        Name:
        Title:

VCA HERITAGE ANIMAL HOSPITAL, L.P.

By:     /s/ Robert L. Antin
        Name:
        Title:

TOMS RIVER VETERINARY HOSPITAL, P.A.

By:     /s/ Robert L. Antin
        Name:
        Title:<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.10

                      VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

                               FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                         CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

       The FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as of October 23, 2000 (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"), VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC., a
Delaware corporation ("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 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 has requested that Holdings and the Lenders agree to
make amendments to certain definitions to the Credit Agreement.

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

SECTION 1.  AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

          1.1   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:

                "FIRST AMENDMENT" means the First Amendment dated October 23,
          2000 to this Agreement by and among Company, Holdings, Lenders as of
          the date of such amendment and the Agents.

                "FIRST AMENDMENT CLOSING DATE" has the meaning assigned to that
          term in the First Amendment.

<PAGE>
                B.  Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting each of the definitions of "CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" and
"REQUISITE LENDERS" in their entirety and substituting therefor the following:

                "CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" means, for any period, the
          aggregate of the expenditures of Company and its Subsidiaries during
          such period determined on a consolidated basis that, in accordance
          with GAAP, are or should be included in "purchase of property and
          equipment" or similar items reflected in the consolidated statement of
          cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries excluding, (i) any
          acquisition of assets that constitutes a Permitted Acquisition and
          (ii) any expenditures made by Company pursuant to Sections 2.13(a) and
          2.13(b) hereof; provided, however, that notwithstanding any of the
          foregoing to the contrary, Consolidated Capital Expenditures shall
          include expenditures of Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to
          assets constituting a fee interest in real property acquired by
          Company in connection with a Permitted Acquisition.

                "REQUISITE LENDERS" means three or more Lenders having or
          holding Tranche A Term Loan Exposure, Tranche B Term Loan Exposure
          and/or Revolving Exposure and representing more than 50% of the sum of
          (i) the aggregate Tranche A Term Loan Exposure of all lenders, (ii)
          the aggregate Tranche B Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders and (iii)
          the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all Lenders.

                C.  Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further
          amended by adding the following paragraph at the conclusion of the
          definition of "PERMITTED ACQUISITION":

          "Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, "Permitted
          Acquisition" shall not include any acquisition of any assets
          constituting a fee interest in real property to the extent such
          acquisition of assets is included in the calculation of Consolidated
          Capital Expenditures."

SECTION 2. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS

          2.1   The effectiveness of the amendments set forth at Section 1
hereof are subject to the satisfaction, or waiver, of the following conditions
on or before the date hereof (the "FIRST AMENDMENT CLOSING DATE"):

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

                                       2
<PAGE>
          (b)   As of the First Amendment Closing Date, the representations and
warranties contained herein and in the other Credit Documents shall be true,
correct and complete in all respects on and as of the First 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 shall have been true,
correct and complete in all respects on and as of such earlier date.

          (c)   As of the First Amendment Closing Date, no event shall have
occurred and be continuing that would constitute an Event of Default or a
Default.

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

SECTION 3.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

          3.1   In order to induce Lenders to enter into this Amendment, each
applicable Credit Party represents and warrants to each Lender, as of the date
hereof and upon giving effect to this Amendment, that the representations and
warranties contained in each of the Credit Documents is true, correct and
complete in all respects on and as of the date hereof 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 shall have been true, correct and complete in
all respects on and as of such earlier date.

SECTION 4.  MISCELLANEOUS

          4.1   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.

          4.2   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.

          4.3   On and after the First 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

                                       3
<PAGE>
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.
          4.4  Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Credit
Agreement and other Credit Documents shall remain in full force and effect and
are hereby ratified and confirmed.

          4.5  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.

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

          4.7  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.

          4.8  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]

                                       4
<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:  /s/  Tomas Fuller
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                  Name:  Tomas Fuller
                                                  Title: VP

HOLDINGS:                                    VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA,

                                             By:  /s/  Tomas Fuller
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                  Name:  Tomas Fuller
                                                  Title: VP

                                       S-1
<PAGE>
SOLE SYNDICATION AGENT,
SOLE LEAD ARRANGER,
AND A LENDER:                                GOLDMANSACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.,

                                             By:    /s/  R T WAGNER
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                       Authorized Signatory

                                      S-2

<PAGE>

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

                                                  /S/ S. MICHAEL ST. GEME
                                               By --------------------------
                                                  Name:  S. MICHAEL ST. GEME
                                                  Title: VICE PRESIDENT

                                      S-3
<PAGE>

        LENDERS                           NATEXIS BANQUES POPULAIRES
                                         (f/k/a/ Natexis Banque) New York Branch

                                            /s/ Gary Kania
                                         By:---------------------------
                                            Name:   GARY KANIA
                                            Title:  Vice President

                                             /s/ JORDAN SADLER
                                                 JORDAN SADLER
                                            ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT

                                       S4
<PAGE>
                                             SIERRA CLO I, LTD

                                             By: /s/ John M. Casparian
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Name: John M. Casparian
                                                 Title: Senior Managing Director

                                      S-5
<PAGE>
                                             THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE
                                             COMPANY OF AMERICA

                                             By: /s/ B. Ross Smead
                                                 ---------------------
                                                 Name:  B. Ross Smead
                                                 Title: Vice President

                                      S-6
<PAGE>
                             OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE

        This OFFICERS CERTIFICATE is delivered pursuant to Section 2 of that
certain First Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of October
23, 2000 (the "Amendment") which amends that certain Credit and Guaranty
Agreement dated as of September 20, 2002 (as amended, the Credit Agreement",
capitalized terms used herein without definition having the meanings given such
terms in the Credit Agreement). The undersigned hereby certifies that

        1.  As of the First Amendment Closing Date, the representations and
warranties contained contained therein and in the other Credit Documents are
true, correct and complete in all respects on and as of the First 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 res[respects on and as of such earlier date.

        2.  As of the First Amendment Closing Date, no event has occurred and
is continuing that would constitute an Event of Default or a Default.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Secretary's
Certificate as of the 6 day of December, 2000.

                                      VETERINARY CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

                                         /s/ ROBERT L. ANTIN
                                      BY:---------------------
                                         Robert L. Antin
                                         President

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