Ive only been here twice, appointments a year apart and both were Emergency visits for mystery vomiting. They were realistic with time estimates and were actually much quicker than I thought it would be! Staff very kind and professional..

It has been just over a year since I brought my dog (Stewie) here for a pretty serious surgery on his left hind leg and I just have to say the doctors were amazing. When I first brought him in it was at the peak of COVID so things were pretty hectic but they were dealing with everything with a beyond professional style.Stewie had multiple tumors along his left hind leg that could have resulted in skin cancer and the only way to know was to have them removed and tested. He is also very old which added to the complexity. Very time sensitive stuff, I came in during my lunch break and would not be able to come back for the check up’s they needed to do a few hours later which was stressful as I didn’t know if he had cancer or not! The doctors LET ME LEAVE STEWIE WITH THEM WHILE I WAS AT WORK so he wouldn’t have to wait another day or two to be checked out. I felt so blessed for this as it let things progress much quicker!Through out the whole process they were amazing, I could call at any hour of the day with questions, literally, I think I called them once at 1 in the morning. They gave me all the supplies needed to make sure the surgery site healed properly. Kept him for the first night to monitor him. Everything. It wasn’t cheap but the best things never are. I wish I could remember the name of who did the surgery cause it was top notch! They were concerned about the amount of skin the would be left after cutting out the tumors, that there might not be enough skin to stitch him back together but they did great! Stewie has healed incredibly well and is a happy old man.

When my diabetic cat experienced a life-threatening medical emergency late on a Friday night, I rushed her here after two other facilities told me they werent accepting new patients. The medical staff at VSH saved her life. Over the 36 hours she was there, the veterinarians gave me updates three or four times a day, explained everything that was happening, and were very patient in answering my questions. The nursing staff took wonderful care of her. Everyone was great, including the front desk staff and the billing team, who caught an accidental double-charge, called me and told me about it right away, and issued a refund. My kitty is home now and getting back to her old self. Im very grateful for the care she received at VSH and would definitely use them again (but hopefully wont have to!).

Ive already done one review and like Ive said before I would have given it zero Stars if I could have. What I forgot to mention is nobody ever mentioned the entire time my dog was suffering, besides the fact that she had pneumonia, they never really told me why she died and she didnt die of pneumonia. They never ever mentioned why she was so oxygen dependent and that also was not because of the pneumonia. My veterinarian that knew Marni for a pretty long while was able to tell me exactly what happened and why she died and interestingly enough he wasnt even there. I guess this is something I just have to live with but it would be the last place I would ever ever take an animal no matter how desperate I was. I feel like my beautiful little girl wouldnt have made it no matter where I took her but its the way they handled it, the way they treated me, and the way they didnt really act like they cared until the very end. My beautiful Marni didnt deserve that. Once her heart stopped beating then they seemed to care but I guess what else could they do but fake it. Its hard to imagine that this is what I have to live with I dont have my beautiful baby and I know I took her to the wrong place.I wish it wasnt such an emergency and I could have read the reviews before because as you can all see its a 3.9 and thats pretty pathetic for an emergency hospital hospital!!

I would like to thank this Hospital for all they did for my Best Pup Skud. My Bull Terrier Angel. And how well they treated my family and I. He is in dog heaven now

My dog was sneezing blood, shaking and seemed like choking. Waited for over 5 hours to get seen. Literally no help at all. Got charged about $700 for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. My dog left in the condition she came in. No medicine, nothing. Rip off.

Had a good experience with this ER and their staff after our dog had a toxicity incident. They collaborated with ASPCA Pet Poison Control to determine treatment plan and let us know about itemized costs in advance of billing, providing a 6 hour, 12 hour, 24 hour, and 36 hour estimate for different care options. Dr. Go strongly suggested our dog stay overnight due to his symptomatic vitals, which we agreed to after getting a few additional opinions from poison control and our pet insurance medical hotline. He was great at explaining his reasoning, giving thorough updates without overly medical language, and had a good customer service/bedside manner.Anita from customer service was also really helpful and understanding, and we got a solid update before we went to sleep from our dogs night nurse, who was with him overnight 1:1 in the ICU and said we could call for updates if we couldnt sleep. Dr. Underwood gave a good report in the morning, calling at 6:30am as promised and we were able to arrange for a discharge by 8am since his condition had stabilized and rapidly improved.One theme in these comments is that this facility is exclusively out for money -- we did not experience that with these vets or any other staff we encountered. Diagnostic tests, meds, and 24/7 care if your pet needs ICU do add up. However, the facility was well run, clean, and I believe top care was provided to our dog based on all of his records and the treatment plan developed and administered. Side note: we are really glad we had pet insurance, even though our pup is only 2 years old and in theory shouldnt need it.

I took my 3 yo cat to vsh, Dr Rizzo was very honest and upfront about how costly it was going to be, I feel like they actually cared and did the best they could for my Callie...we had to let her go, but their Care Coordinator Anita was so kind and immediately helped with certain arrangements. Bottom line is if you have pets and they become ill you WILL be spending ALOT of money, no matter where you go. Do some of these Vets overcharge? Absolutely. I feel like Dr Rizzo was completely forthcoming.

Dr. Fryer and her team were outstanding! After finding out our dog had a mast cell tumor on her neck, they were able to get us a consultation that same week (compared to other places which gave us a date two months out). From there her surgery was the next day, and the team did an excellent job (a clean incision that recovered very quickly). Additionally they billed us fairly and accurately and answered all our questions, even walking to the dermatologist next door to get an opinion.If you want quality care this is where you should go!

This place is rated 3.9 stars and there’s a reason for such a poor rating. If you possibly can, unless your pet has been hit by a car and needs immediate help, see if you can call early in the morning for a cancellation at your personal vet. Do not go to this place. It is horrible.I took my dog on a Sunday night at 6:30 because of a wheezing spell, she couldn’t breathe well, the sign said it would be a 1 1/2 to 2 hour wait if it wasn’t an immediate emergency. Three hours later she saw a vet, $764.58 later after a lot of tests, they found nothing wrong, Except high blood pressure probably due to nerves, gave Rx for hydrocodone for wheezing. Complete radiology interpretation would be available within 24 hours. It’s two days later and they still aren’t here.I called them early this morning because she had another episode, was on hold for a half an hour, got cut off, on hold another half hour, was told a supervisor would call me within the hour, five hours later still no call, I wondered if she was allergic to the hydrocodone and when Would I get the radiology results.I was smart enough to call my personal vet early this morning for a possible cancellation and they had one within two hours.I took her in, they cut down that dose of Hydrocodone and told me to keep an upcoming appointment with the heart doctor and to keep her calm till then. So, I repeat, do not take her to this place. Stay away. If you ever have to have follow up it won’t be there.

Took my dog Thor to VSH Sorrento Valley for a bite wound and they exceeded my expectations. Initially, they assessed his wound at 3am via phone/text to determine how urgent it was, which was very considerate of them. Once we were seen, the staff was so sweet and nurturing to Thor and very patient with me while I was frazzled. He is a high-risk dog to be put under sedation, so the doctor came up with alternative solutions that were less risky and explained it to me thoroughly so that I could make an informed decision. They did a great job stitching him up. When it was time to get the stitches taken out, Thor was in and out in under 5 minutes with no charge. Thor even trusted them enough to let them remove the several stitches next to his eye without sedation. It’s clear that they truly care about their patients and understand our worries as their caretakers. While I hope I never have another reason to go to there again, if I do I will feel much better knowing my dog is in great hands with the staff at VSH. I’m so grateful to them for the smooth experience!Also-check their website before you go to see if you can reserve a spot in line. They’ll let you know when you’re likely to be seen and will tell you when to leave.

My dog Mitzy was diagnosed with a possibly cancerous liver tumor and spleen tumors. Dr. Pike recommended surgery so thats what we did. He and tech Katie (and others, sorry I didnt get their names) were so kind and explained everything clearly. The surgery went great and cured her. She has so much energy even though shes 14 years old! Dr. Pike and his team gave my dog a new lease on life and for that Ill be forever grateful.

This was our 3rd trip, and I cannot thank the doctors enough for their diagnosis insights. My dog has been through a lot for being only 6 years young. VSH performed his emergency gallbladder surgery, confirmed his first stones issue, and again was brought in for added insights to why his liver panels are out of norm. What I have learned is that, sharing all information and truly answering a question is best. As a long time pet owner, I know that none of my fur babies cannot talk. Its always unfortunate to hear results of tests (which are not cheap) that are inconclusive. At least its better than hearing what one wants to hear. I thank VSH, and know that everyone [including my local veterinarian who recommends getting VSH eyes into my guys condition] is doing their best to help. Thank you!

Great service, excellent staff Dr. Arnell and the staff in general. Took my pet to her normal vet and to the emergency vet clinic and neither found out her illness, I came here and right away the Dr found out what is going on and got the help we needed, thank you

Sat for 5 hours in the parking lot with little feedback. Finally received estimate for an X-ray which was over $1000. Took my dog to another vet and they assessed and treated for under $200. I would never use this Hospital.

This review has nothing to do with the hospital staff or doctors, but the extremely inconsiderate follow up marketing email I received after I lost my pet. Do you really think you need to send marketing emails asking me to rate my experience in your condolences emails? Such poor taste marketing department.

Back in March, I took my male cat for an emergency visit in the middle of the night for a potential blockage. The staff were the friendliest, most professional vets and vet techs I have ever encountered. Even the Vet herself took out the time to give me a personal call and explain my kittys condition to me and discuss price options which, at previous vet clinics, Ive received snotty remarks from Vets before that pricing isnt their job. I was so impressed with the professionalism, care, and concern the staff had for my boy. Although I had to wait in the car while Bentley was being seen (due to COVID restrictions), the staff were really excellent with providing me with updates as I waited.Last night, I had a scare with my female kitty, Pumpkin, who swallowed a bee and was stung on her tongue. I was freaking out, of course, as this was the first experience Ive had with bee stings and my pets, and particularly because my kitty had been stung on her tongue. It was about 10:30pm at night. I called Sorrento Valley and spoke to Wendy. She was amazing and helped calm me down and provided me with all the options of care over the phone. Unlike other vet clinics who just want peoples money, Wendy was so thoughtful and caring about the reality of my pets situation and helping me to gage my kittys symptoms of possible allergic reaction over the phone. Wendy could hear the fear in my voice that I thought my kitty was in danger, and tended to my needs accordingly, stating, it sounds like you would feel most comfortable if you brought her in. Wendy spent 10 minutes on the phone with me talking me through everything and explaining the booking/waitlist system through their website. Pumpkin didnt end up having an allergic reaction and I didnt end up needing to bring her in, and although a pet owner hopes they never have to bring their babies in for emergency services, Sorrento Valley Animal Hospital is the place to go. I wish they had a vet clinic I could bring my kitties for check-ups. The staff really put me at ease in all my worry and freak-outs and I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you all (although, ya, part of me hopes I wont have to see you all again). In the event of a pet emergency though, I will always recommend Sorrento Valley Animal Hospital. You all have been nothing but caring, respectful, and understanding in both encounters and for that, Im so grateful!! Thank you for your help last night, Wendy!!

Worst experience ever. Lack of competency and communicationWere waiting for 2 hours for the visit and had to leave. Later got a call from staff saying its because they had other animals with more “emergency situation”, than my dog. Not even knowing my dogs complain.What kind of medical ethics is that?Dont waste your time at this place.

I just want to thank the young man that knew right away that my dog was high.Turns out when my lady walked her she got a hold of marijuana. Of course at that time we didn’t know. We got really scared when we saw her acting weird. We rushed her to the hospital and a young man was able to tell right away! At first I couldn’t believe it. This morning as soon as I woke up i checked up on her and she was back to her normal self (,: Thanks for everything!

My dog has an autoimmune disease among other things. I have moved a few times, so I have been to a few specialty vets. Veterinary Specialty Hospital of SD has been AMAZING. Admittedly, getting in contact with them has been a challenge at times (they are busy because they do great work), but it is fully worth it to wait and get through to them! They have taken great care of my dog every time. They call me with updates as needed. The pricing is very fair relative to the other specialty vet hospitals I have been to. And whenever I have a concern, I have been able to email my doctor and if she cant get back to me, someone from the hospital always calls me within a few hours. That is some phenomenal service!

Would urge you to consider utilizing other veterinary resources than VSH Sorrento Valley. My experience on 8/25/21 was nothing less than unacceptable. My almost 8 year old French Bulldog, who had already had 2 laminectomies for IVDD (first at 18mo at Angell and a second in 2019 with Dr. Levitski in Sorrento Valley). Buckys 2nd surgery was a success with the exception of a corneal abrasion he acquired intraoperatively because his eyes were not taped appropriately (that cost me an addition $1500, which they charged me for). I was told it would be unlikely he could ever herniate another disc (his T/L spine was now all fenestratged), unless it was his cervical spine. Well, that happened the week of 8/20/21. The second I noticed his discomfort I brought him to the ER where the doctor agreed with my assessment and started my baby on hi-dose steroids and pain meds. I knew the drill and watched him like a hawk for any neurological deficits. The second I saw one I brought him back on 8/25/21. He was seen in the ER and I asked for a neuro consult to discuss my options (which I knew were additional pain meds, steroids, strict rest and watch and wait or surgery). The neurologist that did Buckys surgery was there for half a day and I asked for her to see him. I was told she couldnt and he was seen by the on call neurologist. I was told through the ER doctor the neurologist said he needed surgery or to watch him. I asked to speak to the neurologist to discuss risk (given this would be his 3rd surgery at 7 y.o.), likelihood of success, potential of post-op deficits, intra-operative complications, risk of anesthesia, recovery time and his general opinion. I was told someone would come and talk to me. The first tech came and brought me an estimate for between $9000 and $11,000 for the surgery. I again asked to speak to the neurologist, Dr. Lipsitz. A lovely neuro tech came out to tell me, they do really well, and he should do fine. I again asked to speak to Dr. Lipsitz to which I was told, he would speak to me if I decided to pursue the surgery and after the $2500-3500 MRI was complete. I thought it was a joke. I asked for Dr. Lipsitz to call me when he had a chance later that day so I could make an informed decision to or not to proceed with surgery. That call never came. Please note, I was charged an additional $140.00 for a neurology consult although no neurologist would speak to me. I went back that night for a Fentanyl patch which I asked for earlier that day. The neuro tech checked in on Thursday to see if I was going to do surgery on Friday, again, without being able to speak to a neurologist. This is me is beyond unacceptable. As a nurse practitioner of more than 20 years I would never say to a patient give me $500,000 for a bone marrow transplant but the doctor who will oversee your care is too busy to talk to you. I am disgusted. Buckys pain became unbearable on Friday am and his ability to walk quickly became limited. We said out goodbyes at my home at 3pm Friday afternoon. I will live with the guilt that I didnt do enough because I didnt do the surgery. That may have been very different if the actual vet who was to perform that surgery would have taken 5 minutes to talk to me. Never again will I go there. Oh and in addition to paying for the neurology consult, although no neurologist would speak to me, they also tried to charge me an additional $300 from 2019 they said was outstanding to the ophthalmologist for his corneal abrasion he developed from his last surgery. Please find another place to take your your babies. I am disgusted.

Thank you so much! We brought our dog in on a Sunday night at 11 because he was in tooth pain. He had an extraction scheduled but it was non emergency. Our dog never shows pain and we felt we couldn’t wait till 8 am to see our regular vet. From start to finish Veterinary specialty hospital was professional and kind. Kimberly came out and assessed and was kind and concerned. Dr Cohen assessed our dog and said he found no source of pain otherwise in his body. He even did an ultra sound. He noticed everything about our dog that we didn’t get to tell him. The fact that his back legs are weak, and he might have eye sight issues. He treated our fur baby with so much compassion and sending him home with the meds he he needs. Thank you for everything. We called 4 ER And was even turned away at one. If we ever have an emergency again or anything specialized we will call on Dr Cohen!

My cat Nugget (11 months old) had gotten intussusception, meaning his intestines basically telescoped into itself and cut off blood flow to the tissue causing a blockage. Before coming to VSH at another hospital, I was given 2 options, either pay 10k+ upfront or surrender him. I was absolutely devastated knowing my little boy was not only in pain, but I would possibly lose him forever. His condition was life threatening, and I was terrified for him, he’s just a baby not even a year old yet. With the help of the wonderful staff at VSH and the F.A.C.E Foundation, we were able to get the surgery that saved my baby Nugget’s life. The staff was so helpful and wonderful and helped me feel so much better after having one of the worst mornings of my life, and probably one of the worst for Nugget too. The doctors were very reassuring and kept me updated through every step and I could tell they were giving their absolute all to save my kitty. Their compassion for Nugget was amazing treating him as if he were their own pet. I highly highly recommend this hospital if your fur baby needs medical assistance. I’m so beyond grateful for everything they’ve done to save Nugget and he’s now recovering and is acting like his cuddly, happy self again. Thank you so much VSH and FACE for helping me and my baby.

Thank you for taking such good care of my Great Dane Bentley. Your whole staff was kind, knowledgeable and professional. I was a wreck when we arrived because Bentley was in so much pain. The Dr prescribed meds that seem to have helped. Hopefully Bentley is on the road back to normal although it’s going to be a long road. Once again thank you.

When no one wanted to help, the vet hospital was there for my dog and did an outstanding job. Thank you to the doc and staff!

Thank you to Dr. Stevenson (and great medical staff)! Our 9-year-old German Shepherd, Riley, is able to walk again! In March, Riley was in really bad pain, crying and COULD NOT WALK that he had to be carried into the hospital! All due to herniated discs! Back surgeries, surgery on the spine -- we were really scared for Riley! And now! Wow! Even the vet therapist were impressed with Rileys recovery! THANK YOU SO MUCH, DR. STEVENSON!!

Our dog was active, eating and interacting when we brought her to VSH, in less than 24 hours, she was dead. They killed her by over-sedating her for a procedure and billed our family for the medical services that killed our dog.

I just wanted to post a review to thank the incredible staff for the care they gave to my sweet dog, Saban and the support they gave to my husband last night. On a family vacation, our boy took a turn for the worse and needed to be put to sleep in the middle of the night. After an awful experience at another vet clinic, we found this place who not only took him right in but also allowed my husband to stay with him throughout the whole process (which unfortunately does not seem to be the norm in San Diego at this time). They made the whole terrible process more bearable with their care and compassion. We couldn’t be more grateful that we found them during such an awful time.

( Update on bottom)My poor little sister took her cat there. Said he had some kind of bladder problem. She was worried that her cat would die. According to them he wouldn’t have made it if she would’ve waited longer. She spent 6k on treatment. She didn’t have the money so she did some financing thing through them. She was desperate to save her cat. Her cat seem to be sleeping a lot and they said it could be an effect of the meds so she thought maybe there was improvement. Well now he seems worse. Stomach looks bloated and can’t even walk. She called to see if they could help her and they said she would have to pay again. She just spent 6k for him to be the same and you can’t even see him without charging her again?!! It’s insane.Update: I just wanted to update on the cat. He ended up passing away unfortunately. :/

I recently lost my pup, Tucker, to a tragic dog beach accident that caused paralysis due to a bleed in his spinal cord. These were the worse three days of my life so far, and the staff made this process as painless as possible for me.They answered so many questions, re-explained things for me, talked to my family over the phone and were so patient with me and the emotional mess that I was.Dr. Lipsitz, the neurologist, was honest and professional in his opinions. He never gave me false hope in the situation, and I believe his seriousness allowed for me to prepare myself for the worst that eventually came.On top of such professional care, I just received numerous cards from the staff, associated non-profits, and primary vet clinic were were sent from. My heart is warmed that they went to such great lengths to express their condolences to me. With the price that I paid out of pocket for the services we received, I can confidently say I am thankful for this amazing team.If any of you staff read this and remember Tucker, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for everything.

This place is a completely rip off. Be aware.

Not recommended; questionable competency. We have taken multiple pets here over the years (not by choice, rather, late night emergencies or could not schedule a visit with our regular vet). Most recently, our puppy was experiencing some modest GI issues so we sought a professional evaluation. On the second visit (which should have been resolved the first time, 12 hours previously), and $4000 later, the diagnosis was a stomach ache. Complete lack of communication between personnel. The DVMs seem okay but obtuse (or perhaps uninterested) in seeking practical solutions for medical treatment. I have no doubt about the emergency response to a traumatic injury but these are not your friendly neighborhood vets for non-trauma issues. I liken our recent experience to a dog/pet with a splinter in her/his foot. One solution would be to amputate the leg to solve the problem and provide a prosthetic. Alternatively, just remove the splinter. This is metaphorically similar to what happened with our pup who ended up having a stomach ache that necessitated a $5 OTC solution (omeprazole) but ended up with $4K in unnecessary surgery, plus time and stress. Add to this the now emerging skin issues with reckless shaving of her belly and legs, it is truly the unnecessary gift that, regrettably, keeps on giving. Stay with your local vets my friends.

My seven-year-old St. Bernard was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer. Within 48 hours, doctor, Dr Sean Aiken, was able to operate, remove her kidney and the tumor. He was so kind, caring and professional and patiently answered all of my questions. Post surgical follow-up was with the oncology department, and Dr. Brenda Phillips has been stellar. She is always available to answer my questions via email or phone call, and has laid out a very reasonable plan for follow up care. I highly recommend this facility! From the veterinary staff to the vet techs to the billing department, I have full trust and feel valued.

My bb got new hips. She is now bionic doggo.

Had an emergency at 11pm and was turned away from a couple of other emergency places because of capacity, but VSH took us in and I will be forever grateful for the attention l, kindness and quality of service we received!

I knew at that moment; Dr Josh Jackson was treating my Kaylee not just the condition I brought her in for. Read more... I was told my dog had cancer in her foot. This was something her previous vet was treating as an infection for 6 months without ever doing a biopsy. Her new Vet explained she had been in two emergency situations with her dogs and there was only one person to see regarding this. If I wanted to have the best possible care for Kaylee, there was no better option in southern California then Dr Josh Jackson Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. Because this was in her paw she said it should only be treated by a board certified orthopedic surgeon for the best outcome. This was an extreme emergency as it had gone undiagnosed, untreated and growing for 6 months by her previous Vet. So, I was nervous. She prepared me for what was to be expected. Having such a stellar reputation I trusted her when she guaranteed me this facility would completely take care of her and would never recommend or perform any test or procedure that was not 100% necessary. She explained outcomes are not always predictable but if I want the best possible outcome this is the place to go. I decided to get a couple other opinions before my consultation. After I sat down with Dr Josh Jackson and Nurse Julie Verdugo I realized this was a real professional organization. I was amazed how much thought Dr. Jackson put into reviewing Kaylees medical records, the area of treatment and most importantly taking the time to really observe her before ever giving one opinion about his recommended treatment. I had another surgeon at another hospital give me his opinion over the phone before even meeting Kaylee. Dr Jackson took her for a walk to get another opinion form another specialist and noticed something that had been developing over the past few months regarding her breathing. She had been struggling with her breathing while sleeping and would sometimes choke up. With everything else going on I missed telling him. I got he absolutely wanted to be sure his opinion for treatment would be something he could fulfill upon and Kaylee could recover from. I knew at that moment he was treating Kaylee and not the condition she came in for. When he gave me his opinion on the best course of action he was confident in his recommendation. They did an inexpensive procedure to open her airways first and then immediately took care of the cancer in her foot. She is home resting, recovering and improving. Everyone in the hospital from start to finished hit the mark on delivering the best possible care I could have expected. Personal calls from Dr Jackson during the procedure was not expected and only strengthened my confidence that I made the right decision for her care. It was more like a family Vet experience then a hospital. I dont believe I have ever received treated this good during my own medical emergencies. Thank you… Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego.

I have had three significant experiences at VSH. The first was when my dog bloated with torsion, an acute life-threatening condition. My dog’s life was saved! The second was when the same pup was diagnosed with T cell Lymphoma. The oncology team did a phenomenal job supporting our desires for treatment and offering options. He passed but enjoyed a wonderful summer in remission. Now my third encounter is with my current dog, recently diagnosed with Eosinophilic Bronchopneumopathy. He’s currently undergoing treatment successfully.This is a specialty hospital not to be used as a regular every day vet clinic. The cost of treatment is not inexpensive, but it is top quality. I am so grateful to have this resource available in San Diego.

Weve been to the ER twice and to Dr. Faust - Dermatology once. Dr. Faust was absolutely awesome. The level of detail she went into ruling out possible causes and taking everything into consideration far exceeded my expectations. She was so thorough, compassionate, and seemed to really care about our dog. She asked great questions and was truly searching for answers rather than just a quick solution to get us out the door. She also gave great education on the next steps and how to best care for our dog. And her discharge instructions were full of great information. Also, the tech that was working with her was very nice, kind, and customer-friendly. My only complaint is that she cant just be our regular vet! :) Today was the first time in a long time that I felt completely confident about our treatment plan and next steps. I strongly recommend Dr. Foust for any Dermatologic needs.

My dog injured his leg at Thanksgiving. It has been aong process, due to Covid 19 restrictions, but he finally got his surgery 4/23/21. Dr. Kraska was extremely patient with my questions and addressed all my concerns. The entire staff that I interacted with was professional, courteous and friendly. I hope to never need this surgery again for my dog but should that day come I wont waste time going to other vet offices....Dr. Kraska is who I trust with my dog.

I just took my little fur baby in at 2am yesterday morning because she ate jasmine flower oil, that looked to potentially be toxic. I tried an animal poison control but was placed on hold. When the nurse came down she said I should try to call ascpa poison control, since that is what they would do, but have to charge me to do it for me (understandable). Ascpa poison control was great and easier to get through than the first one I called. I was able to leave call back # and they called back within 15 min. Turns out she would likely be okay. They gave me a case number, what to watch out for and what symptoms would need an er trip. The call costs $75, but its much cheaper than an er visit and much more comfy for my pet to be at home. I appreciate the honesty of Veterinary Specialty Hospital. My other dog Patches died there this past December after suffering a stroke from an ongoing heart condition. The staff was kind and supportive, they gave us a paw print and the vet tech shaved a perfect patch of fur for my daughter when he heard her crying about not being able to see or feel it again. Prior to that we had an er visit for Patches and he had to spend a few days in an oxygen tank. As sion as we brought him in they gave an estimate of up to $5000. It turned out to be about $3000, so I appreciate them for not going to the max, if it was unnecessary. We got some precious additional time with our little guy and it was worth every penny. Pet er is very stressful and I get having to make hard financial decisions under pressure when its about a loved one. I feel I have been treated honestly and with compassion by the doctors and staff from this place. I think being a vet is very hard. They go into it for the love of animals and they have to deal with a lot. Yes, services are expensive, but they deserve to make a living for being there for our pets and dealing with a lot of hard stuff. While there may have been someone having a rough day, try to look at your overall experience with the service and the staff overall. Was it perfect, no, but at times certain docs and staff were truly outstanding, so I give it 5 stars. None of us are perfect and I try to think about how I would feel loving animals and working in a place that I deal with a lot of animal trauma. I am grateful to Veterinary Specialty Hospital for providing honesty and compassion in the care of my fur babies.

My 88-year-old mother took her very ill elderly cat to the emergency on the advice of her primary veterinarian. The initial intake experience In the ER with Dr. Oliver was not good. Dr. Olivers manner towards my mother was both condescending and officious. She told my mom her very ill cat would have to stay in the hospital for several nights and and need 5,000 dollars worth of testing to find out what was wrong. She speculated the results of the testing would likely result in cancer, auto immune or bone marrow issues. At this point, in the best interest of the animal our family decided not to put our cat through all this invasive testing when the outcome is likely to be terminal anyway. As obviously, we had no confidence in in Dr. Olivers treatment plan, my sister, my husband and I all spoke with various people in an effort to get our elderly, very likely dying cat released to my mom so we could put her back in the care of her primary veterinarian. As my mother waited frantically per the pandemic, in the parking lot, my sister, my husband and I all spoke to various staff members who preceded to question my mom about taking her cat home where they could be together. Our cat was finally released and is back in competent care today. While one hates to Be cynical, the behavior of VSH left us questioning the primary concern of this hospital, animal care, or money?

I had a markedly unsatisfactory experience at this hospital. I left feeling like they had no compassion for us or our dog. That it was all about how much money they could get us to spend no matter how much the dog suffered in the meantime. We brought our dog there for a seizure. They kept the dog for four days doing test after test repeatedly trying to sell us a $4k test. When we refused the test yet again, they told us the dog was ready to go home. They refused my offers to send them her medical records and seemed to have no interest in her history. They never suggested the dog be put down. OMG, when I picked up the dog it was apparent she was suffering greatly and could barely breath. I am concerned that she had lay in her cage at the hospital like that for 4 days. I brought her home so my husband could see her. We brought her back there and asked that a vet who hadnt seen the dog see her. We waited an hour despite that the dog was to be seen in the ER. The same doctor who had earlier released the dog saw her. She reiterated repeatedly that we had refused the $4k test and told us we had been given medication that might do something in 3 to 6 weeks but in the meantime our dog would be in this condition. She refused to support that we put the dog down. We decided that indeed the dog should be put down. When the Vet Tech came to take our money, btw you pay in advance here, she told us our dog had been seen by another vet. I asked to see that vet. We were taken into a room where we waited another half hour and who comes in, but the same vet again. Same run around same reiteration about not consenting to the $4k procedure. We finally just took the poor dog out of her suffering which probably should have happened the night we brought her in. Please watch out if you bring your pet there. Its more about the bottom line than your animal.

Outstanding care. We have been trying to figure out our dogs issue for years. After so much trial and error from our vet, we were at a loss. Year ago, we also took our dog to another speciality vet hospital in the area, and we had no luck. We thought we were at a dead end.Now the mystery is solved, thanks to the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego. Our dog is happy and has the energy he had years ago. We could not be more thankful for the service and care given.

My experience with the staff and doctors at VSH was great. During our time at VSH, our sweet boy was treated with nothing but kindness, love and compassion. Dr. Derezynski and her staff tried very hard to help our boy, but sadly his chronic illness just couldnt be overcome. When his situation became critical and we had to make the awful choice to let him go, Dr. Parkins was so kind. . We just picked up our babys remains yesterday, and even that interaction was filled with kindness and consideration for what we went through. Thank you to everyone for making a really hard time a little easier.

My husband and I brought Franco here a couple months ago when he started having cluster seizures. He’s been here a few times because of his health and every time we always felt we were putting him in the hands of the best doctors, nurses, and staff. Over the course of 10 years in different cities having Franco we’ve had multiple different veterinary visits for routine and other care. VHS on Sorrento Valley Rd is by far the best place we’ve encountered. Yes the prices are higher than your local vet but it’s for a reason. We aren’t rich but we saw and experienced the difference in quality and honestly would pay more here than another place all over again. They even advised us once to see a local vet for a routine test that would be more expensive with them. Dr. ORI NAGASAKA and (I feel bad for forgetting the other doctors names) but the one in urgent care and the woman with red hair at the front, and everyone over the phone since we couldn’t go inside due to COVID.... everyone here was thorough and kind and professional. We knew Franco was cared for and given the best. When he passed in our home and we notified them of his passing , we even received a hand written sympathy card and were once again reminded of why VHS is the only choice for us for any future animals we may have

I was worried that my cat, Haru, was having a uti or blockage. I originally called my local vet. They had no availabilities, but recommended this place to take my fur baby. The service was speedy, simple, and quarantine friendly. They took care of Haru caringly and were able to easily describe to me what was happening with him.The overall system they have going is smooth and the staff were amazing!

The most important thing is that they took care of my dog well. However, everybody should be aware that they miscommunicated their charges of over $1,000 and did nothing to remedy the situation. The financial coordinator literally laughed as I asked her to help. I am extremely disappointed in their unethical business practices as this is a large sum of money to have an error with.

Thank you very much for saving my best friends beautiful dog Kaylees foot with the surgery recommended , Ive been watching this play out for the last 6 months with her previous Vet to finally get the proper diagnosis and treatment is such a gift to her and all of us, Kaylee is doing phenomenal with her recovery. Thanks Again for doing such a great Job Dr. Josh Jackson.

Where do I begin? Possibly with the fact that these amazing people saved my girls life and I am eternally grateful. A couple of weeks ago my dog (9 years) was diagnosed with ITP. If you know what this disease is, you know how scary it can be. She was there for over a week and had to undergo six blood transfusions. We were so scared we were going to lose her. But her team of vets were good about keeping my spirits up. Dr. Strachan even went as far as to send me pics of my girl cuddling with her while she did paperwork. Dr. Chandrakumar is amazing as well. He was communicative and patient as I went through my series of questions making sure that we were doing everything we possibly could. He had to work at the other location the day that she was discharged but has still taken the time to keep up with Harleys case as well as checking in with us. I’m convinced that not only their skill but their love for animals is what saved her life. She could feel their energy and she fought hard! I wouldn’t have wanted her in anyone else’s hands.They also worked with me to get a grant for her. Her bill was a pretty penny and not easy on me financially so I really appreciated that.

I took my dog here because he had an abscess on his paw, they diagnosed it as a cancerous tumor, and were going to amputate his toe. I took him to another place and it turns out he just had a foxtail stuck in his paw. I’m glad I didn’t follow through with them or my dog would have a missing toe for no reason.

My dog tore a ligament, cannot walk on her leg and is in a lot of pain. Called for a orthopedic appointment and can’t be seen till March, but since they don’t book any appointments so far out we don’t have an appointment at all.They told me it’s not urgent. My dog is lying down and doesn’t want to eat or drink because she’s so miserable. I think this is absolutely unacceptable!What kind of veterinarian let an animal suffer like that. Shameful!!!!

We have had nothing but positive experiences here, a great staff that loves your animal. The doctor is so caring and informative, I never wondered how my dog was doing and they checked in after every visit.

Look, it WAS expensive, but I feel like I got what I paid for. Medical care in the US is expensive-- even for pets. If you want cheap veterinary care go to Tijuana (I actually do recommend Dr Rivera in Las Playas) but if youre prepared to deal with US prices in order to be seen sooner and not have to deal with the border, pretty much anywhere is going to empty your savings. At VSH my dog was seen in a timely manner even when he was categorized as nonemergency, I got a phone call every step of the way and information about why the call was delayed when applicable, and I felt confident that my dog was getting state of the art care from experts for his upper GI obstruction removal. They also have very effective covid-19 protocol in place. There are some negative reviews, but from my experience it seems VSH has dropped the insensitive intake personnel and charges comparable prices for a 24 hour emergency hospital. They have to PAY 24 hour staff in order to effective provide 24 hour care, after all. I would certainly be comfortable coming back if needed, though of course I hope my dog doesnt need surgery ever again! I have had some bad experiences from vets who called my 2 year old dog old to being actually forgotten about, and nothing like that happened here.

The concern others have mentioned about the expense of their services is real. Too many things went wrong...from not being able to get through on the phone to what I would consider mediocre care for a huge final bill. Their inability to diagnose the problem and convey it was truly distressing. I do NOT recommend...especially for the money!!They even messed up the box the ashes came in. Not a happy place, that’s obvious from the attitude of the employees!

Great place, great team. Both my kitties got great care here. Chemo for one and hes still going strong two years later!

Came here with my dog today because we were concerned she might have accidentally ingested ibuprofen. Upon arrival (after the recommendation from our vet to bring her straight in), I was told I needed to call ASPCA and spend an additional $75 for a telephone consultation before she could be seen by the doctor. Why? Because VSH doesnt have a toxicologist on site and needs guidance from one on appropriate interventions. Apparently, I needed to spend $75 to have a toxicologist tell the emergency hospital my dog needed to have vomiting induced. After waiting on hold with ASPCA for over 20 minutes while my dog was being denied care, a tech came out and told me my dog should be fine based on her weight. How would she know that? My dog has never been here before and wasnt weighed or even seen by a doctor. The tech then told me I could hang up with ASPCA and they would induce vomiting and give her fluids. For something that could have potentially been life-threatening, it would be great if the hospital prioritized my dogs well-being over their apparent relationship with ASPCA.

The staff and veterinarians were so compassionate and timely in their care of our beloved pet. Our visit was late at night and difficult but we take solace in knowing that we chose the right place for our sweet guy in his last hours. Thank you so much, VSH, we felt cared about.

Had to put my cat to sleep this morning. Ive had her treated here before and they were always exemplary. Everyone here was very kind, sympathetic, and understanding. I never felt rushed or pressured, they simply answered my questions, told me what they thought and what I needed to know, and I got to say goodbye to my little one privately and peacefully. Thank you to all who helped her move on this morning.

After receiving sub par or downright terrible service at several other vets, this hospital was truly fantastic on every level. They’re well organized, provided great treatment to our baby, but most importantly they care. They have followed up with us several times since our appointment, and the doctor even offered to call us on her day off if needed. Highly recommend!

Although our baby did not make it, the staff were overall very wonderful in helping us to prolong our pets quality of life for as long as possible, and for that we are grateful. I would especially like to thank Dr. Flori, Dr. Press, Ricardo, and Leilani. Their job is not easy.If people do find issues with this facility, I think it really depends on who you get to end up caring for your pet. There were a few communication issues in terms of the staff communicating with each other. For example, one time when we arrived and I wrote down on the pre-appointment form that we needed a refill of a certain medication, the staff forgot to give it to us and we had to drive back another day to pick it up. Another time, when we told the vet tech who came out side that our pet had had a certain medication before the appointment (it was an emergency visit) that would probably be important for the doctor to know, when we spoke to the doctor, he had not received this information. Luckily it wasnt a problem, but it could have been if there was a possibility of severe side effects, perhaps. That said, I would make sure to repeat all necessary information to the doctor/vet techs, and not depend on it getting transmitted from writing it down on a form or telling it to one staff member.Another thing I wish I had known (but which I in no way blame the staff for) is that they have a nice room with couches where your pet can be put to sleep. We had originally arranged for a vet to come to our home, but our baby was going downhill too fast, and we could not wait, so we rushed to the ER. I had imagined a small room with a cold metal table, but that was not the case at all, and if I had known earlier that the room was actually comforting, I would have brought my pet there sooner.Thank you again to all the staff. We are heartbroken but you guys helped make our experience a little easier, and we got to enjoy some extra time with our baby.

I have a litter of 6 week old German shepherds and one of the babies had a seizure today. We have given our ALL to these puppies because we love each and every one of them. We took her to the nearby Pet ER and they said we should look into a Neurology specialist and recommended these people. I gave them a call and the girl who answered had attitude right off the bat. She was incredibly dismissive to our problem. I explained to her what had happened and that we wanted to explore the options of transferring the puppy over there... she said she would be put me on hold while she would talk to the ER Doctors. 1 minute later she picks back up and says “well we aren’t taking any kittens or puppies right now due to lack of PPE” (understandable but her tone of voice was VERY snobby and dismissive). We were disappointed but totally understood but we just wanted to know if she had a chance to talk to the doctor about our problem and if he or she had any advice or recommendations... she goes on to say “well there’s no reason to talk. we can’t take the puppy so what does it matter?” I was completely dumbfounded and embarrassed for her. I had to just hang up before I lost it on her!! How dare you work at a pet hospital but show lack of empathy for a puppy who has JUST HAD A SEIZURE?! This is one of our babies and we have been a wreck all day. This place needs to really work on who they hire to answer their phones and talk to people.

Shout out to Dr. Matt Golembeski and Nicole, (also Dr. Robert Parkins) for taking care of my dog!I’m out of town and my parents are watching my dog. They told me she has been throwing up foam/salvia since 5pm. We figured it was from a plastic item in the backyard and/or infected from any bacteria from it.They took my dog to the closest emergency vet in Kearny Mesa. They informed my parents they can’t take any patients after 10PM due to Covid/curfew. (Are you kidding me? My dog is choking off and on). They directed us to go here and wow, I AM SO AMAZED by their customer service.I called first to ask if they were taking patients. Nicole picked up and her voice was so calm (much needed at this moment because I’m furious about the other vet location) and she even apologized about what happened there. She was so sweet and reassuring that the team would take care of my dog.I really appreciated how Dr. Go explained (a little dummy down for me since I don’t know vet terms lol) about what’s happening to my dog. He even told me how much it would cost before moving forward with any procedure. (I’ve had experiences where I just had to sign a waiver that I’d have to pay whatever it would then out to be with no idea on how much things would cost). He’s very personable and reassuring. He explained different scenarios for me to understand what could be happening. My parents have been waiting outside for few hours between 11pm-2am. He made me feel like he really cared about my dog and that my parents were outside waiting.My parents took my dog back few hours later around 8AM to get another X-ray done. Dr. Robert Parkins explained everything to my parents so well that they felt confident enough to know what’s happening. (Keep in mind my parents don’t speak English that well).I just want to shoutout to the team here for providing outstanding customer service and showing they really care.I also just got a call from Dr. Go for an additional update everything is OK.I appreciate all of you here! Iwill be coming here for all my emergency needs moving forward.Take your pup here - you’ll get full details on what’s happening & cost before you commit to anything.

I do not recommend taking your pets to this place, unless of course you dont mind have thousands of dollars extorted from you. In my experience, that gave me a treatment plan, which already had jaw dropping prices on it, which I reluctantly agreed to but caution that it would exhaust the financial resources I had and that we would have to discuss and I would have to approve anything else that would cost more money (with the exception for timesensitve, lifesaving issues if one were to come up). After 5 days in the ICU, I was finally able to bring my cat home. When I went to pick her up I was presented with a bill that was 35% higher then the treatment plan I had approved and already paid, and it wasnt because they did anything more than what was on the treatment plan, instead they just tried to add in various line items like supplies. Needless to say, I did not and will not pay them any more money (and were talking thousands of dollars here) then I had already agreed to and paid. #BUYERBEWARE

My fur baby came and had a pretty big surgery in February. It almost broke my family. We almost had to use the “Face Foundation” that provides financial help for people with pets who need surgeries they can’t afford; I already battled distemper with her at this hospital AND WE WON (hence my desire to give five stars), it cost thousands of dollars, but we had a healthy pup.Now we’re battling with the insurance to be able to get reimbursed for the loan we had to take out, but they’re telling us they won’t.The veterinarians who oversaw my pups case and told me again and again it was due to parasites that we treated her for her repeatedly. Now that she’s healthy, i have been having an extremely difficulty time reaching anyone.I just need someone to contact me or write a letter or even send an email to help me. I’m extremely distraught over the entire situation.The staff and hospital is great when you’re there in person, but it is very hard to get a hold of them or get a reply or response or any sort of help over the phone or email. I live an hour away now and making a trip there every day isn’t an option.Edit: after making the severity of the situation known to the staff, I was able to get a letter from the vet within 8 hours! Amazing!!

SUCH A GREAT PLACE IN THE TIME OF NEED. WE WANT TO THANK DR LIPITZ FOR HIS AMAZING WORK AND GIVING OUR BABY HIS LIFE BACK. INCREDIBLE JOB. MIRICLES COME TRUE AT THIS PLACE!! THANK YOU COULDNT BE HAPPIER

My dog broke his nail and was bleeding. Our regular vet was fully booked so I decided to go to this hospital as my dog received some surgery here before. There were many people waiting in the parking lot when we arrived. I thought it would take for hours. However after we checked in, it only took about half of hour for them to help my dog. I was ready to pay for the urgent care but they told me it is FREE! Thank you so much for taking care of my dog every time we really need it!

The ER is professional and nice. Waiting time is not too long. Would recommend.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank for assisting me the other day. Happy Holidays!!!!!!!

If you get Dennis, youre in good hands. I came in with my pub and he made my visit as enjoyable as a visit to urgent care with your dog can be. Really thankful!

Today we brought home our 5 month old puppy, Ollie, from VHS after he broke his tibia (shin bone) while playing at home. We were referred from our family vet after he was stabilized and drove there immediately. We were worried at first because they had said that they may not be able to see Ollie that day, but after they assessed him, they presented a plan to keep him overnight in order to be kept comfortable until he could have surgery the next day.That evening, Dr. Underwood called and reassured us that he was comfy and well taken care of, and then she followed up in the morning with another progress report. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Pike (surgeon) called and gave us a plan for our boys surgery, laying out several options and being very clear about what he thought would benefit Ollie most. He had surgery several hours later, then Dr. Pike called again to tell us that Ollie had done very well and explained that he would be ready to come home the following day after they assessed for any post-op complications.The following morning (today), Dr. Chase called us and said Ollie would be ready to discharge in the afternoon. About 30 minutes prior to his discharge, we received a detailed report via email specific to Ollie regarding the procedure he had done, how to care for him at home, how to give medications, and when to follow up. It answered so many of our questions and relieved so much anxiety.For some context, we are a household of two RNs and we commented that VHSs care, responsiveness, and reliability were better than some human hospitals we have worked for!!The procedure was expensive (nearly 7k in total), but we have insurance and are lucky to have been able to pay this without a problem for Ollie. They were very straightforward with all (expensive and more economical) options for his care..In summary, we are so grateful for the care VHS provided our puppy and would go there and recommend them to friends (though hopefully we dont need to!) in a heartbeat.Thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping our baby boy.

This place is only interested in the financial aspect of taking care of your pet. They don’t really care to assist in any way. I have been chasing them for 4 days to prescribe the medicine for my dog so I can pick it up. No one returns calls and their current excuse is we have a new system we are all learning to use. I do not recommend this place carrying for your pet is not their first concern. What happened to integrity in business

Dont waste your time at this place. Theyre all about money and if you dont have it, then they dont care. They will also treat you differently once you pay. We were referred there because our dog needed surgery and it was late. The surgery wasnt cheap and they wanted the full payment of the high end which was above $7,000 just to call the surgeon. There was a lot of back and forth because it was a lot to pay upfront. They were willing to work with us and let us pay $4,000. The intern on the case was slightly rude. He had asked us that if he swiped our card would it go through, but the way he was saying it was completely unprofessional. Before we paid we asked multiple times that the surgey was going to happen the same night. The intern told us yes, so of course we paid it. As we were heading out we found out that the surgery was going to happen in the morning. Which really annoyed us because the whole point of us paying the $4,000 was because the surgery was going to happen the same night. The vet was trying to tell us that no one ever said that the surgery was going to happen that night. We told him that the intern told us. They knew that we found a way cheaper place to do the surgery but it wasnt going to happen until the morning. Thats why we were willing to pay more for it to be done the same night. We ended up taking our dog out of there and getting a refund. We still paid an over priced emergency fee of $121. We did take our dog somewhere else that night, and he got the surgery in the morning for about $2,334.

Spent about $1500 with the fever and went through many test, but still not tell us why it’s fever and didn’t give my cat any antipyretics.Just ask us to left our cat at the hospital overnight which will charge $1600 per night.

Unfortunately I have taken my dog here twice. I am extremely skeptical of these types of places in general b/c places like VCA look for every way to take your money when you are in an emergent situation. I must say that both times they took good care of my dog and while expensive, I thought it was fair. It’s not cheap to operate a facility 24 hours a day with skilled labor. I hope to never go back, but would without hesitation if needed. I think they operate a normal vet practice, my comments are only for the emergency care.

This place was very attentive and caring. My cat went in for a life threatening condition and had to be kept for 3 days. The techs and vets working this hospital were very nice. They allowed me to visit my cat, bring in my own blankets for him to make his stay more pleasant and were never mean at all during the entire process. I highly recommend them.

Caring and knowledgeable doctors and technicians saved my cat. Doctors clearly explained treatment plan and risks, and gave me frequent updates on my cats condition. I was able to visit my cat in intensive care. I am very grateful.

This has been the most amazing first time experience for me. Ive never had to take my dog to the er or surgery before and they were so kind and caring. They explained everything to me multiple times so that i knew exactly what was going on. They were so kind to my Danni. This place is amazing. I would highly recommend this place.

Our dog was very ill with a blood disorder and we almost lost her. Dr. Hill has been such a great vet but also very caring to all our family. The hospital was fantastic while our pet was there making visits at any time available for all our kids to spend time with her. Thankfully we have our pet today thanks to this great group.

Came in on a Thursday evening to the San Marcos location after my dog encountered a very large raccoon in our backyard. Everything went smoothly from check in to check out. The wait time was not excessive. I especially appreciated the fact that they worked with me to find a solution for my pets problems at a price that I could afford. If you are concerned with price, ask for the cost before anything is done. They are open 24x7 so you do need to pay for an emergency office visit. My dog, Raider, healed well from his raccoon bite. I would like to compliment the staff on duty the evening of my visit. They were all compassionate and had it was obvious that they had a passion for animals. Thank you for the wonderful service.

By far the BEST experience Ive ever had with my Pittbull Charlie. I had no doubt in my mind they would take care of him and love him when i walked out The doors. All of the staff went out of their way to give Charlie love and make him feel comfortable. While we were waiting to be brought into the back everyone stopped by and said Hi! They were gentle, caring, and definitely knew what was wrong with him and how to handle him. Well be going back if anything ever happens again!

Had to take our dog to the ophthalmologist because our dog had a corneal ulcer. Dr. Emily Moller did a great job and was very attentive to our dogs needs. It took some time but he got better and we couldnt be happier with the service

Great service. Very timely for no appointment, urgent services. The staff treat you like they have all the time in the world. Clear instructions, options offered. I dont feel pressured to over purchase tests.

This happen awhile ago, but for some reason the people at the front desk found it humorous that I was approved for mere $500 loan, while I was trying to save a pet. Would not go here again unless I had no choice.

I have to give the utmost praise to Monica & Dr. Sachs for their kind treatment when we brought our dog, Sadie, in today. She was at the end of any quality of life due to several tumors....hadnt eaten in a week, had vomiting & diarrhea, and could barely move. This was a very difficult decision for our family, and they made us ever so comfortable while there.I could go on, but I will just say a heartfelt THANK YOU!!!

Thank you so much for the great care both Sorrrento Valley and San Marcos afforded my Quigley. He lived a happy life for nearly 11 years with a boat load of digestive issues.

Dr. Stokking is amazing dermatologist. She takes the time to explain everything and gives us the best options so we can the right treatment for our baby.6 month follow up: Dr. Stokking is very responsive to my emails. We have been able to control my dogs food and environmental allergies. We worked closely to find the minimal effective dose of medication so we did not over medicate my dog.

Amazing,caring staff. Miri went out of her way to send records and images to another University in the event Lucy would be a match for a specialized procedure. These people are all about what is best for the pet. Dr. Burke in oncology is brilliant and extremely honest. His knowledge about cancer and all of the latest research is impressive. If you have a pet suffering from cancer I would not hesitate to bring them here.I was blessed to have found this hospital.

In August, 2016 my best friend and soul mate, Phoebe the Basset Hound, had the good fortune to be referred to Dr. Tammy Stevenson, Neurologist. This doctor not only cares about the problem of the day, she genuinely cares about the entire patient and makes every effort to assure the guardian has a complete understanding of the treatment options and recommendations.The dictionary lacks sufficient superlatives to describe Dr. Stevenson. I hope the problem does not expand, but if it does I know to whom I will go running........:)

I would never recommend this veterinarian hospital to anyone. They told me that my 17 year old dog needed surgery and assured me that he would make it through it even though I questioned it several times. At first thought, it did not make any sense to me and I thought he was too old for surgery - but they insisted that he would make it and be fine-- afterall I thought they were the experts and maybe veterinary medicine was that good. My dog died from the surgery and he could have been treated with antibiotics and pills. I do not think they had my dogs best interest in mind and would never trust this veterinary hospital. After this happened, I had two veterinarians tell me they should have never recommended the surgery for a 17 year old dog.

We brought our 4 year old Pug to VSH for treatment of what turned out to be a very scary and stubborn combination of Esophagitis, Pancreatitis, and Ileus, following a routine dental procedure.Before we went to VSH, we had been back to our regular vet as well as another emergency hospital twice during the week prior for vomiting, regurgitation, heavy panting, lethargy, fever, shaking, and restlessness that started the day after her dental procedure. The other ER treated for a possible reaction to the pain medication she was on for the extraction she had done. Then, when the symptoms persisted, she was treated for possible aspiration pneumonia from the regurgitation and vomiting that had persisted. When her symptoms got worse despite treatment, we were told that they simply didn’t know what was wrong with her or how to help her. At this point, I honestly thought she was going to die.Then, we found VSH.From the moment we walked through the door, through the entire week+ that she has been at VSH, we have been treated with a level of care that I have never experienced.- The front desk staff has been warm and welcoming every single time I have interacted with them, despite how busy and emotionally-charged the environment is due to the kinds of cases that come through the door.- I think just about every doctor in Internal and Emergency must have been a part of helping our girl through this, including: Dr. Hudley, Dr. Strachan, Dr. Blanco, Dr. Loy Son, Dr. Gedymin, and Dr. Olson. I’m sure there were others. Words fall short to express my gratitude for the way they worked together relentlessly, around the clock, to figure this out. There were a few times that I was not sure if shed be okay but, once she was under their care, I never questioned that she was in the best possible hands. I am so appreciative of the frequent updates, the time they took to answer questions, and for always making me feel like their entire team was completely invested in the best possible outcome for us.- The emergency tech/nurse team went above and beyond, every step, every day. ALL of them. They kept her incredibly comfortable, clean, and I truly believe they treated her like their own. Each time I called or visited, they shared a cute story or something positive that they knew would make me smile and give me hope to hold on to. Their main role is obviously to care for the patient, but they ended up helping me through this just as much as they helped our girl.VSH team - From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for what you do. Having a critically sick pet is one of the scariest, loneliest times a person can go through, but your entire team does everything within your ability to make it less so.I hope we never have another pet emergency but, if we do, well never go anywhere else. 💚💚💚💚💚

Rushed my puppy to the facility within a half hour of the incident.Ten minutes after they took her in they told me there would not be treatment until $3000.00 was received.It took me 10 minutes to secure funds.Five minutes later my loved one was gone. I would never have guessed that money trumped the life of a living creature.Having been self employed for over 40 years I understand the importance of getting paid for services,but never at the expense of a living creature.If your going to go there with a animal you love make sure you have a lot of extra money at your immeadiate finger tips.If not you might get a box of ashes.

Dr. Burke (canine oncology specialist) has done a wonderful job with my older Shepherd mix. He gave me full explanation of my options including, because he is an older dog, the option of not treating. He had and provided me all the information I needed to make a careful informed decision. I choose a middle-path (directed radiation) and have been very pleased with the results. The cost was reasonable for the services provided; very reasonable actually. THIS IS A SPECIALTY HOSPITAL, it is affiliated with UC Davis, and I found it a wonderful place to take a specialized case at the advice of my primary veterinarian.

This facility saved my cats vision and saved me over $4,500 in surgical bills after my Persian girl acquired a spot on her eyeball that ulcerated. Instead of surgery which I couldn’t have afforded being retired they did medication which took 11 months but worked to save her eye and vision the ulcer hardened and fell off never too return. I am forever grateful. 🐱💜

Excellent service and care. We took our small senior girl(13) here on a Sunday with a hurt paw, an extracted stinger and a few shots later shes rolling on the floor like a puppy (I need to get some of those shots). Reasonably priced and very friendly staff.

Dr. Josh Jackson is the absolute best veterinary specialist. I trust only him with my dog. He is so passionate about his work and shows great affection for my animal. Highly recommend his service if you are looking for the very best for your K9 family members.

Dr Hill was incredibly kind and thorough with my puppy. He diagnosed him with congenital kidney disease and took time to describe what to expect and how to make my dog comfortable. I highly recommend him.

3am Vet emergency with our 15yrs old little purr ball. Nurse and Vet were courteous, gentle, and caring. Offered more tests (labs & MRI) but advised most likely wont give any info worth it. Answered all our questions and then some. Gave us instructions, meds to make her feel better. And all workout breaking the bank (and we were ready to break open that 🐖 bank! )Thank you!

We are visiting here for a month with our 4 year ol Chihuahua. She began coughing and scratching at her mouth. I called for an appointment, and they said they were 2 1/2 weeks booked out. Obviously if there is something stuck in her throat that is too long. I asked for a referral. Secretary refused saying they do not do referrals. I said the dog was in medical need, she refused again no referral, said her practice did not do that, and then hung up.What kind of medical ethics is that?

Where do I even begin? I brought my 14 year-old dog here after he was diagnosed with lymphoma. They first sent in a vet tech to discuss treatment. Then, an intern came in to go over things again. Finally the veterinarian came in. It was like a time-share sale! After hearing about the rigors of treatment and the fact that it MAYBE buys a year or so of remission, I questioned whether this was the right option for our beloved deaf, arthritic doggie. The vet was shocked and told me that a year is very long in a dogs life...how could I not want to buy that time? Of course, since my 19 year-old son was there with me, I went with the treatment. In spite of the fact that I was told most dogs do very well, our dog, was down and feeling poorly for four days after treatment. The vet said not to worry. They could dial back the dose for the next treatment and all would be well. Unfortunately, the second treatment went about the same as the first. And by now we were forcing pills in our dogs mouth daily and watching him pace the floor and whine with anxiety. He no longer wanted to cuddle or enjoy life. We reviewed the options and they came up with a slightly different protocol. And good news, he was in remission. Two weeks later when he went for treatment, they called and said he was out of remission and they could not administer the chemo. Someone would contact us. The next day I received an email with price estimates for two different treatments. Thats it. No other information! I researched both, and they seemed like a lot more suffering for doggie, with little time gained. We waited until the bad days outnumbered the good and then chose to euthanize with Lap of Love (amazing vet came right to our house). She notified our regular vet, who sent a card of condolence. The hospital was also notified, but we heard nothing from them. We did not find this surprising. It is clearly all about the money with them. If you choose to go there, go with your eyes open. Better yet, go somewhere else.

Absolutely incredible. Thoroughly knowledgeable and gentle. Way better than the one at Oceanside.