VCA Market Street Animal Hospital

The first time I went to this place was back in 2015. It was a good experience. Then in 2016 or 2017 banfield opened on the corner of 1st street so I Switched from VCA to Banfield. I decided recently to switch back to VCA. Once again loved my experience there! Dr. Wetzel did a great job explaining everything . She did call Sushe my car spicy which was expected.

Yet another subpar veterinary clinic in San Diego that is more concerned about maximizing corporate profits and charging you for unnecessary care visits, vaccines and medications your pet doesn't actually need versus providing humane care to their "patients". The vets insist on prescribing medications to treat health conditions instead of offering resources or advice for lifestyle changes, modifications or other holistic measures than can be attempted before prescribing a chronic medication for an animal. I can take an accurate, calm blood pressure on my cat at home. However the vet insists I pay $100 for them to take an inaccurate, stressed blood pressure reading on my cat. Hmmmm The vet will withhold medication refills for a chronic disease unless you pay for an exam and all the other associated hidden fees, and they do not care what affects withholding the medication may have on your animal. The icing on the cake:: after an absolute nightmare circus of trying to get a current prescription refilled, I asked for advice to taper my pet off her medication and was told I'd have to make an appointment and pay for an exam just to get professional advice on how to take my pet off the medication YOU prescribed her. You straight up told me you don't care about my animals health, safety and well being. I wonder if it's even ethical to prescribe medications and refuse to explain how to safely take your pet off them?? Hmmm I highly recommend avoiding this business if you value quality veterinary care where you actually have a say in your animals care. They do not go above and beyond, nor do they even act like they care about your pet unless you're paying them to care Also the customer service rep Susie argued with me and over exaggerated how long it's been since my exam. It's been exactly 1.5 years (totally fine for a healthy indoor only cat!!!) and she was insistent it's been almost 3 years and was adamant I needed to make an appointment and completely ignored the reason for my call, nor was I offered to speak with a vet professional. They care about profits not your pet. As a human nurse, this kind of treatment wouldn't fly in the medical world. Doctors don't prescribe medications and then refuse to explain how to safely take yourself off them. That's negligence. UPDATE: I wish to provide an update on my situation: I was able to successfully wean my pet off her blood pressure medication by myself without any professional advice or involvement. Her blood pressure has remained stable and within normal limits. I will state that the management reached out to me via email but only as a standard robotic-like customer service response and a blurb about their policies. They did not ask how my pet was doing, nor was I offered any empathy for my situation. Unfortunately the VCA corporation owns and operates many of the vet clinics in this area so options for quality and affordable pet care is limited if available at all.

Adequate vet, but not a place that goes above and beyond. We had a very elderly cat and they said he was too rambunctious and needed to be sedated and the appointment rebooked — no vet before or after ever needed us to do that with this cat. During the height of COVID we needed an urgent refill on some medication and they refused to renew the prescription unless we scheduled an in-person appointment because of their policies of requiring regular check-ups. I understand animal care is very complex (especially over the last few years) and the vets themselves seemed fine but the most difficult vet I've ever dealt with.

Do NOT bring your dog to Dr. Hammond at VCA!! I brought my dog Luna in only to find out she lost 12 lbs in 3-4 mos time. They took x-rays & Dr. Hammond calls me to say enlarged spleen. Radiology disagrees but meanwhile no one will tell me why my dog is losing weight. That basically ends their so-called treatment plan & my 11-year old dog is left losing weight with no help from VCA Market Street. Needless to say, I WON'T BE BACK! Update: Kyle ?? is the classless Hospital Manager who thinks he can infringe on a man's communication style!

VCA Market Street offers 5 star veterinary care! Dr. Lori Hammond is compassionate and thorough, explaining everything in detail. Zaya, her vet tech is warm and attentive. The front desk team, Lauren and Suzy, are wonderful, greeting me immediately and talking with me while I waited. I live in Oceanside and will gladly make the drive to San Diego for their high level of customer service and quality vet care!