Large Animal Veterinary Associates
4.1 (9) 725 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, CA 92019, USAHours:
How to Save Money at Large Animal Veterinary Associates
Schedule Regular Vet Visits
One of the best ways to save on vet bills is to prevent expensive health issues before they develop. By scheduling regular wellness checkups, your vet can detect health issues early, helping you to avoid costly treatments and surgeries down the road.
Price Shop for Pet Prescriptions
Oftentimes our fur babies are prescribed human drugs off-label. Your vet is apt to charge more for these medications than you would pay at your local pharmacy. In fact, big-box or chain pharmacies can offer steep discounts. So it’s best to price shop.
Pet Insurance
Most pet insurance providers will pay between 80% and 90% of the vet bill. You can even get coverage for routine care and things like vaccinations and dental cleanings. If you do the math, you’ll most likely find that pet insurance makes financial sense in the long run as well as gives you peace of mind.
How Do You Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider?
Pet Insurance Review makes it incredibly easy for pet parents to select an insurance provider they feel good about. You can use our handy comparison tool to get the gist of what a company offers. We’ve also collected over 150,000 reviews of insurance companies from real pet parents like you to rank the top providers in the market. Here is the current ranking of each:
| Rating | Provider | Total Review |
|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | AKC | 891 |
| 4.5 | ASPCA | 11,713 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 16,627 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 10,616 |
| 4.2 | Figo | 2,598 |
| 4.7 | Hartville | 164 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 9,975 |
| 4.9 | Lemonade | 805 |
| 4.6 | ManyPets | 2,332 |
| 4.0 | MetLife | 625 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 21,404 |
| 4.3 | Pet Assure | 12 |
| 4.5 | PetPartners | 112 |
| 4.3 | Pets Best | 12,053 |
| 4.6 | Pumpkin | 1,425 |
| 4.6 | Spot | 6,829 |
| 4.9 | Trupanion | 67,550 |
| 4.8 | Prudent Pet | 125 |
Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.
Thinking of insuring your pet?
Get Quotes & CompareGetting to Know Your New Vet: Essential Questions to Ask
Choosing a new veterinarian is an important decision for any pet owner. You want to find someone who is competent, compassionate, and a good fit for you and your fur baby. To help you get the most out of your first appointment, here's a list of essential questions to ask your new vet:
Tell me about your experience with [pet type].
Different vets have different areas of specialization. Some are experts with cats, some dogs, some pocket pets, and some horses. Knowing that your vet has vast experience treating your specific type of pet can bring you peace of mind.
How do you handle emergencies?
You must know what to do in case of a pet medical emergency. Inquire what after-hours policy the clinic has, whether they have on-site emergency care available, and if they have a relationship with any nearby emergency animal hospitals.
How do you communicate with pet owners?
Good communication is key to building a trusting relationship with your vet. Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone calls, emails, online portal) and how often you can expect to hear from them.
Are there any breed-specific health concerns I should be aware of?
Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. Knowing what to watch out for can help you catch problems early and get your pet the treatment they need.
Do you have any questions for me about my pet?
This is a great question to ask because the answer will show that the vet is interested in getting to know your pet as an individual and is willing to listen to your concerns.
Bonus question: Can I take a tour of your facility?
Getting a feel for the clinic's environment can help you and your pet feel more comfortable during your visits. Remember, you’re not just looking for a veterinarian, you’re looking for a partnership. Do not be afraid to ask these questions and any others you can think of. Any vet worth their salt will be happy to answer them. Because the more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to make decisions about your pet's care! And that should be every vet’s top priority.
Reviews from Google
LAVA..Dr Catt and Dr Martin both EXCEPTIONAL vets for your large animals. Unlike another well known group of vets for large animals who are out just FOR YOUR MONEY.. they put their bill before your animals well being...voice if experience here 😡☹️....LAVA CARES ABOUT YOUR ANIMALS FIRST!!!! Why go with a second rate vet group when you can go with the BEST!!!! LAVA WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BACK and CARE for your loved 💗 animals who deserve the care!!!
posted: 04/21/2020
As a Sporthorse/Dressage trainer I have come in contact with many veterinarians and I have consulted many over the years. The team at LAVA absolutely rocks, I have been working with them for many years. Their combined experience will leave no question unanswered, from emergency and routine procedures to reproductive consult to intricate sports medicine solutions, there's an expert for any problem you might be faced with. Their passion for the horses shines through every move and the team in the office keeps the engine running smoothly! Highly recommended!
posted: 06/20/2014
I used LAVA for many years. I've seen doctor Martin go all the way to Ramona at 2 am just to check on a horse that he had seen earlier in the day. He didn't charge the people. He just cared enough to want to see that a very sick animal would make it through the night. All businesses have a few wackos they have to deal with from time to time. That explains the one bad review. I'm not an employee of LAVA. I'm a professional animal trainer. And I always without hesitation recommend Dr. Martin. If you want someone that sincerely cares about your animals health then he should be your first call. It really irritates me when nut jobs write bad reviews. Most foot abcesses are due to owners not doing daily maintainance to a horses foot. They sometimes also have to develop a little more to be diagnosed properly. I can tell from that negative post the guy was one of those pains in the butts that always tries to get a freebie on someone else's time. Now you know I'm not an employee. Because nobody working for that company would be so critical of that comment you made. It would make their business look bad. If you were that unhappy next time call a vet and make an appointment. Your horse would probably still be lame because your to cheap to spend the money and call the vet out in the first place. Sorry everyone but nobody should ever have to suffer a rant like that jerk posted. These guys really are great. Just like everyone else posted.
posted: 04/27/2017
I spent hours calling every large animal vet listed for a downed cow and Dr. Catt was the only one who called me back and came out. He was very thorough, compassionate yet realistic and I was so grateful for making time in his schedule to fit us in today when no one else would.
posted: 02/03/2018
New client, tried to make an appointment. Refused to see my animal for an exam without an explanation at all.. And they claim to specialize in goats.. I'm in shock from that vet's call..
posted: 04/29/2019
Veterinarians in El Cajon, California
Abbey clinic for pets
1787 E Main St, El Cajon, CA 92021, USA(619) 442-8300
All God's Creatures Teaching Hospital & Surgery Center
616 Broadway, El Cajon, CA 92021, USA(619) 489-3339
Animal Care Clinic
2650 Jamacha Road #159, El Cajon, CA 92019, USA(619) 670-8700
Animal Medical Center Foundation & Adoption Center
600 Broadway, El Cajon, CA 92021, USA(619) 444-4246
Asap Veterinary Care
1177 Greenfield Dr # B, El Cajon, CA 92021, USA(619) 301-4921
Banfield Pet Hospital
865 Jackman St, El Cajon, CA 92020, USA(619) 401-0380
Bastet Veterinary Hospital
1682 Greenfield Dr, El Cajon, CA 92021, USA(619) 442-5571
Care & Comfort Veterinary Hospital, A Thrive Pet Healthcare Partner
522 E Chase Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020, USA(619) 590-6160