San Carlos Animal Hospital
4.7 (178) 8618 Lake Murray Blvd, San Diego, CA 92119, USAHours:
Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at San Carlos Animal Hospital
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
This is by far the best place I've been for my cats! I remember when the office was in OB it's been so long with them. I have had every single one of my pets come to this vet and I have only gotten the best care possible, with my animals being so happy after the appointments. One of my cats recently had a major surgery that was needed and I went to another vet and got a quote of 6K+, while San Carlos did it for 2.5K. Just amazing.
posted: 09/13/2023
My dog hates going to the vet. He is an absolute jerk anytime we go to the vet. The San Carlos staff where absolutely wonderful and did everything they could to make him comfortable. Treats, kind words, and support towels all to make him feel comfy. Thank you San Carlos!
posted: 06/13/2023
We recently started going to San Carlos Animal Hospital and it has been wonderful. The staff is so friendly and helpful. We saw Dr. Acosta and he was very knowledgeable and really cared. My dog has high anxiety when going to the vet, but they did everything to make him comfortable and happy. I highly recommend taking your pet here!
posted: 06/28/2023
The staff here are super sweet. First office in La Mesa that I've felt like actually listens and wants to care for your pet! It's very kind of them to check in the next morning after an appointment to see how your pet is doing, and it's just that extra step that makes me love them more! Kindness gets you very far in my book
posted: 12/13/2022
Many thanks to Dr. Acosta and staff who have lovingly taken care of Zeus over the last 9 years. Zeus loves going to the vet because of Dr. Acosta's dog whisperer ways! I also wanted to give a shout out to the team during this time (COVID-19) for quickly implementing curbside services that are quick, easy and efficient! Thank you!! We can't recommend Dr. Acosta and the San Carlos Animal Hospital team enough!
posted: 05/15/2020
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