Uptown Animal Hospital — Attraction in San Diego

Not impressed

Requested a medication refill in May 2025 (my medication vial showed 1 refill remaining) and was declined for a refill from my pharmacy until I was able to bring my pet in for an exam. I was unable to bring my pet in for another month due to finances and scheduling issues.

Fast forward a month, now June and I have the exam but I only have 2 days supply of medication remaining. I asked the vet for any assistance as I was running out of medication and I order my prescriptions online through Chewy and wouldn't receive an online order in time before I ran out. The vet stated they do not have the medication in stock in their facility and then tells me I can "fill the prescription anywhere easily", so I call all area pharmacies and was quoted over $50 for the refill. This is unacceptable when the medication costs $4 through Chewy pharmacy. So I called the office and explained the situation again, and the front office staff on the phone assured me they check their online prescription portal frequently (they don't) and it would be no problem to order my meds online. So I do. I ended up having to call the pharmacy to ask the vet to approve my online refill request after waiting over 24 hours with no response from the vet clinic.

The pharmacy was helpful in offering to call the vet and provide expedited shipping and instructions for receiving a short order of medications if I needed them, as well as options for reimbursement and refund if I had to pay out of pocket more than my online prescription. I cannot stress how amazing the customer service from Chewy Pharmacy is. They listened to my situation and seemed to not only just care about my animal, but also my financial situation by offering discounts, coupons, refunds and other avenues of action I could take while this vets office left me hanging in the wind.

The vets office was not helpful AT ALL. They offered me no resources, no options when I called asking them for help, and they even admonished me multiple times telling me I needed to request medications in advance so I don't run out of medications, totally ignoring the fact that I had indeed requested a refill in May . They even printed on my bill receipt that I had requested a refill in May but was denied. Incredible of them to suggest I refill my medications sooner.

This all just leave a bad taste in my mouth. Hopefully my cat doesn't suffer a stroke or retinal detachment from this unfortunate situation

It's very stressful to care for animals with chronic health conditions and it is very important to me that my veterinary team is compassionate and caring. This vets office leaves much to be desired. They certainly don't take into consideration people's economic struggles or social situations and they didn't lift a finger to help me obtain my cats medications when I asked them for help. The front office staff is dismissive, flippant and condescending. Finding high quality veterinary care in San Diego...

I've been on disability income and been saving to move to Big Island, lots of requirements and will pay every penny if I have to but the last thing I need is hearing staff and Dr. Making comments I did not care for. Yeah, I live in my truck ( a nice one,and very clean). Yea, I don't have a shower to bath myself or my 🐕 daily. Yeah, I'm aware of the cost of living in Hawaii ( I've been there about ten times).

I was about to just walk out when they did not want to give my dog the second rabbies shot Hawaii DOA requires before the FAVN. When the Dr. ( Some lady) examined the dog she walked out and said something about "that... Guy... What a mess that's going to be." And before the Dr came in they almost demanded an address for Hawaii to put on the final papers. I called Hawaii DOA and they said to simply put the address for where the DOA for Hawaii and if the Vet had a problem with that to have em give a call to confirm!

It's already stressful ☹️ doing all this and months of saving $$$ to cover shipping my vehicle, FAVN test, and other papers that I really felt disscouragged by this vet, as if I don't suffer enough from depression and other things. I expected more encouragement and motivation instead of "no, not this,no.. not that."

I will 😊 give credit to the lady at front desk who ran out to give me some info on requirements for Hawaii, did not expect that. I REALLY REALLY wanted my dogs 😭 2nd rabbies test done. I was treated with distrust. My dog is my emotional support dog ( with written doctors proof) and would NEVER jeopardize his health or lie about his past exams or shots given. But I didNOT appreciate the BS comment/s made by the doctor regarding my docs and whatever else she meant was a mess. And the reason I've not given my dog Max a bath is because I simply don't have hot water! Ever showered at the park? The water is like ice! And if anybody is reading this and wishes to help with costs you can reach me at...

5/13/2025: wow I am speechless in a matter of weeks this vet has obliterated my 5-star rating. My two cats were even spayed here back in 2010 at Uptown when they were kittens. I have had a lot of difficulties lately obtaining my cat Zoie’s monthly prescription she must have now at 14 years old. We live about 25 minutes away from the Vet. More than twice we have been told we must “come in today” for whatever it is, be it a prescription refill or appointment follow up, there is a drastic change in the tone in which staff speaks to loyal long standing Pet Parent(s) just this same time last year? As a full service Veterinary Clinic sometimes going above and beyond is what is needed and/or required. If it is a Policy that the this Vet cannot work with vetted Pharmacists within San Diego county nor cannot verbally communicate a needed prescription over the phone to said pharmacy, well this NEWS to me I have never known of before from this particularly Vet. Nor have I ever felt as awkward, dismissed and frustrated as I felt today on the phone simply advocating for my Cat Zoie and the medication she needs. This isn’t about me, this is about my cat. It saddens me and confuses me that this exchange even occurred. My cat Cloie is Epileptic too. Both have been patients of this clinic since they were kittens which was back in 2010.

This is by far the best Vet in SoCal I’ve experienced. I tried to go to another Vet and had a horrible experience and came right back to ABC! Thank you all for the top notch care you provide for Cloie (left) and Zoie...