San Carlos Animal Hospital — Local services in San Diego

What a disappointment!!!! After 9 years of taking my dog there, I recently came in for an appointment. After 1/2 hour and $191 later, I was told to bring her back for a 'follow up' check up in a week to ten days. I was told there would be no charge.

I have been given this advice before, I have been told in the past the follow up is part of the service and I have NEVER been charged a dime for the follow up. It was always 'part of the service we provide'.

This time, I left and within an hour received a phone call indicated there was a $38 'follow up' fee. I was SHOCKED. I was promptly and rudely made aware it was 'on my invoice'. I looked at my invoice and did not see anything about his new charge. After careful review, I found one sentence in the last paragraph of page two.

When I explained this to them, no problem. Just PAY!!!!

I think a smart business would not have been willing to risk an almost decade long client and I expressed that sentiment. They said it was 'up to me' whether I continued to come there or not but I was going to pay the $38. Rather than waive the charge, keep along term satisfied client and enhance client relations....they were more concerned with the $38. So I paid and I WILL NEVER GO BACK!!

So, my review is if you enjoy getting 'nickel and dimed'....this is the Vet for you!!! HOWEVER, if you aren't a fan of being nickeled and dimed to death.....find...

Unfortunately, I must share my disappointing experience with San Carlos Animal Hospital, specifically Dr. Acosta. Scheduling the initial visit took two weeks, only to receive a call two days prior, informing me that the doctor wouldn't be available. During the visit, Dr. Acosta alarmed me with negative prognoses, mentioning the possibility of cancer. Despite agreeing to additional studies, communication was disorderly and unclear. While he mentioned more tests over the phone, he never provided a price, and the scheduled studies were the next day.

After the procedure, we agreed that Dr. Acosta would call me with additional results, but I never received the call. Through email, he informed me that he was going camping for a week and would be unreachable. Subsequently, the results turned out to be inconclusive, leaving me alarmed and unsure of what to do. This lack of communication and veterinary service is disappointing. It seems their focus is not on the well-being of our dogs but on conducting studies, inculcating fear with alarming diagnoses, and then disappearing.

My recommendation is to find another vet. Despite initial positive reviews, my experience was a total waste of time and money. I am once again in search of a veterinarian who truly has a vocation, a challenging endeavor in...

I used san carlos Animal Hospital for approximately 5 years before recently switching to lake murray village veterinarian down the road. San carlos used to have great service but have significantly declined in customer service. I needed to make an appointment for my dog to be evaluated for urinary frequency with minimal output (UTI). I called their clinic about 5 times in 1 day an no one answered. I did leave a couple voicemails. I called the next day and no answer. Again the next day and so on. I ended calling about 4 days in a row. Leaving voicemails each day. I also went online to their website and filled out an inquiry form for an appointment. I never received a phone call or email from them after reaching out so many times. I ended up calling lake murray village vet a d they answered the first ring and got me in the next day. I've used lake murray village vet about 5 times now (from appointments to just ordering and picking up preventative flea meds) and I always get an an answer and always get prompt, friendly service.

I'm giving them two star because I was with them for 5 years. They at one point did have good service so I've factored in my entire experience with them over the last 5 years.

But i definitely recommend lake murray...