The Pet Hospital of Tierrasanta — Local services in San Diego

We were extremely disappointed with our experience here with Dr. D’Angelo. I brought in my 4-month-old Shiba Inu puppy, Niko, for his final round of vaccinations, and instead of completing the visit, Dr. D’Angelo refused to vaccinate him, claiming he was “too aggressive.”

However, this assessment didn’t make sense—Niko allowed the staff to hold him into the back room, let me pick him up afterward, and showed no signs of true aggression. What’s worse, he was so scared that he even pooped himself—which is a clear sign of fear, not aggression.

To make matters worse, Dr. D’Angelo also refused to microchip him, saying that the needle was “too big” and that he should wait until he’s neutered and under anesthesia. This is completely unnecessary—countless puppies get microchipped without sedation, and at only 11 lbs as of today, he is by no means too small for a standard microchip procedure.

Even the vet tech seemed too afraid to weigh him properly, which further showed a lack of confidence in handling a very normal, slightly nervous puppy.

Because of this, I had to take him elsewhere the same day. I went to VetCo, where the staff and veterinarian, Dr. Harrod, handled him confidently and without any issues. Niko was so comfortable that he let them hold him the entire time during his shots and didn’t even flinch during the vaccines or microchip. He was so relaxed that after the appointment, he didn’t even want to leave—he just laid there on the table asking for belly rubs! The only time he reacted at all was to the oral vaccine, which apparently tastes like banana.

This experience made it crystal clear that the issue was not my puppy—it was the way Dr. D’Angelo and her staff handled the situation. A skilled and confident vet should be able to manage a nervous puppy without refusing care.

I wouldn’t recommend this clinic for owners of independent or nervous breeds, as they seem unequipped to handle them properly. Thankfully, I found a vet who could, but I wouldn’t want another pet owner to go through the same unnecessary stress. No vet anywhere should EVER refer to a dog as "bad" let alone an 11lb,...

My dog has had one Vet her entire 11 year life, we selected the Pet Hospital Of Tierrasanta not based on any criteria other than location, we could walk Sunny there.

For the most part they have been adequate, even though the follow up has always been lagging.

During Sunny's most recent appointment I asked to speak to a Vet. Sunny had suffered some type of seizure, the previous week during her stay at a pet hotel. I was most concerned as Sunny has been the picture of health her entire life.

When the tech came for Sunny I told him I wished to see a Vet regarding her seizure. The Tech told me that my appointment for vaccination not for a Vet. I repeated my request to see a Vet, when it became clear to him I was standing firm on my request to see a vet he dismissed himself to the rear office.

A few minutes later the office manager appeared and informed me, my appointment was for a vet tech. only. I was clear in my desire to see a vet about Sunny. I told the office manager, if I went in to my doctors office and told my PA that I had suffered a seizure a week ago I would see my doctor that day. I would expect the same level of treatment from my Vet.

The office manager said the way that I had talked to the Tech was unacceptable and that he was in fact in the back offices crying. No voices had been raised, no names were called, I was insistent on speaking to a Vet. Then the office manager said something peculiar, she asked "is Sunny seizing now"? Clearly she was not, that was not the point, when an abnormally healthy dog has a seizure, that is something to worry about. The office manager said she would prepare Sunny's records.

I agreed it was time to find a new Vet, It was clear, The Pet Hospital Of Tierrasanta was not as concerned about my dog as I was.

In review of Sunny's 10 yr. 8 Mo. of history records, I estimate about $6K (cash) payments over the last 11 years. You would think that amount would enable you to talk to your Vet when needed. In thinking about it further, I saw plenty of Techs. and office personnel but no Vets., maybe the office was being run without a Vet on...

I have been taking my cat Marvin to them for a few years now. Recently I found out he was very sick and for a moment I thought I was going to have to put him down as he is a senior boy. Dr. D'Angelo, and Angela were absolutely amazing. Marvin was able to under go a specialty surgery to make him better again. Every step of the way leading up to the surgery the staff was amazing and understanding. I was very emotional as I have had him for almost 11 years and they were very sensitive to my needs around that. The surgery went amazing and the Tech Isela was very detailed with everything I needed to be aware before leaving with big boy Marvin. I can't rave enough about the staff as they not only saved my Marvin but the genuine care they have is beyond what I have seen in...