Veterinary Specialty Hospital - North County San Marcos, California

I am from Murrieta & couldn’t believe no one in my area would see me! Made the drive to this hospital & so glad I did. I got an extra two weeks with my baby boy. Unfortunately, there’s nothing they could do to save his life, but they gave me the answers I needed to make him comfy.

Not our normal vet, but after a long night of our dog struggling and not wanting her to suffer, we brought her here because they opened earlier than our local vet. We were told over the phone we would be getting a free triage exam, but we …

I don't write reviews very often, but this time it's needed. I lost my very best friend 10 days ago. This hospital took him right in. It was his heart. Though I don't remember the doctor, the entire staff was so so comforting. The doctor listened to me ugly cry and paused and took the time to explain our options. He had been fine just a few hours earlier. He could barely stand when we got there. She came out to explain everything step by step and gave us options and realistic outcomes. We made the hard decision and she kept her hand on my shoulder while I lost it. My husband says the room was beautiful for the last goodbyes and everything was calm and warm and comfortable. So much so, that we are looking to make this our primary vet for our remaining pitbulls. In such a horrible time, this service was something that gave us some peace. Thank you so much to all the staff that helped our Duke that night. Though I couldn't tell you at the time, thank you for the compassion to help my best friend cross over the Rainbow Bridge. Compassion is rare these days, I would recommend Veterinary Specialty Hospital to everyone in North County.

After listening to rude and unprofessional comments at another ER in Carlsbad AND being told that they were at capacity today (330 am) thru tomorrow night (?) as they must have a crystal ball, I called VSH in San Marcos. The receptionist at …

Cannot say enough about the staff. "Bedside manners" impressive. We felt like the moment we arrived these folks cared. Although they have strict protocols for safety they don't ram it down your throat. Dr. Curtis performed the surgery. After the MRI she came outside to talk with us. She was patient and took all the time needed to give us her best prognosis. Hospital kept is updated and although Dr. Curtis day off she kept my wife in the loop. We picked up our dog today and again staff have us all the time needed to give directions for care and answer any questions. We again thank the entire staff.

Kelsea was extremely rude and unprofessional

I have nothing but great things to say about this place. My dog had an emergency and a big surgery and the doctors were so kind and helpful to me. Since I am not allowed to go in with my dog with Covid, they called me and kept me updated with everything. The vets each day and the surgeon were nothing but amazing. Will Absolutely recommend this place

Gabriela Cortez is the sweetest and very on top of things, caring for your animals like they are her own. I so appreciate her and her help after my puppy had a seizure. It was a scary experience and she was incredible understanding and kind, she made me feel heard and took care of my baby so thoroughly. She called me with updates as we waited for extensive results and told me she was checking up on the results daily so she could me with updates or with any changes. Highly recomme d!

San Marcos pet speciality hospital (Dr. Chris Thomson) operated on our dog and removed a grapefruit sized tumor from our dog’s liver last Christmas Eve. It was a major surgery and very tricky. These tumors can burst and the dog can bleed out. We successfully picked her up on Christmas Day. She has been doing well. We are still so happy and thrilled added life of Camilla and with the San Marcos Pet Speciality Hospital and there staff, especially surgeon Dr. Chris Thomson. Our Sincere, Thanks. Alan & Suzi and our dog 13 yr old Camilla!!

Arrived at vet at @: 2:PM for X-ray of Cat's injured leg. Asked to return at 6:PM. Returned as requested. Two and half hours no X-ray. Told veterinarian was busy elsewhere. Told vet had to examine cat first. No-one came out told us the status. I had to inquire. In a human ER a technician tells the doctor an X-ray is needed and it is authorize by the doctor. I was told they had a triage system determined when the animal is brought in. Who determines this a technician. So a technician determines what cat sees the vet. But, cannot recommend x-ray to the doctor before the animal is seen.

Our cat began exhibiting breathing issues and loss of appetite over the course of 24 hours. We contacted a handful of mobile vets so that we could have her seen in our home, but none had availability. We were referred to Veterinary Specialty Hospital and contacted them. The person that answered, quickly assessed Juno over the phone and advised us to bring her in immediately. As soon as we arrived, one of the technicians met us and took Juno in for treatment. The entire staff was amazing, kept us informed throughout the entire process, and answered all our questions. Unfortunately, our tough old cat had kept trudging along without ever even a whimper in her daily activities until she couldn't. Based on the preliminary testing, Dr. Blew indicated that there was a strong likelihood that Juno had cancer. Juno didn't appear to be in pain, but her body had begun to shut down. We were faced with an incredibly sad and stressful decision on how to proceed. Dr. Blew was phenomenal, she provided us with all the options available to us and the pros and cons to each. There was never any pressure or recommendation to pursue unnecessary treatments or procedures. When we made the difficult and extremely emotional decision to let Juno go, Dr. Blew was incredibly supportive and reassuring. It was then that she told us that she would have made the same decision if it were her pet. The rest of the process was incredibly sad and emotional for us, but Dr. Blew and the entire staff were very supportive, compassionate, and professional. Every step of the process and each detail was provided and explained. We were permitted as much time as we wanted to say goodbye to Juno. The checkout process was handled prior to our last moments with Juno so that we didn't have to do anything but be together as a family and then go home once the ordeal was over. The entire experience was incredibly emotional and taxing for our family, but we could not have asked for a more professional and compassionate group of people to help us during this time.

Lack of communication with costumers and each other, couldn't even check me in right how can I trust them with my pet. My visit lasted 8+ hours and didn't even get seen.

While I 'think' my cat is getting proper medical treatment for his cancer, I have had several problems with scheduling and getting prescription refills at this location. My cat has been off his prescribed medication for over a week now. Both my pharmacy and I called in a refill on a medication my cat is to take daily and it took over a week to get it refilled. The reason I was given (via text) was that the doctor was on vacation, which is really poor and unacceptable. I have had appointments rescheduled without notice, fall of the schedule for no apparent reason, etc. The phone wait times to get anything resolved are extremely long and I have gotten different answers from different admin. staff on items. Again, my cat may be receiving good care (I don't know...I know nothing about feline cancer), but the admin side of this VSH location has been a nightmare! When you pay top dollar for what you think is the best care, you expect better!

Was recently here for a emergency visit with my shish zu she was having bloody stools. She had a Gi upset and abdominal pain she wind up just having Gi enteritis. The staff member Dana and Rachel can I just say outstanding. Tbe care and kindness that they both provided was unreal. I was so worried and there professionalism was outstanding. The love for animals and the job they do shows. This company should recognize these 2 women as amazing and I mean amazing technicians.

We had to put our beloved dog down yesterday and, although we are very much still grieving, I felt compelled to give VSH a review. From our very first call to VSH to our dog's last breath, their entire team was so positive to work with, despite our horrible situation. Everyone had great bedside manner -- in person and on the phone. We were given clear information, in a timely manner, and everyone was very responsive. We had to make tough decisions very quickly and we felt supported along the way. Thank you to the entire team at VSH.

In January of 2021 my normal vet clinic was often refusing to see or take appointments . In the late hours of the evening my dog presented Pancreatitus symptoms , crying,vomiting and uncomfortable. She has had the condition multiple times and its severity can range vastly. With my normal vet down the street refusing service i was desperate in trying to find a place that would take my dog after normal business hours. Every emergency clinic in the north county rejected me or was at capacity except for Veterinary Specialist Hospital. it was quite a drive from my house but the moment i got there , they did everything to expedite the process, saw my dog quickly, and i was on my way back home by midnight. I am not familiar with the doctors or staff that worked that night but i am very thankful this place existed and even though they are a bit of a drive, i would very much consider them again.

They were the only ones that would take my cat after 10 veterinarians turned me away they took great care of her stitched her up for a deep laceration to her hind quarter,the bill was kinda expensive, 2 days later her stitches tore open, took her back they took her right in found some other issues and addressed them i believe they really care about your pet i truly trust them. Fluffy thanks you and I do too

I’m not one to always leave a review at places, but this is one I HAVE to do. I have never received such thorough and compassionate care. I had to drive 1 hour to get here, my dog was here for emergency due to having multiple seizures. They were quick to get him in, updated me all throughout the night on what they’re doing, how he is, etc. I felt zero doubt that he was in loving hands. Emergency situations are stressful on pet owners, and the people at the desk and on the phone were very sweet and kind, it meant a lot to my family because we have had our fair share of not so compassionate vets. Even though it’s a drive, I will always come back here.

These folks are amazing! Great doctors and staff. Thoughtful and caring. I could not have asked for more.

Saturday night was a terrible terrible night for me and my fiancé . Our puppy was hit by a car and we immediately took him to the emergency vet nearest to us . If it weren’t for my fiancé to go banging on the door they wouldn’t have taken him in urgently as they did .Also when you call you’re on wait for almost over 25 min they never answer the phones . For them to do anything on my baby they wanted a huge deposit for critical condition and for them to only have him on oxygen tank, IV and pain meds . For later on the vet to come out and tell us they can’t proceed anything further because they need an arm and a leg in order for us to know any further information. Like if he has any broken bones or any Internal bleeding or any other damage inside him. They would not tell me anything about my puppy but, tell us only he has 50/50 chance to survive. The heartache hearing those words coming out from the vet was just tremendously heartbreaking and impacting. We immediately took him else where and got 10xx the better news and care he needed . I WARN ANYONE WHO IS NOT FINANCIALLY STABLE TO NOT BRING ANY PET HERE BECAUSE THEY WILL JUST TELL YOU THE BEST OPTION IS TO PUT YOUR PET DOWN AND STILL CHARGE FOR WHAT CARE THEY HAVE GIVEN YOUR PET .

We rushed our 3yr old French Bull dog there for what looked like a spinal cord injury. The dr told us he believed there was an injury to Ottos neck at C4 or C5. An MRI was performed revealing IVDD at C4. At this time OTTO was completely paralyzed. Surgery was performed and Otto came home 3 days later. It has only bee 8 days since surgery and Otto is walking and is in PT 3 days a week. These people are amazing.

I am so torn on how to evaluate this hospital. On one hand, Dr. Harris and all the technicians were fantastic. She listened to my concerns, seemed to really care about my dog, and treating him with exceptional care when no other vet had any vacancy. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this place because of their horrible financial department. Bloodwork was 300, which is 50% above the high end of the market. Not that I could search elsewhere since no one else had any space. So I had to accept the horrific cost. The worst were the meds. Wanted over 160 for an anti-nausea injection and 108 for IV fluids (just saline). Last was 35 for anti-nausea tablets. I declined the first two for being outrageous, but made the mistake of accepting the tablets to take home. I agreed to take the tablets home. What I did not agree to was the hospital administering the medicine. I decline the injection. Why did they think they could give him medication without my permission? When I arrived, I asked to decline the meds as they were 400% overpriced. 35 gets me 4 pills anywhere else. Here, 30 got me just 1 pill. They refused because they already gave him half. So they wanted 17.5 for half of a 6 dollar pill? If you desperately need emergency care, know that the vets and technical staff here will take the best care of your pet. If you need anything routine, Rx, or the slightest bit ordinary that you can get at almost any store or vet, go anywhere but here. You will be ripped off. You will have words put in your mouth. And you will have your request misconstrued, misinterpreted, or just ignored in order to get more money out of you

Took my cat there for an emergency and was told that he was aggressive and needed sedation just to feel his bladder. They said they barely looked at the ultrasound because they said he wasn’t cooperating and said “we aren’t sure if there’s anything wrong”. They sent us home because “even if he has a blockage we don’t have space”. The staff was rude and kept saying “well if you can’t afford $700-$900 take him somewhere else” which was NOT the case. We could afford that. We just wanted to know what all they were going to do to him but they didn’t give us details. I took my cat to a different office and my cat was perfect. No sedation needed for anything. The assistants and the vet kept coming back in the room just to play with him and pet him while we waited for some results. He was calm for the ultrasound on his bladder and laid on his back perfectly and just wanted someone to scratch his armpits. They gave him an IV and he didn’t even freak out. He just kept rubbing his face against the vets the entire time. I’m not sure what happened behind the closed doors at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital for them to say my cat was aggressive and uncooperative, but I have an uneasy feeling that they weren’t the nicest to him. Will never take my cat back to Veterinary Specialty Hospital. If you want better emergency service go to Veterinary Emergency Group in Encinitas. The staff is fantastic and so friendly even in these tough times.

Took my dog in for a exam as I was referred to them after urgent care did not think they could treat a mystery illness without proper equipment. Doctor called and said my dog can walk again. No real exam was done. Took him home and he was still in the same shape as I took him in. He still could not walk or stand. Did they mistake him with another dog? On top of it all, their prices are 3 times more expensive than the vet and they made me wait 30min for pickup after they said he was ready to be released. Poor service. Avoid if possible.

Brought my cat in, was told treatment would take 2 hours and to wait in my car instead of going home (they do not allow you inside the building) after sitting in my car for 4.5 hours I started calling to find out what was going on. Twice they didn't even answer the phone. The third time they put me on hold while they "checked on her" left me on hold for 17 minutes and never came back. So called 2 more times before someone answered. Asked again what was going on, was put on hold a second time for over 12 minutes only to be told they had only just started treatment and had no idea how much longer. So now after 5 hours I am STILL sitting in my car waiting. Staff did not seem to care at all about how long I was waiting and when I got upset told me "you need to have some patience" I'm pretty sure waiting over 5 hours to get upset makes me pretty patient. Horrible customer service, will never come back.

I cannot thank the employees enough for their help with my beloved cat Joey. They are a compassionate group of people and made the painful process of letting go peaceful. I highly recommend this facility. It is very clean, has ample parking and an amazing staff. I am forever grateful.

I called in about my pet and they told me to bring the pet in. When I get there I waited over an hour in the car with my pet to be told they cannot see mu pet for another 12 hours. What a complete waste of my time when I could have taken him elsewhere. Poor and terrible communication and customer service. Please let people know they cannot be seen for 12 hours prior to them coming down. I explained the situation over the phone and you could of told me then so that I could have the choice of taking him elsewhere!

I would like to thank Doctor G and her team for being attentive ,careing, professional and compassionate in saveing my dogs life in a emergency situation late at night . Muneca thanks you from the bottom of her heart !

Every single person I had an interaction with here was so kind, reassuring, and patient, from the receptionists/technicians through to Dr. Collins. I was a panicked mess when I called them and checked in in person, and they were all so understanding. They explained everything to me and answered my questions, and were so fair when it came to cost. As much as I hope I never have an emergency situation like that with Banjo again, I would absolutely go back to them if I did!

Unless your animal is dying they will not see it. I’m sure they’d be more than happy to get your animal in “critical condition” so they will actually see it/ charge you. Pulled my dog out of here after 7 hours and took it to animal emergency in Poway, updates every 30 min from the vet and they took him in an hour before the place opened. If you want to get a nice paw print take it to this place. If you want your animal to not suffer and get actual care take it somewhere else. Steer clear, this place is TERRIBLE. You see a bunch of 1 stars for a reason, they blame it on “covid”. This place is absolute trash.