Golden Gate Veterinary Specialists San Rafael, California

Super friendly people who obviously love animals and their people. I feel very confident with the level of care and value they provide here and would highly recommend them!

I really hate writing bad reviews, but I wish I had never brought my dog to this hospital. They care more about taking your money than helping your pet. I hope if anyone is on the fence about bringing their best friend here they will think twice. My dog was diagnosed with bone cancer. We had a diagnosis already and needed to schedule his surgery. We were referred to Dr. Farese at Golden Gate Vet Specialists. He said we needed additional testing and imaging scans. We paid him about $5,000 and afterwards we were told he couldn't even do the surgery because he didn't accept overnight patients. Aside from that, my dog came back to me in much worse shape than when I dropped him off. Dr. Farese caused irreparable damage that significantly shortened his life. I came to them for help and they made things so much worse. He said my dog needed a bone biopsy. I dropped my pup off in the morning. They said they would call when he was ready. They never called, but we knew the hospital closed at 5pm, so when it got close to that time we decided to head over there anyway. When we arrived they told us we couldn't see him yet because our invoice wasn't ready. It took them another 30 minutes to get the bill figured out and we had to pay before they brought my dog out. When we finally got to see him it was clear he was not okay. He was disoriented and not acting like his normal self. On the ride home he seemed very sick. I have seen him under anesthesia before and this was different. He kept throwing up dark red bile. He kept asking to go outside and then acting disoriented and like he didn't know what to do. Whatever happened that day caused permanent damage to his digestive tract. He was never able to eat normally again, and Dr. Farese was not helpful, told me it was unrelated and to see my regular vet. On top of that, the bone that Dr. Farese biopsied broke afterward. I had asked about the possibility of this happening beforehand and he said it was "very rare" and not to worry about it. When my dog's bone broke we had to find a hospital to do emergency surgery which was very difficult. Leaving my pet in the care of Golden Gate Vet Specialists was a big mistake. It cost thousands of dollars, was completely unnecessary, and shorted my dogs life even more than the cancer already had. I only went there because I was told this is what I needed to do to treat my dog. There was no treatment offered whatsoever, not for the cancer or for the damage this clinic caused. I loved my dog so much. RIP Ponyo, I'm so sorry I ever brought you here. If you are reading this and have a dog with cancer and/or need surgery please do not use this hospital. Go to Bay Area Veterinary Specialists (BAVS) in San Leandro. They provided excellent care and were able to do the emergency surgery for us as well as continue treatment afterward for his cancer. In short, my visit to this hospital cost me $5,000 dollars, caused irreparable harm to my dog, and significantly shortened the time he had left with us. If I had known then what I know now, I would never have brought him anywhere near this place.

Very expensive. Dr had xrays and didn't know it until I said something. Same service from vet in santa rosa, consultation was under $100: marin vet: over $500, without doing any xrays.

Dr Eckholm and staff are amazing. If you need a veterinary dermatologist, this is the place. Highly recommended.

Wonderful doctor. Very pleasant and my dog liked her very much. My puppy was given the correct rx and now she will feel a lot better. Woof

They are the best people to work with and changed our lives by helping identify and treat our dogs allergy issues. Could not thank them enough for actually changing our lives and our dogs for the better. Thank you so so so much. Cannot recommend enough.

First rate compassionate professional and knowledgeable staff . Dr. Eckholm is our hero!

Best place to bring my fur-baby when dealing with her allergies. Dr. Eckholm is so helpful and knowledgeable and everyone there is kind and welcoming.

Amazing results after 6 months of our regular vet being stumped. My boy looks fabulous!!