San Diego Bay Animal Hospital

Today marks the last time I will ever step foot in San Diego Bay Animal Hospital. I’ve been bringing my dog here for six years, and we’ve had smooth visits for annual exams, vaccines, heartworm tests, biopsies, and anal gland extractions, all with professional and friendly vets who always commented on how calm my dog was. But today was a different story. First, the vet confused my dog with another and started asking questions about epilepsy, even though my dog has never had epilepsy. Then, she claimed my dog had dislocated kneecaps, something no other vet had ever mentioned before. She also pushed for a Bordetella vaccine and general bloodwork, despite my clear requests not to perform them. The vet used the word "estimate" multiple times, making it feel more like a business meeting than a medical consultation, where the focus seemed to be solely on getting me to spend more money. I explicitly stated that I only wanted an anal gland extraction if necessary, a nail trim, and a biopsy for a cyst. However, the vet insisted my dog needed Benadryl (an additional $80) before the biopsy, which seemed odd since my dog had undergone biopsies twice before without it. I also asked for tick and flea medication, which was priced at $36. When I mentioned it used to be $25, the vet associate informed me that prices had gone up since the beginning of the year. The final estimate for my visit ended up over $1,000, which included services I had specifically declined. I had to ask for those to be removed. I also asked about insurance coverage for the biopsy, and the vet associate wrongly claimed it wouldn’t be covered because it was a pre-existing condition. After I corrected her, she admitted she didn’t know the answer. Later, the vet associate returned with my dog, who looked anxious with red ears, and said she wouldn’t allow them to have her ears checked. She took my dog back, only to return shortly after, claiming my dog had bitten two staff members. I apologized and explained that my dog had never acted this way before. The vet then said they would only treat my dog if I gave her sedative pills at home prior the visit or allowed them to fully sedate her. I refused and asked for my dog to be brought back immediately. When I went to leave, they tried charging me an additional $80 for the Benadryl, despite the biopsy never being done. Throughout this entire experience, I felt like the only priority was making a profit, rather than my dog’s well-being. I won’t be coming back.

I can’t say enough great things about Dr. Luecking and the entire team. From the moment we walked in, we were met with kindness and professionalism. Dr. Luecking took the time to thoroughly examine Po, explain everything in detail, and answer all my questions. It’s clear that they genuinely care about the well-being of every animal they treat. (They even helped me collect a urine sample outside while I was there.) Po was handled with such compassion, and I felt more at ease when I was there. The clinic was also very clean! Just good vibes all around. Thank you so much for fitting us in last minute! If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, compassionate, and skilled veterinarian, I highly recommend Dr. Luecking!

I followed my previous vet to this place, Dr. Webb. She had great compassion for pets and their people. She would be really wonderful with prioritzing what needed to be done if you couldn't afford everything right away. Sadly, now that she is gone I tried 2 different doctors and was totally overwhelmed at the laundry list of things they wanted to do with both dogs. They said one of them had a heart mumur that has never shown up before and an estimate of $1000 to go to their cardiologist. My senior dog has been having seizures and I wanted to start limiting some, not all of her vaccinations. But they still were pushing for all of them. They said they would get estimates of dental care for both dogs but then they never sent any further information. They "forgot" to remove the exam deposit that I paid in advance on the invoice until I pointed it out to them. They called back with other charges that they failed to put on a different invoice. I also kept getting texts "reminding me" for a test we had already done. My older dog has the runs and I have done all the tests I can afford having just been there last month , but they wanted to do another senior blood panel when I just had one for her last month. These docs seem set on steering you towards the most expensive tests and diagnostics. When I expressed my frustration at just wanting some sort of medicine to help her stool, without all the expensive tests, I got a lecture about how caring for a pet is a financial responsibility. Like, really? They refused any more care unless I went with an MRI, or more expensive diagnostic. All of my experiences with them they want to play on your fear, and guilt you into the most costly treatments they can. I will not be returning.

Both of my kitties have been well-taken care of by the lovely staff at San Diego Bay Animal Hospital since 2021. From their yearly check-ups, random concerns and sudden sicknesses… they are incredible at what they do and I feel great about putting my animals in their care!! 🫶🏼

This place is complete money grab ever since they sold to a corporation. That’s right, it’s no longer family owned, they sold their soul for profit. The service has gone down while the prices have gone WAY up. I took my dog in for a vaccine that she was due for, and two weeks later I got a text that she’s due for another. I asked why they couldn’t have done both at once and they said they didn’t know she needed both. Total oversight. A month later they tell me she’s due for her annual exam. I asked why the exam was necessary if she was just in for vaccines and had been seeing a specialist elsewhere. They couldn’t give me a good answer, just that it’s their policy. I didn’t take her for in for the unnecessary exam, and they withheld her prescription which THEY had deemed medically necessary for years. I asked for a few more pills to get her through the month and when I went to Von’s pharmacy to pick them up, the pharmacist told me the vet staff was extremely rude to him over the phone and told him to NEVER ask again to refill this prescription unless I go back to them for the exam. They don’t care about your pets, just your money!