Large Animal Veterinary Associates

4.1 (9 reviews)
725 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, CA 92019, USA

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Large Animal Veterinary Associates

Preventive care

Routine wellness exams can help identify health issues early, often before they become more serious or expensive to treat. Regular checkups are one of the most effective ways to manage long term veterinary costs.

Compare prescription pricing

Some pet medications prescribed at veterinary clinics may also be available through local or online pharmacies. It can be helpful to compare pricing when appropriate to reduce ongoing medication costs.

Consider pet insurance

Pet insurance may help cover a portion of eligible veterinary expenses depending on the plan, including accidents, illnesses, and in some cases preventive care. Coverage details, reimbursement levels, and deductibles vary by provider.

Why Pet Insurance Information Appears on This Page

Looking for information about Large Animal Veterinary Associates? This page also includes pet insurance resources to help pet parents understand how to prepare for unexpected veterinary expenses.

Veterinary care costs can vary widely depending on the type of visit, treatment, or emergency. Many pet parents explore pet insurance before they need it so they are better prepared when unexpected situations arise.

How to Choose a Pet Insurance Provider

Pet Insurance Review helps pet parents compare insurance providers using verified customer reviews and real-world experiences. Our tools make it easier to evaluate providers based on claims experience, service quality, and overall satisfaction.

We have collected more than 220,000 reviews from pet parents, creating one of the largest independent databases of pet insurance feedback available.

How rankings are determined

Unexpected veterinary expenses can happen at any clinic. The providers below are ranked using verified reviews submitted by real pet parents through Pet Insurance Review. Results reflect overall satisfaction, claims experience, and value based on real world feedback. Rankings are updated regularly as new reviews are submitted.

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
4.8 Adoro 19
4.5 AKC 1,801
4.4 ASPCA 12,228
4.9 Embrace 19,973
4.9 Fetch 5,918
4.1 Figo 2,868
4.4 Hartville 183
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,371
4.8 Lemonade 833
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,234
4.8 Nationwide 25,705
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,347
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,867
4.7 Pumpkin 3,545
4.6 Spot 11,586
4.9 Trupanion 55,033

Compare Pet Insurance Plans

You can compare coverage options from multiple providers to find a plan that fits your budget and your pet’s healthcare needs.


Getting to Know Your Veterinarian

Choosing a veterinarian is an important decision for pet parents. A strong vet relationship is built on trust, communication, and understanding your pet’s individual needs.

Experience

Ask whether the clinic has experience treating your specific type of pet, since care can vary between dogs, cats, and pocket pets.

Emergency Care Procedures

It’s helpful to understand how the clinic handles after-hours emergencies, including whether they provide emergency services or refer to nearby emergency hospitals.

Communication Preferences

Ask how the clinic communicates with pet parents, including updates, test results, and follow up questions.

Breed Specific Health Considerations

Some breeds may be more prone to certain health conditions. Early awareness can help with prevention and early treatment.

Facility Tour

If available, touring the clinic can help you and your pet feel more comfortable before the first visit.


Final Note

Pet care decisions often involve both medical and financial considerations. Having access to trusted veterinary information alongside pet insurance comparisons can help pet parents feel more confident when planning for their pet’s health and wellbeing.

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Reviews from Google

4.1

9 reviews

LAVA..Dr Catt and Dr Martin both EXCEPTIONAL vets for your large animals. Unlike another well known group of vets for large animals who are out just FOR YOUR MONEY.. they put their bill before your animals well being...voice if experience here 😡☹️....LAVA CARES ABOUT YOUR ANIMALS FIRST!!!! Why go with a second rate vet group when you can go with the BEST!!!! LAVA WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BACK and CARE for your loved 💗 animals who deserve the care!!!

Apr 21, 2020

As a Sporthorse/Dressage trainer I have come in contact with many veterinarians and I have consulted many over the years. The team at LAVA absolutely rocks, I have been working with them for many years. Their combined experience will leave no question unanswered, from emergency and routine procedures to reproductive consult to intricate sports medicine solutions, there's an expert for any problem you might be faced with. Their passion for the horses shines through every move and the team in the office keeps the engine running smoothly! Highly recommended!

Jun 20, 2014

I used LAVA for many years. I've seen doctor Martin go all the way to Ramona at 2 am just to check on a horse that he had seen earlier in the day. He didn't charge the people. He just cared enough to want to see that a very sick animal would make it through the night. All businesses have a few wackos they have to deal with from time to time. That explains the one bad review. I'm not an employee of LAVA. I'm a professional animal trainer. And I always without hesitation recommend Dr. Martin. If you want someone that sincerely cares about your animals health then he should be your first call. It really irritates me when nut jobs write bad reviews. Most foot abcesses are due to owners not doing daily maintainance to a horses foot. They sometimes also have to develop a little more to be diagnosed properly. I can tell from that negative post the guy was one of those pains in the butts that always tries to get a freebie on someone else's time. Now you know I'm not an employee. Because nobody working for that company would be so critical of that comment you made. It would make their business look bad. If you were that unhappy next time call a vet and make an appointment. Your horse would probably still be lame because your to cheap to spend the money and call the vet out in the first place. Sorry everyone but nobody should ever have to suffer a rant like that jerk posted. These guys really are great. Just like everyone else posted.

Apr 27, 2017

I spent hours calling every large animal vet listed for a downed cow and Dr. Catt was the only one who called me back and came out. He was very thorough, compassionate yet realistic and I was so grateful for making time in his schedule to fit us in today when no one else would.

Feb 3, 2018

New client, tried to make an appointment. Refused to see my animal for an exam without an explanation at all.. And they claim to specialize in goats.. I'm in shock from that vet's call..

Apr 29, 2019