Balboa Veterinary Hospital

4.6 (158)
7931 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111, USA

Hours:

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Balboa Veterinary Hospital

Schedule Regular Vet Visits

One of the best ways to save on vet bills is to prevent expensive health issues before they develop. By scheduling regular wellness checkups, your vet can detect health issues early, helping you to avoid costly treatments and surgeries down the road.

Price Shop for Pet Prescriptions

Oftentimes our fur babies are prescribed human drugs off-label. Your vet is apt to charge more for these medications than you would pay at your local pharmacy. In fact, big-box or chain pharmacies can offer steep discounts. So it’s best to price shop.

Pet Insurance

Most pet insurance providers will pay between 80% and 90% of the vet bill. You can even get coverage for routine care and things like vaccinations and dental cleanings. If you do the math, you’ll most likely find that pet insurance makes financial sense in the long run as well as gives you peace of mind.

How Do You Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider?

Pet Insurance Review makes it incredibly easy for pet parents to select an insurance provider they feel good about. You can use our handy comparison tool to get the gist of what a company offers. We’ve also collected over 150,000 reviews of insurance companies from real pet parents like you to rank the top providers in the market. Here is the current ranking of each:

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2024
Rating Provider Total Review
4.4 AKC 891
4.5 ASPCA 11,696
4.9 Embrace 16,461
4.9 Fetch 9,113
4.2 Figo 2,597
4.7 Hartville 164
4.9 Healthy Paws 9,962
4.9 Lemonade 805
4.6 ManyPets 2,328
4.0 MetLife 621
4.8 Nationwide 21,404
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.5 PetPartners 112
4.3 Pets Best 12,033
4.6 Pumpkin 1,425
4.6 Spot 6,787
4.9 Trupanion 66,277
4.8 Prudent Pet 125

Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.

Thinking of insuring your pet?

Get Quotes & Compare

Getting to Know Your New Vet: Essential Questions to Ask

Choosing a new veterinarian is an important decision for any pet owner. You want to find someone who is competent, compassionate, and a good fit for you and your fur baby. To help you get the most out of your first appointment, here's a list of essential questions to ask your new vet:

Tell me about your experience with [pet type].

Different vets have different areas of specialization. Some are experts with cats, some dogs, some pocket pets, and some horses. Knowing that your vet has vast experience treating your specific type of pet can bring you peace of mind.

How do you handle emergencies?

You must know what to do in case of a pet medical emergency. Inquire what after-hours policy the clinic has, whether they have on-site emergency care available, and if they have a relationship with any nearby emergency animal hospitals.

How do you communicate with pet owners?

Good communication is key to building a trusting relationship with your vet. Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone calls, emails, online portal) and how often you can expect to hear from them.

Are there any breed-specific health concerns I should be aware of?

Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. Knowing what to watch out for can help you catch problems early and get your pet the treatment they need.

Do you have any questions for me about my pet?

This is a great question to ask because the answer will show that the vet is interested in getting to know your pet as an individual and is willing to listen to your concerns.

Bonus question: Can I take a tour of your facility?

Getting a feel for the clinic's environment can help you and your pet feel more comfortable during your visits. Remember, you’re not just looking for a veterinarian, you’re looking for a partnership. Do not be afraid to ask these questions and any others you can think of. Any vet worth their salt will be happy to answer them. Because the more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to make decisions about your pet's care! And that should be every vet’s top priority.

Reviews from Google

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Cari Gloria

My pup just had his dental work done here..they did a great job....he was enjoying the staff and wanted to stay with them longer

posted: 03/10/2023

Leachy My

Dr. Gunderson is amazing with both animals and their humans! The staff is so friendly and are great with your animals. We have never had a bad experience at the clinic. If you would like a great environment and atmosphere for your furry babies, I would highly recommend Dr. Gunderson. 🙂

posted: 08/28/2023

Miranda Love

Dr. Walker has been the absolute best since I took my dog to her 3 years ago - and now my recently adopted rescue. From cancer removal to dental cleanings and extractions, Dr. Walker has been there for *me* every step of the way. She is honest, empathetic, and upfront with costs and fees. I'm not rich by any means, but she doesn't let it impact her care of my babies. The best part? The dogs WANT to go here every time we come. Thank you for being our vet, Dr. Walker!!!!!

posted: 04/01/2022

Heather C

I’m so glad to have found a veterinarian I can trust. After moving to San Diego from the Bay Area, finding a good vet was at the top of my list. I went to two veterinary offices before finding Balboa Veterinary Hospital. My senior dog has seen Dr. Walker several times this year and I’ve always felt like I could trust their recommendations. They’ve never tried to upsell me on anything and have always been understanding of my decision when it comes to next steps (after options have been laid out). Here are a few things my senior pup has seen Dr. Walker for in the past six months. UTI, ear infection in one ear, skin allergies, ear infection in both ears, and a tumor on her liver. Additionally, I love the team there! They’re all so nice and they love my senior girl. Oh, and I can’t forget the office cat! If you’re lucky enough the cat will come to sit or sleep next to you while you wait.

posted: 12/26/2022

cricket desmond

Dr G. Is awesome with our kitties we have brought them here on a recommendation and have been thrilled with her and her staff for 4 years now!!

posted: 05/19/2023