Southpaw Vet

4.8 (89)
7995 Civita Blvd Suite 3, San Diego, CA 92108, 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 – 2:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Southpaw Vet

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 889
4.7 ASPCA 11,392
4.9 Embrace 14,179
4.9 Fetch 1,995
4.4 Figo 2,561
4.7 Hartville 164
4.9 Healthy Paws 7,475
4.9 Lemonade 781
3.2 ManyPets 2,145
4.6 MetLife 487
4.8 Nationwide 21,391
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.7 PetPartners 110
4.5 Pets Best 7,194
4.3 Pumpkin 1,131
4.7 Spot 5,194
4.9 Trupanion 60,280
4.8 Prudent Pet 124

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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CeCe Knutson

I’m so glad we found this place! Everyone was so kind and accommodating and sensitive to me and my fur baby’s stress about going to the vet. We were worried our cat was sick and called multiple vets in our area that frustratingly all said they could not see him since they were all booked up until late next week. I was able to book an appointment same day in the morning online at Southpaw so easily, it was truly meant to be! Going to the vet is a scary experience for everyone involved when you fear something might be wrong and I’ve had some pretty traumatic times in the past at other places with previous pets, so I was having a ton of anxiety about going through it again on top of the worry I had for the well-being of my kitty. This place and the people there put me right at ease immediately! As soon as I walked in the door they guided me into a pretty large private exam room with cushioned benches before it was even my appointment time so that I could let my boy out of the carrier and he could check out the room and calm down after the car ride to get more comfortable which I appreciated so much! The nurse and doctor were very sweet to him and very gentle during the exam. They were both so great at explaining things clearly, patiently, and answering all our questions. With how nice and new this place looked I was worried it might be out of our budget but they gave us a full cost breakdown of services they were recommending and it was more affordable than I was anticipating. Another thing I absolutely love is that there is an online portal that they update for you that keeps a record of all medications, appointments, vaccines, and itemized receipts that you can go back to at any time. I’m so grateful for the pleasant experience and great care of my lil guy, we’ll definitely be back for checkups!!

posted: 06/23/2023

Hi Hunter

Thank you South Paw! We had a great experience establishing care at South Paw Vet. They met all of the criteria we were looking for in a new vet since moving here from out of state. We seamlessly continued care for both of our dogs by coming in for an appointment to do annual tests, vaccines, and exams. We easily sent over our vet records to the receptionist for their review. They were responsive to all of our questions. Free parking was readily available despite the farmers market going on nearby. The office is easy to locate. It was very clean and I observed the staff thoroughly cleaning each exam room after use. The staff was professional and polite. We didn’t have to wait a long time. One of our dogs gets very anxious at the vet, but they did a great job of comforting her and providing care. (Special shout-out to Tara - thank you for taking care of our fur babies!) I’m pleased with the care our dogs received. I think the pricing is fair and comprable to other places I’ve been to and places I researched locally. They were transparent about cost estimates and expectations. They didn’t try to up sell anything like a lot of places. Our dogs got the care they needed. Plus, we were able to get their monthly preventative meds here at a fair price. I’m happy to say we found our new vet and we plan to stick with South Paw for as long as we are in San Diego!

posted: 07/22/2023

Alex C

Fantastic - but not cheap. If you’re looking for the best care for your animal look no further. The vets are thorough knowledgeable and friendly. However, every time I walk in there I’m paying a pretty penny. To me, it’s worth it. the justification is no kids = no college therefore I have the money to spend on my baby girl frenchie. However, if you’re looking for a cheap vet, I probably would not recommend it. They are definitely on the higher end, but they explain every charge and are very transparent. They are just the best and the best comes at a price.

posted: 11/29/2023

Alisha Quashie

First time going to a veterinarian and by far the best experience. Check in was easy and my little puppy was able to be seen quickly. Tara was an amazing tech who gave me so much information. She was gentle, kind, and super helpful. I recommend this location to all new pet parents !

posted: 11/07/2023

Caroline Williams

We had our first visit with Dr. Yonas today and I am beyond impressed! My dog and cat were both so comfortable with him and his assistant, Evelyn. They took their time examining them and explaining any needed treatment with me. I’m a pretty picky pet owner and I have to say this is one of the best veterinary experiences we have had!

posted: 09/08/2023