VCA Hillcrest Animal Hospital
4.2 (121) 246 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103, USAHours:
Monday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at VCA Hillcrest Animal 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:
| Rating | Provider | Total Review |
|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | AKC | 889 |
| 4.7 | ASPCA | 11,409 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 14,230 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 2,045 |
| 4.4 | Figo | 2,578 |
| 4.7 | Hartville | 164 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 7,477 |
| 4.9 | Lemonade | 783 |
| 3.2 | ManyPets | 2,153 |
| 4.6 | MetLife | 493 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 21,392 |
| 4.3 | Pet Assure | 12 |
| 4.7 | PetPartners | 110 |
| 4.5 | Pets Best | 7,196 |
| 4.3 | Pumpkin | 1,163 |
| 4.7 | Spot | 5,259 |
| 4.9 | Trupanion | 60,296 |
| 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 & CompareGetting 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
Dr Garcia is a wonderful Veterinarian. He’s the only person I trust caring for my fur-baby, Ollie. Highly recommend this location and Dr. Garcia.
posted: 05/10/2023
Dr. Garcia was the absolute best and his team on the day I went were amazing. I was nervous about coming in because I wasn't sure how I was going to be perceived because my cat, my best boy, had fleas from my apartment complex. The staff put me at ease and Dr. Garcia was able to put me on a plan to help my boy get rid of his fleas, and to help with the itchiness he as facing. My cat, Night, however, would give this place a 4.5/5 because Dr. Garcia did inform me that he needs to lose a little bit of weight and to probably cut down on his treats. Night loves his treats and has grievances that he will tell Dr. Garcia on our next visit about his lack of treats. If you're thinking about taking your animal family member here, do it.
posted: 08/21/2023
Dr. Kinshella was wonderful! Very patient and kind with my little ones. They’re both feeling much better after our visit. The entire staff was welcoming and sweet.
posted: 06/16/2022
So I called VCA Hillcrest for a quick SIMPLE SHOT IN THE DARK question. The girl could not answer if they do C-sections there and how much. AI i needed to know was if they charge $800 or $1,200 don't need an exact price pathetic!!!
posted: 08/14/2023
So thankful for this vet. Staff is professional and invested in making sure your furbabies get thr best care available. Dr. Garcia and his techs called every other day to check on my dog after he got very sick. They were patient and answered all my questions without any judgment. I am pleased with the exceptional and personal care we receive each time at this clinic. Great job VCA Hillcrest! 💕
posted: 01/07/2023
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