Bay Cities Pet Hospital Inc: Rios Norma J DVM

4.9 (12)
20447 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503, 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: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

How to Save Money at Bay Cities Pet Hospital Inc: Rios Norma J DVM

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 2025
Rating Provider Total Review
4.4 AKC 893
4.5 ASPCA 11,944
4.9 Embrace 18,920
4.9 Fetch 26,610
4.2 Figo 2,697
4.6 Hartville 172
4.9 Healthy Paws 10,289
4.9 Lemonade 808
4.6 ManyPets 2,414
4.1 MetLife 1,175
4.8 Nationwide 21,412
4.1 Pet Assure 14
4.5 PetPartners 115
4.3 Pets Best 13,265
4.7 Pumpkin 1,800
4.6 Spot 8,565
4.9 Trupanion 61,255
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,026

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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Carmen H

I’ve been bringing my pets to Bay City’s Pet Hospital for over 30 years, and I can confidently say they’ve always provided exceptional care. Whether it’s a stray I’ve rescued or a long-time companion, I trust them completely with medical analysis and treatment. Before the pandemic, visits could be a bit hectic with the small parking lot and long wait times. However, the changes they’ve made since then have significantly improved the experience. Now, with scheduled appointments and a more organized approach, everything feels much more efficient and personable. The veterinarians and staff are compassionate, thorough, and truly care about each pet they treat. Dr. Rios, in particular, has always been one of the best—her expertise, kindness, and dedication make a real difference in every visit. I always feel reassured knowing my pets are in good hands. If you’re looking for a reliable, caring, and professional vet, I highly recommend Bay City’s Pet Hospital!

posted: 03/23/2025

Mike Faulkner

Great new patient (cat) experience. The new patient time is 7a-9a. I got there at 7:15, vet called at 7:30, my cat went in at 7:40, another vet call at 7:50 and my cat and I left before 9am after x-rays, blood work and shots. You'll need to wait in your car do to the Covid situation but they are very efficient and who really likes to sit in a vet lobby anyway. I'm glad I took Chloe to Bay Cities and I'll definitely be back.

posted: 04/16/2021

Jane Manavian

This vet has been the best I've been to and I've owned pets all my life, cats and dogs. The best part is even during covid they still provide excellent service. I know there are folks that complain about having to wait, but during covid I've been there 4+ times and its never taken longer than 1.5 hours total. I'm more shocked at how rude people are and inconsiderate they are to the people who work hard here at Bay Cities Hospital. Dr. Sullivan has even gone above and beyond to aid us during our cats sudden death. We wanted answers and he gave us the best possible service and saved us money in the process. They're prices are low/affordable and they don't ever suggest procedure or medical attention that is unnecessary. In fact they do they advise on a very conservative level. For instance, one of my cats was sick, I took her in they suggested nausea medication and an iv then if there were further issues blood work, then an x-ray. Typically, vets suggest blood work and an x-ray off the bat. The nausea medicine did the trick and she was healthy the following day. I've taken my dogs there as well and again received excellent service. They are nothing short of 5 stars.

posted: 11/12/2020

Joyes Genius

Ok but had not a specific dr for my pet

posted: 12/14/2019

Dennis Roberson

They are the best Vet hospital in the South Bay.

posted: 05/22/2021