South Texas Veterinary Ophthalmology
4.8 (409) 4522 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249, USAHours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at South Texas Veterinary Ophthalmology
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | AKC | 1,797 |
| 4.5 | ASPCA | 12,110 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 19,782 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 5,395 |
| 4.1 | Figo | 2,832 |
| 4.5 | Hartville | 179 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 11,065 |
| 4.8 | Lemonade | 822 |
| 4.6 | ManyPets | 2,413 |
| 4.7 | MetLife | 8,691 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 24,878 |
| 3.9 | Pet Assure | 15 |
| 4.3 | PetPartners | 121 |
| 4.9 | Pets Best | 8,936 |
| 4.8 | Pumpkin | 3,142 |
| 4.6 | Spot | 10,938 |
| 4.9 | Trupanion | 55,032 |
| 4.8 | Prudent Pet | 2,694 |
| 4.4 | Adoro | 5 |
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
So thankful for STVO! I was happy to be seen without a primary vet referral. I was nervous about the cost considering its specialty services but was actually shocked it was much more affordable! The new patient fee was $225 and medication for my dogs ulcer was $250. They were able to diagnose him a lot quicker than going to a primary and suggested a 5 day follow up. This return visit was $135. I also very much appreciated all of the great knowledge shared on their site. That alone helped in understanding what treatments were available. Im very happy with the care ive received and happy to know i can go back with confidence knowing they give great advice and estimates of procedures
posted: 02/01/2026
Wow! Where to even start?! First and foremost, I'd like to give a MASSIVE shoutout to Dr. Fritz for not 1, but 2 incredible surgeries for my boy Drax. He was diagnosed with Entropion around 5 months old, by 7 or 8 months he was pretty much wandering with his eyes closed. We did the initial lid reduction at 1 year and the final at 2 years and I've NEVER seen him happier! I'd be remiss to not mention all the amazing support staff Marie, Lia, Benji, Sandra, Nicole, and everyone else who helped make all of ours and Drax's experiences as smooth as major eye surgery can be!! I'd recommend them all 100x over to anyone in need of Opthamology for a beloved pet! (Before and After Photos attached)
posted: 09/20/2025
Arrived early, welcomed with four smiling receptionist. Filled out info online prior to avoid paperwork in reception. My cat was welcomed with animal loving people. Marie was friendly and timely getting us back at the exact time of our appt., she was gentle and had comforting methods of holding Dallas for his exam. Dr. Darden was a wealth of knowledge, and so skilled in his exam my cat never cried or flinched. He didn’t try to sell me on something that wasn’t necessary for Dallas’s well-being. He even pointed out future measures to protect him for his potential health changes. Dallas was given a least invasive approach to try, and we will be back in a month to check any changes. I was well informed of options and was able to use Care Credit. I have been to almost every kind of pet specialist for a pet at sometime over their years and this is the best specialist facility I have ever been to.
posted: 09/08/2025
I found this place on Google while researching my little girl's eye condition and seeing all the wonderful reviews, I couldn't help but cancel my surgery appointment with another vet clinic and make a new one with this place (even though I live in Austin and knew it would mean a 2 hour drive). Today I can confirm that all the good reviews I read are true; this is by far the best place I could have brought my baby doggy to. The staff was very friendly from the first call to the moment I left the clinic, the doctors and the technician were splendid in every way, they answered all my questions and concerns and showed great knowledge of the whole situation. My baby still needed surgery (cherry eye) and even though it is something a little scary to consider, I was able to feel peace and safety knowing that I was leaving her in good hands. They were also very clear with all the post-surgery instructions and provided me with the medication I would need. Today my baby is in the process of recovery, but I couldn't feel more grateful for having found this place. I will recommend for now on to all my friends around the area. I will leave here the pictures of the night before the surgery and the night right after the surgery. I will update another one when she is fully heal in 2 weeks. UPDATE: After a month of recovery, my baby looks like nothing ever happened. I’m beyond grateful with this place and the amazing people that performed the surgery. The last picture attached is how she looks now.
posted: 02/05/2025
It started with an emergency surgery on my very young pup and 7 months later I’m beyond thankful for STVO. Their service from our first interaction to our recent follow up visit is amazing. I’m consistently impressed with their courtesy, kindness, knowledge, and professionalism. Dr. Fritz, great surgeon, Benjamin is so an awesome tech, and Roses customer service is always a 10/10!!
posted: 08/07/2025
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