Pet Hospital of Penasquitos-Veterinary Specialist - San Diego, California

Eva Fenwick

It’s hard to find a vet that also specializes in exotics, and I found that at the Pet Hospital of Penasquitos.

The prices are also super reasonable compared to a lot of places, and I like that I can know how much everything costs. I have been here before with my budgie once before, and it’s always been the only place I trust with my birds.

Sometimes the best decision for your animals is not always the happiest one. Dr. Caron was honest and upfront about everything so I could do what is best for my little grey budgie who was turning seven soon, my very first bird.

That meant euthanasia.

The staff and Dr. Caron were all super kind. I chose cremation and she went out of the way to put aside the ankle band that I had on my bird, as I had asked. I spent a lot of time after her passing, trying to gather what feathers I could find in her cage. I could not find much. Of the ones I had, I could not tell if they were her feathers, or if they belonged to another one of my budgies similar in color.

And when I got my condolence letter that same day, It made me happy. She is just a tiny budgie to a lot of people, easily replaceable. But I was happy to know that Dr. Caron and the staff could see how much she meant to me and that she isn’t replaceable.

The letter is something I will hold onto forever.
But also in the letter, came something that I didn't expect, a packet of her feathers, the same feathers I tried to scrape together but couldn’t find that same day. So thank you again, to everyone there, and Dr. Caron for making grief just a little bit easier.

Viktor Kalutckii

Not for rabbits.
Noticed some worms in my rabbits poop, looks like pinworm, but decided to ask vet and get a cure.
Instead of just taking his poop for test, they required a check up.
It was OK as I expected to get a check up and get a medicine, they told me that.
When I came, they checked the rabbit and it occurred they need to do a poop test to find out what parasite it was. Why didn't they say it by phone.
In any case, I specifically asked how I should pick it, no instruction, like any would fit.
Came there again with a poop, and nothing. Only "How do you like us?".
Waited for three days, called them, negative, but I still can see the worms with the naked eye. And they suggested to give him a flat worm treatment. Checked what it is and was shocked, I specifically told them the worms are tiny. Asked if I can bring poop with worms in it, they said I'll need to pay again. And they also recommended fleas treatment, but on check up nothing was found.
As a result wasted $142 for appointment and test and a lot of time without any results. It seems they are just pulling money.

jessica hackman

I do not recommend bringing your pet to this vet. Dr Pires and Dr Caron completely missed and ignored the acute nature of my pet’s illness. My guinea pig had suddenly become ill with diarrhea and hadn’t eaten for 24 hours. She had been normal the day before and had a sudden onset of diarrhea, but Dr Pires insisted that the diarrhea was due to diet or that she may possibly have cancer. I begged her to treat the infection but she wouldn’t do it without a $1000 cancer work up. She just sent us home with a nutritional supplement and probiotics. The next day I called them to let them know that my pet was still very ill and again begged them to treat her infection but they still refused. I finally took her in later that day because she was getting worse. They put her in an incubator due to hypothermia and she died hours later.

rz9o

Very friendly, clean and patient.
Thank You to everyone who helped Me with My Zeus and his TGI front desk is very professional-- recommend if You have reptiles! Call them
Today.. you wont be disappointed.

Shannon Roberts

My bearded dragon took a spill on Thursday that caused a fractured tail vertebrae. I had taken him to the emergency vet and he seemed to be having trouble breathing so I took him to Dr Boyer on Friday as they recommended. I expressed my concerns and he told me he was just opening his mouth and gulping and shallow breathing from pain. He wouldn’t do any tests. Was just flopping him all around the table for an hour with no regard to him or his tail. I left that day and called a few hours later because I just knew in my gut it was something more and the receptionist essentially wouldn’t put the vet on the phone and told me to give him his pain meds and wait it out. But I knew something was wrong. I called again and they told me if I was concerned to go back to the emergency vet. I called the emergency vet and they told me they were concerned and he needed a specialist. But guess what, this office took Saturday off for the holiday, how convenient. I spent all day Friday night through Saturday calling animal hospitals and vets from San Diego to Los Angeles and no one was specialized enough to help. I ended up taking him back to the ER last night (Saturday) where they finally did more testing and his heart rate was almost non existent and his entire abdomen was full of fluid and he was about dead. Had to be put to sleep. That baby was my absolute everything and he had to suffer for days because Dr Boyer didn’t do his job right the first time. I’ve brought my bearded dragon and both dogs here for care and this place knows money isn’t an object for me and they just sent me out the door for him to die. Save yourself the heart ache and find a different vet.

Tiffany Tran

I don't like that they include the reservation fee and exam fee together. I would understand a smaller reservation fee, but if something goes wrong, refunding becomes a hassle and the exam is paid without having received the service. For a security deposit for just scheduling the appointment at $91, that's absurd. The method also used to send payment is sketchy: text a link to 3rd party website. April, the receptionist, sent me link to a Google form that's all over the place from a hotmail address that is not listed on their website. Even if they are reliable it seems outdated and suspicious to not offer the survey on their website or their email, especially with the payment agreement.

Lisa Hampton

Hands down, best small animal and exotics vet clinic in San Diego. I started going to PHP in the 90s, specifically to have my snakes seen by Dr. Boyer. He was fantastic, caring, and willing to educate without being patronizing, so when it was time to find a vet for my rather high-strung boxer, I took him to PHP too and was just as impressed. I have, admittedly, tried other clinics over the years, usually due to distance from home, and have always regretted it in the end. PHP is worth the drive if you're waffling because of distance. Service is excellent. The doctors, vet techs, and receptionists are excellent, caring, and communicative. (Also, they put up with me and my quirky rescued boxers and are kind to them regardless of their challenging natures). HIGHLY recommend.

Joshua Rehkopf

Their knowledge and expertise of exotic and domestic animals goes above and beyond words. Been taking my colorful buddy Gottfried in for a few years now and they have kept him on the path to a healthy happy life.