San Diego Bay Animal Hospital

This vet is wonderful! The staff is super friendly. They have helped get thru the bad times and the great times. I really love the family environment. I highly recommend this vet! I use them not only for myself but I’m also a foster for pug rescue sandiego and they are amazing

My 1^st appt was wonderful!
Hope to see you again soon for Coco’s patella relief so we can continue healing together! She’s my rock and stole my heart! So it really made me feel so much better knowing she trusted you guys like she did!!!
#wendyscocobear
Thank you!

A few months ago my 10 lb dog, Spot, got into a «scuffle» in the late afternoon with a 60 lb neighbor’s dog. I inspected him and he seemed fine initially, however around 5:15PM I discovered a puncture wound that I knew had to be seen by a vet that night. My regular vet was in process of closing for the day, and that’s when I came across San Diego Bay Animal Hospital. I called ahead to make sure they would be able to see him and they told me to come on over right away. The facilities were clean, staff was very friendly, and the vet gave me options to care for the wound, discussing the pros/​cons of each very thoroughly. Since it was late in the evening now, my dog ended up staying the night there to get the wound properly cleaned out and stitched up. Throughout the whole process including followup appointments, San Diego Bay Animal Hospital really made me feel at ease as they provided such great care for my dog. With this experience, the next time I need to take Spot to the vet for any reason, they will be who I call first.

Dr. Ferenstein was AMAZING! He spent a lot of time explaining what was wrong with our dog, the surgery he needed, etc. I never felt like he was rushed, or that his attention wasn’t 100% on us.
We have been dealing with numerous vets for about 1.5 years. Our dog has been limping for quite some time, but three vets have given us three different answers on the cause. We were finally told earlier this week that our dog had a double (bilateral) cruciate tear and the TPLO surgery quote for ONE leg was $ 4,500. So we decided to shop around and we stumbled across this place. Dr. Ferenstein has quoted us ~$ 5,200 for BOTH legs! What a relief!
He had to do X-​Rays on our dog, but he was able to do them without sedation. Every other vet we have been to required Jasper to be sedated for X-​Rays and charged us $ 500+. Not here. We were charged less than $ 200 for our 130 lb Mastiff to be X-​Rayed, and it was awesome to not have to deal with a super drowsy dog afterwards.
Hands down one of the best vets I have ever been to. We will be taking Jasper here for all his needs (hopefully no more surgery!) going forward.
Last thought: the front desk staff was also very accommodating. Everyone was exteremly nice and made Jasper feel comfortable with an extra blanket to lay on and a water bowl.

Wow what an amazing experience! I wish I can give more than 5 stars.
My dog, Biddy, is a 8 year old lab with a lot of love and has been a therapy dog for me. Yesterday I noticed she was not her usual self and had a loss of balance, lack of appetite, and was very lethargic. This morning she looked even worse and wasn’t able to walk on her own… I knew I needed to take her to the vet so I came here! Luckily they’re open on Sunday’s and not to far from my house.
Needless to say, my beautiful pup was suffering from internal bleeding and needed to get an emergency splenectomy surgery. Doctor Wallace and her nurse were very thorough in explaining what was happening and the potential risk factors of surgery. Ultimately, the surgery was necessary for Biddy to have a fighting chance to stay alive.
Now we all know that vet bills are very expensive and surgery (especially emergency surgery) can cost a pretty penny. When I was faced with the cost I was devastated when I realized I was financially incapable to save my pooch. I was broken… Now I like to think I’m a tough guy but when ur face with the option of putting ur best friend down… I don’t care who u are, it’s hard for everyone. What killed me was she had an opportunity to make it but I did not have the means to see it through.
As this began to weigh heavily on my heart, I was approached by the staff and informed the doctor was making a few phone calls to see if there was anyone out there (including the owner of the hospital) that may be able to help off set the cost to save Biddy. That’s when my holiday miracle came full circle. The staff must have seen how much Biddy meant to me and was able to help me afford the surgery she most desperately needed!
I cannot being to express the gratitude I have for these wonderful people that work at this hospital. Truly a business that cares about the individual person and not the $$$ they have in their pockets. Biddy still has a long road ahead of her but thanks to the staff at the San Diego Bay Hospital she has a fighting chance.
Thank you guys for giving me hope, you guys have no idea how much this meant to me.

The staff at the San Diego Bay Animal Hospital were amazing. Called them because my vet and its sister-​office were both booked until the following week! Yikes. My cat needed to see someone ASAP! Couldn’t wait, found this little gem on Unilocal and so glad I did. Dr. Ferenstein and his tech Ellie were thoughtful, knowledgable, and fast! :) & so grateful they got me in right away. Thanks guys!

I choose San Diego Bay Animal Hospital as the place to start my husky puppy off and it was indeed the right choice.
The last two or three times that I’ve been here, i’ve seen them do plenty of things that i think other vets wouldn’t. While waiting for my little buddy in the lobby, Ive seen them work with people who have money situations and offer discounts that people may not know of. They make calls to check up on how your pet is doing and finally The staff is super friendly and can answer any questions you may have which for me was a lot being that i’m a first time owner.
Although, what really laid the groundwork for keeping this place is that i had a small mishap which left me a little sour but Dr. Ferenstein made sure that the situation was resolved which again showed me that he cares about his business and most of all, his customers. Even though there are tons of vets close by, i will continue to drive the 30 min. from my house to bring my buddy here because they are awesome and so I highly suggest anybody who may be looking for a vet to also bring their pets here because you will not be disappointed. Thank guys!

The staff is very friendly, the veterinarians are compassionate and the establishment is clean.

Friendly staff
Honest doctors!!!
No bs
Made me feel calm when my dog was sick and they called me the next day to check up on her :) I highly recommend this place!

These Vets are the BEST Dr. s in town! I believe they were ER surgeons up in North County before they opened their own practice. Both awesome young professionals with lots of experience & compassion. You can tell that both Dr. Ferenstein & Dr. Van Maele love animals.
Lowest office visits in town. Open 7 days a week! 8am — 6:30pm, No weird hours you can’t remember…
They try to keep cost in mind & work through insurance if you have it.
I have 3 big healthy Labs 3,7, & 10 years but each has had an emergency, infection, etc. & I’ve always been able to get right in to see a Dr. I also board dogs thru Dog Vacay & they’ve been great with guest dogs that I’ve brought in. The office staff & Dr. s work with the owners & Dig Vacay smoothly & efficiently.
Love this place!

This review is an update, since I have had the opportunity to take my latest foster dog (for Aussie Rescue San Diego & Friends) to San Diego Bay Animal Hospital. They are so generous in offering discounted fees, medicine, etc., to this rescue group! The vets I have seen for my own dog & cat and my foster dog, Elmo, could not be more caring, professional and thorough. There’s nothing «discounted» about the excellent service they provide! The front office staff are exceptional. I witnessed a woman come in off the street whose young dog had puppies that she was no longer caring for. Although this woman was not a paying client, the staff answered ALL her questions & seemed happy to do so! Talk about being in this business because you genuinely love animals… these ladies definitely fit that description. Only wish there were more than 5 stars to use for this review

I’m a small, independent rescuer and have worked with Dr Van Maele since before they opened this hospital. I know she has had some of the best training in the area, but she doesn’t hesitate to call a colleague for a second opinion when she feels she needs it, at no additional cost. She knows how much I love the dogs that come thru my care, and she’s very compassionate. Takes a conservative approach to care, and understands that sometimes the wallet just doesn’t allow for a specific treatment right away (excluding emergencies). Never impatient with my millions of questions. Calls to check on my dogs and see how they’re doing. I’ve recommended them to several people since SDBAH opened and no one has been disappointed. Hopefully I never have to find another vet, because she is amazing!

I just wanted to make sure to thank Dr. Ferenstein and everyone at San Diego Bay for helping me with my best buddy during my time of need and on a Sunday too! I called panicked when my girlfriend noticed my 12 yr old lab was not walking and they told me to come in immediately. I thought for sure I would be told to go to the emergency hospital like my last vet always would tell me. When I arrived they took Sage right to the back for a doctor to evaluate him.
Dr. Ferenstein was so informative and explained everything to help ease my concerns. He took time to answer every question and even showed me diagrams to explain what was going on with the spine and hips. A really nice pet nurse came in and re confirmed everything we would be doing and the cost. The price was so reasonable for emergency on a Sunday I was shocked. They started with x rays and then I was able to come back to see them as Dr. Ferenstin showed me each different area of concern. They were able to give some injections and hospitalize him overnight until he was eating and walking the next day.
I cant thank them enough for being so patient and caring. Dr. Ferenstein even came and sat on the floor with myself and sage since he was not able to stand up that day. The next day I came and sage was very weak but was able to stand. He came home and now is back hiking with me and actually running around.
I think its those little extra things that make this place so much better then any other vet Ive ever been to. They are open every day and see your pet in case of an emergency. The staff so knowledgeable and answered every question then they even emailed a photo of my Sage resting in his bed that night.
I love knowing that I have a animal hospital that does not send you to an over priced emergency hospital and has so much experience.
I would never take my dog to any other place!

I know I’m only echoing what most others have said, but dang! This is how you run a business.
First contact with them was on a Sunday morning when our lil dude Leon, who had been sick for a couple of days, took a dramatic downward turn. The details would horrify you, and we were sure he was in dire straits.
But where do you take a little dog on a Sunday morning for emergency veterinary care? There goes our vacation fund, we thought…
Yet the folks at San Diego Bay were not only available, it wasn’t even «emergency service” – they’re just open on Sundays. So we were there at 9 when the doors opened, he was in the exam room by 9:05, and we were reassured that he was okay by 9:10.
From the front desk to the vets, all sweet, kind, gentle, and genuinely interested in both Leon’s health and our peace of mind (as opposed to the panic of mind we had arrived with). He got medicine, and shots, and fluids, and an exam, and when they gave us the bill we blinked and asked if that was only for one part of the visit. No, we were reassured, that’s the whole thing. The whole thing? I expected more than that just for a Sunday-​visit charge!
Some places you get what you pay for. In our experience, San Diego Bay gives you more than that. We’ve gone back a couple of times since – Leon’s happy and calm while he’s there, the folks are kind and helpful all around, and it’s priced friendly enough to make you feel like you can afford preventative care for your pets, which is kind of a crazy thought.
Go see them. Have a fresh-​baked cookie while you wait. Find your new vet here.

My puppy fractured his tibia from jumping off a couch a couple of weeks ago. I recently moved to San Diego from Los Angeles and really needed to find a vet in the area. I’m really glad I found San Diego bay animal hospital! The girls here are so nice and always remember my little pup. Dr. Ferenstein is great and gave my pup an alternative to surgery by casting his leg. It worked out very well and he got his cast removed today. I really appreciate the effort from the staff to make sure I understand every instruction and procedure they’re doing.

This update is long overdue. I Unilocaled before about a kitten and my questions to the receptionist. And truth to date, my experience with this animal clinic has been five stars maybe ten stars all the way.
From Jen the receptionist to Dr. Ferenstein the vet, everyone has been so pleasant.
I recently rescued instead a 3 month old male boxer, whom I named, Marley. Upon receiving him, I was told he was perfectly healthy however, the exam and tests showed otherwise. The other party had failed to tell me that he would come with «problems» like kennel cough and worms. I had no issues with it, I mean, I committed to rescue him why would I suddenly be uninterested.
Point is: I have been here since my appointment on Monday 2 – 3 more times. And honestly I just want to thank these people from the bottom of my heart for being nothing but kind and understanding of me and Marley. The staff and nurses and doctors ensured my happiness and content-​ness with Marley’s health so far and I am truly grateful. He’s still feeling under the weather but I know with this staff he will be a healthy, energetic boxer boy. Thank you San Diego Bay Animal Hospital!

My intention for going to this vet was to get my kitten spayed. The initial and post procedure check up went well. The staff was also very friendly and you could tell how much they all loved animals.
During the exams and check ups they recommend different options pet parents can choose for their animals. For example, extensive blood work, addition of pains meds, etc. They then bring out a quote of what the bill is with every option recommended or available. My problem is, why not just ask what the pet parent wants to do, instead of having to go back and forth out of the room multiple times to reprint the bill. That to me also makes it look like they are trying to entice you into spending extra money you don’t need to be spending.
I tried to go back to get flea medicine for another cat of mine and they wouldn’t let me buy it. Staff person on the phone said they legally couldn’t give me that medicine for this particular cat because the doctor hasn’t checked him out yet or does not have a pre– existing relationship with the animal. Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know. I went to my other vet and mentioned it and they told me that was a load of crock. So anyway, I’m sure different people have different experiences and that the bay hospital have lots of other clients that love them. They just weren’t the vet office for me.

We were so impressed with our experience here!
We rescued a dog on Sat and wanted to make sure he was in good health before we socialized him with other animals. The got us in immediately and spent lots for time smelling all of your questions

Its so nice to find an emergency vet that balances excellent animal care with business integrity. We’ve had to bring our cats here a few times on weekends or when our regular vet was unable to accomodate us. They are great. They kept us informed of what was happening with frequent updates, only did necessary testing and provided excellent care to our cats who have both sustained injuries fighting with another cat in the neighborhood.
I’ve been a pet owner in SD for a long time and I think this place is a gem. We’ve been to other emergency vets only to be taken advantage of with huge bills for potentially unnecessary services (stressed pet owners are more likely to agree to anything in an emergency) or to be left waiting for long periods of time without being seen or getting updates on the animals’ condition. My experience suggests that I don’t have to worry about this here– so we are thrilled to have found this place that has love for the animals and high regard for their guardians too.

My poor dog was coughing up a storm Sunday morning :/
This was one of the few places open on a Sunday and the only place that had available appointments. Laura at the front desk was very friendly and helpful with my questions over the phone. I decided to schedule an appointment for 2 hours later.
Doctor Rachel was our vet, my dog had no problem warming up to her. It was a quick and easy session. Hope I don’t have to go to a vet anytime soon but if I do I will come back to this place…