Rancho Santa Fe Veterinary Hospital of Solana Beach

Lobby and reception, including cat mural.

As you first walk into our veterinary hospital, you’ll be greeted by one of our receptionists who will check in your pet.  You can take a seat anywhere in our spacious lobby and enjoy either of the two large wall murals (one of resting cats, the other of dogs at play on the beach), or any of the numerous animal paintings and photography by local artists.

If you’re here to buy any of our products, you’ll find that we carry the full line of Hill’s Prescription Diets, most of the Iams/Eukanuba veterinary diets, and some of the Purina veterinary diets, with all sizes and items being available for special order.  But over the counter we also carry Advantage, Frontline, and wide array of veterinary dental care products for cats and dogs.

If you’re here with your pet, a nurse will lead all of you into one of our five exam rooms.  Each is brightly lit, quiet, and computerized.  All patient records are kept within our networked computer system, providing our doctors with your pet’s history the instant they need it while also allowing all our staff to coordinate your pet’s care seamlessly.

Additionally, we use the Eklin digital radiology system which further allows us to submit your pet’s radiographs (x-rays) to specialists over the Internet or on a CD.  It also allows you to view your pet’s x-rays within your exam room.  Film radiographs are a thing of the past!

One of our exam rooms.

While we can accommodate most treatments within the exam room (you generally don’t ever have to be away from your pet!) occasionally we’ll need the space, equipment, and extra hands to best perform the required treatments.  For these situations we’ll take your pet to our treatment area where they will be aided by our team of nurses who can perform everything from nail-trims to blood draws to ultrasound-guided cystocentesis.

Much more goes on in our treatment area, such as dental procedures, laceration repairs, bandaging, and lab work.  Because of this high level of activity, we ask that owners patiently wait in the exam room or lobby for their pet.  However, we realize many owners grow anxious over being separated from their pets, so we take extra care and always provide status updates if we’re running behind.

For those patients who have to stay with us for the day, these “guests” are treated to one of many large runs or cages.  And for those pets who might be especially anxious (especially cats and exotics) we have a a few fully windowed but closed-off rooms just for them.

A technician in treatment with satisfied patients!

We’re happy to report that most of our pets walk out with a clean bill of health.  However, some require any of a number of medications to help with their ailments.  For that reason, we maintain a fully stocked pharmacy to suit nearly every need.  From pain medications to heartworm preventatives, and from anti-vomiting pills to rattlesnake antivenin, we keep a ready supply so your pet never has to wait.

Just to name a few brands, we carry (this is only a very small sampling!) Rimadyl, Sentinel, Interceptor, Deramaxx, Hydroxyzine, Clavamox, and Baytril.

And while we’re happy to help you with requests for refills of your pet’s medications, we ask that you give us at least 24 hours to process them.  Occasionally our doctors may have a question or two before they approve a refill for your pet’s medication, so be sure to not wait until the last minute before you ask.  In any case, if you need a refill, just call and our receptionists can help.

One of our surgical suites, including monitoring equipment, anesthesia machines, and heat support.

As part of the final tour of our hospital, we have our surgical suite.  This is not an area generally seen by guests as it’s vitally important that we keep the area as sterile as possible.  Each suite even has it’s own ventilation system to minimize airborne contamination!

We’ve been able to accomplish an array of surgeries within the first three years of our hospital’s opening, to include cystotomies for bladder stones, splenectomies, ACL repairs, mass removals, and of course, spays and neuters.

And if you ever want a personalized tour of the hospital, don’t be afraid to ask!