Palomar Animal Hospital

Dr Knox is amazing, she has a sweet disposition yet an amazing knowledge of veterinary care. She has taken care of my cat Moulder and dog Luna, both who she gracfully helped pass over the rainbow bridge after long beautiful lives. She now is Paxton’s (flat coat retriever) doctor. I always feel welcome in this office, great staff and understanding.

I can’t say enough about Dr. Nissen. She has helped calm or concerns about our Shiba after spending almost $ 3000 at an emergency services clinic. The same cannot be said about Dr. Knox however.

I was very happy with the service we got at Palomar Animal Hospital. I brought my dog in thinking that diagnosing his issue would be no problem but it ended up being a little more mysterious than expected. The veterinarian helping us (sorry, I’m horrible with names) was great. She was very thorough and I felt she genuinely wanted to find out what was wrong. She came out and talked to me after having trouble finding anything on x-​rays, I mentioned one small detail I thought may or may not make a difference, she took it to heart and with that small piece of information she found the source of all his pain. Thank you for listening and for helping us to find out what’s hurting him so much. I deducted one star because I feel their pricing on some things is quite high, although I suppose most vets are expensive nowadays. UPDATE: I’ll take back my remarks about this veterinarian being too pricey because of the sheer fact that they have really proven their amazing service and I have no problem paying for it. I had to take my dog back 2 weeks after being examined because he suddenly developed an ear infection after visiting the groomers. They gave me drops that seemed to instantly make a difference and talked to the groomer and called me to tell me how the conversation went. I work in customer service and it is refreshing to find a place that takes it seriously in a world where it seems to be forgotten sometimes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your help. My babies are everything to me and you made all the difference.

I highly recommend Palomar Animal Hospital! Our sweet Charlie is very anxious, extremely vocal about it, and must shed half his coat every visit. Today we saw Dr. Nissen and Crissy. They were super patient, understanding, caring and kind, like all of the staff there who have helped us in the past couple of years. Their office is clean and beautiful in a convenient location. We are very happy bringing our dog here!

AVOID AT ALL COSTS! This is an extremely unprofessional and uncaring organization. What keyed me in from the start was the question on the admittance form for new pets asking if you considered your animal a ‘pet’ or a ‘member of the family.’ That is probably the way they determine if they can soak you for more $, that is, if you consider your animal a family member.
I brought a sick and dying turtle in to them just 2 hours ago and the vet told me what was needed to save my pet’s life, including a shot of calcium, which she considered crucial. She said she would just be a minute and would write up a medical treatment statement. I waited an excruciating hour for her to return, watching my turtle sit on his towel barely able to hold his head up. The vet claimed the computer was down and the printer malfunctioning. Still, she produced a list of expensive treatments, ranging from X-​rays to blood tests to antibiotics to the calcium shot. The total approached $ 600. When I asked her to administer the calcium immediately to alleviate my turtle’s suffering ASAP, she hemmed and hawed and said they didn’t have any calcium injectable, that it was on «actually» on back order and that could take weeks to obtain. I left the office, after getting soaked for the super high fee for a first visit.
If the way this vet treated me is any indication of the level of caring these vets possess, I suggest you avoid this «Hospital» like the plague. I feel they don’t care about the comfort of animals at all. If my turtle dies in the next few days because of their NEGLIGENCE, I may seek legal action.

I love the staff at PAH. They take excellent care of my pug Butkus — they are very conservative and thorough. The office is sparkling clean and new also. If I have questions I can call over and get some advice which is very helpful. They send me updates and reminders when Butkus needs his next shots. Overall I’m very satisfied, love the docs and staff, and would absolutely recommend PAH to a friend.

I have been bringing my yellow lab Toby to Palomar Animal Hospital for 10 years. Toby, like many other purebreds, has had his share of issues including diabetes, severe allergies, and elbow displasia. Dr. Handel has worked closely with me over the years to manage Toby’s conditions. The staff is always pleasant and helpful. I am thankful for the teatment that Toby has received and am grateful that he is happy and comfortable despite his issues. I love the way Dr. Handel lights up when he is treating my dog. His genuine compassion for animals is obvious. I boarded Toby at Palomar Animal Hospital when we went away on vacation and he must have enjoyed his stay since he can’t wait to get inside when we pull up for an appointment!

The staff at Palomar Pet Hospital are very friendly, knowledgable and helpful. I board my dog and have all of his vet needs taken care of here. My dog is insecure but the staff put him at ease whenever he’s here. Whenever I pick him up from being boarded, he seems happy and content. I fully trust the staff and care my dog receives.

Our Gabby of almost 18 years started having seizures. He got pretty bad, my husband and I rushed him to Palomar Animal Hospital and had the un-​nerving experience of dealing with the vet– Nissen! She just stood there and watched Gabby having seizures and stood there! I had to tell her to give him something, he was so miserable and she just stood there!~ Finally she grabbed up Gabby and went out of the room! I kept looking and she was behind the COMPUTER! Not Gabby. She was busy writing up all these different «options» for treatment. And she did bring them to us in a hurry for our opinion! What is wrong with this picture! Finally she brought back Gabby and MORE paperwork of MORE options, it was like we were making a deal on a car! This was NOT acceptable. Taking care of Gabby is why we were there! One more thing she was busy making sure we knew was– she and Palomar Hosp. were NOT qualified to take care of Gabby, he had to go to a different hospital! I knew what the answer was for Gabby, I just was having a bit of a hard time saying it. BUT I did– she actually started showing SOME kindness towards Gabby as she was giving him the needle! I have NEVER had to deal with such a horrible-​uncaring animal person in my life and I was MARRIED to a Vet! And I worked in 3 of our clinics, SHE is every reason to go elsewhere! I could NOT get away from her fast enough! Loosing Gabby was bad, losing him to her with her attitude was the nightmare!~ I would NOT EVER tell anyone to go there and make no mistake, I will NEVER go back! It took me 10 days to calm down enough to write this, does that tell you anything about this Palomar Hospital!
One more very IMPORTANT fact here, I questioned this Vet. Nissen on prices. She quoted me $ 35 for one shot and when I got the bill, it was $ 41.50. When I questioned her about the difference, she just shrugged it off instead of making it right!~ Her words were, I made a mistake– soo! NOOO, this is NOT where you want to go to trust what they do say! I could NOT be more adamant on NOT going to this place what so ever!

If you feel like your pet is a part of your family then this is where you want to go! Dr. Handel and his staff are amazing. They are all very caring and knowledable. They even call to follow up and see how everything is going. I also like that before a procedure is done they bring you an invoice to tell you how much it will cost. I know that when I take my dog in he gets the best care!

My animals have been patients of Dr. Knox and Palomar Animal Hospital for 6 years now. Unfortunately we will never go back to them. Since Palomar Animal Hospital moved to their new location it’s all about the money for them and their services have gone way down hill. They told me my cat needed a surgery for oxalate stones that turned out to be struvite stones and could have been resolved with diet and meds. He did not need the surgery and $ 2000 later not even an apology. Besides the money it cost it changed his personality and not in a positive way. This past April we took our new puppy there and they failed to diagnosis her distemper and it went to her brain. We had to euthanize a 9 week old puppy that could have been saved because they missed it. And I had her to them three times and saw all three doctors. Dr. Handel was the last to see her and by then it was too late. Sad thing is that the first visit I took her when she was sick I was scheduled to see Dr. Knox but there was some sort of tour she was giving and some sort of photo shoot for their new website happening at the same time so I was given to Dr. Nissen. She spent less than five mins with my puppy and sent a tech in to give me an estimate for $ 900 for all kinds of stuff they wanted to do. I asked what was wrong with my puppy and the tech said the she did not know. The treatment was the same as they way parvo was treated. Puppy tested negative for parvo 30 mins prior but since the doctor didn’t have time to actually look at my puppy she went with the throw it all at her and see what sticks remedy. I was not going to pay money for treatment when I did not know what it was for. Part of me thinks that just maybe if she would have read her chart and spent a little time with her she may have picked up on the classic symptoms of distemper that one would think all Vets would know. I would have paid every dime of treatment necessary to combat the distemper if they had told me that was what was wrong with her. I sure hope they are happy with their new website because it cost me dearly. We are no longer customers of Palomar and that saddens me. Dr. Knox and Dr. Handel are fantastic Vets. It’s unfortunate that they are working for a business that values money more than the animals and their families any more.

Doctor Jennifer Nissen Rocks! She speaks TO you, like you are equals, I do alot of home remedies involving Apple Cider Vinegar and other things, she did not roll her eyes, or make me feel stupid when I asked a question. I switched Vets because I wasn’t happy with the other place. I am so glad I did. She has done tremendous things for my girl Alice and I wholeheartedly recommend her to others that love their pets!

I was referred by the SNAP program to get my older dog that my husband adopted fixed. Over the phone they said the costs would run from $ 95 to $ 150. After I took her in they handed me an estimate for $ 360 and refused to complete the surgery without significant additional charges that were not necessary. I missed hours of work because I had to pick her up and drop her off and nothing was done because I refused to pay more than $ 200 than they originally told me it would cost.

My fiancé and I are moving to Texas and we are so sad to be saying bye to the wonderful team at the Palomar Animal Hospital. Honey, our Pit Bull, is a handfull. We have visited many vets over the years; some that wouldnt even come close to her due to the stigma that folks have with Pits. We have been turned away, and some unjust comments have been made.
Dr. Cook has been a gem. She doesn’t bat an eye when Honey grumbles, barks, or jumps. The staff makes her feel welcome and has been the only place that we have boarded her and groomed her. The staff treat her great and Honey loves them for it.
I wouldnt hesitate to refer anyone to this group of animal loving people. They care and it shows.
Thank you Palomar Animal Hospital!

Updating from 4 to 5 stars because of their recent treatment of my dog’s tumors. Dr. Handel went above and beyond, taking lots of time to walk us through hard decisions about whether to have surgery. Time, attention, compassion, skilled care… you’ll get it all here.
Also, they’ve moved to a new facility since my previous review. Really nice and clean. Great staff, friendly… it’s the only place I will take my pets.

Dr. Handel has cared for my feline companion since 1999 and has come up with many creative solutions to this cat’s numerous medical problems. This stray has cheated death on several occasions in large part thanks to the care she received at PAH.
Dr. Handel is consistently compassionate, knowledgeable, and supportive. Every member of his staff also demonstrates deep concern not just for my cat but for me as well. Calls are returned promptly and phone contact is made to follow-​up after each visit.
Five stars! I can not imagine better vet care anywhere!

Dr. Handel, Dr. Knox and Dr. Cook are the most caring, attentive and educated group of veterinarians I have had the pleasure of knowing. I highly recommend them for all of your animals. They have saved and prolonged my dogs lives. Their staff, both front and back office, is great. The ladies up front are sensitive and very aware of the needs of the clients and pets. The Vet Tecs and support staff are very gentle and have a way of making even the most aggressive or scared pet feel comfortable and relaxed. Their attention to detail is surpass by none. I could go on, but if you want a Vet that can take the best care of your loving Pet, for a reasonable cost. Go and meet the Doctors and their wonderful staff.

They came recommended to me by a friend after my dog was diagnosed with canine kidney disease by the old Vet on Melrose. I was totally impressed with the attention, warmth, caring and compassion that we received today. Quite a change from that other place that was virtually no help whatsoever. PLUS the prices are so much better. The prescription dog food was $ 1 less than that other place AND the other place wanted $ 28 for one bag of SubQ fluids, I can get a dozen for $ 25 online and Palomar is a more reasonable $ 8-​$ 12 range for a bag. Check them out, you won’t be disappointed and tell ‘em I sent ya!

Our dogs are our kids.
We have been taking our dogs here for almost 2 years. Very friendly staff and the new location on Melrose is SO much cleaner and nicer than the old location.
We’ve boarding our dogs here as well and the dogs always are alive and disease free when we pick them up :)
Highly Recommend!

I have pet rats and there are very FEW vets that will see them. Rats are considered «exotic» pets. LOL
Anywho, I have been going to this Animal Hospital for years. The vets are wonderful, caring and compassionate. Most of their staff are great too. (One lady that sits in the front sometime is a major biatch… but I digress)
They all know me and when I call because one of my boys is sick, they will stay late for me. I’m always amazed at this. They really care about animals and their owners.
I would recommend this hospital to ANYONE with ANY type of animal.