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Animal Hospital of Diamond Heights - CLOSED
Category: Pets Veterinarians Veterinarians [Edit]
5264 Diamond Heights Blvd(between Duncan St & Gold Mine Dr)
San Francisco, CA 94131
Neighborhood: Diamond Heights
(415) 920-6980
About This Business:
The Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center houses the SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility where we provide high-quality care for your… read more »
22 reviews for Animal Hospital of Diamond Heights
22 reviews in English
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Review from Katie D.
Eugene, OR
11/8/2006
These folks are great - they're friendly, they give you a quote in writing if they expect your bill to be higher than a certain amount, and they explain things when you have lots of questions. Also, they're open on Saturday mornings AND past 5 p.m., which are big plusses for me and my pup Elliott.
Dr. Lum is cute as a button, and squeezes us in when we need Elliott in in a hurry. However, recently we've been having strange health problems with our little buddy, and when we had a urine test done on him, they said that the results were inconclusive and may have been messed up because the urine wasn't refrigerated in transit or some such. Needless to say, they said we had to do it again, but didn't explain whether or not we'd have to pay again. We did do it again, but they charged us for it (even though it was not our fault that the first test was inconclusive).
Overall great, but there are little things they can work on (like communication with patient guardians and not messing up on tests and passing the costs on to us!) -
Review from Mariangela S.
San Francisco, CA
5/25/2006
I am editing this review after a series of traumatic incidents that have resulted in further traumatic visits to Animal Health Network. While I would not blame every trauma on the hospital, I am upset by the inconsistent care and often poor bedside manner when it comes to extremely sensitive breeds (like mine) who need extra TLC.
I won't detail the laundry list of events and visits, however as one example, my puppy at 8 months was burned by the razor used to shave her hair (and she has short hair for god's sake!) prior to her spay procedure. They didn't even mention it to us until we asked about the burn marks! What the ***** is that???
While I was extremely positively in my early review, I have since experienced my negative visits, and after much turnover of staff and inconsistent care for my pet, I felt compelled to update my comments.
I think the front desk staff are usually very friendly and helpful when you call with questions, but the vets I have yet to be impressed with, and they continue to turnover at an alarming rate.
After today's visit, I have decided to seek an alternate vet solution. -
Review from Mike C.
San Francisco, CA
9/23/2008
A bad review is always tough to write since I don't want to be harsh to someones profession and the quality of their work, especially in health care where things are never black and white. With that said, I could never bring another pet to this vet.
I've had two cats and been going to this place for years. I understand it's "recently" changed hands and I think that's the problem. First of all, pet health care is expensive. I'm aware of that and accept it as part of being an owner of what was two amazing pets. However, their rates are far more than others. Now if the quality matched it, I would have no problem.
Just recently my cat was taken in with obvious health issues. They did an exam, blood work and the final conclusion (so they said) was that everything was normal. Two days later, I had to take my cat to the emergency vet and put her to sleep. What they failed to catch was a large tumor in her abdomen and a liver like Swiss cheese. How does a vet miss that?
I've seen Dr. Tomkins and Dr. Holter both within the past year to treat my cat. Though nice, it's the quality of the work that should matter. The staff is a typical staff. They are friendly and take your money. They also are really unresponsive to medication refills and I went for almost two weeks before they would renew my cats hypertension medication.
If you have an emergency, don't count on this place being open. It's only open "standard" hours. -
Review from Heather B.
Portland, OR
4/26/2007
Well, they're very nice....but that's about it.
My dog has had ongoing bowel problems for 6 months now. After 5 visits for $150 in fees and testing each time, she is still no better. I suppose it would be one thing if each time they tested her for something different, but they did the same 2 tests 4 times, and charged us each time. You also can never see the same vet, and they all give conflicting information.
I'm going to look for a new vet. Any suggestions? -
Review from Kelly R.
San Francisco, CA
9/12/2008
We've been bring our yellow Lab, Lucie, here since we brought her home 5 years ago. We had seen most of the vets there back when it was Animal Health Network and had no complaints.
Though the change may have been a bit traumatic for Lucie (she LOVED Dr. Clark), Dr. Holter is a good substitute. She is very caring and concerned for Lucie's well being. The staff is great - always very friendly to Lucie and me - and very helpful on the phone.
The only thorn in their side, imho, is Dr. Tomkins. We saw him once as Dr. Holter was booked. To put it nicely, he's rough around the edges.Listed in: A dog story
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Review from Jane M.
San Francisco, CA
11/12/2008
Our experience with Dr. Christine Holter is that she is the best ever. Our dog ate rat poison and became sick at night. We took her to the San Francisco Veterinary Specialists on Harrison who mis-diagnosed her. The next night she was worse so we took her back there, and they gave her a different but again wrong diagnosis. We called Dr. Holter who had the dog's records emailed to her and she correctly diagnosed rat poisoning and through emergency action saved her life. She was really nice and looked into the whole case above and beyond the call of duty.
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Review from Audra R.
Orange, CA
9/30/2007
I'm so confused/saddened by some of the negative reviews I've seen here. We've been bringing our 11 year old chihuahua, Coco, to Dr. Holter for over a year now, and she's always been great. In fact, she's one of the best vets I've ever encountered (it took forever to find one that Coco and I liked). The entire staff has always been very caring, thorough, and competent- never a bad experience. The only downside I can see is that they do seem to be a tad pricier than most. I'm okay with it though; my baby's worth it.
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Review from Britton J.
San Francisco, CA
6/6/2008
I've taken my pets here since I moved to SF in 2000. Back then, Dr. Hummel took amazing care of my critters -- one big ol' dog and one crabby cat. The thoughtful staff sent me a nice card after the dog died of cancer, and also when the kitty shuffled off his mortal coil at age 17. After Dr. Hummel left, Dr. Spickard, one of the original owners, started seeing the new dog -- and man, oh man, that guy is an amazing vet. But he's gone now, too, having seen the pup through her recovery for severed tendons suffered because she jumped through a window. (I said she was crazy, didn't I?)
Anyway, the last few times I've been in, my dog has seen a different vet each time. And while they're nice enough and seem to care about the dog, it's just not the same level of attention and detail that the critters got from Drs. Hummel and Spickard.
While pet sitting for neighbors I had to take their Newfoundland to their vet for an emergency and I think I'm about to end my 8-year monogamous relationship with AHN, or whatever it's called now. -
Review from Chris g.
San Francisco, CA
5/13/2009
I want to compliment Dr. Christine Holter. My 8 1/2 year old cat was very ill. He was drinking water all the time, actually tapping his bowl in frustration and he was losing a lot of weight. Christine diagnosed my cat with diabetes. Since his diagnosis he has been on insulin now for about 2 years and he is doing GREAT! He is very happy and is back to his normal weight. I also felt she was an excellent communicator and relieved a lot of my stress about having to inject my cat twice a day. My cat barely notices when he gets his shots but I do believe he knows we are helping him.
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Review from christine c.
San Francisco, CA
1/21/2007
I've been there are few times with my dog and they have taken very good care of her and the staff will always take the time to answer my questions and explain stuff to me. They genuinely cares about the animals, I have no complaints!
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Review from Holly B.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 6/17/2010
they closed with no notice.
all of our records were sent to SPCA, but I only found this out after I called SF Vet Specialists.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/30/2008
Very spotty care - some nightmare vets, some awesome vets.
We've been going to Animal Health Network… Read more »
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Review from Clive L.
San Francisco, CA
11/5/2009
My dear canine companion passed away recently. He was sixteen years old. Back in 1997 when we moved to the bay area, a friend recommended this hospital. At the time, Dr. Hummell was the veternarian there. He was wonderful. As my dog got older, I was hesistant to change hospitals as he had been going there for such a long time. Through our 10 years there (2 of which I was in Walnut Creek), we had gone through: Dr. Hummell, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Lum, Dr. Tompkins and lastly, Dr. Holter. Dr. Lum was the best and was with us the longest, but what kind of quality care can you recieve if the vets change so often?
In the end, I really needed to have a vet that was responsive and easy to reach. My dog had a lot of concerning health problems as old dogs do and I needed to talk to Dr. Holter often. Sadly, through no fault of hers, she is the ONLY vet there now. She only knew us for one year and she was impossible to get a hold of. When she did meet with us, she was very nice and attentive. She did, I think, the best she could do considering the circumstances that she was the only vet probably managing 3 vets patients.
After my dog passed, I told myself that when I got my next dog, I wouldn't go back there. Two weeks ago, our new pup arrived and we are now going to the SPCA Hospital. -
Review from delbert t.
Novato, CA
11/29/2009
I can't really review this place but i used to take my cats (emma and
bubba) there when i lived near Tower Market (it was a great market btw).
Pinkie (I think some of you in Noe Valley know pinkie, right?) says they're
closing the hospital or it's done. too bad. but for
a new place to go, you should try where i go--- Park Animal
Hospital in the city. I moved to novato and I still go there. Marge and
Susan are great at the desk. Read my review of the place.
Switching vets is harder than changing human-type doctors. Take my word
for it. You'll like Park -
Review from rainah r.
San Francisco, CA
9/28/2009
Its convienent having a vet across the street when you dont have a car - I was a bit weary at first because I heard mixed reviews about the vet - Everytime I have taken one of my cats there (I have 2) their always very helpful and friendly to both of us - I love a bonus of not having to take my pets on muni because they cry bloody murder when in their carrier
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Review from Michael D.
San Francisco, CA
3/2/2009
We've been taking our golden retriever to Animal Hospital of Diamond Heights (previously Animal Health Network) since we got her at 8 weeks (she is now 3 1/2). We love Dr. Holter. She is knowledgeable and caring and spends time with you. Although like some other posters, we've had some not-too-great personal interactions with some of the now-departed vets, we always have been impressed with the quality of care. The techs are all great--good with all types of animals and themselves pretty knowledgeable. For routine things like shots, they get you in and out quickly. And, the important thing to emphasize is that the other vets mentioned in some posts here are all gone. I was just there today, and Dr. Holter is the only vet (they are looking for an associate vet). So, I'm hoping that those looking for a vet will factor out the outdated reviews and give Dr. Holter a try.
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Review from Mark H.
San Francisco, CA
11/4/2009
We've been happy with the care our two dogs have received over the years. Putting down our first was really hard, but Dr. Holter was great. Our current, very energetic dog is loved by the staff and has never had a bad experience. We appreciate their professionalism.
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Review from Holly C.
Brooklyn, NY
1/13/2010
NOOOOOOO!!! I am so bummed about this place closing down!! Three stars really isn't fair, I want to give them 5 but minus two for CLOSING! I brought my cat here after a somewhat unpleasant experience at the SPCA down on 16th Street (where they told me a teeth cleaning was going to cost $1000 and they shuffle you through like you are going through the damn security gates at SFO or something - it's all next please and wait here and what's your name again??? affordable pet care, my ass). anyway, so I decided to try this place because it a) has awesome parking and would be easy for me to get in and out with my skittish Martha and b) was recommended by a friend with 2 older cats and - at the time - a somewhat sickly dog. They were awesome, truly awesome with Martha. The vet tech we saw was terrific, always remembered us and truly seemed to love my very lovable though rough around the edges cat. They said she did need some teeth work but, in the end, saved me about $500 by not doing an extraction that they said was unnecessary and painful. Fine by me! Got Martha home and a happier cat she could not be! I come home today, pick up my mail and see a flyer from the g-damned SPCA that Diamond Heights has passed my records on to them. Oh, hell no! I will drive down to Pacifica or someplace else - try anyplace else - to avoid that dump. I'll take recs from anywhere else - and I mean ANYWHERE else where they don't treat you and your animal like another f-ing notch on their bank accounts bedpost. Harumph.
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Review from Skycladgrrl I.
San Francisco, CA
9/10/2009
I have been very impressed with Animal Hospital of Diamond Heights. The vet (I forgot her name) is very knowledgeable and it's clear that she really cares. she is very attentive to my cat and all of my concerns. I will definitely keep going there.
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Review from Ted D.
Amherst, NH
2/20/2007
We recently moved to the area and AHN was highly recommended by someone in the neighborhood. They have been great! Always friendly and courteous and able to fit us in. My dog recently had surgery for an injury to his ear and they were wonderful.
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Review from J R.
San Francisco, CA
7/3/2008
Great, prompt service. Andrew, one of the lab techs, is especially wonderful with our puppy. Out of all of the various treatments (hair cut, nails, vet visits for various puppy things), Andrew has put her (and me!) the most at ease. Keep up the good work!
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Review from teresa s.
Oakland, CA
9/29/2007
I went to this vet after adopting my pet and told them there were not only fleas and tapeworms but also ear and eye problems. The vet treated the fleas and tapeworms but told me there was nothing wrong with the ears and eyes. A week later, after being afraid my cat would scratch her ear off and noticing a buildup of black wax, I returned to the vet insisting there was a problem with the ears and asked them to check the eyes too because I have been cleaning black discharge from the eyes several times a day. They told me there was bacteria in the ears and charged me for medication and a full physical then sent me on my way telling me the eye discharge was normal. Well a week later, after paying $200 in vet expenses, the eyes are getting worse. I am not returning to AHN because they should have treated all the problems on my first visit when I reported them- instead of telling me there wasn't anything wrong and have me coming back. Or, at least, waiver the fee for the full physical since the cat just had a full physical the week before and was coming in to treat a problem that was reported the initial visit. I am not going in there to pay another $150 to treat a problem that they said didn't exist, twice.
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Review from Steve H.
San Francisco, CA
6/7/2009
We took our miniature schnauzers there for everything until the following event happened. Kona had been in for a checkup in February and I asked about his teeth. The vet's comment was that his teeth were ok now but might need to be cleaned in six months. The following June I scheduled a cleaning and left him there on my way to work with instructions to keep me infomed as the day went on. I called at noon and at 2 pm and was told that they had not started on him yet. I called at 4 pm and was told they were finished and that everything went fine. I picked him up at 5:30 and found out they had pulled nine of his teeth mostly on the bottom of one side of his mouth and the top of the other side. So, now, at the age of five, he had lost most of his ability to chew. Needless to say, the bill was several times the morning's estimate. I am convinced they pulled his teeth to run up the bill. I would NEVER take an animal of mine there. We went to Arguello Pet Hospital after that and Kona lived for several more years and never lost another tooth.
Comment from Ryan H. of Animal Hospital of Diamond Heights 7/13/2009
On July 8, I respectfully informed pet-owner & Yelp that he… More »
