Help me find a veterinarian (San Antonio, Helotes: salary, live, costs)

[pbwood]

Can anyone give me the name of a good veterinary doctor or hospital in or around San Antonio, for my cats? Preferably in the NW area, but I am willing to drive for a good Dr./clinic.

Hope to find someone with reasonable rates who won't try to sell me a lot of unneeded test, procedures, or products.

I am tired of talking to vet hospitals that only want to spend your $$! Banfield would have charged me $500.00 and that was before they even did the dental procedure I was asking about!

I care about my animals but am on a tight budget and just want to keep them healthy.

They are well taken care of indoor animals, so don't need a lot of vaccinations or tests.

Help?

[sapphire]

My cat had an emergency with his tail a few months ago, and the vet and staff at Ingram Park Animal Hospital were just awesome with him. I would have to give you the doc's name later, since I don't have the paperwork on me, but again, they were wonderful with him. The doc called me personally prior to starting treatment and gave me the options. I was quite happy and my cat is good as new!

[ashbeeigh]

DeZavala-Shavano Veterinary Clinic

De Zavala-Shavano Veterinarians
4929 De Zavala Road San Antonio, Tx 78249
(210) 699-3939

But then again, I don't know what your northwest side is (is it this area or is it all the way out by Potranco..because that'd be a hell of a drive)

They've been our Vet since we moved here in 1989. Amazing. They do price plans and work with the pet owners too.

[LindaGrace]

I've been taking my cats to Dr. Masters at Helotes Park Animal Hospital since 1999. He literally saved my Simon's life. Plus he truly LOVES cats. You know how you can totally tell the second you walk in that, "Oh, this vet is not a cat person"? You'll not get that with Dr. M. He's wonderful with cats and truly LIKES them. He actually sweet talks my kitties, which is, of course, so totally endearing.

His staff is really great too. I honestly can't recommend him highly enough.

ETA: His prices are good too - my husband and I are going on one salary just now since he got laid off. My girl Schuster had a lump on the side of her face. I took her to Dr. M. and explained that we're on a super-tight budget just now. He gave us options, and didn't judge when we chose the cheap temporary fix over the more expensive permanent fix. Turned out it was a benign sebaceous cyst, so he drained it, and gave her all her shots. I got out of there for less than $130.00.

[TexaCo Mom]

Took all my pets to Dr. Marc Zieben when I lived there. He's on Vance Jackson near Huebner Rd. Several of my former neighbors still use him.

[mrstxcop]

we have been using Affordable Pet Care on Grissom for quite some time and we have been very pleased with them...

The prices are very reasonable, IMO and if you do not see the the Doc. then you are not charged for a Dr. visit...in other words, the vet techs will come in and see your pet and administer any shots and that's it --- if you don't need to see the Dr., you don't...that's how they keep the costs down...it works for us...

[Camper1]

Originally Posted by mrstxcop

we have been using Affordable Pet Care on Grissom for quite some time and we have been very pleased with them...

The prices are very reasonable, IMO and if you do not see the the Doc. then you are not charged for a Dr. visit...in other words, the vet techs will come in and see your pet and administer any shots and that's it --- if you don't need to see the Dr., you don't...that's how they keep the costs down...it works for us...

Do you mind if I ask what you pay for the shots??

[rd2007]

There's one right behind the Walgreens on Potranco across the street from Potranco. It's what used to be Sharp by Ingram. They moved there and it's a lot nicer now, which makes sense because it's under a year old. My chow is there getting all her hair shaved off.
as far as shots, I went to the low-cost thing at the Potranco HEB+ and took care of two dogs for $64. It only took about 30 minutes and would've been great if there were a few less morons. One guy left his Rott with his son and the dog easily weighed more than twice what the boy did and that could've got ugly. The lady in front of me kept letting her little ball of white fur roam around on his leash and he probably would've been dog food if I didn't have good control of mine. Seems those people ruin everything in this city..
finally found the link for the shots: http://www.lowcostvacc.com/

[GoTexan]

We visit Dr. Lang at LaCantera Animal Hospital
15503 Babcock Rd Ste 4. San Antonio, TX 78255

What I like about Dr Lang is that he is very knowledgeable, logical and PRACTICAL about selecting the appropriate treatment for our pets. He does not order unnecessary tests, unwarranted surgery and doesn't add-on additional services that would solely $benefit$ his practice.

We discovered him when my sisters dog was hit by a car. The first vet wanted to amputate his fractured tail. She then went to see Dr. Lang and he was confident that the dog did not need surgery. He saved the dog's tail (and saved my sister $$).

Being a proud owner of three Jack Russell "Terrors", we have spent alot of time dropping-in to see Dr. Lang! I work with doctors. I understand how some (but not all) can be overly focused on the business aspect of their practice that they lose sight (aka- greed). Because of my experiences, I am very cautious (some call me paranoid!)

After going to several different vets over the years, I finally have confidence in our vet. He is extremely patient, likes to teach and explain so you understand how to best care for your pet. He is a doctor that is passionate about what he does and is not in it for the money - a true class-act!

[sapphire]

Originally Posted by mrstxcop

we have been using Affordable Pet Care on Grissom for quite some time and we have been very pleased with them...

The prices are very reasonable, IMO and if you do not see the the Doc. then you are not charged for a Dr. visit...in other words, the vet techs will come in and see your pet and administer any shots and that's it --- if you don't need to see the Dr., you don't...that's how they keep the costs down...it works for us...

I will second Affordable Pet Care......but they are so affordable that they are TOO BUSY! That's how my kitty got sent to Ingram--their overflow goes there. And like the doc in Helotes, the vet at Ingram LOVED my kitty. He was so nice to him, gentle (he had an abscess in his tail) and I could tell he was genuinely interested in healing my cat.