Helix Pet Hospital

La Mesa, United States

3.7

15 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 619-469-2129
Website:
helixpets.com
Address:
4223 Palm Ave, La Mesa, CA, 91941
La Mesa
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.2 miSpring Street
0.7 miLa Mesa Boulevard
1.3 miLemon Grove Depot
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Today

Today –
Local time (La Mesa) 3:49 AM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

See helix​pets​.com for more information and other contact sites for puppies, kittens, poisons and animal anawers.

We offer thorough exams and recommendations for what is necessary: We shall never try to push you to unnecessary tests and procedures. Please feel free to contact us before getting a new puppy or kitten or with questions. We will try to work with both the client and patient towards a satisfactory conclusion. The hospital has digital radiograph equipment, full in house lab testing plus a complete referral laboratory. We do most of the procedures and surgeries in the hospital, and, if need be, we have a close association with all of the specialty fields.

History

Established in 1968.

The Helix Pet Hospital has a long tradition of providing high quality, personal service and good value for money full service veterinary care.

Meet the Business Owner

Peter D.

Business Owner

Degrees held in Forestry, Biology (1984)and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (1988). A one year Matching Program Internship was completed in 1989 in small animal medicine and surgery. Memberships and degrees also include the Society of Phi Zeta the Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Practicing full time since 1988.

Hobbies include hiking, photography, piano, travel and family.

Credo: Be Fair

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15 reviews of Helix Pet Hospital

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Place rating: 4
San Diego, CA
Dr. Dowel is great with our dogs. We’ve been going to him for several years after recommendation from the Great Dane club. Being a veterinarian is not an easy job unless you’re Dr. Doolittle. He will give you the run down of all the tests and possibilities, but never makes you feel bad if you simply can’t afford it. Instead, he’ll discuss conservative treatments. He is very responsive to emails and phone calls, the same day if not within the hour! The minus one star is because for many years I took my senior dog in for yearly shots. It was such a pain for all getting him in and out the van with his spinal degeneration. Thank goodness we found a mobile vet that could see him in our house. She told us at his age, actually after age 5, it wasn’t necessary to get shots every year and especially not Bordatella since he was never kenneled. I called Helix and asked about it. They agreed that it was not necessary. However, that did not stop them from sending me yearly reminders to bring my dogs in for several years past age 5. This has tarnished my trust a bit and I will certainly question anything else I’m told.
Place rating: 4
San Diego, CA
We have been going to this pet hospital since my dog was a puppy. We are always able to get an appointment and the staff and vet are extremely nice and helpful. They also stayed late to help my dog after he got into a bottle of Advil (he is fine thankfully!). Only problem is the offices need to be updated. Everything looks kind of old and worn and a bit grimy.
Place rating: 5
La Mesa, CA
I’m glad I didn’t trust the negative reviews on this page because Helix was fantastic. It’s always upsetting when your pet has a problem but the Dr. and Nurse made me feel at ease right away. I loved that they gave me a itemized print out for what I needed and let me know the high and low amounts. Very honest and caring. My cat has been with me 19 years and for however long she last I’ll be taking her here for her needs. P. S. I love the retro vibe.
Place rating: 1
San Diego, CA
I have been going to Helix Pet Hospital since 2008 and have noticed a distinct and troubling trend. Prices have been going through the roof and Dr. Dowell, the owner, has become more and more aggressive in his sale tactics. When I first started I liked the place and staff. The building looked worn down but the service was excellent. Over the years though it has become more and more like a used car lot, with pushy test driving, overpriced services (about 20−30% higher than others in the area) and Dr. Dowell has resorted to «fear selling». He makes you feel like your pet is going to die unless you pay for his mortgage that month… The staff keeps changing as well, it’s like a revolving door at this point. I’ve decided to go elsewhere.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
It’s 2014 as I’m writing this update… and it’s always been a good experience with Dr. Dowell. They have a new vet on staff, Dr. Schmidt who was absolutely wonderful and knowledgeable as well! My dog Zieke has had two knee surgeries which I thought were very reasonably priced because I researched the average costs.
The most heartwarming thing is that I was so worried about my German Shepherd Zieke when I brought him home from a surgery that I emailed Helix Pet Hospital (pretty late in the evening I might add). I was so shocked that Dr. Dowell had responded very quickly the same evening. I thought that was so amazing. He really cares about animals so much. I am always impressed with Helix Pet Hospital. The veterinarians, the staff, and the care I always get are always high quality.
Place rating: 4
San Diego, CA
Dr Dowell is great! When I lived in La Mesa, I would take my dog here for checkups and a couple of times as an «emergency type» visit. (My dog liked to chew and eat EVERYTHING, so you can imagine…) He never tried to oversell and always gave options (luckily, we never needed to do surgery) Dr Dowell and his staff are all very friendly. Since he saw my dog was so shy, he also recommended a book to me so I can work with my dog. You can tell he really loves animals. If I hadn’t moved away from La Mesa he would probably still be my dogs vet. If you live in the area and are looking for a good vet, you should try Helix Pet Hospital.
Place rating: 5
Spring Valley, CA
Client since November 2011
Called around to a bunch of offices to find out which vet had the most experience with boston terriers. This was one of the closest to my location and the staff was really friendly answering all my questions.
My boston had a couple of issues with congestion and throwing up a lot and both times Dr. Dowell made sure I knew what was going on, was very upfront about what tests needed to be done or not done, and made sure that I wasn’t spending money on things that weren’t needed.
The staff is excellent and AJ loves going there even after a bunch of tests, shots and a surgery. They always call to see how he is doing afterwards and even though I’m getting ready to move out of the area soon, I will stay with this vet’s office.
They also give a long term client discount and a military discount.
Erin, one of the wonderful staff members. handles the prescription refills and pet insurance forms, easing an already stressful experience.
I always recommend calling around to see what vibe you get from the vet and their staff. Everyone has different experiences, so at the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you and your furry family member.
Place rating: 1
La Mesa, CA
Veterinarian had no concern about our dog’s post-​procedural pain and left him unmedicated (and uncomfortable) despite our request (and willingness to pay) for an analgesic. Will not return. Additionally, clinic and equipment are antiquated.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
We just moved here not too long ago and have recently gone back home to retrieve our (almost 5 years old) dachshund. Once settled, we realized that we needed to find a good vet STAT. We could not help but notice that Helix hospital was within walking distance and had great reviews on Unilocal.
For now, our dog just needed a simple nail trimming. I put in a phone call and was greeted by the super friendly Erin who booked an appointment for me.
Only a hop and a skip away, we walked Bailey to Helix Hospital in less than 2 minutes. Once past the blue door, one can expect to be greeted by lovely smiles from the friendly staff. The lobby is well ventilated and very organized. The staff took a liking to Bailey (which is not a deal breaker) but made a proud mom beam with joy. Moving away and having to find a vet all over again can be a terrifying process but I felt comfortable letting her disappear behind closed doors with the staff. All of the staff here is very friendly and it is evident that they hold true compassion for the animals that they care for.
By the time I was finished paying for the service, Bailey was already being walked back out with her nails trimmed!
I could not ask for more. Bailey is happy with her nails and I am very satisfied with the professionalism, kindness, and timeliness of Helix hospital’s pet services. Thank you!
Place rating: 1
Oakland, CA
Do not take your pet here. Not only are they over priced, and have the worst customer service, they are incompetent. BTW, the Vet that a previous person spoke of no longer works here. The new one cannot tell when a cat is constipated (gave me antibiotics for constipation!)
Place rating: 4
Redding, CA
I used to live in North Park and I took my dogs to Pacific Veterinary Hospital. It was nothing special. and they would get my dogs name wrong and call «her» a «he». So since I moved to La Mesa I wanted to find a new vet. I was recommended to Helix Pet Hospital and I immediately got a good feeling when I walked in. They’re waiting room is big so your animals aren’t on top of each other. The vet tech was super nice and I didn’t end up feeling like just another customer. I overheard the Dr. talking to the customer in the room next to me, and it was if he was talking to a friend of his. Very genuine. He treated me the same and I felt that my dog was getting superb treatment. It was a bit pricey, BUT, for an extra few dollars I think its worth the experience. All vets are expensive anyway right?!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
It may not look pretty, but its the best vet in town. The Doctor is very nice, knowledgeable, and doesn’t talk down to owners. The staff is friendly and helpful. I highly recommend this vet.
Place rating: 5
La Mesa, CA
I’ve recommended so many people to go to Dr. Dowell and his knowledgeable, friendly staff. Dr. Dowell helped me with my cat with Diabetes and gave me so much personal attention – even emailing a specialist. I have 2 cats and 2 dogs and would only trust them with the best vet I can find. Go to this vet if you want a good diagnosis. great care, and very fair price.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
4 years ago ‘Bear’, our 10 year old chocolate lab and surrogate son, was diagnosed with liver cancer. I had been going to another vet clinic (VCA) for a number of years. When Bear was diagnosed, my wife and I were heart broken and VCA gave us several options at thousands of dollars each. although we were desperate a friend suggested I get a second opinion. I went to Helix Pet Hospital and after a thorough exam, Dr. Dowell explained very clearly (and in layman’s terms) and simply that Bear was on his way out and his quality of life would never be the same. We brought him in a week later to be put down and the staff was incredibly kind, considerate and compassionate. Now we are in a new saga of Labrador life with ‘Yogi’, our 2 year old yellow. I will never bring him anywhere else. Thanks Dr. Dowell and staff!
Place rating: 1
Spring Valley, CA
Just took my dog in for the $ 6 rabies shot and was charged $ 20.Even though the flyer said rabies shot was available during all open hours, they claimed special price is only good on Wednesday. I would have thought customer satisfaction is worth the $ 14 difference, but they refused to honor the $ 6 price!