South Hillsdale Animal Hospital

I can’t say enough my love for SHAH! They treat my puppy as if she is theirs — so calm, collected and nurturing. They dont rush, they embrace your love for your pet and let you ask all the questions you need (even the crazy ones.)
They have provided a great environment from the moment you walk in, everyone wants to talk and let you be that crazy puppy mom you know you are in a place that doesnt judge.
Reese and I love you SHAH! Thanks for always loving us even through the crazy.

We still go to this vet when we need a quick visit but this place won’t be our first choice due to the price.

I had SUCH an amazing experience here. We took our kitty here several times — for check-​ups and shots, then when she went on a rubber-​eating binge and got a foreign body lodged in her intestine, and most recently, when she started throwing up several times a day, and we couldn’t figure out was wrong. I am most amazed by our incredible experience this last time. Dr. Lunsman saw her, and ran some tests, came up with two potential diagnoses, and ultimately recommended some medication that thus far (three months out) seems to have completely stabilized her. But what was most remarkable was how thorough he and his staff were with follow up. They have called me NUMEROUS times to check in on her and to see how she’s doing with the medicine. Several times, Dr. Lunsman has spent up to 15 minutes on the phone with me reviewing options — and it’s never at my urging, he just does it, because he seems to genuinely want my cat to be healthy and well. I have never had any kind of doctor make himself so available. At the same time our cat was sick, my husband and I were also planning a cross-​country move, which meant we had to coordinate logistics of getting our cat medicine and specialty food in our new state. Dr. Lunsman and his office happily helped us with that, and have continued to check up on us now that we’re in Texas — which is all the more remarkable, because they know we won’t be able to be repeat customers. Again, it seems to be just how seriously they take their craft. We are just about settled in our new home, and hopefully will find a new vet in a few weeks, but I’m doubtful we’ll find anyone this great again. Also, FYI, the support staff seems to be equally amazing. The woman at the front desk somehow always remembered me and my cat, and would immediately know what we needed when we walked in. So grateful to these folks for getting our little girl back in good shape, and equally importantly, for taking all the stress out of the process!

They have some good vets but the prices they charge are exorbitant. I have compared their prices of some off the shelf medicine for my dog and it is almost 5x-​10x the price. Even annual tests are priced way more than some of the competitors.
I wish I could find someone better than them with equally capable vets & I will stop using them as soon as possible

I can’t recommend this Vet.
We have actually been taking our dogs to see them for a little over a year now. Recently, one of our dogs had an eye infection, so we took them to the vet for a consult to make sure it wasn’t anything serious.
They prescribed an ointment which cost $ 24, in addition to the exam fee, we spent $ 91 for the visit. Now I’m comparing the ointment we paid $ 24 with Neosporin, and guess what. they have the same active ingredients including the same units of measure. I have a problem with this because they could have been honest and recommended that we buy the OTC version of an antibiotic ointment. You can blame it on my ignorance for not knowing the active ingredients, however, I would think it’s their responsibility to be honest.
A second incident is the quote they provided for teeth cleaning. The «low» price for 1 dog, $ 750. The «high» price for the same dog, over $ 1k. Are you serious?
I’m in search for a new vet for our dogs that won’t break the bank.

I have 2 cats and a dog. One of the cats is an older, crotchety gentleman who is starting to get thinner, etc. When we initially brought him in, we had a renal panel done after he was weighed. Everything was fine and the doc suggested we return in a few months to get him re-​weighed and redo the renal panel. When we returned, he had lost some weight, but the doc and I had a good conversation about why and how to proceed. The doc was great about not being pushy about getting services that we didn’t necessarily need, and just gave us the facts and figures so that we could make our own decision. I appreciate having a good vet who cares about the well-​being of my dear, old cat, as well as the other animals in our family, and isn’t pushy about getting extra stuff done just so he can make a buck. I’m glad we found this place.

We took out Cat Lamont here for many years before before it came time for him to cross the rainbow bridge. Let me first say that his regular vet while good at his job had no bedside manner and the personality of paper weight. We never liked him much nor did our kitty. The morning we called and told them that his time had come and that we needed help they promptly turned us away. Zero compassion, We found a new vet and wont be going back!

I live in Millbrae and everyone close to me were not taking new patients, but they were willing to take me in next day since my cat want feeling so well. The staff is very friendly and also follows up to see if my baby is doing ok. They are a little pricey, but any vet visit that provides quality will be that way. Overall a great experience.

I had really great experience here for a new kitten exam. Very knowledgeable and checked with me about cost while making recommendations. The staff was very sweet and invested in getting to know Milo. I highly recommend this place!

BEST PLACE EVER!!! GO HERE!!!
We just moved to the area and have 7 year old Aussie/​Golden mix. One of my husbands co-​workers recommended this place to us and when we went we were NOT disappointed!!! The staff was so friendly and accommodating! These are the nicest people we’ve met in California. The vet came in and spent an hour with us just getting to know our dog and informing us on the things we need to look for and beaware of out here suchas fox tails, ocean water, and animals that are potentially hazardous to our dog in the area. They even recommended groceries stores as well as places to go to take our dog to play. This is seriously the best vet we’v!e ever been too!!! They are extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the area and our pet. They took such great care of him and made sure all his records were up to date. They thoroughly like seriously pulled back every piece of fur he has to make sure he was good! They were so thorough in looking at our dog it made us feel so reassured that everything was great! Pricing is Amazing!!! IT is great, fair pricing. Coming from the Midwest everything is more expensive out here but this place was the same as the midwest which is unheard of.
GREAT STAFF
VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE
CHEAP PRICES
AMAZING!!!

Great staff! I am new to CA and tried two other vets and was unhappy. I had the same vet for 8 years back in MI and I’ve been looking for a place that was just as good as them. I’m so glad I found this place! The staff were so nice from the moment I called and made the appointment and also when I came in. Dr. Smith was great! He is so knowledgeable and was gentle with my yorkie, Oscar. The tech was such a sweet lady who made my little guy more comfortable. The front office girls were very nice and helpful too! I’m happy That I finally found my new veterinarian.

They were great today with Sadie :) The dr. was very informative on dental cleaning and was vert sweet with our fluffy child.

Had a great first visit here. Everyone is very helpful and welcoming. Highly recommend.

Great service, fair pricing! Dropped my. Dog off for stomach issues and they helped her out in a flash!

Simply put, this place rocks.
We recently moved to the area and took our 2 dogs here to touch base with a local vet. Several weeks later I had to drop in, without an appointment. They recognized our dogs and called us both by name! Super friendly and thoughtful. I felt very comfortable with the staff and doctor. I have been in a few times since and always had a very positive experience.

I moved to the area and needed a vet for my 2 senior Italian Greyhounds right away, because one was in treatment for a UTI. I picked this place based on Unilocal reviews and have been so happy with the care and customer service.
The front desk staff has all been really friendly and the doctor we’ve seen has been knowledgeable and kind. I’m not sure about the prices yet, but so far nothing shocking.

This place deserves closer to 5 stars but one particularly rude staff number makes it hard to rate above 3 stars.
I’ve been a client here since November 2013, at first with my Great Pyrenees/​Yellow Lab mix and now with my German Shepherd puppy. The prices are decent and are about fair market value considering the area. We see Dr. Whyte and she’s both friendly and knowledgeable. The staff here is also very friendly, except for an elderly lady named Sue. I am pretty sure the reviews below that mention a very rude and unfriendly woman are referring to her as well.
A couple of weeks ago, I called to make an appointment for my puppy. Sue answered and was very rude. There wasn’t even anything for there to be rude about; making an appointment is a totally neutral thing (versus firing the vet or complaining). Anyway, I let it go because I figured she was having a bad day or something.
Yesterday, I took my puppy in for the appointment. He barked at a dog that was already in there, which then barked back, so I held onto him but saw Sue scowling at me. I’ll be the first to admit that I need to train him on this, but he’s five months old so give me a break! I’m sure he’s not the only dog in the world that barks at other dogs. Anyway, we had our appointment with Dr. Whyte, who was very friendly as usual. She and I discussed training options for him and she said I could ask for the phone number of local trainers at the front desk. After Dr. Whyte left, Sue came into the room with my bill. She commented on how beautiful my puppy is but then proceeded to admonish me on how he needs to be trained because he is out of control. I said I would get him training and that I had already been discussing this with Dr. Whyte. As we exited the room, my puppy started pulling toward the door to leave and Sue handed me the number of a local German Shepherd trainer. I thanked her and said I would look into it. She then said, «You should call the trainer TONIGHT! He needs to be trained! And I would get him a different collar and leash. He shouldn’t be pulling like that!» At this point, I literally have my hand on the front door and she is still yelling at me. It was like I had accidentally detonated a bomb and burned down the whole office.
1. Obviously he needs training. I just told you that I talked to Dr. Whyte about it. I am clearly aware there is a problem.
2. I just paid a $ 200 vet bill, some of which I am sure is going into your salary. I did not just pay $ 200 to be yelled at. I’m sure I could have someone yell at me for free.
3. I’m an attorney so I understand that sometimes you want to give your clients advice because you have their best interests at heart. Still, you need to deliver this advice in a way that is not condescending and rude if you want them to listen.
4. I have two dogs, meaning I am basically two clients and pay two sets of bills. Alienate someone who isn’t financing your paycheck that much.
I decided not to get into an argument with her and instead, I called the office when I got home. Judy (a staff member) and Dr. Whyte were very apologetic and thanked me for the feedback. Dr. Whyte told me that both clients AND staff have complained about Sue’s condescending nature before, and while she will inform Sue’s supervisor, they are not going to «tell Sue not to be Sue.» Evidently, they subscribe to the adage that «you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.» Personally, I wouldn’t let any of my employees give the rest of my staff any attitude, let alone act that way toward clients. It’s simply not good business, especially considering how many complaints there are about her.
Anyway, Dr. Whyte and all of the staff members I have interacted with (except Sue) are very nice people. I like this office a lot and I think it deserves at least 4.5 stars. But Sue’s attitude is bad enough to only give 3 stars because she apparently works five days per week and has been there for twenty years (meaning it is almost inevitable that you will have to deal with her). I probably won’t switch just because I like everything else about this place, but I can certainly understand why other people have given such negative reviews.

I moved to the area in late December, and didn’t look for a vet immediately. Then my 12 year old Westie got sick, and we ended up at the emergency clinic. A week later, he still wasn’t feeling great and had horrible diarrhea. I called several vet offices on a Tuesday morning, and none would see me as my dog was a new patient. I called this vet (crying somewhat hysterically) and the woman on the phone was kind enough to set me up with an appointment and let him stay while I went to work.
Doctor Whyte kept me informed during the day, and made me feel so confident in the care my dog got. They even sent me a thank you note! And my dog has gotten better, so I’ll continue to go there. Wonderful experience for a horrible few days of a sick dog!!!

Wow. I love this place.
Above all else, I am relieved.
Getting a good vet is like getting a good mechanic. Someone you can trust. Someone where you know they are not cheating you. And will take care of your pet without having to always wonder if they’re shady.
After having a pretty bad experience at another vet… ahem:
I am relieved to have found South Hillsdale Animal Hospital.
Even though I beat myself up — feeling like I was neglectful of my sweetie, like I was a bad cat parent, they never made me feel guilty or bad. They were understanding and approached the situation objectively but sympathetically.
Dr. Lunsman has great bedside manner and gave practical recommendations and suggestions which I’ve already implemented, without making me feel guilty. (I have a Chinese mother, so I have enough of that in my life.)
Not only that, the entire staff was wonderful and helpful. You can tell that everyone who works there enjoys working there. That says a lot about the Drs and management at a place.
My Paintfoot became a hospital favorite quickly and as a cat parent that just makes me so happy and proud. The high school nerd in me feels slightly guilty for enjoying that he’s «Mr Popular» (Yeah, I know I got guilt issues).
Anyways… Going to the vet is not fun. But now, I know I am going somewhere with people whom I can trust and will see my babies with a smile.

I’ve been here with my aunt when she’s picked up her animals and I must say it’s not much to look at from the outside. It’s sort of nondescript; the neighborhood doesn’t seem to be aging well and is fraying slightly around the edges.
My aunt brings all her animals here because she feels that they really love animals, and isn’t that really what’s most important? She loves the two veterinarians who’ve «been there for ages» and says they are very thorough and carefully present all their findings and treatment options. There’s also another woman who works there that is super gentle with all the animals and even her shy cat takes to her well.