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Our Story

About San Diego Veterinary Urgent Care

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Why Choose Us

Compassionate Acute Care for Pets and Owners

Your peace of mind is our top priority here at San Diego Veterinary Urgent Care. We are with you every step of the way when it comes to your pet’s serious injuries or illness by providing personalized and professional service. Our commitment to you is to provide quality diagnostic services and advanced urgent care from our experienced team.

While professional knowledge is key, we pride ourselves on our compassionate care. We treat all our clients as family and provide the utmost care. We know how much our fur-babies mean to each of us, and we strive to relieve your stress when in an emergency.

 

Clear communication is provided along with the quality care and service you will receive. Before we begin any procedures, we make sure to answer any questions you may have, provide an estimate, ask for your consent, and make sure you understand the decisions you are making for your pet.

If surgery is necessary, all patients receive close attention while we use the safest forms of anesthesia techniques, fluid therapy, heat support, advanced patient monitoring, postoperative nursing care, and appropriate pain management.

Before going home with your pet, you will receive clear instructions on how to care for your pet and if/when your pet needs to be rechecked. We also provide detailed reports to your regular veterinarian. This ensures that your pets’ primary doctor can continue high-quality care for your pet by receiving accurate information. We work hand in hand with your primary Veterinarian so that you both know you can depend on us for quality care of your loved one. 

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#1 Top Rated Urgent Veterinary Clinic in San Diego

Our Reviews

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Our Mission

San Diego Veterinary Urgent Care was created to provide fast, compassionate medical care for pets experiencing urgent health problems.

Pet emergencies can occur suddenly. When your regular veterinarian is unavailable, our clinic ensures that dogs and cats receive prompt medical attention without unnecessary delays.

Our mission is to combine After Hours, advanced veterinary medicine with compassionate care, ensuring that pets receive treatment in a calm and supportive environment.

Why Urgent Veterinary Care Matters

Many pet illnesses worsen quickly if left untreated. Conditions like dehydration, infections, poisoning, or injuries require prompt veterinary evaluation.

Urgent care clinics help bridge the gap between:


​This allows pets to receive treatment quickly while avoiding unnecessary emergency hospital visits.

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What Is Veterinary Urgent Care?

Many pet owners are unsure whether their pet needs an urgent vet clinic or a 24-hour emergency hospital.


Veterinary urgent care clinics treat non-life-threatening conditions that require prompt attention, while emergency hospitals manage critical life-threatening emergencies.

Urgent veterinary care is appropriate for issues such as:

  • Persistent vomiting

  • Minor injuries

  • Infections

  • Lameness

  • Allergic reactions

  • Eye or ear problems

  • Mild dehydration

  • Urinary discomfort​

Advanced Veterinary Technology

Our clinic includes modern diagnostic equipment, such as:

  • Digital X-ray imaging

  • Ultrasound diagnostics

  • In-house laboratory testing

  • Blood pressure monitoring

  • Electrocardiography

 

These tools allow veterinarians to quickly diagnose medical problems and begin treatment immediately.

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Our Veterinary Team

Our veterinarians have extensive experience treating urgent medical conditions. Each veterinarian is trained to evaluate emergency symptoms and determine the most effective treatment plan.

Melissa Eastman | Practice Manager at San Diego Veterinary Urgent Care

Practice Manager

Melissa Eastman

Melissa Eastman serves as our Practice Manager and is dedicated to creating a positive, supportive environment for both our team and clients. With many years of experience in general practice, emergency medicine, and specialty veterinary care, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to our hospital. In addition to managing daily operations, she is also an experienced veterinary assistant and can often be found helping the medical team in the treatment area whenever needed. Melissa believes that excellent patient care starts with a strong, close-knit team. She works hard to foster a positive workplace culture where teamwork, compassion, and exceptional patient care remain the top priorities. Her hands-on approach and commitment to both staff and clients help ensure that every pet receives the best possible care. Outside of the hospital, Melissa shares her home with two dogs, Peppa and Hank, and four cats: Callie, Dandelion, Snowball, and Mimosa. She also owns a 40-acre ranch where she enjoys spending time with her goats and chickens. Her lifelong passion for animals and dedication to veterinary medicine make her an invaluable part of our hospital family.

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Veterinary Assistant & Laboratory
Technician

Adriana Rivera

Adriana Rivera is a veterinarian in Mexico who brings many years of veterinary experience to our team as a Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Technician. Her extensive medical knowledge, strong clinical skills, and dedication to patient care make her an invaluable member of our hospital. Adriana has a special passion for surgery and emergency medicine and enjoys helping provide high-quality care to patients when they need it most. Known for her positive attitude and compassionate nature, Adriana is always willing to lend a helping hand to both her teammates and patients. She is a strong advocate for animal welfare and is committed to improving the lives of animals through education, medical care, and compassionate treatment. Outside of the hospital, Adriana shares her life with her beloved cat, Chaos. She also owns a farm in Mexico, where she cares for a variety of farm animals. Her love for animals extends far beyond the clinic, and her dedication to their well-being is evident in everything she does. We are proud to have Adriana as part of our team and appreciate the experience, kindness, and positive energy she brings to our hospital every day.

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RVT, Veterinary Technician

Jaime Gutierrez

Jaime Gutierrez is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and a licensed veterinarian in Mexico with more than 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine. Throughout his career, Jaime has developed extensive expertise in emergency and critical care, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, and a variety of other specialty services. His vast knowledge, clinical skills, and dedication to patient care make him one of our most experienced and respected senior technicians. As a founding member of San Diego Veterinary Urgent Care, Jaime has been with us since the day we opened our doors. Over the years, he has played a key role in helping our hospital grow while providing exceptional care to countless patients and supporting pet owners through some of their most challenging moments. Beyond his technical expertise, Jaime is passionate about mentoring and educating the next generation of veterinary professionals. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with newer team members and helping them develop skills and confidence in the treatment area. His willingness to teach and support others has made a lasting impact on our hospital and staff. Outside of work, Jaime enjoys spending time with his two beloved dogs, Nikki and Gemma. We are incredibly grateful to have Jaime as part of our team and appreciate the experience, leadership, and dedication he brings to our hospital every day.

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Veterinary Assistant

Kirra Hayes

Kirra Hayes is a dedicated Veterinary Assistant who brings enthusiasm, compassion, and a positive attitude to our team every day. She is currently a college student majoring in Psychology and is exploring her future career path, with interests in both human medicine and veterinary medicine. Working in urgent care has given Kirra the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while learning all aspects of a fast-paced veterinary practice. Kirra has a deep love for animals and is passionate about providing quality care to every patient she meets. Her willingness to learn, strong work ethic, and caring nature make her a valued member of our hospital team. Whether assisting with patient care, supporting clients, or helping her coworkers, Kirra is always eager to contribute and grow her skills. Outside of work, Kirra enjoys spending time with her four pets: her cats, Glory and Gypsy, and her dogs, Levi and Jojo. She also loves watching movies and sewing in her free time. While she continues to explore whether her future lies in human medicine or animal medicine, we are grateful to have her as part of our urgent care family and appreciate the positivity, dedication, and compassion she brings to our team every day.

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Veterinary Assistant

Kimberly

Kimberly has been a valued member of our team since 2022 and is an experienced veterinary assistant who graduated from Pima Medical Institute. Her passion for animal care, strong work ethic, and compassionate nature make her an important part of our hospital family. Kimberly has a special love for helping animals in need and is heavily involved in rescue work. In addition to working in urgent care, she also works at a spay and neuter clinic, demonstrating her commitment to reducing pet overpopulation and improving the lives of animals in our community. Her dedication to animal welfare shines through in everything she does. At home, Kimberly shares her life with her two beloved dogs: Aspen, a French Bulldog, and Trixy, a Chihuahua. When she is not caring for patients, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, exploring nature, and anything involving animals. Kimberly's kindness, experience, and passion for veterinary medicine make her a wonderful asset to our team, and we are grateful to have her with us.

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Veterinary Assistant

Natsumi Mori

Natsumi Mori is a highly experienced veterinary assistant who has been a valued member of our team since 2022. She has a special passion for emergency medicine and cardiology and plays an important role in staff training and mentoring. Known for her dedication, compassion, and extensive hands-on experience, Natsumi helps ensure our patients receive exceptional care during every visit. When she's not caring for patients, Natsumi enjoys spending time with her furry family, which includes her three dogs—Mickey, Mochi, and Misi—who are often seen at the hospital serving as our unofficial mascots. She also shares her home with two beloved cats, Mandy and Chewy. Natsumi's love for animals, combined with her knowledge and positive attitude, makes her an invaluable part of our hospital family.

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Veterinary Assistant

Taylor Mann

Taylor Mann began her journey with our hospital as a Client Service Representative (CSR) and quickly demonstrated a passion for veterinary medicine and patient care. Through hard work, dedication, and a strong desire to learn, she transitioned into the medical team and has become a highly skilled and experienced veterinary assistant. Doctors often comment that Taylor performs like a seasoned professional, and she is recognized as one of our strongest veterinary assistants. Known for being a fast learner and an exceptionally hard worker, Taylor consistently goes above and beyond for her patients, clients, and teammates. Her positive attitude, attention to detail, and commitment to providing outstanding care make her an invaluable member of our hospital family. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys spending time with her beloved pets, including her dog Marley, her cat Miso, and a rescued gecko named Speedy. She has ambitious goals for her future and plans to earn her Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) credentials before pursuing veterinary school. With her dedication, compassion, and determination, we have no doubt that Taylor will make an outstanding veterinarian one day, and we are proud to be part of her journey.

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