Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Veterinarian in San Francisco
Balboa Pet Hospital has served the Outer Richmond neighborhood of San Francisco since 1948, providing comprehensive veterinary care for pets. Our team of experienced veterinarians and staff prioritize compassionate, client-centered service, offering individualized medical plans and transparent cost discussions. We specialize in preventive care, dentistry, diagnostics, surgery, and boarding for diverse pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles, and exotics.As AAHA-accredited practitioners, we maintain rigorous standards for facility cleanliness and medical excellence. Our history spans generations, with the Clary family establishing a legacy of empathetic care later continued by dedicated professionals committed to enhancing pet health through education and advanced treatment options.
Services
Acupuncture
Boarding
Comprehensive Exams
Dentistry
Diagnostics
Senior Pet Care
Vaccinations
Surgery
Health Certificates
Preventive Exams
Details
- Year established: 1948
Highlights and features
- We offer 75+ years of combined veterinary experience and personalized medical plans.
- Our AAHA-accredited facility meets rigorous standards for medical care and safety.
- We treat diverse species including exotic pets and specialize in geriatric care.
- Our team provides integrative medicine combining traditional and holistic therapies.
- We maintain transparent cost discussions and compassionate client communication.
Associations and certifications
- AAHA
What people say
Compassionate staff
Knowledgeable veterinarians
Clean facility
Gentle with pets
Experienced team
Services
Acupuncture
Our integrative acupuncture combines traditional Chinese medicine with Western veterinary practices to address chronic conditions like arthritis, paralysis, and allergies. Certified practitioners use dry needles, aqua-acupuncture, and electrostimulation to enhance healing and pain management. This service benefits pets with mobility issues or those seeking alternative therapies to complement conventional treatments.
Boarding
Veterinarian-supervised boarding offers safe, comfortable care for pets requiring medication monitoring or special attention. Our facility includes outdoor play areas, individual cages, and nutritionally balanced meals. We accommodate diverse species including rabbits, exotic pets, and cats, with staff available for health checks throughout their stay.
Dentistry
Full dental services include exams, cleanings, and surgery using anesthesia to ensure thorough sub-gum treatment. Digital X-rays detect hidden oral diseases, while preventive care education helps owners maintain pets' dental health. We emphasize early intervention to avoid systemic complications from untreated dental disease.
Diagnostics
Onsite in-house labs provide rapid bloodwork, cytology, and parasite screenings to support prompt diagnoses. Digital X-rays and consulting radiologists enable comprehensive internal assessments. Regular diagnostic testing establishes health baselines and monitors chronic conditions, ensuring timely treatment adjustments for senior pets.
Comprehensive Exams
Annual physical exams cover weight, organ health, and dental assessments to detect early disease indicators. We tailor vaccination schedules and preventive care to each pet's lifestyle. These checkups help identify hidden illnesses in seemingly healthy animals, particularly cats adept at masking symptoms.
People
Lea M. Del Rosso, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Del Rosso, a California native, has practiced at Balboa since 1995 after graduating from Oklahoma State University. She specializes in internal medicine and serves on SF Aid for Animals' board to improve pet healthcare accessibility.
Starfinder Stanley, VMD
Acupuncture Specialist
Dr. Stanley, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, provides certified acupuncture services since 2007. He treats companion exotics and dogs, balancing practice between Balboa Hospital and his mobile service House Call of the Wild.
Emilie Ravn, DVM
Relief Doctor
Dr. Ravn, qualified from the University of Bristol, combines integrative medicine with 10+ years of Bay Area experience. She completed advanced acupuncture training and focuses on geriatric pet care at Balboa Hospital.
Salumeh Mirzaeian, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Mirzaeian, originally from Iran, joined Balboa after obtaining US veterinary licensure. She specializes in surgery and exotic animals, volunteering at shelters alongside her clinical duties.
Alice K. Clary
Retired Manager
As former practice manager, Mrs. Clary maintained the hospital's welcoming atmosphere established by her veterinarian husband. She coordinated generational family involvement in the hospital's operations until retirement.
Questions
What species do you treat at Balboa Pet Hospital?
We treat dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, reptiles, exotic pets, and birds in our AAHA-accredited facility.
Do you offer 24/7 emergency services?
We operate during standard business hours but provide boarding services requiring medical monitoring during our open hours.
How can I schedule an acupuncture appointment?
Call our office to book sessions with Dr. Stanley, available on specific days for integrative medicine treatments.
What boarding requirements exist for pets?
All boarded pets need recent exams, up-to-date preventatives, and a trial stay to ensure compatibility with our quiet residential neighborhood.
Do you accept walk-in appointments?
While we prioritize scheduled visits, we accommodate urgent cases as our capacity allows during regular business hours.
Are dental cleanings performed without anesthesia safe?
We recommend anesthesia for comprehensive sub-gum cleaning, ensuring patient comfort and thorough periodontal disease prevention.
