Drs. Abella and Zelles each have over 30 years of experience treating dogs and cats in San Diego. We pride ourselves on delivering personalized, high-quality medicine to the standards set by the American Board of Practitioners. These initials identify a veterinarian who has had extensive training and passed an examination process that promotes the highest standard of contemporary clinical practice. Only a few hundred veterinarians in the nation hold these credentials.

We are dedicated to providing the high-quality care expected of a doctor with an ABVP distinction. The care is also delivered with a fear-free approach. The “Fear Free” veterinary certification program aims to create a calm and stress-free environment for pets during their visits to the clinic. Aloha Animal Hospital provides numerous services, including quality dental care, wellness exams, and advanced procedures, including laparoscopic surgery, PennHip assessment, laser therapy, and acupuncture, all under one roof from family-oriented veterinarians.

Aloha Animal Hospital is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We are closed on weekends.

You can reach Aloha Animal Hospital by phone at (760) 724-8313 or visit us at 2020 E Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084.

Although we primarily serve Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos, Fallbrook, Bonsall, Carlsbad, Escondido, and surrounding areas in North San Diego County, we also have clients from Palm Desert to Orange County.

Yes, Aloha Animal Hospital welcomes new clients and their pets.

We treat dogs and cats of all ages at Aloha Animal Hospital.

You can schedule an appointment at Aloha Animal Hospital using the PetDesk app or by calling or texting (760) 724-8313.

You can book appointments out weeks to months in advance as it does get busy. However, we will accommodate emergencies and urgent needs as they are triaged.

Yes, but our schedule is merely a suggestion of the actual times available and the ongoing urgent care of the day.

For surgeries, we require a deposit, as time slots are limited and valuable. We understand you too have emergencies and unpredictable events, so cancellations can be met without penalty pending circumstances.

Absolutely. Both Dr. Abella and Dr. Zelles have cared for generations of animals for many families for decades—they are part of our ‘ohana,’ or family.

Aloha Animal Hospital accepts cash, checks, credit cards, Apple Pay, CareCredit, and debit cards.

Yes, we provide cost estimates before procedures.

We do not work directly with pet insurance companies—clients are responsible for filing their own claims with their insurance provider. We will provide clients with invoices and records as requested.

Clients may apply for financing options through CareCredit.

Yes, we offer 10% discounts for seniors and active duty military personnel.

Ideally, your puppy or kitten should have their first vet visit around 6-8 weeks of age for vaccinations and health assessment.

Your pet’s first visit will include a friendly introduction, a thorough exam, and recommendations pending findings.

A complete plan for vaccination, deworming, and possible spay/neuter will be created based on the physical exam at Aloha Animal Hospital.

Immediately. Training begins immediately as well. Assure other dogs and pups are up to date with vaccines and preventatives in a safe environment. Puppy socialization is essential for proper development and interaction among dogs, as well as in various environments. Here is an excellent guide: Dr. Sophia Yin’s Puppy Socialization Checklist.

This will be assessed and adjusted to your pet’s need at Aloha Animal Hospital. A great place to address the nutritional need for your pet is at WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines.

This turns out to be a complicated question. Several studies recommend spay/neuter timing based on breed. We will consider the timing pending the latest information for your dog. We typically sterilize cats at 6 months of age.

Laparoscopic spay is a minimally invasive procedure with smaller incisions, faster recovery, less pain, and better cosmetic results. We can visualize the ovaries with incredible clarity and remove them with less trauma to the dog.

Laparoscopic spay is less invasive, offers faster recovery, reduced complications, less pain, smaller incision site, and better cosmetic outcome.

There are risks with all anesthetic procedures. We make every effort to mitigate risk factors and ensure proper protocols are followed in each circumstance. No two surgeries are exactly alike, so the medications and procedures are customized to your pet’s needs.

We recommend annual or semi-annual wellness exams, depending on your dog or cat breed or special needs.

Routine wellness exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, annual fecal test, annual heartworm test, and periodic dental care are recommended. Annual lab testing and advanced wellness care will be suggested pending your pet’s age, breed, and existing conditions.

Heartworm prevention is crucial because heartworm disease, spread by mosquitoes, can cause severe and fatal damage to a pet’s heart, lungs, and other organs, with symptoms often not appearing until the disease is advanced. Prevention is significantly easier and safer than treating the advanced disease, which can be painful, risky, and potentially lead to lasting health issues.

Your dog or cat may need annual cleaning. Some individuals require it more than others, depending on their dental care at home, genetics, comorbidities, and diet.

We recommend Simparica TRIO for dogs (heartworm test required), Simparica for dogs (no heartworm test required, but does not include heartworm preventative), and Revolution PLUS for cats.

Dr. Abella is a Certified Veterinary Medical Acupuncture (CVMA) practitioner specially trained in veterinary acupuncture. We believe in traditional western medicine, however, acupuncture augments our ability to help with pain management, neurologic issues, and numerous other things like nausea.

Acupuncture can treat arthritis, hip dysplasia, digestive issues, allergies, neurological disorders, intervertebral disc disease, and pain management.

Digital radiography is advanced imaging technology providing instant, high-quality x-rays with ability to enhance and share images accurately and quickly.

Yes, we offer laparoscopic procedures and other minimally invasive surgical techniques at Aloha Animal Hospital.

We provide digital dental radiography, advanced anesthesia protocols with nerve blocks, and comprehensive dental surgery.

For after-hours emergencies, contact:

Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) Oceanside: 760-621-0711
Veterinary Specialty Hospital (VSH) San Marcos: 760-466-0600
California Veterinary Specialists (CVS) Carlsbad: 760-431-2273

A veterinary emergency involves situations that pose an immediate threat to a pet’s life or limb, requiring urgent intervention to prevent serious harm. Common examples include difficulty breathing or choking, severe bleeding, collapse, seizures, signs of extreme pain, trauma from accidents (e.g., hit by a car), and ingestion of toxic substances. When in doubt, contacting an emergency veterinarian or poison control for guidance is always the safest approach.

Yes, but while we strive to provide the best care possible to all of our patients, we are not an emergency hospital and as such, some patients may need to be referred to an emergency hospital. Emergency care may necessitate overnight nursing and monitoring as well as timely surgery which is best provided by urgent care.

Although vomiting is a concern, it isn’t always an emergency that demands veterinary care. Sometimes, one incident of vomiting could be a minor dietary indiscretion and your pet may be normal thereafter. If the animal is acting normal, eating and drinking, and possibly only vomited the one time it may be ok. However, if in doubt, call to make an appointment asap.

Consider going to urgent care if there is any blood in the vomit, multiple attempts to vomit, painful, bloated, underlying diseases like diabetes, or lethargic or suspicious of ingesting a toxin or medication.

Most cases of diarrhea are self limiting and may last a day or two. We would be more concerned with puppies and kittens as they may become dehydrated quickly. So, if the diarrhea persists, we recommended bringing a fecal sample in and have your pet assessed asap.

Dogs are amazingly tolerant to pain. However, when displaying discomfort, pain can be exhibited with behavioral changes like irritability, restlessness, or decreased activity; physical signs such as limping, changes in posture, or excessive grooming; vocalizations like whining or groaning; and physiological responses such as altered appetite, increased panting, or changes in sleeping patterns. If in doubt, make an appointment and we’ll try to address the situation.

If your dog or cat displays changes in behavior without cause, there may be a medical issue versus a behavior issue. Having a live assessment may be necessary. Behavior change in an animal should be assessed when it is sudden, persistent, or accompanied by physical symptoms like limping or weight change, as these often indicate underlying medical issues. Senior pets exhibiting confusion or restlessness also require veterinary evaluation, as do behaviors that pose a safety risk to the animal, other pets, or people.

We are not offering boarding services at this time.

We work with VetSource, a reputable online pharmacy.

Yes, Aloha Animal Hospital offers laser therapy services.