What types of advanced imaging are available at San Francisco Animal Medical Center?

San Francisco Animal Medical Center offers a range of advanced imaging services. These include detailed ultrasound for internal organs, CT scans for cross-sectional images of complex conditions, and MRI for detailed soft tissue imaging, particularly for neurological conditions. The clinic also uses X-rays as part of its diagnostic capabilities.

Which board-certified veterinary specialists are available at SFAMC?

SFAMC has board-certified specialists in several fields. These include Internal Medicine specialists Craig Maretzki, Winnie Ybarra, and Bianca Zampieri. Surgery specialists Margo Mehl and Dan Polidoro are available, alongside Oncology specialists Aarti Sabhlok and Dillon Didehvar. Cardiology is covered by Carley Saelinger, Neurology by Izumi Toyoda, and Critical Care by Michael Sahagian.

What specialized cancer treatments does San Francisco Animal Medical Center offer?

San Francisco Animal Medical Center provides advanced cancer treatment options, including Electrochemotherapy. This innovative technique combines chemotherapy with electrical pulses to enhance drug delivery directly to cancer cells. This method aims to provide a more targeted and effective treatment for various tumors, reflecting the clinic's commitment to cutting-edge technology in oncology.

What types of endoscopic procedures can be performed at SFAMC?

SFAMC offers various minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. These include Rhinoscopy for nasal and sinus conditions, and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, which covers Gastroduodenal (upper GI) and Colonoscopy (lower GI) for digestive issues. Bronchoscopy is available for examining airways in respiratory conditions, and Cystoscopy is performed for female patients to examine the bladder and urinary tract.

What are some reasons a pet owner might bring their animal to SFAMC for emergency care?

Pet owners should consider emergency care at SFAMC for various urgent situations. These include ingestion of toxins or foreign materials, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or changes in gum color. Other critical signs are seizures, inability to walk, severe allergic reactions, bleeding, or injuries from being hit by a car or falling from a height.

San Francisco Animal Medical Center

San Francisco Animal Medical Center is a general practice practice in San Francisco, CA.

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About

San Francisco Animal Medical Center (SFAMC) is a hybrid veterinary hospital offering primary, specialty, and 24/7 emergency care. It is equipped with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technology, including MRI, CT scans, ultrasound, and oxygen cages. Specialty services encompass internal medicine, surgery, oncology, cardiology, neurology, and critical care, supported by board-certified veterinary specialists. The clinic also provides specialized treatments like Electrochemotherapy for oncology and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy for surgical cases.

SFAMC operates as one of the largest locally owned and operated veterinary hospitals on the West Coast, serving the San Francisco community. Patients can access 24-hour emergency services without an appointment, though calling ahead is recommended. For specialty care, the clinic works with referring primary care veterinarians. The facility opened in April 2022 and has expanded to include comprehensive services.

Photos

Photos via Google · San Francisco Animal Medical Center, Lauren Hoffman, Alex Alvarez, Teresa Hammerl

Frequently asked questions

What types of advanced imaging are available at San Francisco Animal Medical Center?: San Francisco Animal Medical Center offers a range of advanced imaging services. These include detailed ultrasound for internal organs, CT scans for cross-sectional images of complex conditions, and MRI for detailed soft tissue imaging, particularly for neurological conditions. The clinic also uses X-rays as part of its diagnostic capabilities.
Which board-certified veterinary specialists are available at SFAMC?: SFAMC has board-certified specialists in several fields. These include Internal Medicine specialists Craig Maretzki, Winnie Ybarra, and Bianca Zampieri. Surgery specialists Margo Mehl and Dan Polidoro are available, alongside Oncology specialists Aarti Sabhlok and Dillon Didehvar. Cardiology is covered by Carley Saelinger, Neurology by Izumi Toyoda, and Critical Care by Michael Sahagian.
What specialized cancer treatments does San Francisco Animal Medical Center offer?: San Francisco Animal Medical Center provides advanced cancer treatment options, including Electrochemotherapy. This innovative technique combines chemotherapy with electrical pulses to enhance drug delivery directly to cancer cells. This method aims to provide a more targeted and effective treatment for various tumors, reflecting the clinic's commitment to cutting-edge technology in oncology.
What types of endoscopic procedures can be performed at SFAMC?: SFAMC offers various minimally invasive endoscopic procedures. These include Rhinoscopy for nasal and sinus conditions, and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, which covers Gastroduodenal (upper GI) and Colonoscopy (lower GI) for digestive issues. Bronchoscopy is available for examining airways in respiratory conditions, and Cystoscopy is performed for female patients to examine the bladder and urinary tract.
What are some reasons a pet owner might bring their animal to SFAMC for emergency care?: Pet owners should consider emergency care at SFAMC for various urgent situations. These include ingestion of toxins or foreign materials, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or changes in gum color. Other critical signs are seizures, inability to walk, severe allergic reactions, bleeding, or injuries from being hit by a car or falling from a height.

Contact & hours

Address

2343 Fillmore St
San Francisco

Phone

(415) 872-1872

Website

sfamc.com

4.0 · 312 Google reviews

Recent reviews

6 months ago

Rayannah Salahuddin

I love this pet hospital. Everything about it is wonderful. I have been going here for nearly 9 year. They literally save my cats life when she had an asthma attack. Through their guidance Toasted Marshmallow is doing 100% better. I did like the SPCA, but the service here and how kinda and loving to my pets the staff are as a whole, I can't imagine finding anything better elsewhere.
5 months ago

Simone Lacy

Open 24 hours. Was kind of expensive so only go if absolutely necessary. Short wait time. Nice staff. Could be cleaner. Doctor was okay but seemed tired and bland. Located in a very busy fun area on Fillmore Street. Public transportation outside. Not so great parking. Small stores and restaurants all around. I was told a two hour wait time for my furchild to to be seen but we waited maybe 20 minutes was in and out. Not too bad but the fees are pretty expensive.
2 months ago

Alison Gerken

I couldn't possibly be more thankful for the care that Dr. Ybarra has provided to our kitties over the years. She is extremely compassionate, thorough, knowledgeable and gentle to our babies and to us. As a veterinarian, Dr. Ybarra's brilliance and dedication has inspired me to be a better clinician. Our old man kitty, despite many ailments, keeps on going thanks to all of her guidance, monitoring and interventions over the years. We have certainly gained significantly more quality time with him because of her care. A number of my own pet parents have pets who see Dr. Ybarra too, and every single one of them has said she is the best. Having worked with her outside of the exam room, I can attest that she is actually just as lovely, respectful, kind and delightful as she is in the exam room. Also, I must thank Dr. Bechtel and Dr. Bar who saw one of our other pets recently. They too were very thorough and gentle, and proactive about offering the highest quality of medicine so we could rule out some potentially scary causes of our cat's issues. Unfortunately, one of the tests revealed something unexpected, and thanks to their prompt collaboration with the internal medicine service, our kitty was having an abdominal ultrasound by Dr. Ybarra just a few days later so we could get some answers. Every time we have been seen, all of the team members have treated our pets so carefully and sweetly.

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4 months ago

Jamie C

I brought my dog to this ER because half of her face suddenly became swollen. I was extremely worried that she might have been bitten by a poisonous insect since I had taken her outside the day before.This was clearly an urgent situation. They took my dog away from me and immediately asked me to pay. Naturally, I thought they had discovered something serious or life-threatening. When I asked about her condition, they gave me no explanation and simply told me to signed the contract and proceed with the payment. By the time I asked for an update, my dog had already finished her examination and I had been waiting for over two hours. When I asked how much longer it would take, I was repeatedly told that they did not know. Later, I was informed that the doctor was busy with other patients and that I would need to wait about another hour. During that time, I could see how anxious my dog was, so I took her outside briefly to calm her down. We returned exactly one hour later as instructed, only to be told that nothing was ready and no further steps had been taken. At that point, a kind male nurse noticed how stressed my dog was and offered us a private room, which I appreciated. However, this does not make up for the lack of medical evaluation and communication. We then waited another 20 minutes before finally speaking with the doctor. Later, I found out that the only thing they had done was examine her eyes — which turned out to be completely fine. They performed no blood tests, no imaging, and no proper diagnostics, and still could not tell me what caused the swelling. Their answer was simply: “We don’t know.” After the consultation, I was told that medication would be prescribed. I waited another 10 minutes, then went to the front desk to ask when I could pick up the medication — and again, I was told they “didn’t know.” What shocked me further was being told that if her condition got worse, I could come back for further testing. As a pet owner, I came here to prevent her condition from worsening — not to wait until it became more dangerous. They also entered my email address incorrectly, and I had to call twice just to have it corrected. While I was still at the hospital, I repeatedly asked: • When will I receive the invoice? • When can I pick up the medication? I was told they could not provide any timeline. Eventually, they refunded $180, which I appreciate, but this does not change how distressing and unprofessional the entire experience was. I left with no clear diagnosis, no proper explanation, no medication, and unnecessary stress for both me and my dog, after paying $500 upfront and waiting for hours. Thankfully, my dog’s swelling went down on its own the next day. Emergency care should be about transparency, timely diagnostics, and protecting animals — not creating panic, taking payment first, and offering no answers. I would not recommend this place to anyone who truly cares about their pet’s safety. Like I never leave negative reviews for local businesses, because I understand how difficult it is to run one. But this experience crossed a line. Update after the clinic’s response: My concern was not the deposit or wait time, but the lack of communication and medical direction. My dog was taken away and I was asked to pay without being told what was found or what care would be provided. After the exam, I waited over two hours and no one could tell me how much longer it would take. No blood tests or imaging were done, I was given no diagnosis, no treatment plan, and was even told to come back if her condition worsened, which defeats the purpose of emergency care. I only received my invoice after calling three times, and only then was informed that I was eligible for a refund. To this day, I still have not received my dog’s medical report. I was prepared for the cost of ER. I was not prepared for the emotional stress of being kept in the dark about my dog’s condition for hours. I believe it is important for other pet owners to understand what to expect in similar situations.
4 months ago

Max Caspescha

Visited SFAMC after our 9 mo. old pup wasn’t feeling well (lethargic, diarrhea, vomiting) and couldn’t get a last minute appointment at our regular vet. I have a myriad of odd and frustrating reasons why our visit was sub-par, but chief among them are the fact that we were led into an examination room that an employee came into about five minutes later and told us she needed to move us into the room over as there was another dog who was contagious right before us. When I asked if I should be concerned about my pup catching anything, her response was, “Oh, it was only a few minutes, it’s fine.” To make sure I wasn’t overly concerned about this (I’m no vet), I asked my normal vet during an appointment we had later in the week if that was actually a big deal, to which she replied, “Absolutely.” Apart from this, it’s clear that other than the vet himself (Ben Ang, he was great), nobody in that building has the slightest clue what they are doing. Additionally, the staff at the front desk appear somewhat disinterested in their job and incapable of simple tasks (i.e. needing an invoice adjustment after they forgot to give us the food they prescribed and subsequently sending that adjusted invoice, after forgetting to send me an after-visit invoice to begin with). Lastly (stick with me), our pup was panting heavily and rather frantic following an injection of IV fluids; I called to ask if this was to be expected or if I should be concerned and the woman on the phone gave me a bunch of rigamarole and told me that unless we pay to have diagnostics done, costing thousands of dollars, there is nothing she could tell us. All of this happened before I was able to get home and read over the instructions they provided for dosing his meds, which clearly states that we are only to give him the intravenous fluids if he is not already panting. Of course, I could be wrong, but to me this indicates that too many IV fluids would lead to the panting/racing heart rate we saw in him right before getting home. According to Dr. Ang, he was only 5-7% dehydrated, seems like someone should have known that 600ml of IV fluids would be too much. Either someone should have said that this could happen when we administered the fluids in the examination room, or the woman who picked up the phone when we called in a panic should have known to tell us this without trying to upsell us on unnecessary and very expensive diagnostics. All-in-all, a very Twlight Zone-ish experience, the vibe and knowledge of the staff is completely off and there is clearly a serious lack of communication and organization. Seems like money comes over actual concern for your pet here. Won’t ever be back. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

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