Dog & Cat HospitalCalabasas

Care

General Practice

Compassionate, comprehensive primary care for dogs and cats at every life stage — your first call for anything from a yearly checkup to a same-week sick visit.

Dog & Cat Hospital Calabasas was built on the belief that excellent primary care is the foundation of a long, healthy life. Our general-practice team — led by Dr. Liset Diaz, our medical director — handles everything from annual wellness exams and core vaccinations to sick visits, minor injuries, and medication management. Because we're a full-service, family-owned hospital, unusual findings don't mean an immediate referral: our board-certified specialists in internal medicine, cardiology, and surgery work right down the hall, ready to step in when primary care needs backup.

What's Included

General practice at our hospital covers the full scope of routine and episodic care:

  • Comprehensive wellness exams — nose-to-tail physical evaluation, body-condition scoring, dental inspection
  • Core and lifestyle vaccine protocols tailored to your pet's age, breed, and exposure risk
  • Parasite screening and prevention — fleas, ticks, heartworm, intestinal parasites
  • Microchipping and registration guidance
  • In-house diagnostics — bloodwork, urinalysis, and cytology often available same visit
  • Sick and urgent visits — ear infections, skin issues, vomiting, diarrhea, and more
  • Prescription refills and follow-up care for ongoing conditions
  • Referrals to in-house specialists when advanced workup is needed

Schedule your pet's visit today

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What to Expect

Most visits start with a review of your pet's history and your questions or concerns, followed by a thorough physical exam. The veterinarian will discuss findings, recommend any diagnostics or vaccines, and walk you through a plan before anything happens — so you're never left guessing. Results from in-house tests are typically ready before you leave, allowing same-day treatment decisions. If your pet needs imaging, specialist input, or a surgical consult, we can coordinate that internally without the delay of an outside referral.

Why Our Team

Medical director on staff.

Dr. Liset Diaz brings focused general-practice expertise and oversees care quality across every department.

Specialists one door away.

An ACVIM internist, an ACVIM cardiologist, and an ACVS surgeon practice on-site — no external referral needed for most complex cases.

Dogs and cats only.

Our team's attention stays focused on small-animal medicine, so the exams, protocols, and preventives are always species-appropriate.

Family-owned continuity.

The same doctors and staff see your pet year after year — building the kind of relationship where subtle changes don't get missed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1How often does my dog need a wellness exam?
Most healthy adult dogs benefit from a wellness exam once a year. Puppies, seniors (generally age 7 and older for most breeds), and pets with ongoing health conditions often need visits every six months to stay ahead of changes.
2What vaccines does my cat need every year?
The core cat vaccines — rabies and FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia) — are recommended for virtually all cats, though rabies is required by law and FVRCP boosters are given every one to three years depending on the product. Lifestyle vaccines like FeLV (feline leukemia) depend on your cat's risk of exposure.
3My dog seems fine — do they really need an annual exam?
Yes. Pets age faster than people and often hide discomfort, so an annual exam catches dental disease, weight changes, early organ changes, or lumps that aren't obvious at home. Finding problems early almost always means more treatment options and better outcomes.
4Can I bring my cat and dog to the same practice?
Absolutely — Dog & Cat Hospital Calabasas treats both species, and each visit is tailored to the animal in front of us. Many multi-pet households find it easier to keep all their pets' records in one place.
5What should I bring to my pet's first appointment?
Bring any prior vaccine records, current medications or supplements, and a fresh stool sample if your pet is due for an intestinal parasite screening. If you have a fearful cat, a carrier with a familiar blanket can make the car ride and waiting room much calmer.
6My pet was just seen somewhere else — can you still be our regular vet?
Yes. We can request records from your previous clinic and continue care seamlessly. Having complete medical history helps, but a new physical exam gives us a solid baseline even without prior records.
7How do I know if my dog's issue needs a sick visit or can wait for a wellness appointment?
If your dog is vomiting repeatedly, not eating for more than 24 hours, having trouble breathing, limping severely, or you notice sudden behavior changes, call us for a same-week sick visit rather than waiting. For mild symptoms like one loose stool or a small scrape, a call to our team can help you decide.
8Do you see cats that are difficult to handle?
Yes. We use low-stress handling techniques and, when needed, short-acting anxiolytics to make visits tolerable for anxious or fractious cats. Letting us know ahead of time gives us a chance to prepare.

Related

ProceduresVaccinationTreatmentsParasite Prevention Program

Schedule your pet's visit today

Whether it's an annual checkup, a vaccine update, or a concern you want checked out, our general-practice team is here for dogs and cats at every stage of life.

Book an Appointment