Taking care of a puppy involves more than just training and playtime—it also requires regular visits to a trusted veterinarian. Puppies need vaccinations, health check-ups, and guidance on nutrition, behavior, and preventive care. For pet parents in San Antonio, having access to reliable veterinary clinics is crucial to ensure your puppy grows up healthy and happy. Here’s a guide to some of the top veterinary clinics in San Antonio and what makes them great for puppies.
20 Best Veterinary Clinics for Puppies in San Antonio, Texas
Bringing home a puppy means finding a vet fast — for that first round of vaccines, a wellness exam, and a relationship you’ll likely keep for years. Puppies need more than training and playtime; they need vaccinations, parasite prevention, nutrition guidance, and a vet who can catch problems early while they’re still easy to fix.
Below are 20 real, currently operating San Antonio-area clinics that see puppies, organized by part of the city, with verified addresses, phone numbers, and hours where available so you can call and book directly.
Before you go: Confirm hours and new-patient availability before your first visit. Clinic hours, staff, and even ownership change — a quick call saves a wasted trip.
Central San Antonio
1. Olmos Park Animal Hospital
4349 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212 📞 (210) 824-9299
Neighboring Monte Vista, Alamo Heights, and Terrell Hills, this practice offers wellness visits, vaccinations, and dentistry. Staffed by several vets, including Dr. Ann Cross and Dr. Ryan Tomasini. Best for: Puppy owners in the Monte Vista / Alamo Heights corridor who want a long-standing neighborhood practice.
2. CityVet – Alamo Heights Veterinary Clinic & Urgent Care
5421 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209 📞 (210) 742-5900 | 🌐 cityvet.com/location/alamo-heights
Mon–Thu 7am–6pm, Fri 7am–8pm, weekend urgent care hours vary by season (typically Sat–Sun, phones open 8am). Combines routine puppy vaccine appointments with weekend urgent care — useful if your puppy needs same-week attention outside normal hours. Has a board-certified surgeon on staff for advanced procedures. Best for: Owners who want general wellness care and a weekend safety net at the same clinic.
3. CityVet – Southtown
1028 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78210 📞 (210) 622-8885 | 🌐 cityvet.com/location/southtown
Mon–Fri 7am–7pm, closed weekends. A downtown-adjacent option for puppy wellness visits and preventive care, part of the same CityVet system as Alamo Heights. Note: entrance and parking are located at the back of the building. Best for: Downtown, King William, or Southtown residents who want weekday daytime care without crossing town.
North & North Central
4. Deerfield Animal Hospital
14855 Blanco Rd Ste 104, San Antonio, TX 78216 📞 (210) 492-5575
Operating since 1994. Offers wellness exams, boarding, and urgent-care access via the Airvet telehealth platform for existing clients — handy for a quick vet opinion at 9pm without loading the puppy into the car. Best for: Owners who want telehealth backup between in-person visits.
5. Ace Veterinary Clinic
742 Barchester Dr #A, San Antonio, TX 78216 📞 (210) 320-8226
An affordable outpatient clinic led by Dr. Hao C. Lan since 2013, holding a 4.6-star rating across 630+ reviews. Open Tuesday through Sunday mornings; no walk-ins — call ahead. Best for: Budget-conscious owners who don’t mind planning around morning-only hours.
6. Castle West Animal Hospital
11105 West Ave, San Antonio, TX 78213 📞 (210) 344-8259
A full-service hospital treating dogs, cats, and even ferrets, led by Dr. Bill McGehee. Best for: Multi-pet households, including less common companion animals.
7. VitalPet – Northwood Animal Hospital
1634 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78209 📞 (210) 828-1406
Run by Dr. Larry Wood, a San Antonio vet since the 1970s. Well-reviewed for long-term, personal care — a good option if you want the same familiar vet for your puppy’s entire life. Best for: Owners prioritizing continuity of care with one experienced vet.
8. CityVet – Castle Hills Veterinary Clinic & Urgent Care
10003 NW Military Hwy Suite 1103, San Antonio, TX 78231 📞 (210) 594-1115 | 🌐 cityvet.com/location/castle-hills
Offers a dedicated Puppy & Kitten Wellness Package covering exams, core vaccines (Distemper-Parvo, Rabies, Bordetella), deworming, and parasite screening in bundled visits. Also handles weekend urgent care overflow for the Alamo Heights location. Board-certified surgeon on staff. Best for: Owners who want a single bundled puppy package rather than à la carte vaccine visits.
Stone Oak & Far North
9. Stone Oak Veterinary Clinic
18854 Stone Oak Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78258 📞 (210) 545-6446
A Fear Free–certified practice focused on reducing stress during visits — worth considering if you want your puppy’s early vet visits to be as low-anxiety as possible, which can pay off for years of easier checkups. Best for: Anxious puppies or owners who want to head off vet-visit fear early.
10. Blanco Crossing Veterinary Hospital
19179 Blanco Rd Ste 104, San Antonio, TX 78258 📞 (210) 764-2400
A family-owned practice led by Dr. Anne James, known for clear communication on treatment options and pricing before you commit to anything. Best for: Owners who want transparent, no-surprises cost conversations.
11. DeZavala-Shavano Veterinary Clinic
4408 Lockhill Selma Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249 📞 (210) 699-3939
Serving the area since 1996 under Dr. David Harrison, with a team of four vets offering wellness and preventive programs. Best for: Households that want backup vets on staff in case your usual doctor is out.
West & Far West Side
12. St. Francis of Assisi Veterinary Medical Center
8615 Potranco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78251 📞 (210) 509-8500
Open since 2000, with extended weekday hours (7am–6pm) and Saturday availability, plus a 10% military discount. Best for: Military families and anyone needing early or late weekday appointments.
13. Great Northwest Animal Hospital
8843 Grissom Rd, San Antonio, TX 78251 📞 (210) 681-4278
One of the highest-rated options on this list at 4.8 stars across roughly 1,890 Google reviews. Operating since 1980, currently under Drs. Travis and Michele Wright. Best for: Owners who weigh review volume and rating heavily when choosing a vet.
14. Amigo Animal Hospital
12355 Potranco Rd Ste 111, San Antonio, TX 78253 📞 (210) 679-5600
Owned by Dr. Anna Mata and Dr. Angel Tapia since 2012, offering laser therapy, dental care, and wellness vaccines with a reputation for fair pricing. Best for: Far West Side families wanting a full-service clinic beyond basic wellness care.
15. Animal Hospital of Westover Hills
9919 Westover Blf, San Antonio, TX 78251 📞 (210) 680-5243
Led by Dr. Bryan Sharp, serving the Westover Hills area since 2005, offering grooming alongside standard veterinary care. Best for: One-stop grooming plus medical care.
16. Alamo Ranch Animal Hospital
6820 Alamo Pkwy Suite 118, San Antonio, TX 78253 📞 (210) 538-7484
A CityVet partner clinic offering a dedicated puppy and kitten wellness program alongside general veterinary services. Best for: Alamo Ranch–area residents wanting a structured puppy program without visiting a CityVet-branded location.
Northeast
17. CityVet – Bulverde (formerly River City Companion Animal Hospital)
21950 Bulverde Rd Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78259 📞 (210) 404-1717 | 🌐 cityvet.com/location/bulverde
Caring for San Antonio pets since 1997 (as River City), now under CityVet and led by Dr. Kenny Patin. Offers wellness care, spay/neuter, dentistry, orthopedic surgery, and ultrasound. After-hours emergency phone consults available weekdays 6–9pm and weekends 7am–9pm (phone only, not walk-in). Best for: Northeast-side owners who want after-hours phone triage in addition to standard wellness visits.
South Side
18. Alamo Dog & Cat Hospital
1619 Pleasanton Rd, San Antonio, TX 78221 📞 (210) 940-1653
Founded in 1922 — the oldest small-animal veterinary practice in Texas. Offers dedicated puppy and kitten wellness packs for pets 6–12 weeks old, plus a hybrid walk-in/appointment model for flexibility. Best for: Owners who want walk-in flexibility without giving up scheduled appointments entirely.
East Side
19. Rigsby Veterinary Clinic
4831 Rigsby Ave, San Antonio, TX 78222 📞 (210) 648-3183
Serving San Antonio’s East Side since 1970, run by Dr. Luke Proctor. Offers a kid-friendly, calm waiting environment and computerized appointment scheduling. Best for: Families bringing kids along to puppy vet visits.
20. China Grove Veterinary Clinic
6162 US Hwy 87 E, San Antonio, TX 78222 📞 (210) 648-1940
An East Side clinic known for low-cost vaccines and spay/neuter pricing, with an online pharmacy for ongoing prescriptions. Best for: Budget-focused vaccine and spay/neuter care.
Quick-Reference Table
| S.N. | Clinic | Area | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olmos Park Animal Hospital | Central | (210) 824-9299 |
| 2 | CityVet – Alamo Heights | Central | (210) 742-5900 |
| 3 | CityVet – Southtown | Central | (210) 622-8885 |
| 4 | Deerfield Animal Hospital | North Central | (210) 492-5575 |
| 5 | Ace Veterinary Clinic | North Central | (210) 320-8226 |
| 6 | Castle West Animal Hospital | North Central | (210) 344-8259 |
| 7 | VitalPet – Northwood Animal Hospital | North Central | (210) 828-1406 |
| 8 | CityVet – Castle Hills | North Central | (210) 594-1115 |
| 9 | Stone Oak Veterinary Clinic | Far North | (210) 545-6446 |
| 10 | Blanco Crossing Veterinary Hospital | Far North | (210) 764-2400 |
| 11 | DeZavala-Shavano Veterinary Clinic | Far North | (210) 699-3939 |
| 12 | St. Francis of Assisi Vet Medical Center | West | (210) 509-8500 |
| 13 | Great Northwest Animal Hospital | West | (210) 681-4278 |
| 14 | Amigo Animal Hospital | Far West | (210) 679-5600 |
| 15 | Animal Hospital of Westover Hills | Far West | (210) 680-5243 |
| 16 | Alamo Ranch Animal Hospital | Far West | (210) 538-7484 |
| 17 | CityVet – Bulverde | Northeast | (210) 404-1717 |
| 18 | Alamo Dog & Cat Hospital | South Side | (210) 940-1653 |
| 19 | Rigsby Veterinary Clinic | East Side | (210) 648-3183 |
| 20 | China Grove Veterinary Clinic | East Side | (210) 648-1940 |
What to Look for in a Puppy Vet
- Experience with young dogs. Ask whether the clinic runs a specific puppy wellness package covering vaccines, deworming, and microchipping in one visit — several clinics above (Castle Hills, Alamo Ranch, Alamo Dog & Cat Hospital) bundle these.
- A calm, low-stress environment. Fear Free–certified clinics, like Stone Oak Veterinary Clinic, are trained specifically to reduce anxiety in young or nervous pets.
- Clear pricing. Puppy visits typically involve a vaccine series over several appointments — ask for the full cost upfront, not just the first visit.
- Urgent care access. Puppies get into things. A clinic with weekend hours or a same-day sick-visit policy (CityVet locations, Deerfield’s Airvet access) can matter more than you’d expect in the first year.
- Proximity. For a pet you’ll be visiting every few weeks during the puppy vaccine series, a 10-minute drive beats a 40-minute one.
Why Regular Veterinary Care Matters for Puppies
- Vaccinations protect against parvovirus, distemper, and other diseases young dogs are especially vulnerable to.
- Parasite prevention guards against fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms common in puppies.
- Growth monitoring catches nutrition or development issues early, while they’re easiest to correct.
- Early behavior guidance from a vet can help with socialization before problem habits set in.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I take my puppy to the vet for the first time?
Most veterinarians recommend scheduling your puppy’s first wellness exam within the first few days of bringing them home, or by 6 to 8 weeks of age if they haven’t already been seen. Early visits help establish a vaccination schedule and identify any health concerns.
2. How often should my puppy visit the vet during the first year?
Most puppies need wellness visits every 3 to 4 weeks until they’re around 16 weeks old, for vaccinations, growth checks, and preventive care. After that, annual wellness exams are usually recommended unless your vet suggests otherwise.
3. What vaccinations does my puppy need? Core puppy vaccinations generally include distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus (hepatitis), and rabies (required by Texas law at the appropriate age). Your vet may recommend additional vaccines based on lifestyle and risk factors.
4. How much does a puppy’s first vet visit cost in San Antonio?
Costs vary by clinic and services provided. A first visit may include a physical exam, vaccinations, parasite testing, and preventive medications. Ask the clinic for a full estimate before your appointment.
5. What should I bring to my puppy’s first appointment?
Previous medical records (if available), vaccination records, adoption or breeder paperwork, a list of questions, a fresh stool sample if requested, and your puppy on a leash or in a carrier.
6. How do I choose the best clinic for my puppy?
Look for puppy wellness exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, flexible scheduling, experienced vets, good client reviews, and emergency care referrals if needed.
7. What happens during a puppy wellness exam?
Vets typically check weight and growth, eyes/ears/teeth/skin, heart and lungs, joints and movement, overall body condition, vaccination status, and a parasite prevention plan.
8. Do puppies need flea, tick, and heartworm prevention?
Yes. Texas has fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes throughout much of the year, making year-round parasite prevention an important part of puppy healthcare.
9. When should my puppy be microchipped?
Many vets recommend microchipping during an early wellness visit or at spay/neuter. San Antonio’s local ordinances require many owned dogs over four months old to be microchipped and registered.
10. When should my puppy be spayed or neutered?
Timing depends on breed, size, health, and lifestyle. Your vet can recommend the most appropriate age for your individual dog.
11. Do clinics offer puppy wellness plans?
Many clinics bundle exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and routine care into monthly or annual payment plans — CityVet, Alamo Ranch, and Alamo Dog & Cat Hospital above all offer structured puppy packages.
12. Can I visit a low-cost clinic for puppy vaccinations?
Yes — San Antonio has several affordable options, including China Grove Veterinary Clinic and Ace Veterinary Clinic above. The city also maintains a directory of veterinary clinics to help pet owners find care.
13. How long does a puppy check-up usually take?
Most appointments take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on whether vaccinations, diagnostics, or additional treatments are needed.
14. What questions should I ask during my puppy’s first vet visit?
Feeding recommendations, vaccination schedule, potty training, parasite prevention, exercise guidelines, teething, spaying/neutering, and behavioral concerns.
15. How do I prepare my puppy for a veterinary visit?
Take short car rides beforehand, bring favorite treats, use positive reinforcement, remain calm during the visit, and handle your puppy’s paws, ears, and mouth at home to prepare them for exams.
16. Do San Antonio clinics offer emergency care for puppies?
Some provide direct emergency or urgent care (several CityVet locations), while others refer patients to 24-hour emergency hospitals when immediate treatment is needed.
17. How can I tell if my puppy needs immediate veterinary attention?
Seek care right away for trouble breathing, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, refusal to eat for an extended period, severe lethargy, seizures, difficulty walking, suspected poisoning, or major injuries.
18. Can veterinarians help with puppy behavior and training advice?
Yes — many provide guidance on socialization, house training, chewing, biting, and separation anxiety, and may recommend professional trainers when appropriate.
19. How often should puppies be dewormed?
Puppies are commonly dewormed multiple times during their first few months because intestinal parasites are common in young dogs. Your vet will recommend a schedule based on age, health, and fecal test results.
20. Is it worth establishing a relationship with one clinic?
Absolutely. Seeing the same veterinary team lets them track your puppy’s growth, vaccination history, and overall health over time, making it easier to catch changes early and get personalized recommendations throughout your dog’s life.
Conclusion
Finding a reliable veterinary clinic in San Antonio is a vital step in raising a happy, healthy puppy. From long-established practices like Alamo Dog & Cat Hospital (est. 1922) and Rigsby Veterinary Clinic (est. 1970), to Fear Free–certified care at Stone Oak Veterinary Clinic, to the bundled puppy packages at CityVet’s Castle Hills and Alamo Ranch locations, San Antonio pet parents have real choice across every part of the city.
Regular visits don’t just keep your puppy protected from disease — they support proper growth, behavior, and socialization. By picking a clinic that fits your neighborhood, budget, and puppy’s temperament, and sticking with a consistent preventive care routine, you’ll set your dog up for a healthy adulthood.
Always call ahead to confirm current hours, new-patient policies, and pricing — clinic details can change, and this guide reflects information verified at time of publication.. PetsDogPuppy