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40 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Veterinarians in Irvine, CA
At Northwood Animal Hospital, we have dedicated ourselves to redefining veterinary excellence since 1986. Our team of experienced veterinarians and technicians combines advanced medical expertise with compassionate care, treating every pet as if they were our own. With decades of collective experience in small animal medicine, including specialized care for rabbits and exotic pets, we employ cutting-edge diagnostic tools and surgical techniques to ensure optimal outcomes. Our practice emphasizes preventive care through comprehensive wellness exams while maintaining rigorous standards in anesthesia protocols and post-operative recovery.

We pride ourselves on transparent communication, empowering pet owners with personalized guidance about nutrition, behavior, and disease prevention. This unwavering commitment to quality has earned us recognition as Southern California's premier rabbit veterinary specialists, serving both routine and complex medical needs with integrity and expertise.
Services
Wellness Exams Vaccinations Dental Care Surgical Procedures Emergency Services Rabbit Medicine Parasite Prevention Senior Pet Care Nutritional Counseling Microchipping
Details
  • Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
  • We offer 35+ years of experience in small animal and exotic pet medicine
  • Our hospital maintains advanced surgical and diagnostic capabilities
  • Specialized rabbit care from nationally recognized veterinary experts
  • We provide personalized health education for responsible pet ownership
  • 24/7 emergency support for urgent pet medical needs
What people say
Compassionate and warming Unbelievable service Amazing and kind Caring and supportive Exceptional professionals
Services
Wellness Exams
Our comprehensive wellness exams establish health baselines and detect early disease indicators through systematic physical assessments. These preventive visits evaluate all biological systems while creating customized care plans that improve pets' quality of life and longevity. Regular examinations help identify potential issues before they become serious health threats.
Rabbit Medicine
As Southern California's leading rabbit specialists, we provide expert care for domestic rabbits including breed-specific health monitoring and dental treatments. Our team addresses unique rabbit medical needs through advanced diagnostics and tailored treatment plans that promote longevity and prevent common exotic pet diseases.
Dental Care
We offer complete dental services addressing periodontal disease and tooth abnormalities through professional cleanings and surgical interventions. Our protocols prevent painful dental conditions while eliminating bacteria that could enter the bloodstream and cause systemic health complications in pets.
Surgical Procedures
Our surgical services range from routine spays/neuters to complex soft-tissue and orthopedic procedures. Using modern anesthetic protocols and monitoring equipment, we ensure patient safety while providing detailed post-operative care instructions to support optimal recovery and minimize complications.
Emergency Services
We provide critical care for pets experiencing trauma, poisoning, or acute medical crises during regular business hours. Our emergency protocols prioritize rapid assessment and stabilization while maintaining clear communication with pet owners about treatment options and prognosis.
People
Dr. Gayle R. Roberts
Veterinarian/Owner
Graduated from UC Davis in 1980 with dual degrees in Animal Science. Recognized for pelican rescue work, recipient of Lorne Greene New Wilderness Award. Purchased Northwood Animal Hospital in 1986, specializing in surgery and exotic animal medicine.
Dr. Meena Janbahan
Veterinarian
Completed veterinary education at Ross University with clinical training at Iowa State. Specializes in dermatology and mass removal surgeries. Former 4-H member with extensive experience in small animal care and exotic pet medicine.
Dr. Aigin Esfandiari
Veterinarian
Graduated from Shiraz Veterinary School in 2014. Obtained US veterinary license after working in Portland and Las Vegas. Specializes in exotic animal care with particular interest in rabbit medicine and dental procedures.
Lacey Pitino
Practice Manager
Registered Veterinary Technician with Heritage College certification. Joined Northwood in 2014, managing daily operations while maintaining hands-on patient care experience. Specializes in client education and veterinary practice administration.
Cindy
Veterinary Technician
Certified RVT with 24 years of service at Northwood. Focuses on client support and preventive healthcare education. Active in community veterinary outreach while maintaining expertise in pet wellness programs.
Questions
What species do you treat at Northwood Animal Hospital?
We treat dogs, cats, and exotic pets including rabbits. Our team has specialized expertise in rabbit medicine, making us Southern California's premier destination for rabbit veterinary care.
Do you offer emergency veterinary services?
Yes, we provide emergency care during regular business hours. For after-hours emergencies, we recommend contacting a 24-hour specialty hospital while we maintain referral relationships with quality providers.
What makes your rabbit care different from other clinics?
Our veterinarians have decades of combined experience in rabbit medicine, including specialized dental procedures and exotic pet disease management. We understand unique rabbit physiology and behavioral needs better than general practices.
How often should pets receive wellness exams?
Adult pets require annual checkups while seniors (7+ years) need bi-annual exams. Puppies/kittens should visit monthly until 16 weeks old. Regular exams help detect health issues early for better treatment outcomes.
What surgical services do you offer?
We perform routine procedures like spays/neuters plus advanced soft-tissue surgeries. Our surgical suite features modern monitoring equipment with strict protocols for anesthesia safety and post-operative pain management.
Do you provide dental care for pets?
Yes, we offer comprehensive dental services including cleanings, extractions, and specialized rabbit dental procedures. Our team addresses periodontal disease and tooth abnormalities to prevent systemic health complications.
Reviews (6)
Johhny C.
Jun 30, 2022 Report
Dr. Gaan is the the Best. I highly recommend dog moms and dog dads looking for the Best Veterinary Doctor in Orange County. Sonic and Bella was taken care of so gently with kindness, love and expertise. Maria, Kitty, Kristy and Maria were so wonderful and amazing with their warmth and tenderness. I will recommend all of my friends to Northwood Animal Hospital. Thank you so much Dr. Gaan! With warmest regards John Choi Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.
Arlene O'Donnell
Jun 16, 2022 Report
Northwood Animal Hospital has treated several pets for me. My pets have not always enjoyed their experience, but I certainly have! The staff is caring and flexible about my pet's needs and that of their owner!
ShrugRug
May 30, 2022 Report
We trust Northwood Animal with caring for our dog so we made the drive from Menifee back to Irvine after being our vet in an emergency previously.
Alizen R.
May 26, 2022 Report
My bebe bunny Jameson and I looove the staff at Northwood Animal Hospital! Though it's located in a teeny tiny plaza, I love coming here because the customer service is amazing! Setting up an appointment is as easy as making a phone call. They'll ask if you're a new or returning member and then discuss reasons for your visit. For your first visit, they charge you 50% of the standard price which is great.

Due to Covid restrictions, only one person may accompany the pet into the room so family must wait in the lobby or in the car. Dr. Roberts is a very well-known vet who specializes in rabbits and she is super sweet! She always calls Jameson "the perfect size" and makes sure to give great pets and snuggles before finishing up the check-up. There is a new requirement to have the RHDV2 vaccine even for grooming services but since it's safer for your bunny, I opted for this anyway.

The vaccine is $45, the nail trim is $20-25, and the visit is $80-90 (can't remember). Overall, this is our primary choice in Orange County and I can't speak highly enough about how great the team is! (50/100--2022)
Amendoza Mendoza
May 19, 2022 Report
I am so happy I found out that Northwood does brushing & sanitary trims for rabbits. Everyone is always so kind and helpful. When they bring Carly back out to me they let me know everything they did and how she did. Thank you! We will be back monthly for her groomings.
Patty Santry
Apr 23, 2022 Report
It was a great visit -- I have always recommended Northwood Animal Hospital to my friends and family -- and based on this visit will continue to do so! I'm especially happy that you have gone back to in-person appointments (with precautions, of course).