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50+ Years
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Emergency
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Your Trusted El Cerrito Veterinary Hospital
Established in 1958, Abbey Pet Hospital has been a cornerstone of veterinary care in El Cerrito, CA. Our four-doctor practice combines extensive experience with personalized attention, offering services ranging from routine wellness visits to advanced surgical procedures. We pride ourselves on maintaining a balance between a comprehensive medical facility and a warm, community-focused atmosphere. Our team of veterinarians and support staff is dedicated to advancing veterinary medicine while preserving the human-animal bond through compassionate care. Over six decades, we have evolved from a small grooming salon to a modern clinic equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Our commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in recent facility upgrades and a focus on client education. We value the trust our clients place in us and strive to honor that relationship through exceptional service and unwavering dedication to pet health. Our core values of communication, compassion, teamwork, and accountability guide every interaction with pets and their families. As a locally-owned practice, we remain deeply invested in serving the East Bay community and supporting animal rescue organizations.
Services
Dental Care Diagnostics Puppy and Kitten Care Surgery Wellness Care Specialty Referrals
Details
  • Year established: 1958
Highlights and features
  • We offer over 60 years of experience in veterinary medicine with a focus on personalized care.
  • Our facility features advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment for comprehensive treatment options.
  • We maintain a dedicated team of veterinarians with expertise in wellness, medicine, and surgery.
  • Our staff provides continuous monitoring and recovery support for surgical patients.
  • We partner with local rescues and prioritize community engagement in pet healthcare.
What people say
Compassionate staff Successful treatment outcomes Personalized attention Thorough diagnostics Supportive end-of-life care
Services
Dental Care
Our dental services include digital x-rays and advanced periodontal disease treatment. We focus on early detection of hidden dental issues through radiographic imaging. Regular cleanings and specialized care help maintain your pet's oral health and prevent systemic diseases.
Diagnostics
We utilize IDEXX laboratories and in-house diagnostics for bloodwork, urinalysis, and disease detection. Baseline testing helps monitor health changes over time. Our diagnostic capabilities enable early intervention for conditions like organ dysfunction and infections.
Puppy and Kitten Care
We provide vaccination schedules, parasite prevention, and spay/neuter recommendations for young pets. Personalized care plans ensure proper development and early health issue detection. Our team guides owners through initial pet care requirements and preventive measures.
Surgery
Our surgical suite handles procedures from routine spays to complex orthopedic operations. Patients receive continuous monitoring by dedicated technicians during anesthesia. Post-operative care includes recovery assistance and follow-up communication with pet owners.
Wellness Care
We recommend bi-annual exams and age-appropriate bloodwork for early disease detection. Services include vaccinations, dental exams, parasite prevention, and nutrition counseling. Our preventive approach maximizes pets' longevity and quality of life through regular health monitoring.
People
Dr. Judd
Owner
Dr. Judd joined Abbey Pet Hospital in 2011 and purchased the practice in 2016. He leads a four-doctor team committed to advancing veterinary medicine while maintaining personalized care standards for East Bay pets.
Dr. Jennie Kim
Veterinarian
Dr. Jennie Kim specializes in compassionate care and complex case management. Her dedication to patient recovery and client communication has earned recognition from clients and peers for exceptional veterinary treatment outcomes.
Dr. Gretel Schlegel
Veterinarian
Dr. Gretel Schlegel provides attentive care with a focus on thorough diagnostics and patient comfort. Her approach emphasizes listening to client concerns and developing tailored treatment plans for each pet's unique needs.
Dr. Lee Prutton
Former Owner
Dr. Lee Prutton expanded Abbey Pet Hospital from a single-doctor practice to a three-veterinarian facility between 1983-2016. His leadership established the foundation for the hospital's comprehensive service offerings.
Dr. Linton
Founder
Dr. Linton established Abbey Pet Hospital in 1958 as a grooming salon before transitioning to veterinary services. He relocated the practice to its current site in the 1970s to accommodate growth and evolving medical needs.
Questions
What veterinary services do you offer?
We provide dental care, diagnostics, surgery, wellness exams, puppy/kitten care, and specialty referrals for pets in the East Bay area.
Do you handle pet emergencies after hours?
For after-hours emergencies, we recommend contacting PETS Referral Center while our staff remains available for urgent advice via phone.
How often should pets receive wellness exams?
We recommend bi-annual exams for adult pets and more frequent visits for seniors or animals with health conditions to ensure early disease detection.
What payment methods do you accept?
Please contact our office directly for current payment options as this information wasn't specified in our provided materials.
Do you offer dental care for pets?
Yes, our dental services include digital x-rays, periodontal treatment, and routine cleanings to maintain oral health and prevent systemic diseases.
How can I schedule an appointment?
Contact us at 510-233-1003 during business hours or visit our website to request an appointment with our veterinary team.
Reviews (4)
CatBat B.
Jun 18, 2022 Report
Dr. Gretal R. Schlegel has been reported to the Vet Board for malpractice. She is queued for investigation.
Edie B.
Jun 18, 2022 Report
Abbey took excellent care of our little rescue Chihuahua-he needed a dental cleaning and had 6 teeth pulled. I felt Dr. Schlegel spent a lot of time with me, answered all my questions, and asked me questions from the last time he was in. Every one of the staff I've had contact with has truly seemed to care about the animals, and not try to traumatize them any further than they already are, cause they're at the vet! Their system works well with pulling into the parking lot and texting them. Everyone has been helpful and friendly.
T. C.
Jun 04, 2022 Report
I've been utilizing Abbey Pet Hospital since 1995, when we first adopted a kitten from the business next door. Nermal was a bit of a hand full and my first visit with Dr. Judd convinced me that this vet office was the place for me. Since then, four of our other cats have been patients. Each one has had a stellar experience. What I like most about Abbey Pet Hospital is that the customer service has been great with every vet who has seen my felines!

They all take the time and effort to evaluate my pets, and I never feel rushed. I even had one vet, Dr. Kim, solve a situation that was affecting ME! She was able to figure out a cascading set of situations that led to a mite problem on my cat--that were biting me as well! This took a level of due diligence that impresses me to this day. I just can't say nice enough things about this establishment. I believe that my loyalty for over twenty years speaks for itself!
Karen N.
May 30, 2022 Report
We've been coming to Abbey for over 10 years and consistently had great experiences. The vets are knowledgeable, as well as personable and caring. We've seen Dr. Judd, Dr. Schlegel and Dr. Kim during the last two years and all three are top flight. In fact, I've found the whole team from the front desk to the vets easy to communicate with. Additionally the vets provide written and clear instructions, if needed.