Comprehensive Veterinary Care in Laguna Beach
Medical review: Bryan Hayter, DVM | Owner & Medical Director
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026.
From a first wellness visit to unexpected illness, complex diagnostics or a specialist procedure, your pet deserves care that connects the dots.
At Aliso Beach Animal Clinic (ABAC), our independently owned Laguna Beach hospital provides personalized preventive care, same-day urgent visits for appropriate patients, laboratory testing, digital radiography and coordinated specialist services. When a condition requires advanced imaging, surgery or cardiology, we help connect those findings to one understandable medical plan.
Our single South Laguna location welcomes dogs, cats and many exotic pets from Laguna Beach, South Laguna, Three Arch Bay, Emerald Bay, Monarch Beach, The Strand at Headlands, Dana Point and nearby Orange County communities.
What Does Comprehensive Veterinary Care Mean?
Comprehensive care means looking beyond a single symptom, test or appointment. We consider the pet’s species, age, medical history, current problem, comfort, home environment, the family’s goals and what information would actually change care.
A dog that begins limping may need a careful orthopedic examination, then X-rays or a surgical consultation. A cat losing weight may benefit from laboratory testing and, if indicated, abdominal ultrasound. A dog with a heart murmur may need an echocardiogram to determine anesthetic risk. A rabbit eating less than normal may need timely examination and species-specific testing rather than waiting for a routine checkup.
The point is not to order every test. It is to choose the appropriate next step, explain why it matters and help the family understand alternatives, expected benefits, limitations and costs.
Everyday and preventive care
Complete examinations, vaccines, parasite prevention, nutrition, dentistry, microchipping, senior evaluations and continuing management of stable conditions.
Complex or unexpected care
Urgent illness assessments, laboratory and imaging investigations, individualized anesthesia, selected advanced surgery, cardiology coordination and referral when needed.
The 2025 AAHA Referral Guidelines highlight communication, record sharing and ongoing partnership between primary and specialty teams—an important part of continuity when a case becomes complex.
Same-Day Urgent Veterinary Care With Diagnostic Support
Many sudden problems need timely medical advice without necessarily requiring a 24-hour emergency department. During regular hours, ABAC offers same-day urgent veterinary appointments for suitable stable patients when availability permits.
Why Pet Owners Call for Urgent Care
Digestive and general illness
Vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, lethargy, dehydration concerns, suspected pancreatitis or new changes in drinking and urination.
Injuries and discomfort
Limping, minor wounds, paw-pad burns, foxtails, eye and ear pain, skin infections, allergic reactions or new mobility changes.
The next step may include examination, in-house bloodwork, urine or fecal testing, digital X-rays, medications, fluids, wound care, pain relief or referral. Diagnostic decisions depend on medical stability and the likely causes—not on a promise that every illness can be resolved in one visit.
Examples of our patient-education resources include pancreatitis in dogs and cats, foxtail injuries, and the Laguna Beach coyote safety guide. If a pet may have been bitten by a rattlesnake, is struggling to breathe or has severe trauma, call immediately or go directly to the appropriate emergency facility based on severity.
Advanced Veterinary Diagnostics Without Automatically Leaving Your Primary Clinic
Testing is most useful when it answers a clinical question. Our veterinarians combine history, examination findings, blood and urine results and appropriate imaging to help distinguish competing diagnoses and decide whether monitoring, medication, surgery or referral is needed.
In-House Bloodwork and Laboratory Testing
Routine laboratory evaluation can provide information about red and white blood cells, platelets, glucose, electrolytes, kidney and liver values, hydration-related changes and some endocrine or metabolic disorders. Selected tests are performed in-house; specialized samples may be sent to reference laboratories.
Learn more about veterinary bloodwork, urinalysis and diagnostics.
Digital Veterinary X-Rays and Rapid Radiologist Consultation
Digital radiographs help examine bones and joints, chest structures, abdominal gas patterns, many foreign objects, certain urinary stones and selected exotic-pet conditions. Our veterinarians interpret many routine studies. When additional expertise would improve a treatment decision, images can be submitted to a board-certified veterinary radiologist for written consultation.
Stat specialist image review can often be obtained rapidly, with actual turnaround dependent on the image quality, clinical history, complexity and radiologist availability. A stat reading is not a substitute for immediate stabilization of an unstable animal. Explore our digital radiology and advanced imaging service.
Specialist Abdominal Ultrasound at ABAC
Our hospital arranges scheduled abdominal ultrasound with Leyla Fatourechi, DVM, DACVECC. Her board certification is in veterinary emergency and critical care; it should not be confused with radiology board certification. Ultrasound uses sound waves to evaluate abdominal soft tissues, which may be helpful for persistent vomiting, weight loss, abnormal liver tests, abdominal masses, urinary concerns or other unexplained illness.
Ultrasound can identify structural changes but cannot by itself confirm every diagnosis. Additional laboratory work, sampling or referral may be necessary. Specialist availability varies, and a critically ill animal should not wait for a scheduled scan. Read what an abdominal ultrasound can and cannot show.
Mobile Veterinary CT Imaging at Our Hospital
For selected cases, a mobile CT system can be brought to ABAC. CT creates cross-sectional images and may be helpful for skull and nasal disease, complex fractures, chest lesions, selected masses and surgical planning. The mobile CT service uses general anesthesia, with a patient-specific pre-anesthetic assessment and monitoring plan, and studies are interpreted by a board-certified veterinary radiologist. Some patients require imaging at a specialty hospital instead.
| Test | Especially helpful for | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Bloodwork / urine | Organ values, cells, electrolytes, glucose, metabolic status and urine findings | Does not show detailed internal anatomy |
| Digital X-rays | Bones, chest, gas patterns, some stones and foreign objects | Limited soft-tissue detail in overlapping structures |
| Abdominal ultrasound | Soft-tissue organ appearance, bowel layers, abdominal fluid and some masses | May not distinguish inflammation from cancer or show microscopic disease |
| CT | Cross-sectional anatomy, complex fractures, nasal/chest problems and surgical planning | Radiation exposure, anesthesia in ABAC’s mobile service and possible referral |
| Echocardiography | Heart valves, chamber size, blood flow and structural cardiac disease | Different purpose from chest X-rays or abdominal ultrasound |
Board-Certified Specialists Coordinated Through Your Laguna Beach Vet
For suitable patients, ABAC helps arrange advanced specialty services while the regular veterinary team remains involved in the examination, records, medical decisions and follow-up. A visiting specialist is not the same as a continuously staffed specialty or emergency hospital; service availability and suitability must be confirmed.
Orthopedic and Selected Advanced Surgery — Zachery “Zack” Smith, DVM, DACVS
ABAC works with Zachery “Zack” Smith, DVM, DACVS, a board-certified veterinary surgeon, for eligible procedures at our hospital by appointment. Depending on the diagnosis and surgical consultation, these may include TPLO for certain canine cruciate ligament injuries, patellar luxation correction, femoral head and neck ostectomy, fracture repair or selected soft-tissue surgery.
The treating team helps coordinate the initial evaluation, imaging, pre-anesthetic testing, postoperative pain management and follow-up. Some patients need a specialty hospital because their condition requires intensive care, equipment or overnight monitoring. See orthopedic surgery and TPLO in Laguna Beach and surgery and anesthesia services.
Cardiology — April Durtschi, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
ABAC can coordinate appropriate cardiology consultations with April Durtschi, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), a board-certified veterinary cardiologist. Evaluation may be useful for significant murmurs, arrhythmias, fainting, suspected heart disease, concerning pre-anesthetic cardiac findings or medication questions. Formal testing may include echocardiography, ECG or blood-pressure evaluation based on the patient.
A murmur does not automatically mean heart failure or make anesthesia impossible. Clinical findings and appropriate testing guide that decision. Read our heart failure in dogs and cats guide or visit Veterinary Cardiology of Orange County for information about Dr. Durtschi. Scheduling and whether a consultation occurs at ABAC or another location depend on arrangements.
Specialist Imaging and Formal Interpretations
Dr. Fatourechi’s on-site abdominal ultrasound examinations, board-certified radiologist consultations and radiologist-interpreted mobile CT studies are distinct services. The specialist’s role, available schedule, report process, and whether a separate referral is needed are discussed when arranging care.
How Specialist Coordination Works
Examination → initial tests → focused specialty question → specialist report or procedure → treatment and follow-up. We aim to keep your records and recommendations connected, explain the expected next step, and identify when direct emergency or specialty-hospital referral would be safer.
Whole-Pet Wellness, Dentistry, Exotic Medicine and Chronic-Disease Care
Advanced medicine is only one component of comprehensive care. An individualized plan begins with the pet in front of us, not a universal test package.
Wellness and life-stage care
Complete physical examinations, growth and senior assessments, appropriate vaccines, parasite prevention, nutrition and discussions about behavior or daily comfort. See pet wellness exams and puppy and kitten care.
Dental medicine
Oral examinations, professional cleaning under appropriate anesthesia and intraoral radiographs to evaluate disease below the gumline. See veterinary dentistry.
Skin, allergy and discomfort
Clinical evaluations for itching, ear disease, skin lesions, infection, mobility changes and selected chronic pain conditions. See dermatology and pet allergy care.
Senior and chronic-condition follow-up
Monitoring of appetite, weight, muscle, pain, movement, kidney or endocrine disease, blood pressure and quality of life where indicated. See senior-pet care and nutrition counseling.
Care for Rabbits, Reptiles and Other Exotic Pets
ABAC also evaluates many nontraditional companion animals, including appropriate rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles and tortoises. Species-specific care may require habitat and nutrition review, specialized examinations or diagnostic imaging. Call to confirm we can see your particular species and problem. Visit exotic-pet veterinary care for more information.
Integrative Options When Appropriate
Veterinary acupuncture, therapeutic laser and selected pain/mobility approaches may be considered as adjuncts after appropriate diagnosis. They do not replace indicated medication, surgery or emergency treatment. Read why integrative veterinary care may matter and pain and mobility planning.
International Pet Travel Documentation
For eligible cases, USDA-accredited veterinarian Bryan Hayter can evaluate destination-specific certificate requirements and coordinate appropriate veterinary documentation. Country-specific entry rules and USDA endorsement must be planned separately. Explore international pet health certificates and our pet travel planner.
Does Your Pet Need Routine Care, Same-Day Urgent Care or a 24-Hour Emergency Hospital?
| Situation | Best first step |
|---|---|
| Routine and stable Wellness, vaccines, chronic concerns without sudden deterioration, preventive dentistry or nutrition discussion | Schedule an ABAC appointment |
| Time-sensitive but stable New vomiting or diarrhea, limping, painful ear/skin problem, minor wound, appetite change or other emerging symptoms | Call ABAC about same-day urgent care and availability |
| Potentially life-threatening Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, uncontrolled bleeding, repeated seizures, inability to urinate, major trauma or severe abdominal distension with retching | Immediate 24-hour emergency veterinary care |
| Advanced specialty need Complex orthopedic injury, significant heart finding, abdominal mass or unexplained condition requiring specialized imaging | Veterinary evaluation and coordinated specialist referral or on-site appointment when suitable |
When the urgency is unclear, call us during business hours and describe exactly what you see. For severe symptoms, go to an emergency facility without waiting for an online response. Our Laguna Beach urgent-care versus emergency guide can help owners understand the difference.
How to Make the Most of Your Appointment
Bring previous laboratory results, medication and supplement lists, vaccine records, any existing images or specialist reports, and short videos of intermittent symptoms. Tell us about timeline, changes in appetite, energy, drinking, bathroom habits and pain. For unusual symptoms, these details can prevent repeat testing and help focus the evaluation.
We discuss why each recommended test or procedure is being proposed, what its result could change, reasonable alternatives, anticipated next steps and estimated costs. Not every patient requires every service listed here.
Comprehensive Veterinary Care Near Dana Point, Monarch Beach and South Laguna
Aliso Beach Animal Clinic is at 30816 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, directly across from Montage Laguna Beach. Our independent hospital welcomes pets from Laguna Beach, South Laguna, Three Arch Bay, Emerald Bay, Monarch Beach, The Strand at Headlands in Dana Point, Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo.
For families near the coastal neighborhoods of Three Arch Bay or Emerald Bay, or The Strand at Headlands and Monarch Beach in Dana Point, the location offers a nearby point of contact for preventive care, appropriate same-day illness evaluation and coordination of scheduled specialty services. We do not have separate branches in those neighborhoods.
Coastal pets may also experience lifestyle-related concerns such as foxtails on dry trails, paw injuries, encounters with wildlife, or saltwater and beach hazards. Local geography helps inform exposure questions; it never substitutes for examining the patient.
Frequently Asked Questions About Comprehensive Veterinary Care
What makes ABAC a comprehensive veterinary clinic?
Our Laguna Beach practice combines primary and preventive medicine with same-day urgent assessment for suitable patients, laboratory and radiology capabilities, selected advanced imaging and coordinated specialist consultations or procedures.
Is Aliso Beach Animal Clinic independently owned?
Yes. ABAC is an independently owned veterinary practice led by Bryan Hayter, DVM, Owner and Medical Director.
Can my dog or cat be seen the same day?
Many stable illnesses and injuries can be evaluated through same-day urgent appointments during regular clinic hours when availability allows. Call (949) 499-4190 before coming in.
Does ABAC provide 24-hour emergency care?
No. ABAC is not a 24-hour hospital. Unstable patients or those requiring intensive overnight monitoring may need direct care at a 24-hour emergency or specialty hospital.
Can you run bloodwork and obtain X-rays at one appointment?
Yes, when medically indicated and the pet can safely undergo the procedures. Test selection, turnaround and additional specialist interpretation depend on the case.
Can a board-certified radiologist review my pet’s X-rays?
Yes. We can submit appropriate digital studies for a formal written specialist report, including stat review when medically necessary and available. Turnaround is not guaranteed.
Is specialist abdominal ultrasound performed at your hospital?
Yes. Scheduled abdominal studies can be performed at ABAC by Leyla Fatourechi, DVM, DACVECC, a board-certified emergency and critical care veterinarian. Availability is case-dependent.
Is Dr. Fatourechi a board-certified radiologist?
Her DACVECC certification is in veterinary emergency and critical care, not radiology. Her ultrasound service is separate from ABAC’s board-certified radiologist consultations.
Does ABAC offer CT imaging?
For selected patients, a mobile veterinary CT unit can come to our hospital. The service requires general anesthesia and the resulting study is interpreted by a board-certified veterinary radiologist.
Is an X-ray, ultrasound or CT best for my pet?
There is no universally best scan. X-rays often help with bone and chest questions; ultrasound is valuable for abdominal soft-tissue detail; CT helps with selected complex anatomy and surgical planning. Your veterinarian recommends the study based on the clinical question.
Can a board-certified surgeon perform TPLO at ABAC?
For eligible cases, ABAC coordinates scheduled advanced orthopedic procedures with Zachery “Zack” Smith, DVM, DACVS. Patient suitability and specialist availability determine the plan.
Can you arrange a consultation for my pet’s heart murmur?
Yes. Appropriate cases may be coordinated with cardiologist April Durtschi, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology). A murmur does not automatically mean heart failure or prohibit anesthesia.
Do you provide dental X-rays and professional cleanings?
Yes. Our dentistry services include appropriate anesthetic dental procedures and intraoral radiographs to investigate disease below the gumline.
Does ABAC care for rabbits, guinea pigs and reptiles?
We see many exotic companion species. Please call to confirm species-specific services and whether a particular condition is appropriate for our clinic.
Can I bring records from another veterinary hospital?
Yes. Prior laboratory work, radiographs, medications and specialist reports can make a consultation more useful and may reduce unnecessary duplicate testing. Send records in advance when possible.
Do you accept new clients from Monarch Beach, The Strand and Dana Point?
Yes. ABAC welcomes pets from Laguna Beach, South Laguna, Three Arch Bay, Emerald Bay, Monarch Beach and The Strand at Headlands in Dana Point, along with surrounding Orange County communities.