there's quite a few people i know in bakersfield who drive out to wasco.  wasco veterinary clinic and dr edik are the best best best and i would recommend him to anyone.

As far as grooming service goes, I would get a Petco Pals card and have them do all the dirty work. By dirty work, i mean trimming of claws, hair cuts, benefits on food/ treats/ toys. Plus, they have a vaccination service that are given on certain days at either Rosedale or Gosford Petco. Their super friendly and deal with many dogs, so they are very knowledgable and can easily help you with any puppy questions or concerns. It's an option you might want to consider :D

Dr. Lohr at Nile Point Vet, if you are on that side of town, is my guy.  Of course, he is in my Kiwanis Club, his daughter, a former Peace Corp person, teaches at Highland High and supervises the Key Club there.  Good people...

Try Cooke's Veterinary Hospital on Lanco Drive -- off Rosedale Hwy.  Dr. Cooke is one of the best.

We use Dr. Lohr at Nile Point and live in the NW. We make the drive....

I'm agreeing with Rettchr.  Dr Cooke is great and affordable.  After so many years of being overcharged at other vets, I'm always surprised how low my bill is.  They are also great about working you in for sort-of emergencies, unlike a big vet located on Coffee Rd (I'll leave it at that).

bakborn:  is Jan still at Petco? We used to go down there for my wifes dog. She was great!

I use to take my dogs to Petsmart to get grooming. They are Yorkies, so they need alot of it. Their nails grow out fast, so I have always done that myself as well as trim the necessary areas.  It's not always about looks, but hair can be a problem in the wrong places. Anyway, even though my critters hide when they see me get the nail clippers, they eventually give in.  In fact, one of them flips over, with its paws up now.

 Just kidding.

 Dr. Paulsen at Stine Veternary.

Dr. Kristie Utt at Auburn Vetrinary - she is awesome.  Reasonably priced also.  She does not charge an "office visit" charge after the initial first visit. 

 I travelled about 150 miles to see Dr. Christine Utt. She couldn't see us on the Friday after Thanksgiving but agreed to see him Saturday after her regular patients. She was great. I had a very ill 5 month old puppy. We had seen numerous vets in Southern California all to no avail. Some were personal friends of mine. Dr. Utt got us on the right track. She also has several of the same breed of dogs as ours. Dr. Utt may be more well known in show circles than where her office is located. Our puppy is totally healthy and is almost three years old now. You won't ever meet a more caring professional. She is great. If you have English Bull Terriers, she is especially great.