i-Care Veterinary Hospital
4.8 (420) 2450 Alberni Hwy Qualicum, Parksville, 2450 Alberni Hwy, Coombs, BC V9Y 8P2, CanadaHours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at i-Care Veterinary Hospital
Schedule Regular Vet Visits
One of the best ways to save on vet bills is to prevent expensive health issues before they develop. By scheduling regular wellness checkups, your vet can detect health issues early, helping you to avoid costly treatments and surgeries down the road.
Price Shop for Pet Prescriptions
Oftentimes our fur babies are prescribed human drugs off-label. Your vet is apt to charge more for these medications than you would pay at your local pharmacy. In fact, big-box or chain pharmacies can offer steep discounts. So it’s best to price shop.
Pet Insurance
Most pet insurance providers will pay between 80% and 90% of the vet bill. You can even get coverage for routine care and things like vaccinations and dental cleanings. If you do the math, you’ll most likely find that pet insurance makes financial sense in the long run as well as gives you peace of mind.
How Do You Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider?
Pet Insurance Review makes it incredibly easy for pet parents to select an insurance provider they feel good about. You can use our handy comparison tool to get the gist of what a company offers. We’ve also collected over 150,000 reviews of insurance companies from real pet parents like you to rank the top providers in the market. Here is the current ranking of each:
| Rating | Provider | Total Review |
|---|---|---|
| 4.9 | Fetch Canada | 166 |
| 4.9 | Furkin | 348 |
| 4.1 | Pets Plus Us | 862 |
| 4.3 | PHI Direct | 31 |
| 4.8 | Spot Canada | 149 |
| 4.8 | Trupanion Canada | 25,888 |
| 1.0 | Desjardins | 1 |
| 5.0 | OVMA | 1 |
| 3.3 | Peppermint | 3 |
| 2.5 | Petsecure | 226 |
| 0.0 | Sonnet | 0 |
Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.
Thinking of insuring your pet?
Get Quotes & CompareGetting to Know Your New Vet: Essential Questions to Ask
Choosing a new veterinarian is an important decision for any pet owner. You want to find someone who is competent, compassionate, and a good fit for you and your fur baby. To help you get the most out of your first appointment, here's a list of essential questions to ask your new vet:
Tell me about your experience with [pet type].
Different vets have different areas of specialization. Some are experts with cats, some dogs, some pocket pets, and some horses. Knowing that your vet has vast experience treating your specific type of pet can bring you peace of mind.
How do you handle emergencies?
You must know what to do in case of a pet medical emergency. Inquire what after-hours policy the clinic has, whether they have on-site emergency care available, and if they have a relationship with any nearby emergency animal hospitals.
How do you communicate with pet owners?
Good communication is key to building a trusting relationship with your vet. Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone calls, emails, online portal) and how often you can expect to hear from them.
Are there any breed-specific health concerns I should be aware of?
Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. Knowing what to watch out for can help you catch problems early and get your pet the treatment they need.
Do you have any questions for me about my pet?
This is a great question to ask because the answer will show that the vet is interested in getting to know your pet as an individual and is willing to listen to your concerns.
Bonus question: Can I take a tour of your facility?
Getting a feel for the clinic's environment can help you and your pet feel more comfortable during your visits. Remember, you’re not just looking for a veterinarian, you’re looking for a partnership. Do not be afraid to ask these questions and any others you can think of. Any vet worth their salt will be happy to answer them. Because the more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to make decisions about your pet's care! And that should be every vet’s top priority.
Reviews from Google
I am extremely happy that I was able to get my dog Lola into I-Care Veterinary Hospital with such short notice. Then also to have her into surgery the next day on a Sunday as well. The follow up calls from the Doctor and Front Office Staff was so appreciated. I highly recommend this business.
posted: 12/30/2024
We brought our dog in as an emergency on a Saturday afternoon. They were kind, efficient and lovely to deal with. I highly recommend this office. I know that they saved my dog’s life that day and I’m beyond thankful.
posted: 08/21/2024
The team at i-Care was lovely, kind, and caring at each interaction. We saw the same doctor each time, which put me at ease knowing that my cat, Bruce, was seeing someone familiar with his file, which made me feel like he was getting the best possible care. It felt like everyone truly cared about your pet and everyone took their time with you with explaining things or if you had any questions. I never once felt rushed, and the doctor always took their time with us. Even though things didn't turn out the way we hoped, I would come back here in a heartbeat because I truly feel that Bruce got the best care possible here.
posted: 09/14/2024
This clinic has gone down hill. I have taken my many dogs there for the last 2.5 years, and will never go back. Going back on their word to restitch a wound after if opened back up (after them taking stitches out after 14 days) was the first incident I had. I had hoped this was a one off. I did had a successful spay, and neuter of 2 dogs over the years. Unfortunately my bad experience wasn't just a one off. Their poor communication with each other, as well as me, their lack of making notes in their files. No follow through after I sent questions regarding 2 quotes given for a procedure for my dog. (That they confirmed they received and would get back to me asap) Weeks later, with multiple emails sent, still no answer. After I expressed my concerns and extreme dissatisfaction I was told a manager would contact on a certain day. Never happened. As pet owners we need to advocate for our loved ones. It makes it very challenging when a vet and their team aren't communicating.
posted: 10/29/2024
Do not go here, this place is just a cash grab!!! I wrote a positive review 2 years ago, but wish I could rescind it now! Did spay and neuter for our young pups here, plus other meds and vaccines. But this place is just a cash grab! Had a full check up for my pups in Sept 2023, with vaccines, but in March this year - 6 months later - when I went to simply get a refill of anti-parasitic meds, I was told my pups needed yet another full check up. There was absolutely no relenting on this dictate by the reception desk. Absolute garbage! My pups are young and healthy. Fortunately, we have since found reasonable, sensible and truly compassionate care elsewhere, and one which only requires once per year check ups!
posted: 11/21/2024