Country Animal Hospital

4.2 (43)
6096 Ledingham Rd, Courtenay, BC V9J 1M5, Canada

Hours:

Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Country Animal 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:

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2025
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 & Compare

Getting 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

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Natasha Jackson

I am hesitant to give a review, as I want to gatekeep this amazing place. Friendly and welcoming staff. I don’t feel like they are trying to “sell” me anything, just providing transparent and genuine care for my dog.

posted: 12/19/2024

Richard Scavarda

I would recommend this clinic for your fuzzy babies over all the others hands down. From reception to dr and start to finish these guys are 5/5 all day. It is a bit out of town but definitely worth the trip if you love your animal and want the best treatment for them. I wish other vet clinics were near as good as this.

posted: 05/31/2024

Tylar Turnbull

I have been using the Country Animal Hospital for years for my cat, dog and horse. Recently both my cat and my horse have required extensive dental care and Dr. Van Dyck and Dr. Loppe have gone above and beyond to explain what is going on and take the best care of my animals throughout their procedures. I highly recommend them for all of your pets needs.

posted: 05/09/2024

Wishbone Pet Boarding

I am the owner/operator of the pet boarding facility on the Courtenay/Melville boundary. Though I am equidistant from several clinics, Dr. Tom, his front office, as well as other the DVM staff at Country Animal Hospital are always my first and only call when I need anything medically related or relevant for either my dogs personally, or guests. From prescriptions, consultations, appointments, or just advice which I often ask when trying to determine the best course of action to take with a guest who I am unsure about the best way to proceed, no matter how big or small, they always have time for me. They provide education, are professional, prompt and incredibly caring. I would highly recommend this animal hospital based on my extensive experience both as a kennel operator as well as a “dog dad” who loves his own, as well as all dogs in care, beyond measure.

posted: 04/19/2023

bob murray

We had an absolutely terrible experience with Country Animal Hospital in Courtenay. It was supposed to be a $500 routine procedure, but it quickly turned into a nightmare for us and our poor 1-year old dog. After all was said and done turned this quickly turned into a $1200. Dr. Van Dyck's complete lack of professionalism and blatant refusal to own up to the infection is beyond distressing and instead he blamed us. And to make matters worse, the owner couldn't even be bothered to personally communicate with us, instead hiding behind their receptionist. We strongly advise avoiding this veterinary clinic at all costs and finding a more trustworthy and responsible option to ensure your pet's well-being.

posted: 10/07/2023