Chase River Veterinary Hospital

4.6 (318 reviews)
1151 Lawlor Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9R 6L6, Canada

Hours

Monday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM Tuesday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM Wednesday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM Thursday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM Friday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM Saturday Closed Sunday Closed

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Chase River Veterinary Hospital

Preventive care

Routine wellness exams can help identify health issues early, often before they become more serious or expensive to treat. Regular checkups are one of the most effective ways to manage long term veterinary costs.

Compare prescription pricing

Some pet medications prescribed at veterinary clinics may also be available through local or online pharmacies. It can be helpful to compare pricing when appropriate to reduce ongoing medication costs.

Consider pet insurance

Pet insurance may help cover a portion of eligible veterinary expenses depending on the plan, including accidents, illnesses, and in some cases preventive care. Coverage details, reimbursement levels, and deductibles vary by provider.

Why Pet Insurance Information Appears on This Page

Looking for information about Chase River Veterinary Hospital? This page also includes pet insurance resources to help pet parents understand how to prepare for unexpected veterinary expenses.

Veterinary care costs can vary widely depending on the type of visit, treatment, or emergency. Many pet parents explore pet insurance before they need it so they are better prepared when unexpected situations arise.

How to Choose a Pet Insurance Provider

Pet Insurance Review helps pet parents compare insurance providers using verified customer reviews and real-world experiences. Our tools make it easier to evaluate providers based on claims experience, service quality, and overall satisfaction.

We have collected more than 220,000 reviews from pet parents, creating one of the largest independent databases of pet insurance feedback available.

How rankings are determined

Unexpected veterinary expenses can happen at any clinic. The providers below are ranked using verified reviews submitted by real pet parents through Pet Insurance Review. Results reflect overall satisfaction, claims experience, and value based on real world feedback. Rankings are updated regularly as new reviews are submitted.

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
1.0 Desjardins 1
4.1 Fetch Canada 1,551
4.9 Furkin 351
5.0 OVMA 1
3.3 Peppermint 3
4.0 Pets Plus Us 884
2.5 Petsecure 226
4.1 PHI Direct 33
4.2 Sonnet 5,628
4.7 Spot Canada 277
4.8 Trupanion Canada 27,190

Compare Pet Insurance Plans

You can compare coverage options from multiple providers to find a plan that fits your budget and your pet’s healthcare needs.


Getting to Know Your Veterinarian

Choosing a veterinarian is an important decision for pet parents. A strong vet relationship is built on trust, communication, and understanding your pet’s individual needs.

Experience

Ask whether the clinic has experience treating your specific type of pet, since care can vary between dogs, cats, and pocket pets.

Emergency Care Procedures

It’s helpful to understand how the clinic handles after-hours emergencies, including whether they provide emergency services or refer to nearby emergency hospitals.

Communication Preferences

Ask how the clinic communicates with pet parents, including updates, test results, and follow up questions.

Breed Specific Health Considerations

Some breeds may be more prone to certain health conditions. Early awareness can help with prevention and early treatment.

Facility Tour

If available, touring the clinic can help you and your pet feel more comfortable before the first visit.


Final Note

Pet care decisions often involve both medical and financial considerations. Having access to trusted veterinary information alongside pet insurance comparisons can help pet parents feel more confident when planning for their pet’s health and wellbeing.

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Reviews from Google

4.6

318 reviews

This is a long overdue review as my fur babies have been attending Chase River Veterinary Hospital for the last 12 years. They have received the best care throughout the years and I trust them completely. All staff are personable, compassionate and professional. They are organized and always on time for prescription refills, following up and returning phone calls. I have never been disappointed with their level of care. I definitely recommend them to take care of your fur babies.

Aug 7, 2024

I’ve only gone once so far, but they have been pretty good! My cat is really outgoing and has a lot of patience, so I can’t comment on how they are with anxious patients. She has a difficult disease to manage though as the cause cannot be identified. So, it’s a lot of guesswork. Internal medicine strongly believes it is viral. The vet has been working hard to help me manage her flare up where she has a wheezy cough. She’s done follow ups and helped me find medications that actually work for her. The only issues I have had with Chase River so far are: 1. Their dental cleanings are quite expensive compared to some of the other hospitals. The extractions seem reasonable though. 2. Somehow the vet read my cat’s history and thought she had asthma. I guess because she’s on an inhaler typically used for asthma to manage some of her symptoms. Honestly, they have so much to keep track of, I don’t blame her for this. She was apologetic when I explained to her that she isn’t asthmatic and listened to my explanation well. 3. The veterinarian told me we were going to give her medication daily, but the prescription said every other day. And she was gone for 5 days so nobody could confirm or deny if it was correct.

Jun 15, 2024

Dr. Sakai was absolutely amazing with my reactive and anxious dog! She was so kind and patient with her and took the time to help her settle down and get to know her by giving her lots of treats and praise. Pandora ended up just adoring her, I think she wanted to go hang out with her instead of me by the end of our visit! I’m so extremely grateful to have her as Pandora’s vet. I can’t thank her enough!

May 30, 2022

This clinic is fantastic. The front staff are all kind, engaging, and professional. The veterinarians are exceptional. The clinic is always a pleasure to engage with because the front staff love animals and appreciate customers. Everyone is aware of the vet shortage on the Island. Some front staff get hostile to the public. Not this place! Top-level professionalism. I'm so happy to bring my animals here!

Feb 9, 2024

Came here under very unfortunate circumstances with my cat in extreme distress, and I am so thankful they took her right away without hesitation. Although an upsetting situation, every person we interacted with was very kind. I really appreciate the compassion that was shown both to us and most importantly to my beautiful girl Pru. It's comforting to know that she spent her final day surrounded by caring people. Thank you all so much for making a very sad time easier, I am so grateful 💗

Dec 19, 2022