Vic West Pet Hospital

4.6 (260)
526 Esquimalt Rd, Victoria, BC V9A 3L4, Canada

Hours:

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 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: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

How to Save Money at Vic West Pet 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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Emily Palimaka

The staff are so caring and knowledgeable from the reception desk, to vet techs, to doctors. I feel our cat is in great hands and I love being trusted in our knowledge of him rather than being told what someone else thinks! Love being a part of the conversation and decisions. Front desk team does their best at a sometimes very busy clinic, but sometimes sensitive information is delivered in a rushed way and can feel a bit overwhelming. They are very efficient and kind but that's my only concern!

posted: 12/21/2024

Juls Macdonell

I recently brought my 16-yr old kitty Big Al in to Vic West after not being really impressed with rush service at a different vet… and was pleasantly surprised for this vet to spend a solid several minutes fully and gently inspecting him, taking her time, and being overall just super thorough and focused. It was absolutely refreshing and I feel like he really got the attention he needs and deserves. We’re still figuring out his tummy and tooth troubles but I’m so glad I brought him here and left feeling really looked after. Thanks!

posted: 10/25/2024

Robert Spaidal

Both professional & friendly, Lou got better quickly after the medical services & medicine he received.

posted: 10/21/2024

Gordon Barbeau

I just fired my last vet. They recently moved from a small clinic office to a bright shinny huge space and became a hospital but NOT FOR THE GOOD. There level of care decreased and there prices went up. Furthermore I have been going to them for years and they totally missed a major dental issue. So I gave Victoria West Animal hospital a chance. Doctor Shirgill immediately noticed a dental issue and acted quickly to resolve the problem. Very friendly staff and Doctor Very patient and understanding of my concerns and importance of my dogs health. I have happily found my new vet.

posted: 10/10/2024

Blair Saltel

Consistently great experience, attentive care and trustworthy expertise. Dr. Shergal performed a very delicate operation on my dog that removed a tumor from her pancreas. The change was immediately noticeable and positive. Every visit has good interactions and discussions, without any pressure for any of the choices or options provided. My dogs are in good hands.

posted: 07/25/2024