VCA Bakersfield Animal Hospital

4.1 (1244)
8610 Harris Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

Hours:

Monday: Open 24 hours

Tuesday: Open 24 hours

Wednesday: Open 24 hours

Thursday: Open 24 hours

Friday: Open 24 hours

Saturday: Open 24 hours

Sunday: Open 24 hours

How to Save Money at VCA Bakersfield 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 2024
Rating Provider Total Review
4.4 AKC 889
4.7 ASPCA 11,392
4.9 Embrace 14,179
4.9 Fetch 1,995
4.4 Figo 2,561
4.7 Hartville 164
4.9 Healthy Paws 7,475
4.9 Lemonade 781
3.2 ManyPets 2,145
4.6 MetLife 487
4.8 Nationwide 21,391
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.7 PetPartners 110
4.5 Pets Best 7,194
4.3 Pumpkin 1,131
4.7 Spot 5,194
4.9 Trupanion 60,280
4.8 Prudent Pet 124

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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Carmen Rodriguez

The staff was so kind to us during our urgent times with our beloved Chase. I had to rush him to emergency because our other hospital (which was VCA At the Oaks just brushed us off) They examined him very thoroughly and Dr. Alvarado explained what was going on with him. I appreciated the time he took to make sure I understood and answered any questions I had. He was very kind patient compassionate and genuinely worried and wanted to do everything he could for Chase. Dr. Alvarado had told me he would call the following day to give me an update and kept true to his word and as well was explaining very patiently and making sure I was updated on Chase and reassured me I could call whenever I wanted to get an update. Dr. Betts was as well updating me on Chase and rooting for him. She assured me she would keep me updated and again if I wanted any update to call and check in at any time. Unfortunately we did have to put him down but Dr. Betts was very compassionate and caring during these difficult times. Finally our vet technician Raschel was very caring, kind, and very helpful for his well being. She is an excellent technician who shows love to all the pets. During Chase's final moments Raschel gave us all the time we needed with him to say goodbye and even when we took him home for burial she took great care of him and gave him all of our things to lay him to rest in our garden at home. As well the VCA staff sent a beautiful card and flowers and that was so thoughtful and loving. I will forever choose this place to bring my family pets. Thank you VCA for everything

posted: 08/04/2023

Riley F

On behalf of our cat Lasagna, we would like to express our deep appreciation for VCA Bakersfield and their amazing staff. We brought him in on deaths doorstep due to a urinary blockage, and several times thereafter due to the unfortunate roccurencrs and complications that come with his condition. In total, Lasagna had spent a week under VCA's care. The staff and doctors have shown us and our cat the upmost compassion and have been very informative. He is currently in the best state he can be, all things considered, but I don't know if he would still be here at all without the amazing care from the VCA Bakersfield staff. Thank you so much!

posted: 08/11/2023

K Martinez

My dog had to go in due to vomiting blood and not holding down food. We had to wait a few hours to be seen, but once we were, the staff was very attentive and kind towards us. They answered all of our questions and took very great care of my boy. He had to stay overnight and I could tell he was in good hands. I was cautious of bringing him here due to negative reviews, but I am glad I did.

posted: 03/10/2023

Connor Richerson

My beautiful and happy dog was dying, there was nothing that could be done about that. While sobbing I took her to be euthanized, and the staff acted with nothing but compassion and understanding for the pain that I felt (and continue to feel). I was with my dog for it all, and she passed while in my lap as the doctor got on the floor with me to ease her pain. I appreciate the staff for their assistance, and allowing me extra time before and after so I could let her know how much I loved her.

posted: 04/14/2023

Carly Amber Son

The Grooming Department is absolutely amazing!!!! Sara is always tentative and gentle with each of our 6 tiny dogs. Whether it’s a full groom or just a nail trim, I highly recommend their services.

posted: 02/14/2023