Westside Animal Hospital

4.7 (435)
1603 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, USA

Hours:

Monday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Westside 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 11,409
4.9 Embrace 14,230
4.9 Fetch 2,045
4.4 Figo 2,578
4.7 Hartville 164
4.9 Healthy Paws 7,477
4.9 Lemonade 783
3.2 ManyPets 2,153
4.6 MetLife 493
4.8 Nationwide 21,392
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.7 PetPartners 110
4.5 Pets Best 7,196
4.3 Pumpkin 1,163
4.7 Spot 5,259
4.9 Trupanion 60,296
4.8 Prudent Pet 125

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

hand swipe
Sue Brumlik

Waiting months for an appointment was worth it. In the interim, Westside took care of the transfer of medical records from our former vet, began email delivery of their newsletter, and sent timely reminders for our pup’s appointment. Reception was ready for our visit and our wait time was minimal. Our vet tech was welcoming, attentive and thorough. Our new Veterinarian, Dr. Hand, and our tech introduced themselves and examined our shy doodle, Katie, with such kindness and compassion … everyone sitting on the floor and speaking in soft tones. He was thorough, yet, gentle with his physical exam.. He patiently listened to my concerns. He explained his observations and answered all of my questions. I did not feel rushed or intimidated. The anxiety of not knowing how this first visit would go disappeared very quickly. Though Katie is normally ready to leave the doctors office, during this visit, she was drawn to, made direct eye contact with, and demonstrated trust in her new care team. We sensed one another’s relief. I am so grateful to have established care for our Katie at Westside Animal Hospital. This initial encounter gave me confidence that the quality of care Katie receives will continue to be delivered competently, and with the kindness, empathy and compassion that pets (and, everyone , for that matter) deserve.

posted: 01/07/2024

Sydney Dutton

It was my first visit. My dog is 16 years old and we’ve struggled finding good care. This place seems great! Our appointment went well and they even had an affordable senior testing package! It was great. Will be going back!

posted: 10/20/2023

J.C. Wing

We took our two cats to see Dr. Cole in January. Immediately, I was comfortable with the office and front desk staff, and Mary Ann, one of the vet techs, was terrific. I felt like my cats were in very good hands. I really loved Dr. Cole and hope to have her care for our animals long into the future. I would highly recommend Westside Animal Hospital.

posted: 02/06/2024

Dominic Guinto

I have been going to Westside for 10 years with several dogs. This particular dog, Josie reached a point where amputation of her rear leg was the best thing to bring her a true quality of life. The team at Westside is always welcoming and friendly. This time was no exception. We always feel that our dogs are in the best hands there. Dr. Geist called me 2 different times and walked me though pre-op and called right after Post op. I never felt rushed with him and he answered all of my questions. Post surgery, my Tri-pawed was walking that night and eating. On day 2 we have been on 3 short walks, she’s going up and down stairs, going to the bathroom and eating! If she wasn’t freshly missing a leg, you probably wouldn’t know there was anything wrong. Thanks to the team at Westside, it looks like she will have a long and healthy and happy life! Thank you.

posted: 09/30/2023

Kamber Arbini

I always have amazing care, no matter who I see! This year my dog, Ike was diagnosed with Cushing's disease and he is now thriving again. My furries and I thank you for great care! Ike, Bette and Taavi!

posted: 01/19/2024