Elk Creek Vet
4.4 (34) 15423-15953 County Rd W, La Jara, CO 81140, USAHours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at Elk Creek Vet
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:
| Rating | Provider | Total Review |
|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | AKC | 889 |
| 4.7 | ASPCA | 5,697 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 10,255 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 174 |
| 4.4 | Figo | 587 |
| 4.7 | Hartville | 164 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 7,475 |
| 4.9 | Lemonade | 781 |
| 3.2 | ManyPets | 11 |
| 4.6 | MetLife | 424 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 21,391 |
| 4.3 | Pet Assure | 12 |
| 4.7 | PetPartners | 98 |
| 4.5 | Pets Best | 7,194 |
| 4.3 | Pumpkin | 54 |
| 4.7 | Spot | 160 |
| 4.8 | Trupanion | 55,007 |
| 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 & CompareGetting 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
The ladies of the office were polite. The doctor was surly, rude, didn't even introduce himself, was told my pet's name SIX times and didn't listen, then rather than giving me a reference to have my pet's nails clipped, which the dog had never had done. I wanted his nails gradually reduced to avoid quicking and bleeding. My dog was quicker badly TWICE , bled again after I got him home and he's now limping thanks to a vet that was more polite to visiting cop friends than to this new customer. We won't be going back. DR, GET SOME MANNERS!!!
posted: 12/06/2022
Took my 3 dogs, and 3 puppies, 6 weeks old in. Got all shots needed quickly and efficiently and cost a lot less than I expected. Vet tech was extremely knowledgeable, personable and great to work with. Would highly recommend to anyone!
posted: 09/26/2022
I have taken both my dog and cat here and have always had an amazing experience! I’m so thankful for Dr. Sowards! I had to take my kitten in a few weeks back because she was acting very different and was always hiding. They got her in early and within seconds Dr. Sowards saw she had an abscess. He drained it and by the next day, she was back to jumping all over the place and cuddling me again! She has healed extremely well! Bonus, they were very inexpensive! He will be the only vet I trust with my animals!
posted: 11/21/2021
We took our Shnouzer to this clinic as she was not feeling well. The vet gave her a shot and said she would be fine. She died later that night. Took our other two dogs back for vaccinations and told him about the dogs passing, and he said nothing. Recently took another dog that needed stitches and was told he did not have time for her. The only reason this clinic is in business is because he the only game in town down here. His "bedside" demeanor sucks and he has the personality of a stump! Take your pets elsewhere if you want a vet that at least acts like they care.
posted: 05/25/2021
I had a bad phone review recently with the young lady who wouldn't give her name . She wS rude ,unpleasant , un professional, she hung up on me . And when I called back she refused to answer my questions . . The Dr is super nice .
posted: 01/09/2023