Alafia River Animal Hospital
4.2 (132) 7021 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Lithia, FL 33547, USAHours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 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: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at Alafia River 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:
| Rating | Provider | Total Review |
|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | AKC | 894 |
| 4.5 | ASPCA | 12,057 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 20,305 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 27,409 |
| 4.1 | Figo | 2,786 |
| 4.5 | Hartville | 177 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 10,736 |
| 4.8 | Lemonade | 815 |
| 4.6 | ManyPets | 2,428 |
| 4.6 | MetLife | 5,637 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 21,417 |
| 3.9 | Pet Assure | 15 |
| 4.4 | PetPartners | 117 |
| 4.3 | Pets Best | 14,113 |
| 4.7 | Pumpkin | 2,549 |
| 4.6 | Spot | 9,855 |
| 4.8 | Trupanion | 62,914 |
| 4.8 | Prudent Pet | 2,445 |
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
My experience with Alafia River Animal Hospital has been great. Everyone is very kind & welcoming. Dr. Fennessy is amazing! Very thorough & takes the time needed to adequately assess my dog’s needs & care. I have never left feeling that my concerns were not addressed. The techs have been very gentle when holding or positioning my dog for exams & testing. This animal hospital is a gem!!!!!!!! Thank you for all you do:)
posted: 10/18/2025
They did a great job & made sure my kitten was ready for surgery. I really appreciate everything, friendly professional staff. Thank you 😊
posted: 08/22/2025
I cannot speak highly enough about my veterinarian's office. The doctors and staff are absolutely wonderful- knowledgeable, professional and genuinely caring about both me and my pets. Their compassion and dedication are evident in every interaction, and I always feel confident my furry friends are in the best hands. Additionally in the office is spotless what gives me a piece of mind knowing they prioritize cleanliness and hygiene. It is welcoming and supportive environment and I'm so grateful for their exceptional care. We recently lost one of our furry family members due to old age and the care and concern for us as a family during this difficult time was extremely helpful. Thanks. Rest in Peace Olive.
posted: 01/06/2025
We highly recommend!!! They sincerely care about our dog. All the staff are very friendly and helpful. We like that we can board at the same place as our vet care. When we need to board our dog, he has the consistency of familiar staff and safety you can’t get at a boarding only type facility.
posted: 01/31/2025
I can’t tell everyone how grateful I am to Dr. Alence and Amanda for emergency seeing my pup today. My dog wasn’t even their patient before today. Great care and explanations and I’ll definitely be moving my pets to this vet! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
posted: 07/08/2025
Veterinarians in Lithia, Florida
Alafia River Animal Hospital
7021 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Lithia, FL 33547, USA(813) 643-1002
Fish Hawk Animal Clinic
15264 Fishhawk Blvd, Lithia, FL 33547, USA(813) 643-7387
GoodVets Fish Hawk
5616 Circa Fishhawk Blvd, Lithia, FL 33547, USA(813) 692-1400
Veterinary Center at Fishhawk
5484 Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Lithia, FL 33547, USA(813) 681-9080