Gulfcoast Veterinary

4.6 (254)
7519 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231, USA

Hours:

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: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Gulfcoast Veterinary

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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Spirit Roxx

There isn't enough good that I can say. My little hairless girl got lymphoma 3.5 yrs ago. With a very poor prognosis, we didn't know if we'd have her 3 months. Dr ward is extremely knowledgeable and very competent in a difficult field. While she's not all warm and fuzzy, I have never known a vet to care more about an animal than her. She treats aggressively but carefully considers the effect on the patient. She doesn't give up on your pet but doesn't blow smoke either. We didn't know how we would afford the treatment but she does everything possible to not soak the owner with useless tests and her fees have been less than a non-specialized vet. I drive an hour now to take my girl to her but I honestly would drive 12 hrs just to have her skill and compassion to treat my pet! We love her the most!

posted: 08/15/2023

DRC Brew

I don't have the words to express how much I appreciate Dr. Ward and her staff! It truly is like nowhere else. The caring and depth of knowledge combined with their desire to solve mystery ailments is unmatched, in my experience. We are sooooo blessed to have them here! Your pets will never be in better hands. It's a minimum 40-minute drive for me, but worth it! 😌 I love my primary vet, but Dr. Ward is definitely my go-to specialist! Years ago, she diagnosed my 18 month old Pittie's pancreatic issue when everyone else was stumped. Dr. Ward and staff truly are local treasures!

posted: 08/03/2023

Angela Caselle

They saved my cat! He grew a tumor overnight, and suddenly became very lethargic. I was given an appointment so quickly. When the first chemo meds didn't take, they had another option and it worked! All the while, they carefully monitored my buddy's kidneys (he is older) and made sure his thyroid was doing okay when he lost weight. Everyone at this office is so kind, and they love my little old man cat. They're extremely thorough, and willing to work with my work schedule for late appointments. I'm so glad I was referred to them, they saved his life and I'm so grateful.

posted: 05/08/2023

Elaine Hesson

My baby was diagnosed with stage IV Lymphoma. Dr. Ward and her team are amazing! With their care & and treatment, you can no longer feel any of her lymph nodes. She is running around playing with her brothers, and she is back to her sassy self. They have given me more time with my girl, and that is priceless.

posted: 05/23/2023

Leah Paskalides

UPDATE 8/31/2023- Updating my review. If I could give Dr. Ward 10 stars I would. I’ve now has 3 dealings with her (2 cancer scares with Chunk seen below and an ultrasound for my other boy, Chewy). She is still just as wonderful and EXTREMELY thorough. No amount of words can be said for how grateful I am for this amazing practice. Dr Ward knows her stuff and genuinely cares. Her staff are professional and kind. As scary as cancer is, this place makes it easier to process and genuinely wants to help you do the best for your babies. Thank you x a million. You are so appreciated!!! 2021- My boy Chunk went here for 4 chemo treatments following his thyroidectomy. Dr Ward was very honest with me on what to expect and did not sugar coat anything which I appreciate. Her staff was wonderful and the whole office made something that was extremely stressful to me very easy to deal with. Again please note Dr Ward does not sugar coat and may come off blunt, but she is top notch and will not give you false hope. She will be honest with you on treatment, what to expect and the outcome. Chunk and I scream thank you to her and her wonderful staff

posted: 08/31/2023