Iowa Veterinary Specialties
Hours
How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Iowa Veterinary Specialties
Preventive care
Routine wellness exams can help identify health issues early, often before they become more serious or expensive to treat. Regular checkups are one of the most effective ways to manage long term veterinary costs.
Compare prescription pricing
Some pet medications prescribed at veterinary clinics may also be available through local or online pharmacies. It can be helpful to compare pricing when appropriate to reduce ongoing medication costs.
Consider pet insurance
Pet insurance may help cover a portion of eligible veterinary expenses depending on the plan, including accidents, illnesses, and in some cases preventive care. Coverage details, reimbursement levels, and deductibles vary by provider.
Why Pet Insurance Information Appears on This Page
Looking for information about Iowa Veterinary Specialties? This page also includes pet insurance resources to help pet parents understand how to prepare for unexpected veterinary expenses.
Veterinary care costs can vary widely depending on the type of visit, treatment, or emergency. Many pet parents explore pet insurance before they need it so they are better prepared when unexpected situations arise.
How to Choose a Pet Insurance Provider
Pet Insurance Review helps pet parents compare insurance providers using verified customer reviews and real-world experiences. Our tools make it easier to evaluate providers based on claims experience, service quality, and overall satisfaction.
We have collected more than 220,000 reviews from pet parents, creating one of the largest independent databases of pet insurance feedback available.
How rankings are determined
Unexpected veterinary expenses can happen at any clinic. The providers below are ranked using verified reviews submitted by real pet parents through Pet Insurance Review. Results reflect overall satisfaction, claims experience, and value based on real world feedback. Rankings are updated regularly as new reviews are submitted.
| Rating | Provider | Total Review |
|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | Adoro | 19 |
| 4.5 | AKC | 1,801 |
| 4.4 | ASPCA | 12,241 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 19,993 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 5,953 |
| 4.1 | Figo | 2,872 |
| 4.4 | Hartville | 183 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 11,393 |
| 4.8 | Lemonade | 833 |
| 4.6 | ManyPets | 2,416 |
| 4.7 | MetLife | 11,391 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 25,758 |
| 3.9 | Pet Assure | 15 |
| 4.3 | PetPartners | 121 |
| 4.9 | Pets Best | 15,384 |
| 4.8 | Prudent Pet | 2,878 |
| 4.7 | Pumpkin | 3,592 |
| 4.6 | Spot | 11,639 |
| 4.9 | Trupanion | 55,033 |
Compare Pet Insurance Plans
You can compare coverage options from multiple providers to find a plan that fits your budget and your pet’s healthcare needs.
Getting to Know Your Veterinarian
Choosing a veterinarian is an important decision for pet parents. A strong vet relationship is built on trust, communication, and understanding your pet’s individual needs.
Experience
Ask whether the clinic has experience treating your specific type of pet, since care can vary between dogs, cats, and pocket pets.
Emergency Care Procedures
It’s helpful to understand how the clinic handles after-hours emergencies, including whether they provide emergency services or refer to nearby emergency hospitals.
Communication Preferences
Ask how the clinic communicates with pet parents, including updates, test results, and follow up questions.
Breed Specific Health Considerations
Some breeds may be more prone to certain health conditions. Early awareness can help with prevention and early treatment.
Facility Tour
If available, touring the clinic can help you and your pet feel more comfortable before the first visit.
Final Note
Pet care decisions often involve both medical and financial considerations. Having access to trusted veterinary information alongside pet insurance comparisons can help pet parents feel more confident when planning for their pet’s health and wellbeing.
Explore Topics
Reviews from Google
290 reviews
I was super impressed with this service. The staff was so very empathetic and understanding. Our 14 year old Rottie had passed in the parking lot and we were allowed a room to grieve. Blue Pearl would have charged us $1200 for euthanasia (without memorabilia) whilst IVS was quoting a little under $600 (with memorabilia). Much more reasonable pricing and a truly lovely staff. Should I ever be caught in an emergency with my pets again, this is where I’ll be coming. Thank you to the front desk lady and the nurse who helped us. With all the chaos I missed your names. Thanks for your understanding and patience for us and Rogue.
Jan 11, 2024
The staff and vet were incredible in what was the hardest decision I ever had to make. My sweet Bandit ended up having a seizure and they took care of Bandit from the moment they helped get him out of the car. Unfortunately, Bandit had a brain tumor and I had to make the decision to put him to sleep. The staff was compassionate and let me have as much time as I needed. I picked up Bandit's ashes today and he came home in a beautiful box with a loving card.
Jan 17, 2024
Couldn’t say enough good things about the staff here we had to take my daughters 17 year old cat here late at night to be put to sleep cuz he was passing from as soon as walked in door staff was amazing they gave us time to say our good byes even understood my daughter on phone from across the country wanted to be involved in process of saying good bye
Nov 17, 2023
I brought my Guinea pig in around 12am-1am due to I believe having bloat. Was extremely puffy which was indicating pain and just overall not doing okay. The vet that had seen her didn’t do anything for her and didn’t really know too much about Guinea pigs in general in my opinion. I had to ask her if she had a feel around her belly instead of her coming in and telling me what she found during her exam. I feel like she did not take me seriously. She also told me to stop using meloxicam when it’s very obvious she was in a lot of pain. When I asked what else I should do for pain management she said “why exactly do you think she’s in pain?” After I had already explained numerous times she was very puffy in pain. In Guinea pigs, sitting puffy is one of the number one signs of pain. I also had to mention using cisapride along side metaclopromide as they target two different parts of the gut. Not sure why the vet wouldn’t have brought it up instead of me but she had okayed it. They didn’t have any in stock so I was told to call my regular vet. I called the following day to talk to them about getting cisapride from another vet and the lady I talked to was very rude. She told me they don’t “normally do that.” I asked what she was referring to and she said it seemed like I was the one asking for the medication and they don’t just give out medications. Except the night prior, the doctor agreed to give me some cisapride but they just happened to be out of stock. I really needed an X-ray to determine what was going on and X-rays were $700 dollars. It was also a $179 dollar fee just to be seen. I understand emergency clinics are more expensive but it gets to a point where the prices are unreasonable. I pay 40 dollars for an X-ray at my vet. Again, understand it is an emergency clinic but 700 for X-rays is absurd. I am now without any answers except for the knowledge I have myself & out basically $200 for nothing. The last tech I had talked to was very very nice though. Did not catch her name but she was very friendly. I do not recommend this place.
Feb 17, 2024
Waited three plus hours for vet to present an over one thousand dollar estimate for treatment. In that three plus hour time period nothing was done. Nothing. Another two plus hours lapsed and then a bill was presented. Focus of this review is the bill and time spent, as the first was the priority for this place and the second was not. Treatment was definitely not a priority.
Jan 6, 2024
Veterinarians in Des Moines, Iowa
Afford-A-Care Pet Hospital
3003 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA(515) 280-5336
All-Pets Hospital
1330 2nd Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314, USA(515) 262-8535
Animal Medical Clinic
4520 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA(515) 276-4511
ARL Afford-a-Care East
1258 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50316, USA(515) 263-9260
ARL Afford-a-Care South
3003 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320, USA(515) 280-5336
Beaverdale Veterinary Clinic / Riordan Pet Hospital
4529 Douglas Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA(515) 276-3602
BluePearl Pet Hospital
4631 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50322, USA(515) 727-4872
Des Moines Equine LLC
2834 Forest Dr, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA(515) 418-9413