Great Rivers Animal Hospital
Hours
How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Great Rivers Animal Hospital
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 Great Rivers Animal Hospital? 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 | 12,227 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 19,970 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 5,909 |
| 4.1 | Figo | 2,868 |
| 4.4 | Hartville | 183 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 11,371 |
| 4.8 | Lemonade | 833 |
| 4.6 | ManyPets | 2,416 |
| 4.7 | MetLife | 11,221 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 25,693 |
| 3.9 | Pet Assure | 15 |
| 4.3 | PetPartners | 121 |
| 4.9 | Pets Best | 15,328 |
| 4.8 | Prudent Pet | 2,865 |
| 4.7 | Pumpkin | 3,539 |
| 4.6 | Spot | 11,570 |
| 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
693 reviews
Took my dog there because she was really sick and couldn't use her front left leg and she was having a lot of pain on her right side. $600 later and no diagnosis. Someone called me about a week later and said that the vet could do a biopsy and X-ray her side for an additional $743. My dog had cancerous lumps on her belly, under her arm pit and throughout her body. We found that out when we took her elsewhere. We had to have her put down . The way my dog was handled when we went to this place was unnecessary. I'm not sure what they did to her when they took her to the back but I know she was really upset when we got her back and in a lot of pain. We will never go back to the place ever again. To high prices and they don't seem to care about the animals and trying to help fix them. All they seemed to care about is money. Shameful !!
Oct 3, 2025
Staff are wonderful support with all pets. They showed compassion for RIP Ethan Grace. Plus, Kat was a bit scared but appeared, relaxed for her yearly exam. Thank you for guiding me with all the stray kittens over the last 3 years. Judy
Sep 24, 2024
Brought my Aussie in with an injury to his lip. The vet informed me that they could clean the wound and stitch him up. I gladly agreed to the procedure and paid $624.22. The very next morning his wound was open again. I called and texted photos as was asked of me.They got back to me a little before the end of day and asked that I bring him in. So I did and the vet said my options were to let it heal on its own or the could restitch him, not informing me that I would have to pay for the same procedure again. So I brought him in this morning as told to. After waiting patiently in the office for about 40 minutes a different vet came examined him and said they could do it but would have to charge me again! I explained that I had already paid and that I was never told that I would have to repay for the same thing, nor did the vet before explain that it might not work. If they had explained to me the possibility that it wouldn't work I would have just agreed to cleaning the wound and giving him antibiotics. I was respectful in explaining the situation but was told their a business and it is what it is. I told them I agreed to the surgery because they said it wasn't a problem and I love my dog so I was willing to over extend my finances to get it done. Why did no one tell me it might not work before I paid the $625 . Why when I brought him in the next day and they said they could restitch him wasn't I notified then I would need to repay again. I am very upset that this happened to my animal and me, I guess blue collar citizens are third class citizens these days.😔
Jul 3, 2025
I can’t say enough good things about this veterinary office! My cat recently injured his paw, and from the moment we walked in, the entire team made us feel truly cared for. They took excellent care of him, explained everything clearly, and showed genuine concern for his well-being. Having recently moved from another state where I was never quite happy with the vet care, this experience was a world of difference. It’s such a relief to finally find a place I trust. I’m so grateful to have found a team that treats pets like family. I’ll definitely be coming back and will be recommending them to all my friends, family, and coworkers!
Jun 12, 2025
Wonderful vet clinic. Every employee is professional and caring. Our puppy was really sick. We couldn't get into our vet, but Great Rivers was recommended. I'm so glad it was. The next day there was marked improvement. The vet tech called to check on him. I highly recommend this clinic to all pet owners.
Jul 12, 2025
Veterinarians in Alton, Illinois
Alton Animal Clinic, Formerly Formea Animal Hospital
1639 Main St, Alton, IL 62002, USA(618) 462-8000
Great Rivers Animal Hospital
217 E Center Dr, Alton, IL 62002, USA(618) 462-0511
Petco Vaccination Clinic
313 Homer M Adams Pkwy, Alton, IL 62002, USA(618) 462-2950
Pope Animal Hospital
3300 E Broadway, Alton, IL 62002, USA(618) 462-0511