Heaton Heistand Vet Hospital

4.3 (163 reviews)
2030 N 8th St, Vandalia, IL 62471, USA

Hours

Monday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM Sunday Closed

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Heaton Heistand Vet 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 Heaton Heistand Vet 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.

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
4.8 Adoro 19
4.5 AKC 1,801
4.4 ASPCA 12,228
4.9 Embrace 19,973
4.9 Fetch 5,918
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 11,234
4.8 Nationwide 25,705
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,347
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,867
4.7 Pumpkin 3,545
4.6 Spot 11,586
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.

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Reviews from Google

4.3

163 reviews

Dr. Connie Heaton has been an amazing veterinarian with our new puppy and family cat. Our cat became very ill to the point we didn't think we was going to make it. She took him in to administer medical care for four days. They called us to keep us apprised of his condition. We gladly received a call that he was doing well and he was able to come home. He is currently on an antibiotic but doing well! Dr Heaton has always taken the time to answer questions and listen to our concerns. She does not seem to be in a rush to get us in and out but genuinely cares about us and our pets. She is also conscientious about the cost of caring for a pet or pets. We appreciate her, her staff and caring spirit and love for animals. Thank you Dr. Heaton and Staff!

Apr 12, 2023

Do NOT take your pet here. I took my cat up here LAST summer and I've been receiving papers claiming I owe them money from an appointment in February that he never had. I've called up there several times being told I'd receive a call back and never did.

Jul 27, 2023

I took my dog, Jake to Connie to get him fixed. On the way home, he was acting funny. He had a seizure and I took him back Up there and he passed away. She won't answer my calls the people that do answer the phone is very rude Please do not take your dog there

Jul 12, 2023

Lydia is always TOP NOTCH at helping with things! I walked in today (no notice) with an emergency and said "I need help right away, my dog has been hit by the FedEx truck". Lydia immediately came from the back and helped me carry him inside and took him straight back for x-rays. Doc Connie was extremely busy but she took a few minutes to come look at the x-rays and asked for 1 more to be taken. She came back and unfortunately gave us the bad news 😔 She put everything on hold to sit and take the time we needed to put our sweet boy down 💔 She was very knowledgeable with everything that was going on with him, and she was beyond patient, kind, caring and compassionate! Today was heartbreaking but we can't thank them enough for the excellent, speedy care our family and most importantly our boy received.

Feb 10, 2023

Best vet paws down..I won't take them anywhere else. Its a hour away from me, but the care Dr.Connie and her team give, its priceless! And very affordable.

Feb 28, 2021