Lake Area Animal Hospital

4.7 (141)
630 E School St, Lake Charles, LA 70607, USA

Hours:

Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Lake Area 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:

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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Alexis Russell

My family and I have taken our pets here for years. I have to say though we miss Dr. Starks, Dr. Houston has been great. 2 our of pets have had to have surgery and they both received great care. We appreciate Dr. Houston's patience and explaining everything. Also, thank you Lisa for your patience and explaining everything as well. This is the place to bring your fur babies!

posted: 07/13/2023

Heather Powers

I recommend them to EVERYONE! All of the staff are so kind and compassionate. Dr. Houston is very brilliant and kind. They are trusted with my Service Dog's care 100%

posted: 05/26/2023

Yaritza Torres

Lake Area Medical was recommended to me by both of my neighbors and they did not lead me astray. 6 years ago, they had great doctors, but have recently brought in Dr. Houston, who is AMAZING!!! The staff is great also. They truly do your very best to get your fur baby in as quickly as possible, even working them between patients when necessary. I would recommend them to all my friends and family.

posted: 03/20/2023

Jackie Kyle

They were the rudest I have ever dealt with! They made a contract with humane society n because feral cats were brought in in carriers they said they weren’t feral n told they would be full price! They were in carriers cause they couldn’t stay in traps for 24 hrs! We wouldn’t lie n say they were feral if they weren’t n they should have known if they were good veterinarians!

posted: 07/20/2023

Michelle McNally

Lake Area Animal Hospital and Dr. Briscoe is a great place to bring your pet. The staff are very friendly and professional. Dr. Briscoe listens to all of my concerns and is very good with my cats. I would highly recommend them.

posted: 07/12/2023