Friarsgate-Ballentine Animal Hospital

4.9 (308 reviews)
10737 Broad River Rd, Irmo, SC 29063, USA

Hours

Monday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday Closed Sunday Closed

How to Save on Veterinary Costs at Friarsgate-Ballentine 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 Friarsgate-Ballentine 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.

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
4.7 Adoro 11
4.5 AKC 1,798
4.4 ASPCA 12,188
4.9 Embrace 19,922
4.9 Fetch 5,726
4.1 Figo 2,854
4.4 Hartville 182
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,278
4.8 Lemonade 831
4.6 ManyPets 2,414
4.7 MetLife 10,507
4.8 Nationwide 25,470
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,163
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,816
4.7 Pumpkin 3,420
4.6 Spot 11,384
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

4.9

308 reviews

What a great group of doctors! For the past 30+ years, I have taken all my pets to them. My animals have always received excellent care. Whatever the problem, the doctors were quick to diagnose and treat it.

Oct 26, 2023

S C

S C

I am SO glad I switched to Friarsgate-Ballentine Animal Hospital. Dr. Mundell is amazing. So gentle and thorough with a scared rescued mom cat and her 3 kittens today. Excellent bedside manner with cats and hooman mom. I’ve named the only male kitten Jeffrey in honor of Dr. Mundell. My cats have since seen the other vets there and they are all wonderful!

Sep 6, 2023

We had to unfortunately put our 13 year old kitty to sleep last week and it took a horrible turn, Dr Hurst and his team were so kind and caring they made a very painful and difficult situation comforting having them there with us. They also take amazing care of our dog babies! This is an amazing vet and I highly recommend it!

Oct 27, 2022

I trust the entire staff at Friarsgate animal hospital with my fur babies. We recently had a medical emergency with our cat and they took her in immediately and provided her with excellent care. Thanks to the doctors and assistants my cat is now healthy again.

Mar 6, 2022

Had to take my kitty here to get some help with her itching and flea meds, she usually does not like strangers but she was so comfy with the doctor and assistant. Yall are AMAZING

Sep 30, 2023