Barker Animal Hospital

4.5 (214)
480 Kempsville Rd #109, Chesapeake, VA 23320, USA

Hours:

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Barker 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 11,414
4.9 Embrace 14,242
4.9 Fetch 2,055
4.4 Figo 2,580
4.7 Hartville 164
4.9 Healthy Paws 7,477
4.9 Lemonade 783
3.2 ManyPets 2,156
4.6 MetLife 493
4.8 Nationwide 21,393
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.7 PetPartners 110
4.5 Pets Best 7,196
4.3 Pumpkin 1,163
4.7 Spot 5,275
4.9 Trupanion 60,301
4.8 Prudent Pet 125

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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Aiden Colombo

Took my dog Ginny to this hospital because she broke out with hives and we had no idea what happened or what to do. The staff were super helpful, friendly, and professional and even offered me a military discount, which I wasn’t expecting. I definitely will be returning in the future!

posted: 06/21/2023

Gerald Wathen

I have been coming here Spence they opened and now they have a shift in client appreciation. I received a reminder for a time to be here for three dogs. I was intime for the appointment, but they said I was late. Then they are going to charge me 50 dollars per a dog, for the wrong reminder message that was sent to me. Megan the office manager needs a lot of help in customer care. Because by my experience she has none, very cold.

posted: 07/20/2023

Kate

UPDATE: Dr. Barker diagnosed my cat with chronic rhinitis...dismissed my concerns...turns out he has a slow growing cancerous tumor growing in his sinus cavity. He now has 3-6 months, no treatment options available and he has likely been in pain for the past year. For the love of your pet, STAY AWAY FROM THIS VET. Dr. Barker does not understand the concept of fear free. She reaches into my cats Carrier, stands between me and them during the exam and even snapped at me for trying to keep my cat -who is a gentle cat but anxious- calm during the exam. Their prices are high unless you buy their insurance plan. I tried this vet during the pandemic since they were the only one who would let me in the exam room but I've not been comfortable with this vet or Dr. Barker. Do not recommend.

posted: 05/02/2023

Sarah Duncan

My sweet fur baby Miso loves it here! They take such good care of her. I woke up on edge today due to sudden change in behavior and they took her in immediately for me. I highly trust this staff and I’m so happy I found a permanent place to keep her healthy

posted: 03/23/2023

L S
L S

Great staff! Dr. Nelson and Ashley were so wonderful with handling our little girl (and she is a tough cookie sometimes). Would 100% recommend them, very communicative and patient. No fear technique for handling animals is a huge asset!

posted: 09/16/2020