Lakeside Animal Hospital
4.1 (295) 5206 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, VA 23228, USAHours:
Monday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at Lakeside 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:
| 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 & CompareGetting 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
We love Dr.Gonzalez and the team at Lakeside Animal Hospital! Dr. G is incredibly kind & you can tell she truly cares for each & every animal + their human. I took off 1 star because (like others have mentioned) they're not great with the long wait times... but in my opinion, as long as I know that it's going to run long before going into the appointment, I simply need to better manage my expectations. I believe Dr. G is (currently) the only vet on staff, so it makes sense that appointments run overtime. I've tried other local vets over the ~20 years I've lived in Richmond, but I always come back to Dr. Gonzalez. :)
posted: 09/19/2023
We are so happy to have found Dr.Gonzalez and Lakeside Animal Hospital. Dr. G and her staff make you feel welcome and as if your pet is the only pet they treat. They are knowledgeable, caring and compassionate! Their love for animals truly shows!!!
posted: 08/12/2023
This is a vet that you should only go to if you have unlimited time to spare. They do not run their practice well at all. If you have an appointment at 9am, be prepared to wait until at least 10. They get 2 stars just because the veterinarian seems competent.
posted: 09/06/2023
The second star is only because the desk staff and techs are nice. The owner/vet here is only out to get as much of your money as possible and make you feel like a horrible pet owner in the process. She will recommend every test possible at every visit and then make you sign a waiver if you decline. She uses scare tactics and guilt to try to make you cough up all your money to her. There are other options for much better vets nearby. Please please look elsewhere. I don’t often write negative reviews of places but I feel very compelled to warn others against this place.
posted: 06/14/2023
This is the only place I take my rabbit in town. I had an emergency with my bun, and they were able to take me and my sweet bunny that very day between appointments. I waited very patiently and after maybe 30-45 mins I was seen. Dr. Gonzalez is extremely knowledgeable on exotic pets like rabbits, and for that I am very thankful. Not many exotic vets in RVA, so I feel truly blessed! I will say this location is very busy. The front staff and nurses answer phone calls literally back to back and do a great job assisting people as quickly as they possibly can! So for people inquiring to take their animals there, be patient for goodness sakes! Everyone is doing the best they can. I’ve taken my bun here a couple times and I’ve had nothing but pleasant interactions. Everyone from the front staff, the nurses, and the veterinarian were very helpful and kind and I cannot say thank you enough for what you’ve done for my bunny Donnie Darko! Thank you so much!
posted: 05/05/2023
Veterinarians in Richmond, Virginia
Allied Animal Hospital & Pet
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Balanced Veterinary Wellness
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Banfield Pet Hospital
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Betty Baugh's Animal Clinic
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Bon Air Animal Hospital
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Boulevard Animal Hospital Inc
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Broad Street Veterinary Hospital
3320 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230, USA(804) 353-4491
Brook Run Animal Clinic
7416 Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23227, USA(804) 262-8621