Lakeside Animal Hospital

4.1 (295 reviews)
5206 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, VA 23228, USA

Hours

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 on Veterinary Costs at Lakeside 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 Lakeside 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 150,000 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 12,175
4.9 Embrace 19,903
4.9 Fetch 5,674
4.1 Figo 2,852
4.4 Hartville 182
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,244
4.8 Lemonade 831
4.6 ManyPets 2,414
4.7 MetLife 10,283
4.8 Nationwide 25,399
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,110
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,802
4.7 Pumpkin 3,372
4.6 Spot 11,323
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

4.1

295 reviews

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. :)

Sep 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!!!

Aug 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.

Sep 6, 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.

Jun 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!

May 5, 2023