Animals First Veterinary Service
4.8 (54) 14041 Highland Hunter Trail, Rixeyville, VA 22737, USAHours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at Animals First Veterinary Service
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
I am so grateful to have found Dr. Lori and her team. It is such a good feeling to finally find a vet who is kind, patient and knowledgeable. I never once felt rushed during our visit, she was happy to answer all my questions. She also didn't push any additional services that she didn't think was necessary unlike other conventional vets have in the past with me. I love that she does both conventional and holistic medicine, it is rare to find a vet who truly does both! I feel very relieved now that I found her and know that she will take good care of my furbaby. Thank you Dr. Lori and team!
posted: 07/21/2023
This is Makayla Koval and I recently came across a comment by Kayla Koval. This comment was not made by me and the comment has been reported. Nothing in the post was true.
posted: 09/15/2023
We absolutely love Dr. Lori Blankenship and her team at Animals first. They have been such a blessing for us as we seek the best treatment plans for our dog, Lavender. The staff is very warm and knowledgeable. I feel like I really know them and they know our family. I couldn't say enough to express how highly I reccomend Animals first.
posted: 02/15/2022
I don't know what I would have done without Dr. Blankenship! My golden has had allergy issues for as long as I could remember and he always had yeasty ears. Dr. Blankenship created a diet plan for me to use on him and this is the clearest I've ever seen his ears! Not only that his allergies have been better, but his coat is soft and shiny and he's so much more lively now that he has shed some weight. My GSD normally talks a lot at the vet no matter how much I run with him beforehand, but he was the calmest he's ever been in the care of Dr. Blankenship and her staff! I am very pleased with the service that I received, especially with how they handled both of my boys. Dr. Blankenship is extremely knowledgeable and up to date on current medicine. I didn't feel judged or pushed about decisions I wanted to make about my dog's health. I love that they genuinely care about the pet's health and not about racking up your bill with unnecessary treatments/items like some places. This will forever be my go-to vet! So glad I have found this place!
posted: 10/19/2021
Amazing people who actually care about animals! They are committed to figuring out and fixing the cause of the problem instead of putting a band aid on it and pushing you along! They give you options to keep your pet happy and healthy. My Beagle was diagnosed with cancer and I truly believe we had extra time with him because of Dr. Lori and her educated us. I grew up on a farm and I’ve had more animals then I can count, I wouldn’t trade her for anything or anyone. I will continue to travel the hour it takes to come see them.
posted: 03/02/2022
Veterinarians in Rixeyville, Virginia
Animals First Holistic Veterinary Services - Dr. Lori Blankenship
14041 Highland Hunter Trail, Rixeyville, VA 22737, USA(540) 937-6683
Animals First Veterinary Service
14041 Highland Hunter Trail, Rixeyville, VA 22737, USA(540) 937-6683
Old Waterloo Equine Clinic
6136 Waterford Rd, Rixeyville, VA 22737, USA(540) 347-0807