River Road Animal Hospital

4.6 (640)
1508 18th St NW, Puyallup, WA 98371, 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: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at River Road 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 11,392
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 & 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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Steven Hildreth

They are really great with animals. Really caring and helpful. They work very well with animals that have anxiety, especially vet anxiety. They even managed to cut little Hoagie's nails, which we weren't sure was going to be possible without sedation. Their prices are fair.

posted: 08/20/2023

Marie Lynn

Dr Hedman is awesome. All my pups love her and she's always spot on and I completely trust her with my 4 dogs. She also is excellent with teeth cleaning and pulling if needed. Dr Lamb is also superb! We appreciate them!

posted: 08/15/2023

Kelly Neff-Montgomery

I have been with River Road Animal Hospital for over 15 years. Two friends referred me and I'm so grateful they did. I had been with another fine vet prior , but when we moved I needed a closer vet. Everyone at River Road has always been friendly, respectful, and very approachable for questions and preventative care. They always discuss options and are understanding of cost . I've never felt they suggested a procedure or treatment that wasn't necessary. When my two elderly dogs passed, they extended their hearts with a lovely card. It had been due to their expert care that my dogs had been so comfortable, happy, and had done so well living with chronic conditions . I don't hesitate to recommend them.

posted: 08/19/2023

Laura Reichensperger

I used to work here and can guarantee the staff is very friendly with your pet. Now as a client; I still feel comfortable bringing my babies here. We recently saw Dr. Tyler and he was very great with my scared senior mastiff and he and his assistant made her appointment less stressful! I always recommend River Road for primary care.

posted: 02/22/2023

Jean Clark

River Road Animal Hospital has been our choice for more than 15 years. The staff are friendly and compassionate. The vets are calm and caring. We have had several visits over the years with pet ailments and they have always been spot on. We do not live close, but choose to make the drive for excellent care.

posted: 08/07/2023