Vets Near Me > District of Columbia > Washington > Palisades Veterinary Clinic

Palisades Veterinary Clinic

4.4
5138 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA

Best Pet Insurance in Washington, District of Columbia 2026

Hours:

Monday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Thursday: 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Palisades Veterinary Clinic

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 2026
Rating Provider Total Review
4.9 Adoro 34
4.5 AKC 1,801
4.4 ASPCA 12,250
4.9 Embrace 20,008
4.9 Fetch 5,987
4.1 Figo 2,876
4.4 Hartville 183
4.9 Healthy Paws 11,406
4.8 Lemonade 834
4.6 ManyPets 2,416
4.7 MetLife 11,561
4.7 Nationwide 25,788
3.9 Pet Assure 15
4.3 PetPartners 121
4.9 Pets Best 15,538
4.8 Prudent Pet 2,884
4.7 Pumpkin 3,624
4.6 Spot 11,667
4.9 Trupanion 55,033

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

hand swipe
Emma R

Nearly 4 years ago now I adopted my cat & started her care here, and we still do all of her regular visits here despite moving out of the Palisades neighborhood. We have experienced multiple veterinarians and vet techs throughout our visits and everyone at PVC is absolutely lovely. My cat has some ear issues and treatment is always very clear, non-judgmental, and compassionate towards my cat. My cat was particularly spicy this past visit and the vet & techs handled it so kindly. Payment and billing has always been transparent and fair. Veterinary care anywhere is expensive - this is what we sign up for when we choose to care for an animal. Thanks to all of the staff here, we appreciate the work you do to provide compassionate and reliable care!

Oskar N

I was excited to establish care here after researching independent clinics in the DC area — Palisades stood out for describing itself as one of seven independent practices committed to compassionate care, and as someone who prefers supporting independent clinics, that mattered to me. Unfortunately, my visit didn't reflect that description. We came in to establish care and follow up on a dental cleaning recommendation from our previous vet in Seattle, for my 12-year-old dog. The support staff were kind and professional throughout. The provider, however, started the exam on a notably cold and rushed note, almost as if he didn't want to be there or see us, I did not feel welcome. He opened by listing one concern after another during the physical exam, which was disorienting — my dog has been seen by three different vets in Seattle over the years, and none of them have raised this many issues at once. I'm not questioning his clinical knowledge, but the delivery set an uncomfortable tone from the start. When I declined a few of the preventive recommendations, since my priority that day was a cardiology and the dental procedure, I was told it would be charted that I "refused" care. I ultimately agreed to several of the recommended services, bringing the visit to a little over $400, but left feeling like my dog didn't receive the warmth or gentle handling I've come to expect from her usual vets. By the end of the appointment, she was visibly stressed, and honestly, so was I. I don't say that lightly; she's not typically an anxious dog. To his credit, the provider was upfront that he wouldn't perform the dental cleaning at this location and referred us to a specialist, and the tone did improve toward the end of the visit. But as a new patient hoping to establish long-term care, the overall experience didn't match the compassionate, personable care the clinic advertises. I'll be continuing my search for a clinic that's a better fit for my senior dog.

Emily Fahey

Dr Dan and Dr Mazin thank you both for your compassion and the excellent service you provided to both my scavenger eating dog and me during our most recent visit. Your dedication to his care and your willingness to stay late assures me we are in capable hands..I am so very grateful for you! Also a shout out to your friendly staff behind the desk and those working behind the scenes. Go TEAM!! You are great!!

Kathleen Burke

Exceptional exceptional vet practice. The absolute best. Always one receives compassion and insightful intelligent diagnosis from Dr Dan Shillito. All the vets great. Knowledgeable on current literature and recent advances in veterinary medicine so standard of care is outstanding. Techs and front desk excellent. Techs kindly come outside to help me wrangle our rambunctious dog from the sidewalk. Everyone goes the extra mile. Also so very honest. Never try to pressure you into expensive unneeded tests. If tests are recommended, you can be sure that this is necessary for outstanding care of your dog or cat. Not owned by private equity. Still family owned. Our dog actually wags her tail while entering door of this vet practice. That is the incontrovertible proof of how exceptional this practice is.

Amy Young

My dog’s itchy skin was diagnosed right away and the vet worked with the groomer to have him bathed right away. The prescription was ready quickly. Everyone is so pleasant and helpful. They work well together and project an image of professionalism, kindness and understanding. The best veterinarian services we’ve had.

Get a quote today

Leave a review