Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham

4.4 (591)
146 Resource Center Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35242, USA

Hours:

Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

How to Save Money at Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham

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 891
4.5 ASPCA 11,713
4.9 Embrace 16,627
4.9 Fetch 10,616
4.2 Figo 2,598
4.7 Hartville 164
4.9 Healthy Paws 9,975
4.9 Lemonade 805
4.6 ManyPets 2,332
4.0 MetLife 625
4.8 Nationwide 21,404
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.5 PetPartners 112
4.3 Pets Best 12,053
4.6 Pumpkin 1,425
4.6 Spot 6,829
4.9 Trupanion 67,550
4.8 Prudent Pet 125

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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Valerie Clay

They got our boy in quickly and worked fast to find the cause of his health issues. So friendly, helpful, polite and non-judgmental. We'd definitely recommend them and Dr. Mary Hoff again. UPDATE: Our boy didn't make it but they were so kind and lovingly prepared him to come home. We're so grateful to know he didn't die alone and had friendly hands to sooth him and show him love in his final moments. Thank you for all you did for Loki ❤️

posted: 03/19/2024

Adrienne Stewart

I wish Dr. Hoff could be my baby's regular veterinarian! She and the staff were the sweetest to my pup and me. Their facility setup is also great. You don't have to wait in a waiting room full of other pets. You have your own room where your pet is free to roam while waiting for either the tech or veterinarian. Truly a great experience. Thank you! ❤️

posted: 04/14/2024

K Higgins

We brought Gary the cat (12 yr old w/ malignant ear tumor) in to see if there was any chance of sorting things out for him and while we didn’t get the news we wanted, Dr Vaughn was so nice and thorough with his explanation. He took into account Gary’s age, condition and his quality of life. He did give us the option to try surgery, but warned us how invasive it would be and what to expect from the outcome. (Which was the fact that the tumor would return and Gary would be so uncomfortable that it would be unfair to put him through it). He spent a lot of time with us in the exam room to be sure we understood the options and explained things in detail, and with compassion. In the end we decided to leave Gary be and give him the best during his remaining time… he is currently high on a big wad of catnip and eating whatever he wants. Lots of toys and playtime and he’s happy, which is what we all want for our pets. I wouldn’t hesitate to bring another pet the Dr Vaughn. (But I hope I don’t have to!)

posted: 12/01/2023

Penny Muetzel

We made the very hard decision to let our sweet 19 year old Kona go this morning. Dr. Jordan was so kind and compassionate as were the other 2 young ladies that helped us. Thank you for making a hard day a little bit easier. We loved him for 17 years; so thankful our last moments with him were so peaceful. 💙🌈

posted: 11/12/2023

marci ballard

10/10 cannot say enough good things about the vets, vechs, assistants, and staff. They were very informative, and detailed with what was going on with my pet while she was having surgery and staying with them. Over night staff so you never have to worry if your baby if left alone after a procedure. They were all super kind and so very understanding from start to finish. (and I was annoying, trust me) They made sure you understood the procedures, pick up process, and aftercare. Super happy with out visit and stay and will forever recommend. 100% best vets if you do not want to worry.

posted: 03/26/2024