Birch Island Veterinary Center

4.8 (576)
14485 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256, USA

Hours:

Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Thursday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Birch Island Veterinary Center

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 11,756
4.9 Embrace 17,140
4.9 Fetch 18,308
4.2 Figo 2,602
4.7 Hartville 165
4.9 Healthy Paws 10,008
4.9 Lemonade 805
4.6 ManyPets 2,343
4.0 MetLife 652
4.8 Nationwide 21,407
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.5 PetPartners 113
4.3 Pets Best 12,229
4.6 Pumpkin 1,473
4.6 Spot 7,024
4.9 Trupanion 73,550
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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Jeep Girl

BEST VET EVER!! Dr. Dee saved my dogs life. She is smart and very well educated. She and her staff are the only ones I trust because I know they have our fur babies best interest at heart. We take them for the spa/play deal and they do a great job! These other one star reviews cannot be trusted. They are lies and should be removed. Most likely they have never even been to the establishment.

posted: 09/05/2023

J F
J F

We’ve been going to Birch Island for vet AND Boarding needs since moving here three years ago. Our 4-year-old large dog and our kitten (now cat) have been in the best care! From the doctors to the vet techs, you can tell everyone who works there does so because they truly live animals. They always get us in quickly if an issue arises. We think our dog thinks we take him there for his own vacation, not ours, as he doesn’t look back when he eagerly goes into see what new friends he’ll meet. Very easy to work with, extremely knowledgeable, and there are no surprises with the bill. All around satisfied with Birch Island!

posted: 07/23/2023

Joi Straaten

Birch Island is the FOURTH veterinarian that we've been to in the four years that we've lived here. After our previous vet wouldn't see our dog for an acute ear infection, we called Birch Island at the recommendation of a neighbor. We made the 30+ minute drive up from St Augustine the next morning and we were amazed at the level of care and professionalism that we encountered. The front desk staff greeted us with a smile, were friendly and quick to put us in a room. The vet tech, Leslie, was gentle and caring with our dog. Dr. Gavron was fantastic - professional, warm, friendly, informative, and funny! We left feeling completely at ease with the care that our dog received, AND their fees are completely reasonable. Also, their 'office dog', Kash, is the best. If you're looking for a vet, I cannot recommend Birch Island Vet Center enough.

posted: 09/18/2023

Terri Lewis

We adore the Birch team. They know our furbaby well and care for him like he’s their own pet. When issues arise, they talk through our options with transparent pricing and guide us through what we don’t understand. Dr Dee expects the best from her team and holds them accountable. She personally oversaw the design and build of the facility and you can tell how much she truly cares about her patients and their human parents with every detail she put into the creation of Birch.

posted: 09/08/2023

Fletcher Rosenbaum

My pets have been attending Birch Island since the day they opened. They receive the best medical care I could ever hope for them. The doctors and technicians go amazingly beyond what we ever received at other clinics in other cities where we have lived. Our dog attends day care at Birch Island several days per week. The boarding and kennel staff are first rate. They know my dog instantly when we walk in. The pets are safe and loved. The staff is knowledgeable and is able to recommend suggestions as they spend so much time with the animals. The facility is modern and clean. The personnel are honest and transparent regarding my dog's health care. At no time have I ever felt like I was trying to be sold anything. They just want what is best for my fluffy family member. Birch Island Veterinary Center is the best hospital and boarding/daycare facility in Jacksonville.

posted: 09/06/2023