Smitherman Richard E DVM

4.2 (5)

8501 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, USA

Best Pet Insurance in Panama City Beach, Florida 2024

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How to Save Money at Smitherman Richard E DVM

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.

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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.

#Cat Breed Health Problems #Dog Breed Health Problems

Reviews from Google

Kate Freeman

I'm appalled to say the least. He will offer no referral or recommendations, only his own personal advice. I needed an orthopedic veterinarian for my puppy, I had noticed laxity in his hips already, but I wanted a primary veterinarians opinion, and ideally a recommendation to see someone else. Dr. Smitherman refused to even look at him, claiming he's too young to tell, and not to worry about it. He couldn't swallow his pride to let me see a new doctor, and so now none of my family, or their dogs, will return to him (approx. 12 dogs no longer being seen there). Dr. Smitherman is NOT an orthopedic veterinarian, just an old man taking advantage of people who need what he can't offer. If I'd listened to him, my dog would have never received the care he needed, which I only made by a few days, because I chose to take him 8 hours away to my old ortho vet - the one that diagnosed and helped my dog many years ago. The god complex in this one is despicable. I'd so much more respect someone who admitted they can't help, but wanted to get me someone who could. Instead I was played off like I knew nothing only to be told by a REAL VETERINARY PROFESSIONAL that I was right all along.

posted: 12/07/2020

JoDee King

The doctor listened to my concerns, answered my questions about what I should do. My dog was in pain and crying and the vet gave me suggestions of what to do. He was great. I didn't end up taking my dog in that night but I now have a place I trust to take my dog when I need to.

posted: 01/19/2020