Bear Creek Veterinary Alternatives

4.7 (27)
7509 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231, USA

Hours:

How to Save Money at Bear Creek Veterinary Alternatives

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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Sheri Krom

I have a 17 year old chow/lab mix who is in hospice with Dr Jaime. Before I went to Dr Jaime he was having a hard time eating/walking/drinking etc because of the tumor in his mouth. Dr. Jaime explained everything to me in detail and we have been on Kody's hospice journey together ever since. The difference in Kody since going to Bear Creek is unbelievable. My vet gave him until January 31st at the latest and it's March 1st and he's still going strong thanks to Dr Jaime. I can't tell you enough... the compassion, the understanding.... the love... I wouldn't be making it through this so well without their help. Their Hospice program is amazing.

posted: 03/01/2018

Nicole Pushcar

Dr. Gonzalez is an Angel! He helped my dog live 22 months after being diagnosed with metastatic cancer (He wasn’t expected to live 2-6mo). He never once discouraged me with my choice of treatment plan. He understands both pet and owner! I drive 2 hours to Bear Creek Veterinary Alternatives. If you’re looking for the absolute Best care for you pet bring them to Dr. G!!!

posted: 12/10/2019

Cynthia Elliott

Dr. Gonzalez is attentive to each of our dogs, he always reviews the prior details of their file so that we can have an educated and up to date conversation together for the best outcomes. They support alternatives and traditional and encourages the owner to be an informed decision maker in the process. Delighted with the office and support. One of our two dogs has terrible allergies and their efforts have helped and are ongoing!!

posted: 03/30/2018

Rhonda Humphreys (Rhonda Wise)

Dr. Gonzalez is wonderful. He makes sure he spends time with you and your pet, to get as much information as possible to help you. I love the atmosphere of the office, very relaxed, yet professional. Every person I spoke with there is caring and kind, and really want the best for you and your pet. Holistically centered care, exactly what I needed.

posted: 04/11/2019

Nicole Marley

Dr G is THE BEST!!! Without a doubt THE BEST!!!!!!! He understands and explains everything..he is open minded and does not "push" anything on you/your pet. His energy lifts not only my spirits but my dogs spirits too. I travel 2 hours to see Dr G, I highly recommend Bear Creek!!! He will change your life and your pets life for the better!!!

posted: 02/02/2018