Pet Medical Center

4.8 (304)
1416 S Duff Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA

Hours:

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

How to Save Money at Pet Medical 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

hand swipe
Kristin Marshall

No dog likes to go to the vet but the staff at Ames Pet Medical Center always put my boy at ease. He doesn't have vet anxiety because they love on him while he is there and we've always received EXCEPTIONAL care! They also can always get us in same or the next day when something pops up! I would highly recommend them to anyone with a new pet!!!

posted: 07/30/2023

alex

Amazing vet techs and doctor! Treated my pet with care and compassion. Pretty affordable compared to other clinics I’ve been to. Great experience. My cat definitely likes this place and the staff so that says a lot.

posted: 08/04/2023

Trevor Arunsiripate

I brought both of my cats in for a wellness exam. Each of them were handled with care, compassion, and an understanding for their individual behavioral needs. My veterinarian was Dr. Van Dewalle. She helped me understand the importance of dental care, and I have a dental cleaning scheduled with PMC later in July! I trust my cat’s care with Dr. Van Dewalle. This team of veterinary care providers is recommended for your small animals!

posted: 06/14/2023

Hunter Simmons

We've been bringing our dogs to this clinic for a few years now. The employees are knowledgeable, polite, and always give our dogs the best care possible. They also just wrapped up big renovation so everything is fresh and new looking. The rooms are always clean and the atmosphere is welcoming. When it comes to money and prices, they are up front about how much a service, item, medicine, etc. is going to cost. They have always let us choose which financial route we would like to take when it comes to more expensive things. Overall I highly recommend stopping in for a visit if you're looking for a new vet clinic.

posted: 08/18/2023

Kimberly Hom

Was able to get in same day with a newly adopted dog. Very friendly staff all around, from receptionist to technician to doctor. Even people who weren't caring for us stopped and said hello to the dog. Reasonable prices, cheaper than some other clinics around here. Thorough exam done by Dr. Nicole, who verbalized her findings as she went along, which I appreciated. Just a heads up, there is a lot of construction going on right now which makes it a bit loud, but the staff are doing their best to make things work. Construction has to happen to improve the building, so can't really complain!

posted: 06/23/2023