Cane River Veterinary Clinic
4.3 (91) 1841 South Dr, Natchitoches, LA 71457, USAHours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at Cane River Veterinary Clinic
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:
| 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 & CompareGetting 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
I have used Dr. Pesnell since he bought the business from Dr. Wurster. He has taken good care of all our critters. From routine care to surgeries, there have been no problems. He can be blunt, but certainly not unprofessional. There have never been any issues there. I'm not sure what others are complaining about with one star reviews, but I'm sure if they called Dr. Doug, he would be glad to address any issues. Unfortunately, animals die during "routine" surgeries as do humans and it's always difficult to accept. The facility is very old but it is clean. Also, pet care can be expensive. They pay a decent wage for staff and instruments and medications are expensive. Veterinarians obtain a college degree before being accepted to Veterinary school. Then 3-4 more years of Vet school depending on which school they go to. LSU where Dr. Pesnell went is 4 years. That's 8 years of education before they can make a dime. Are they perfect? Of course not. And they don't do miracles. Thanks, Dr. Doug for taking care of my sweet puppers and THE cat.
posted: 06/15/2023
I had my baby here, Mufasa, for boarding for a few days while I was gone for work and also a neuter. I was informed that he had a heart attack while under anesthesia. The doctor told me that he was most likely stressed and home sick but if he say that he’s feeling that way while still go through with the surgery. I’m extremely upset because this could have been avoided
posted: 05/15/2023
Been going there for 11 years and they have taken very good care of my little tripod
posted: 03/03/2023
The doctor came to me to vaccinate my horse but he needs to work on his bed side manners.
posted: 06/13/2023
Dr. Doug Pensell is VERY unprofessional & inconsiderate. Caused unnecessary stress on my friend and her pup. Highly recommend sticking to Good Hope. Avoid this place if you want good care for your pet.
posted: 07/31/2022