Hess McWilliams Veterinary Services

5 (36)
143 N East St, Amherst, MA 01002, USA

Hours:

Monday: 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Tuesday: 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Wednesday: 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Thursday: 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Friday: 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Hess McWilliams Veterinary Services

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 11,714
4.9 Embrace 16,675
4.9 Fetch 11,124
4.2 Figo 2,598
4.7 Hartville 164
4.9 Healthy Paws 9,976
4.9 Lemonade 805
4.6 ManyPets 2,335
4.0 MetLife 626
4.8 Nationwide 21,404
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.5 PetPartners 112
4.3 Pets Best 12,058
4.6 Pumpkin 1,425
4.6 Spot 6,848
4.9 Trupanion 67,964
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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Mike Doyle

Hess McWilliams has been a God send. For a new farmer they have provided so much assistance, tips, advice, and worked above and beyond for every animal every time called on. They follow up and respond days and weeks after the visit. I was getting answers and support from a vet on vacation! The whole team, Dr. Hess, McWilliams, Barstow, and Latham have all worked with me at various times, and they are all wonderful, knowledgeable, and very supportive!

posted: 02/21/2024

Brenda LeBlanc

Their care for our animals are awesome. The young lady that comes out to take care of my horse. I couldn’t ask for someone more caring and very explanatory when she’s telling us what is wrong with the horse she explains everything and takes the time to be with us to let us know what is going on. I appreciate their services so much couldn’t ask for better.

posted: 06/08/2023

Carly Carpenter

Dr.McWilliams and Dr. Barstow are amazing and knowledgeable veterinarians. They are so patient with my thoroughbred. The entire staff is friendly and helpful. No other large animal veterinarian office in the area can compare to the level of compassion and care your animal will receive here.

posted: 05/03/2019

Heather Gibb

Dr. Sam Neill made a recent house call to see my pot belly pig, Ziggy. Pigs are notoriously stubborn and bad patients so I was dreading the visit. Dr. Neill was incredibly patient, gentle and caring, taking all the time necessary to properly anesthesize Ziggy, carrying out all procedures in a caring, yet professional manner, as well as answering any questions that I may have had. I am very grateful and thankful to Dr. Neill for the positive experience and would highly recommend him.

posted: 11/24/2019

Mary Lamica

Love this place, they are so personal and helpful. Whenever I have questions about any of my new farm animals Dr Sam Neill always has the patience and time... all the people here are great! Thank you!

posted: 10/26/2021