VCA Columbia Animal Hospital at Hickory Ridge

4.5 (220)
10788 Hickory Ridge Rd, Columbia, MD 21044, USA

Hours:

Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at VCA Columbia Animal Hospital at Hickory Ridge

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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Lindsey Moseley

The kindest individuals work here and Dr. Moldenhauer is the best vet of all time. Our elderly dog has anxiety and they are great about getting him the meds he needs to relax for appts, so patient with him during exams, and always follow up in a timely manner. He is receiving phenomenal care.

posted: 08/03/2024

Scott Hillebrand

Dr. Myers and the staff are amazing. They are extremely patient with the animals and are extremely responsive to any questions you have. They also provided exceptional detail for care instructions for pre & post operation for our dog and walked through the entire process before the procedure. VCA can be a little on the more expensive side, but when your dog is in need of a surgery or a major medical issues it is money well spent.

posted: 05/29/2024

Susan Yost

Great service, very pricey, unfortunately only offer very conventional treatment. I have 3 very special breed dogs. They require a high protein diet and they are constantly trying to tell me to feed heavily grain laden diets like Hills or Purina. I also would like options BESIDES neuter and spay. My one puppy has one testicle and would like to hear an option of orchipexy. So far, no one has offered that. I also am very educated in herbal medicine a use than as advents to standard treatments. I believe it’s time to find a practice more in line with my knowledge and thoughts .

posted: 06/08/2024

Cara Gregg

The team at VCA Hickory Ridge is fantastic, especially Dr. Kelso and her staff. They're not only knowledgeable but also incredibly friendly. What I appreciate the most is their flexibility in scheduling appointments. Whether it's a routine check-up with just a couple of days' notice or a more urgent matter with same-day or next-day appointments, they've always got you covered. One unique aspect that sets them apart is the option to see a chiropractor on-site, in addition to standard veterinary treatment – a great added benefit. However, I have to mention that, like all VCA Hospitals, the prices are on the higher side, and that's the only reason I deducted a star. Despite that, the quality of service makes it a reliable choice for pet care.

posted: 01/12/2024

jessica parker

This facility is so amazing that I am literally in tears! From the phone interaction all the way to payment, just outstanding! I am a young woman with a middle aged bunny who was not feeling well this morning at all! They VOLUNTARILY took me early. The nurse and the doctors did everything in their power to help me all while being mindful of the cost! In todays society you almost never get quality service at an affordable price and today I got exceptional service, treated with so much kindness and respect and to top it off what I spent did not break the bank or make me 2nd guess my life decisions. I am so happy despite my circumstances because of how they treated me and my baby! I would recommend to anyone. I hope god blesses everyone in that facility to the max because they deserve it.

posted: 04/18/2024