Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital

4.7 (496)
3079 State Hwy K, O'Fallon, MO 63368, USA

Hours:

Monday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital

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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Cindy Moreno

While we appreciate the veterinarian's expertise at Gentle Care Animal Hospital, unfortunately, we've decided to seek care elsewhere. We've encountered some challenges with communication and the overall experience with the front desk and vet tech staff. For instance, we were disappointed not to receive a response when we inquired about an allergy prescription. Additionally, during visits, we felt the vet tech could have demonstrated more empathy and understanding, especially given our dog's anxiety and need for medication and muzzling. We've given it our best effort over the past two years, but ultimately, we've decided to find a veterinary practice that better aligns with our needs and expectations.

posted: 08/28/2024

Brandy Burress

We have been going to this location for about 7yrs now! Both of our dogs have always been well taken care of and Dr.Julie is amazing even though we have a silly doggy who likes to stir up trouble by rolling around on the ground, growls and has to be muzzled. 🤣 We are always happy with our services here!

posted: 09/25/2024

Jennifer Keppel

Had to put my beagle to sleep back in March Dr. Brianna.Explianed everything to me on what to expect during the process and let me stay as long as I wanted with my little girl! The staff is al and every friendly when I would come in with my beagle! Just got a new dog and an appointment the other day and they made my dog feel so comfortable since she was nervous! Dr.Brianna got on the floor with her and made her feel comfortable too! I never feel rush when I am there and she always answers my questions that I have

posted: 09/16/2023

Kristen Henry

Dr. Julie is exceptional! I have 3 dogs and one who is older, feisty and handicapped and Dr. Julie has been caring for her for 13 years. She’s the best vet we’ve ever had and I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my doggos.

posted: 07/20/2024

Allison Hermelink

Had a good experience. The ladies at the front desk aren’t the most friendly. But the Doctor was very nice! I took my 2 year old cat in for a routine appointment to get two shots and it cost me $231 and had to get the package including many things I didn’t need. I feel tricked. I heard they got bought out so I see why it’s so expensive because it’s not privately owned. Sadly I won’t be coming back because of the cost.

posted: 08/06/2024