Big Sky Animal Medical Center

4.4 (306)
5101 N Star Blvd, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA

Hours:

Monday: Open 24 hours

Tuesday: Open 24 hours

Wednesday: Open 24 hours

Thursday: Open 24 hours

Friday: Open 24 hours

Saturday: Open 24 hours

Sunday: Open 24 hours

How to Save Money at Big Sky Animal 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 11,757
4.9 Embrace 17,158
4.9 Fetch 18,571
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 12,232
4.6 Pumpkin 1,473
4.6 Spot 7,033
4.9 Trupanion 73,743
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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Taylor Helfrich

Over the weekend, my standard poodle (Spice) was bit in the face by a rattlesnake. Our usual vet was closed but directed us to Big Sky. There were multiple emergency patients at the time, but the vet tech and vet still made the time to patiently answer our many frazzled questions and address our concerns thoroughly. He stayed overnight, we were able to get updates that night and the next morning, and they gave us very detailed home care info. His swelling went 85% down within 24 hours of being home. Two days after coming home, he's becoming himself again. We are so grateful to Big Sky for helping us all through this terrifying situation. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Photos: immediately after bite, 24 hrs after bite, 72 hrs after bite

posted: 02/22/2023

Lavina Semmler

We had to take our 14 year old mini schnauzer there as she was having some problems walking. She has disc problems in her back and apparently did something like pinched a nerve. The attending Veterinarian Cathy Davis was awesome! All the staff were kind, considerate and knowledgeable. I was very satisfied with the treatment my little Angel received.

posted: 08/14/2023

Pat Bryan

My dog is afraid of everything including people. I was able to stay in my car until a room was ready for me. The vet I dealt with was very patient she took her time letting my dog to stay calm. She was able to assess the problem without much contact. I was able to take my dog to the car and went back in to take care of the bill. All in all it was not a bad experience.

posted: 03/31/2023

Megan Davis

I use this vet for emergency services and they are wonderful each time. Our dog Walter was able to live a longer life due to the emergency surgery and care received here. More recently I took my cat in on Monday for labored breathing and a high breath rate. They were able to get him stabilized and on a medication plan. Dr. Richardson has been knowledgeable, helpful, and compassionate each time we’ve had to see her. The vet techs are also wonderful. If you are having a pet emergency I would recommend this vet.

posted: 03/22/2023

ELIZABETH MILLER

I had to bring my beautiful baby King from Helena to Great Falls to be seen because we have no emergency vets at my clinic. Unfortunately King was too sick and passed over the rainbow bridge. The staff were so kind and caring, they allowed us time to say goodbye and allowed us to wait for my son to get there from Helena to say goodbye also. Jeni was our nurse and she was so kind and gave King lots of love, I can’t remember the doctors name, but she was amazing also! Thank you all so much. The Miller family ♥️🌈🐾

posted: 04/02/2023