Coastal Animal Hospital of Hatteras Island

4.8 (78)
47959 North Carolina Hwy 12, Buxton, NC 27920, USA

Hours:

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to Save Money at Coastal Animal Hospital of Hatteras Island

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 890
4.7 ASPCA 11,646
4.9 Embrace 15,682
4.9 Fetch 2,669
4.4 Figo 2,646
4.7 Hartville 164
4.9 Healthy Paws 7,521
4.9 Lemonade 805
3.2 ManyPets 2,356
4.6 MetLife 577
4.8 Nationwide 21,398
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.7 PetPartners 112
4.5 Pets Best 7,244
4.3 Pumpkin 1,340
4.7 Spot 6,404
4.9 Trupanion 60,501
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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Margaret Darin

We are from CT and on vacation with my dog Murphy. Murphy had several days of diarrhea and then some vomiting. I was very worried about bowel obstruction and being so far away from an emergency vet. The staff here were kind enough to fit him into their busy day and took amazing care of him. Dr. Hicks took time to sit down with me and do all of the appropriate tests and calm my nerves. The staff here is amazing and I can’t thank them enough.

posted: 07/17/2023

Sheila Smith

Dr. Hicks and the staff at Coastal Animal Hospital of Hatteras take the utmost care with my senior dog. I am so grateful to have their services here on the island. It brings me great comfort to know my old guy has needful care so close.

posted: 05/10/2023

Ketha LaSalle

Our dog became ill shortly after we arrived in Buxton for our vacation. She was seen twice by Dr. Hicks. The doctor provided outstanding veterinarian care. I wish my home veterinarian was as good as Dr. Hicks! Thank you Dr. Hicks and staff!

posted: 05/10/2023

The McClures

From the first time that I stepped into their office, they made me and pooches feel very welcomed. After our first appointment with the doctor, I left knowing that my animals are going to be thoroughly cared for in our new home town! Thanks for the great service!

posted: 07/30/2023

Jeff Kushma

Everyone was very nice and friendly and most of all helpful. Dr. Hicks was awesome and professional but sat and listened to all our concerns with our very sick dog. She never rushed us and kept checking on us while we waited for results.

posted: 06/01/2023