Great Bay Animal Hospital
4.8 (119) 31 Newmarket Rd, Durham, NH 03824, USAHours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at Great Bay 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:
| 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 & CompareGetting 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
Always great care for your furry friends. We've got a cat and a dog and they are so well loved and cared for here!
posted: 03/13/2023
Our dogs have gotten far better care and concern then our human doctors. This is no exaggeration.
posted: 04/14/2023
We have been going to this vet for 15 years. The people who work here are amazing. I have never had an issue. We have a diabetic cat with pancreatitis. They are always willing to take a call about concerns. We have never had an issue getting appointments. When our pets have reached the end they are extremely compassionate and supportive. The best vet in the area.
posted: 03/12/2022
Dr. Jim McKiernan and the staff at Greatbay Animal Hospital deserve more than 5 stars. My animals are my family, over the past 20 plus years they have celebrated when I brought in new family members for a first visit and cried with me while helping them cross the bridge. They have always treated us with nothing but kindness and compassion. When my animal's illness or injury was beyond Dr. McKiernan's expertise, he referred me to a specialist who could help. My Rottweiler Largo was the 2nd dog to have TPLO surgery at Tufts University. He helped us get Largo into a cancer trial that extended the quality of her life until she passed at 8 from osteosarcoma. Dr. McKiernan doesn't sugar coat things, the health and well being of my animals have always been the top priority. They understand everyone is not created equal financially and and will go over options. My Bullmastiff Bella lived to be 13 1/2 and a large part of that is because of their care. She truly loved them and would wag when she got to go behind the counter and check out the clinic in the back. Time and time again Dr. McKiernan and all the staff over the years have been there for us. They all have loved and treated my animals like their own and still reminisce with me. Recently I took home an unadoptable medical foster from a shelter to live out her life on my couch. Lola's backstory is heartbreaking and I wanted Dr. McKiernan's opinion on end of life care. What he found after having files, labs, pathologies and medical records from 3 states sent to him and his own exam, was a dog that qualified for treatment. Months of red tape with the state and shelter Dr. Jim McKiernan is solely responsible for getting Lola a health certificate which allowed me to adopt her. The staff is always so friendly when I call to make an appointment and understanding when I'm worried. When we arrive for our appointment not only do I get a big hello but so does Lola. The tech has looked at Lola's chart and knows why we're there and gives her lots of attention and treats while taking notes. I will never be able to express how grateful I am, I don't have the words.
posted: 11/15/2022
I bring my cat here. The vets are awesome and honest about everything, they never try to sell you medicine or expensive treatments when they don't believe they are necessary. All of the staff there are very loving and caring when dealing with my cat and the other animals! They have always been great about trying to accommodate my more time sensitive issues, when they can! I highly recommend them!
posted: 08/05/2021