VCA Ocean County Animal Hospital
4.7 (530) 838 River Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701, USAHours:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
How to Save Money at VCA Ocean County 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 | 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 & 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
Dr. Briggs is the very best. Drove 45 min to have him do my pups surgery. Did a lot of research before hand. Everyone says he’s the best. After her surgery I can see why everyone thinks that.
posted: 11/01/2023
I've been a fur mom for many years. My Sandy has been so blessed to be under the care of such amazing doctors here. She has specifically seen Dr. Koningstein, Dr. Weiner and Dr. Crawford... Their professionalism, honesty, compassion are more than I could have asked for. I highly recommend VCA Lakewood for any and all veterinary needs, and will certainly continue to bring my future fur babies here. I wouldn't think of going anywhere else. Thank you to you and your entire staff!
posted: 10/30/2023
I need to express my gratitude and kindness to all the ladies and Dr.Lori Mitchell showed me, my husband and our Rottie girl, Roxie. Thank you for all your thoughtful words and helping us go through such a difficult decision for our girl. Thank you so much ladies! God bless xoxo
posted: 11/09/2023
Dr.Mitchell is wonderful with my Charlie!She takes the time to explain things at the office visits..and calls my cell with test results promptly.I feel she truly cares about my big boy. The staff is great always kind and never "snappy". I have peace of mind knowing I have a really good Vet for my Dog. Thank-You
posted: 09/30/2023
We were shown so much kindness and compassion by Dr Crawford and the entire staff during the passing of our dog. They made a very difficult time a little bit easier with the care and concern shown to not only our dog but also to us. We wouldn’t go anywhere else.
posted: 09/26/2023