Dr. Nickel's Animal Hospital
4.1 (82) 312 Oriskany Blvd, Whitesboro, NY 13492, USAHours:
Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
How to Save Money at Dr. Nickel's 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 | 11,714 |
| 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 & 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
We were looking for a new vet that was a little closer to our house. My wife did a lot of research and made arrangements to transfer our dog records here. Upon arrival, the staff was very people and animal friendly. The young lady/tech did vitals and was very caring. A short time later, Dr. Nickel came in and spoke to us about our dogs. He was very knowledgeable and concerned. He did a complete check-up on both our small dogs, and both received rabbis shots. One dog received an additional 2 shots, which were administered with no problems (no pain). I really couldn't say enough good things here about how the doctor took his time and spoke to us about the medical needs of our dogs. We did receive not so good news on our one dog, but in the future, we will definitely bring our dogs here. The bill was responsible for 2 complete check-ups and 4 shots, $260.
posted: 06/20/2023
There seem to be both exceptionally compassionate and caring people working at this practice and exceptionally harsh and critical people working at this practice. I had the fortune to meet with the former for most of my experience. then, things changed. I can only hope the practice re-evaluates their customer service.
posted: 08/29/2023
We saw Dr. Nickel in 2016 when he was with Marcy Vet, and we loved him so much back then that we decided to transfer veterinarians when we got a new puppy. Apparently, a great deal can alter in seven years! Our puppy is a mini bernedoodle that is five months old. We have two small children (2 and 5 years of age). She has never bitten us, nor have I ever heard her even growl. She has twice visited this office. On the initial visit, I was extensively questioned about whether or not she was aggressive. I stated unequivocally no? I was genuinely stunned to be asked such a question. This occurred after they had taken her back to defecate her. Today, we returned once more. She required blood work and another stool sample. After they returned her to me, a woman stormed into the room exclaiming that my dog needs puppy training immediately before she is euthanized as a liability. Also, nice to meet you! I explained to her that she only exhibits this type of nervous behavior when we are at the veterinarian and never otherwise. She stated that all other canines who visit his office wag their tails and approach them directly. I wonder if Dr. Nickel is satisfied and wagging his tail following his rectal examinations at the doctor's office. Seriously, this office should consider a training in bedside manner. The front desk girls are exceptional and, as far as I can tell, the only ones who genuinely care.
posted: 05/23/2023
Great experience clean friendly staff. 1ofmy 3 had her first appointment since I switched from a bad experience in waterville she's 6yrs old always a nightmare getting her into vet not so much here Dr came in actually took the time looked at and listened to all my concerns Roxy was calm the whole time with shocked me. I am happy my family switched and was extremely happy with the care she received!
posted: 07/24/2023
Dr. Nickel is by far the best vet. He is very knowledgeable and caring. I have had some difficult issues to diagnose with my Labradors and he has always been spot on and doesn’t stop until he gets an answer. He is very responsive when I have a question and all of his staff are friendly, caring and knowledgeable. I never worry about my dog or his care with Dr. Nickel or second guess his diagnosis. Dr. Nickel takes time with you and your pet and explains everything thoroughly. He never makes you feel rushed during your appointment. We have been with him for many years and he has never let us or our Labs down.
posted: 04/26/2022