West Houston Veterinary Medical Associates

4.6 (351)
13560 Briar Forest Dr, Houston, TX 77077, USA

Hours:

Monday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Thursday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Sunday: 5:00 – 6:00 PM

How to Save Money at West Houston Veterinary Medical Associates

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 11,762
4.9 Embrace 17,198
4.9 Fetch 19,621
4.2 Figo 2,602
4.7 Hartville 165
4.9 Healthy Paws 10,008
4.9 Lemonade 805
4.6 ManyPets 2,344
4.0 MetLife 652
4.8 Nationwide 21,407
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.5 PetPartners 113
4.3 Pets Best 12,237
4.6 Pumpkin 1,473
4.6 Spot 7,055
4.9 Trupanion 74,508
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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Jessica Arenas

I feel welcomed and all staff care about my pets. I love that the receptionist will take some time and help me work through things. All staff members are friendly and kind with my pets. Despite the big staff I feel like everyone there cares about me and my fur babies. That’s so important to me. I feel welcomed every time I come in!

posted: 11/19/2024

Ari Khakpour

It was my first visit as I moved here from Toronto recently. I’m very glad I chose this hospital for my dog. The staff, and the nurse and doctor I met were all extremely friendly and professional. There was no delays and my dog received all his vaccines and got his heartworm tests completed within 15 minutes.

posted: 05/18/2024

Autumn Kiskinis

I cannot say enough good things about this veterinary center. From the front desk staff to the Techs- To Dr. Gochenour (Sidenote:when I called a chain veterinary franchise -where I usually would take my cat, to get his records - A lady from the front desk there said she had worked with Dr. Gochenour for years and he’s amazing and very experienced-) everyone is so loving and supportive on how they treat you and your pet. The people here genuinely care about animals, Most of them have animals themselves, and they really have a heart for animals and humans alike. My cat has an issue and he’s going under anesthesia today, but I feel safe and trust the team take care of him and whatever they need to do today. Will write an update after I get my kitty back. UPDATE : Dr. Gochenour and Mr. Sheldon‘s nursing team did an amazing job with my kitty cat. they have a strict policy within Their practice that they don’t send animals home If they aren’t completely recovered. I also learned from Mr. Sheldon that animals don’t experience pain and surgeries the way we do is humans. They are actually tougher than us! 😂His debriefing of my cat’s surgery put me at ease. The nurse manager, Mr. Sheldon runs his team very attentively and mindfully. The medical staff here are highly intelligent and compassionate people. Without a question I recommend this place to any pet owner who wants their animal to be treated with tender, loving care, and the highest quality of service. Thank You WHVMA Team! ❤️😻

posted: 11/26/2024

Eleshia Cooper

My experience with West Houston was not pleasant at all. The receptionist was not able to multi task, she could not answer any of my questions or concerns about my grand pup while she reached in the draw where they keep the prescriptions. She could not tell me what products the used to shampoo him ither. When I paid for the prescription and shampoo I placed the money in her hand, but when she gave me my change she placed it on the counter . I really wasn't going to think anything of it, but when she gave me my receipt she also placed that on the counter even though my hand was extended to receive it. She made me feel like she had an issue with my skin tone and that make me feel very uncomfortable with entrusting West Houston with the care of my beloved grand pup. All people matter not just the ones that look like you Figs. I may need to reconsider his care.

posted: 09/03/2024

Carol Beal

Everyone at WHVMA, and especially our favorite vet, Mark Gochenour, has always been the absolute best at helping me take care of my furr-babies! From initial shots to annual check-ups, from lumps and upset tummy’s to cancer and finally to making their last trip, they provide so much support that I could not imagine getting through all that is required for my precious babies without them. I would not go anywhere else…even when we moved away twelve years ago and a visit for one of my two dogs or two cats is more of a road trip that requires a 40-45 minute drive each way. There is simply not another option for my family.

posted: 08/01/2023