Full-service clinics best option for pet care

By Dr. Beth Leermakers

My previous column featured low-cost vaccination and spay neuter clinics. These clinics offer terrific options for wellness/preventative services, but they don’t provide treatment for illnesses and injuries. My animal rescue friends shared several full-service vet clinics in the DFW area that are more affordable. 

Disclaimer: I didn’t compare prices at these clinics, so please do your research before making an appointment. This is a good thing to do now, before your pet has a medical emergency and needs immediate care. Here’s my rundown of reasonably-priced full service vet clinics to help you provide medical care for your fur baby: 

Alvarado Vet Clinic (alvaradoveterinaryclinic.com/ 6800 East Hwy. 67, Alvarado 76009; 817-783-2257). They have a vet on call for emergencies until 11 p.m. Monday – Friday and 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It may be worth the drive if the price is right. 

Animal Care Center at Stonebridge Ranch (accstonebridgeranch.com; 2651 S. Stonebridge Dr., McKinney 75072). This clinic provides holistic veterinary medicine, including traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (herbal therapy, acupuncture and food therapy). This doesn’t sound inexpensive to me, but one of my contacts recommended them. 

Animal Medical Clinic (11437 Shiloh Rd., Dallas 75228; 214-324-5221). 

CHEW Animal Clinic (chewac.org; 8484 Walnut Hill Ln, Dallas 75231; 469-620-2828) is a nonprofit veterinary clinic that provides wellness services, diagnostics, hospitalization, treatment and surgeries (including orthopedic) at affordable prices for qualified families. “We are often the only hospital for low-income families who have critically injured and/or chronically sick pets,” said Leigh Owen Sendra, CHEW’s founder. 

“The Compassion Fund helps families who can’t pay for our already discounted prices. It’s often used for life saving surgeries.” People can apply for one-time assistance at chewac.org/compassion-fund-application. 

Visit chewac.org/copy-of-chew-compassion-fund to donate to the Compassion Fund. 

Country Brook Animal Hospital (countrybrookvet.com/; 3046 Lavon Drive, Suite #136, Garland 75040; 972-530-3951). Walk ins only (no appointments). 

Dallas Animal Urgent Care (dallasanimalurgentcare.com 12835 Preston Rd, Suite 405, Dallas 75230; 972-910-2890). This clinic provides urgent/emergency care at regular prices seven days a week from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. 

Lake Forest Animal Hospital (lakeforestanimalhospital.net; 3935 S. Lake Forest Dr., Suite 100, McKinney 75070). Dr. Singh is well regarded for ACL surgery for dogs. 

Mercy Animal Clinic (mercyanimalclinic.com/; 7030 N. Shiloh Rd., Suite 160, Garland 75044; 972-530-8200). 

Midway Hollow Pet Clinic (midwayhollowpetclinic.com; 3780 W. Northwest Hwy.; Dallas 75220; 214-902-0797). This is my personal vet clinic — great care at reasonable prices. If you have a pit bull, request Dr. Melanie Mitchell or Dr. Colleen Clark. Dr. Clark is wonderful with fearful dogs. 

Skillman Animal Clinic (facebook.com/skillmananimalclinic9661; 9661 Audelia Rd., Ste. 340, Dallas 75238; 214-341-6100). 

Texas Foundation for Animal Care (texasfoundationac.org; 1120 South Henderson St., Fort Worth 76104; 817-586-5490). TFAC is NOT a full service clinic, but they offer affordable heartworm treatment. 

Vetsavers Pet Hospital (vetsaverspethospital.com; 19009 Preston Rd., Suite 100, Dallas 75252; 972-939-0900; second location in Carrollton). Open seven days a week (8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays). They offer affordable exams, vaccinations, heartworm treatment, surgeries, dental cleaning and other services.  

Care Credit (carecredit.com). Many veterinary clinics accept Care Credit to cover the cost of medical care. CareCredit is different from a regular credit card. With shorter term financing options of 6, 12, 18 or 24 months, no interest is charged on purchases of $200 or more when you make the minimum monthly payments and pay the full amount due by the end of the promotional period. If you do not, interest is charged from the original purchase date.

SPCA of Texas provides several resources to help people keep their pets, including pet food, affordable spay/neuter, and medical assistance. Visit spca.org/resources/pet-needs/support-to-keep-your-pet/ for details and to apply for financial support. 

Pet insurance. Pet insurance helps cover the cost of your pet’s medical care. One option is Pets Best (a Farmers affiliate). You choose the level of coverage you want, including whether you want to add wellness/routine visits. Visit farmers.pet/ldavy to get a quote. 

Thrive Pet Healthcare (thrivepetcare.com). This pet healthcare network (including several clinics in the DFW area) offers a Thrive Plus Membership program that includes unlimited free pet exams and discounts on veterinary and boarding services. 

Wellness plans. Banfield (PetSmart) and VCA Hospitals offer wellness plans that cover a variety of medical services.