Good Small Animal Vet in NoVa?

[MommaMare]

We’re assembling quite the menagerie - two dogs, one cat, one guinea pig - and are currently making the rounds at the vet for everyone’s regular care. A relative/breeder recommended Leesburg Veterinary Hospital, and while I’ve been very happy with the care, I get the sense that they’re on the high end of pricing… and it’s really adding up. As a horse person and former BM, I’m not squeamish - I don’t mind collecting a fecal myself, I don’t mind pilling a dog or cat if needed (i.e., I don’t need meat-flavored tablets at twice the price to get the critters to take meds), etc. LVH seems to be more of the full-care type of place - they were surprised that I was happy to take the little jar home to collect a fecal sample, and were shocked that I chose the wormer (the new girl came with a parasite load) that had to be given for several days instead of just one day because of a substantial price difference.

Any recommendations on a less full-service (and hopefully less-expensive) vet in the area? We’re in Sterling, but I don’t mind travelling a bit for good care. I realize that anything in this area is going to be crazy-expensive, but I’m tired of getting sticker shock every time we go in!

[pinkpony321]

This isn’t in NoVa but it isn’t far- Friendship Hospital for Animals in DC is my vet and i LUUUURRRRRVVVVVEEEEE them. Reasonable, and no-pressure. They give you costs up front and don’t guilt you in to spending extra money. They’re open 24/7 and their emergency fee is only $75 bucks, but they’ll try to work you in to a “normal” appointment on short notice too.
One of my pups had to be hospitalized for 48 hours and they were so fantastic- they let me come visit when i had a panic attack at 3 am, he had his own nurse, and they let him sleep with some of his favorite toys.
They’ve got tons of vets, and tons of speciailists.
I really can’t say enough good things about them!!

[Milocalwinnings]

I have been using Towne Animal Clinic since 2004 and we’ve been very happy with them. I prefer Dr. Bollenbeck or Dr. Berning to the other vet there. They have always been very friendly, more than willing to spend extra time explaining things, and have been conservative in treatments. They don’t try to push anything on clients in terms of treatment.

[AKB]

My daughter works at Walkersville Vet Clinic just north of Frederick, MD. It is a bit out of the way for you, but several of my neighbors drive there from VA (we’re not far from Sterling) because the prices are much more reasonable and the care is good. The overhead is so much lower in a rural, mixed animal, practice, so they can keep prices low. My daughter is quite aware of the importance of keeping costs down in a multi animal family, as she has quite a few animals of her own.

[bioteach]

I take my dog to Caring Hands Animal Hospital - they have several clinics throughout NOVA. I love the staff and the care they give our girl!

[Lori_B]

When I lived in NoVA, I used Pender Vet Clinic, near Fair Oaks Mall. They were excellent – saved one of my cat’s eyesight with their treatment of a bad scratch.

I highly recommend them, though it’s been quite a while since I went there.

http://www.pendervet.com/

[gothedistance]

I, too, used several Leesburg vets - found them not to be as knowledgeable as I wanted, and EXPENSIVE. Twice I ended up having to do multiple treatments for something that should have taken just one. Was not happy. Nor were my dogs - they started shaking and trembling just walking in the door.

Talked to quite a few of my friends, and all said the same thing - head to The Plains and check out those small animal vets. I found Agape Vet Clinic (The Plains) very good and the vet is very nice and very educated, but I highly recommend Marshall Vet Clinic (downtown Marshall) Fantastic, caring, sweet, knowledgeable vets; wonderful staff… and the FIRST ever vet clinic that my dogs walked into feeling right at home. No trembling, shaking, or worry. They were 100% relaxed. That completely amazed me. I was sold just on their reaction, and became a firm client when my dogs met the vet…and snuggled up to her wagging their tails. She cuddled and loved on them before she even began her exam. That’s one gentle, caring vet!!! One of their staff is also a holistic vet.

Just off I-66 in Marshall (Fauquier County), VA, south of Middleburg, and near The Plains.

www.marshallvetclinc.com

[Electrikk]

I’ve used McLean Animal Hospital my whole life, and we’ve really tested our vets throughout the years.

We used to have an epileptic Norwich Terrier, and they adored him at MAH. Because of his epilepsy, we boarded him at the vet when we went out of town, and there were many nights when someone would take him home with them to make sure that he didn’t have any problems alone in a crate at night. We joked that Oscar liked the vet better than he liked us :winkgrin: As he got older and his health deteriorated, they were really wonderful then, getting him to an emergency care when needed.

They’ve also been really great with our Wheaton who has had major anxiety/aggressiveness issues. They really worked with us to eliminate physical problems, and then recommended us to a behavioralist when it was obvious that it was mental issue.

All the staff are super caring, the hospital is really nice, and the staff really makes an effort to know every animal and person. I strongly recommend McLean Animal Hospital

[MommaMare]

Thank you all! I’ll be checking out websites and making some calls this week.

[AKB]

Walkersville Vet Clinic is too cheap to have a website!

Good luck with your hunt. Let us know what you find in terms of pricing.

[jse]

Great Falls Animal Hospital - Dr. Henshaw
They have always been extremely good to us!
But I have also heard really good things about Agape in Marshall!

[Crazy-Pony]

[QUOTE=Lori B;6503439]
When I lived in NoVA, I used Pender Vet Clinic, near Fair Oaks Mall. They were excellent – saved one of my cat’s eyesight with their treatment of a bad scratch.

I highly recommend them, though it’s been quite a while since I went there.

http://www.pendervet.com/[/QUOTE]

I second Pender! They’re Exotics clinic is second-to-none.

[bluegirl]

If you want good, no frills, lower cost veterinary care you can try the veterinarian in Nokesville, VA. Be prepared, your fees are NOT paying for a fancy clinic. He knows what he is doing, and has taken good care of our animals. I don’t know if he can do the guinea pig though. He can sometimes be a little gruff, but that doesn’t really bother me.
Good luck!