Veterinarians in Ames and Des Moines (Waterloo: school, live in, low cost)

[UnusualSuspect]

It looks like I'm going to be moving to either Ames or Des Moines in a few months, and I'm wondering about veterinary care for my two cats. I'm originally from Waterloo, but I've been really spoiled out here in Seattle in regards to veterinary care, and I take my cats to a fantastic cats-only clinic. Does anyone know of any exceptionally good feline veterinarians in the Ames or Des Moines areas?

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by UnusualSuspect

It looks like I'm going to be moving to either Ames or Des Moines in a few months, and I'm wondering about veterinary care for my two cats. I'm originally from Waterloo, but I've been really spoiled out here in Seattle in regards to veterinary care, and I take my cats to a fantastic cats-only clinic. Does anyone know of any exceptionally good feline veterinarians in the Ames or Des Moines areas?

I have 3 cats and 2 dogs. I take them to All Pets Hospital. I've been very happy with them in caring for my dogs and my cats. The people there are great and have a gentle way with cats (some vets are obviously "dog people" and can be a big too loud for a cat). All-Pets Hospital Veterinarian in Des Moines

For routine stuff like spaying/neutering or rabies shots, I take them to the Spay Clinic. It's walk in and less expensive than the "regular" vet.

Spay Clinic - Low cost pet hospital, Des Moines, IA

[Lily0fthevalley]

The state Veterinary school is located in Ames at ISU, and if you are a local Ames resident you can take your animals to their walk-in clinic. You'll be seen by students supervised by professors from the Vet School. They just re-modeled their building and it is very user friendly.

The Vet School also has exceptional surgeons and specialists (such as veterinary oncologists) if your pets have any severe problems.

[UnusualSuspect]

Thanks! I had wondered about the ISU Vet School; it's good to know they have a clinic.

As for the rabies shots - one of my cats had a bad reaction to a shot a couple years ago, and two vets have told me not to vaccinate him again due to a cancer risk (both cats are strictly indoors-only). I won't have trouble finding a vet who understands this risk, I'm assuming? It's one of the reasons I'm kind of concerned about finding a new veterinarian.

Thanks again!

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by UnusualSuspect

Thanks! I had wondered about the ISU Vet School; it's good to know they have a clinic.

As for the rabies shots - one of my cats had a bad reaction to a shot a couple years ago, and two vets have told me not to vaccinate him again due to a cancer risk (both cats are strictly indoors-only). I won't have trouble finding a vet who understands this risk, I'm assuming? It's one of the reasons I'm kind of concerned about finding a new veterinarian.

Thanks again!

2 of my cats have never been vaccinated, and All Pets was okay with it. They are older now and I am not about to start gettig shots now. My third cat gets his shots because he was required to do so when he was neutered. My dogs get them, too. So for that I go to the Spay Clinic to save money.

If you live in Des Moines you are supposed to license all of your pets, though, and they require proof of vaccinations for that. That's DM city proper, not all suburbs are the same.

[swlmc2]

I highly recommend the clinic at Iowa State. They do routine care, but they also have the knowledge, equipment, and resources to handle the full range of injuries and illnesses that can befall yor pets. They are not "cheap", but when i have concerns about my dogs' health outside the routine stuff, i take them to Ames! I have always been impressed with the quality of of care they give my dogs. They take great care of the humans too, with compassionate understanding of the complex human-animal bond.