Back Cove Animal Hospital

Back Cove Animal Hospital, located at 55 Baxter Blvd, Portland, ME 04101, USA, stands as a highly-regarded, full-service veterinary facility dedicated to providing exceptional and compassionate care for companion animals. Easily accessible, being just seconds from I-295, it offers convenience for pet owners across Portland, Falmouth, South Portland, Scarborough, and Cape Elizabeth. They can be reached by phone at (207) 253-1780. The hospital prides itself on its modern approach to veterinary medicine, blending advanced technology with a deeply empathetic philosophy of care.

As a prominent 'Pet Hospital' in the Portland area, Back Cove Animal Hospital distinguishes itself by offering a comprehensive range of veterinary services, from routine wellness and preventative medicine to advanced diagnostics, surgery, and urgent care. Their philosophy is centered around creating a stress-free and positive experience for both pets and their owners, a commitment that is consistently lauded by their clientele. This dedication to patient comfort and well-being sets them apart in the local veterinary landscape.

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The environment at Back Cove Animal Hospital is meticulously designed with the comfort and safety of pets and their owners in mind. Clients consistently describe the facility as clean, comfortable, and welcoming. A key feature is their commitment to being a "fear-free certified" practice. This means that every aspect of the hospital, from its design to staff training, is geared towards minimizing stress, anxiety, and fear in animals during veterinary visits. This includes:

• Separate waiting areas and exam rooms for cats and dogs to reduce inter-species stress.

• Utilization of special treats, dog beds, and cat perches to make pets feel more at ease.

• Installation of high-grip floors to prevent slipping and improve comfort for nervous or older pets.

• Playing calming music throughout the facility.

• Offering in-room payment processing to reduce the need for pets to return to the busy reception area.

Client reviews frequently highlight the staff's dedication to this fear-free approach. One owner of a "nervous pup" was delighted that the doctor and technician "took their time with her and got down to her level," using "a lot of treats" which resulted in their dog "happily sleeping on the floor at the end of the appointment." This personalized attention extends to human clients as well, with staff like Savannah at the front desk being recognized for being "polite and diligent" and handling "constantly ringing phones and checking patients in" with efficiency and kindness. The hospital's location on Baxter Boulevard also offers scenic views of Back Cove and direct access to the Back Cove Trail, allowing for pleasant walks before or after appointments, and a dedicated parking lot ensures easy access.

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Back Cove Animal Hospital provides a wide array of veterinary services, reflecting its status as a full-service animal hospital:

• Prevention and Wellness Care: This forms the cornerstone of their practice, with a focus on disease prevention and early detection. Services include comprehensive physical exams (recommended annually for young pets, every six months for mature pets), tailored vaccination protocols (including unique combination and oral vaccines to reduce injections), and thorough parasite screenings (heartworm, tick-borne illnesses, intestinal parasites).

• Urgent & Emergency Care: While primarily a primary care facility, Back Cove Animal Hospital is equipped to handle daytime emergencies and a wide range of sick visits, from minor ailments to serious chronic illnesses. They also offer after-hours veterinary phone support to guide pet owners through emergencies outside of clinic hours.

• Surgery and Dentistry: The hospital offers a broad spectrum of surgical procedures, including spays, neuters, mass removals, and orthopedic, bladder, and intestinal surgeries. They boast a dedicated dental suite complete with digital radiography for unparalleled dental care, performing everything from routine cleanings to extractions and periodontal treatments. All surgical patients receive individualized anesthetic and pain management protocols and continuous monitoring with state-of-the-art equipment.

• Full Range of Diagnostic Testing: Equipped with state-of-the-art in-house diagnostic equipment, including blood diagnostic machines and advanced digital radiography, they can quickly diagnose a wide range of illnesses. They also maintain relationships with advanced reference laboratories for more specialized tests.

• Pharmacy & Nutrition: An in-house pharmacy provides convenient access to a wide range of pharmaceutical medications, including flea, tick, and heartworm prevention (including 6 and 12-month injectable heartworm prevention). They also stock prescription diets crucial for managing various health conditions.

• End-of-Life Care: With a particular interest in geriatric and terminally ill pets, the compassionate staff at Back Cove Animal Hospital provides extensive experience in senior pet care and works with owners to develop treatment plans that ensure the best possible quality of life. When the time comes, they offer euthanasia consultations and cremation services, focusing on comfort and dignity.

• Behavior Counseling: Recognizing the importance of behavioral health, they offer guidance and solutions for various pet behavioral concerns.

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Back Cove Animal Hospital is lauded for several key features that enhance the client and patient experience:

• Fear-Free Certification: This is a cornerstone of their practice, emphasizing a low-stress environment and handling techniques that significantly reduce anxiety in pets. This philosophy is evident from the clinic's design to staff interactions, ensuring a more positive experience for anxious pets.

• Extended Appointment Times: They exclusively book "full-length 30-minute appointments," ensuring that neither pets nor their owners are rushed. This allows ample time for thorough examinations, detailed discussions, and building rapport.

• Highly Trained Staff and Advanced Technology: The hospital boasts a highly trained staff, including experienced veterinarians like Dr. Nicole Fortin (co-founder, specializing in geriatric care and internal medicine), Dr. Matthew Fortin (co-founder, with interests in pain management and ultrasound), and Dr. Tanya Strickland (special interests in dentistry, surgery, and senior care). They utilize advanced anesthetic monitoring, digital radiography, ultrasound, and in-house laboratory machines.

• 100% Paperless Practice: This modern approach provides clients with 24/7 access to their pet's medical records through an online patient portal, where they can also browse and book appointments.

• Online Store and Pharmacy: For convenience, they offer an online store (partnered with Covetrus Pharmacy) where clients can place orders for medications, food, and other products, fulfill prescriptions, and view recommendations.

• Drop-Off Appointments: For busy pet owners, they offer the flexibility of dropping off their pet in the morning and picking them up later, with the pet receiving care and enjoying a day at the clinic.

Regarding promotional information, Back Cove Animal Hospital emphasizes value through its comprehensive services and commitment to high-quality care. While specific time-limited discounts are not overtly detailed, their general promotional efforts highlight:

• Wellness Packages: They offer "special package pricing on routine wellness diagnostics for all ages," encouraging consistent preventative care. This suggests potential cost savings when bundling services.

• Pet Insurance and Financing Solutions: Back Cove Animal Hospital accepts pet insurance for unexpected accidents and illnesses. They also partner with financial solutions like CareCredit and Scratchpay to help clients manage significant veterinary costs by allowing payments over time. This flexibility makes their high-quality care more accessible.

• Unique Vaccination Protocols: Their use of "unique combination and oral vaccines" is promoted as a benefit that means "less pokes, less fear and a decreased chance of adverse reactions," providing both comfort and health benefits.

• Community Involvement: Their emphasis on "living local" and making efforts to "support our local community" positions them as a responsible and caring local business.

• Invitation for Tours and "Happy Visits": They actively encourage potential clients to stop by for a tour and a "happy visit," allowing pets to experience the clinic in a non-stressful way before a formal appointment, which speaks to their confidence in their fear-free environment.

In conclusion, Back Cove Animal Hospital stands as a premier 'Pet Hospital' in Portland, ME, offering an outstanding level of veterinary care for dogs and cats. Its modern facilities, highly skilled and compassionate team, and unwavering commitment to a fear-free experience create a welcoming and effective environment for pet health. With comprehensive services covering prevention, diagnostics, surgery, dentistry, and end-of-life care, all supported by advanced technology and a strong focus on client communication, Back Cove Animal Hospital has earned its reputation as a trusted and highly recommended choice for pet owners in the region.