Rachel SmithChoosing a vet can feel a lot like choosing a doctor for your family. You want someone who explains options clearly and keeps your pet calm when the visit gets stressful.
When I searched for the best vet in Indianapolis, I focused on clinics that could support everyday wellness and more urgent care needs. I also checked how easy each place was to reach when symptoms got worse quickly.
For bigger emergencies, comparing local animal hospitals can help you understand what full-service support should look like before you need it.
How much does veterinary care cost in Indianapolis?
Veterinary care in Indianapolis usually starts around $27 to $81 for a routine visit, but emergency exams, surgery, imaging, and dental work can raise the total quickly.
| Service Category | Typical Cost Range |
| Routine Wellness Exam | $27 – $81 |
| Illness Exam | $40 – $70 |
| Core Vaccines | $17 – $43 per shot |
| Heartworm Test | $22 – $45 |
| Monthly Parasite Prevention | $16 – $32 |
| Dog Spay / Neuter | $138 – $619 |
| Cat Spay / Neuter | $66 – $467 |
| Professional Dental Cleaning | $121 – $560+ |
| Basic Blood Work | $80 – $200 |
| X-rays | $133 – $400 |
| Ultrasound | $85 – $450 |
1. Broad Ripple Animal Clinic
Website: bracpet.com
Address: 6225 Broadway Street
Contact: (317) 257-5334 | [email protected]
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM-7 PM; Sat 8 AM-5 PM; Sun Closed
Anxious pets need more than a quick exam, especially when every new sound feels like a threat. Broad Ripple Animal Clinic is helpful for that kind of visit because the team uses fear-free handling and pays close attention to behavior.
That slower approach can make wellness checks feel less stressful for dogs or cats that usually panic at the vet. The clinic also has experience with more complicated cases, so it works well if your pet needs careful follow-up instead of a basic checkup.
Cost conversations seem clear too, which matters when treatment options start adding up.
The trade-off is availability. Because the clinic is popular, routine appointments can be hard to book at the last minute. They’re also closed on Sundays, so weekend care is limited.
Customer Reviews
Kindest, most caring vet and person
Dr. Stevick is the kindest, most caring vet and person!! She takes time to listen to all concerns, and is so sweet and supportive. Ralphie the cat loved her and she figured out why he was limping and thoroughly explained it to me and showed me on the x-rays. It means so much to me that she had so much patience and kindness during the entire visit. She’s a wonderful human, and I could not be more grateful for her! The rest of the staff was so sweet as well, checking on me and Ralphie multiple times! If you want top tier quality for your pet, this is the place to be!!!
· Andrea Stout | Google Review
Outstanding veterinarian
My dog Hachi goes to this clinic, Dr. Barr is an outstanding veterinarian. She takes the time to listen and thoroughly explain treatment options, she and her team are really good communicators.
The office staff is also efficient, friendly, and helpful with scheduling and questions. I found a husky yesterday in the neighborhood, with no collar/tags, and took him to this clinic to scan for microchip, not only they scanned for it but also went through the trouble to make few calls to find out who the current owner was, saved me lot of time.
· Shail Singh | Google Review
2. The Downtown Veterinarian
Website: downtownpetvet.com
Address: 542 E 11th St.
Contact: (317) 550-1846 | [email protected]
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM-6 PM; Sat-Sun Closed
The Downtown Veterinarian works well for city pet owners who want routine care close to home without fighting for street parking. The private lot helps make visits easier, especially if you’re bringing in a nervous cat or a puppy that’s still learning car rides.
The clinic also offers boarding, which is useful when you want the same team watching your pet after a medical visit. For new dog owners, the puppy packages can make early vaccines feel more manageable.
Another helpful part is access to internal specialty consultations, so some advanced concerns don’t always require a separate referral right away.
The main limitation is the schedule. They’re closed on weekends and don’t handle after-hours emergencies, so you’ll need a backup hospital for sudden Saturday or Sunday problems.
Customer Reviews
Awesome experience!
Awesome experience! Took my semi-feral cat in as a follow up to urgent care. Dr. Wiggers did a full exam, showed me how to use an inhaler and eased my.mind about Jackson’s health. He is 15 years old and FIV+ and she knew just how to handle him.
· Maryann Petrosino | Google Review
Worth it!
I have been bringing my pup to The Downtown Vet for years and just adore them! They are always so kind and compassionate and patient with us which is why we choose to keep returning even though we’ve moved further away and it’s a bit of a drive. Worth it!
· Amanda Reagan | Google Review
3. IndyVet Emergency & Specialty Hospital
Website: indyvet.com
Address: 5425 Victory Drive
Contact: (317) 782-4484
Hours: Open 24/7
Emergency care is different from a routine vet visit because speed and equipment can change the outcome.
IndyVet Emergency & Specialty Hospital is built for those high-stress moments, with 24/7 access and advanced diagnostic tools for serious injuries or sudden illness.
The on-site blood bank is especially important for trauma cases, since transfusions can happen without waiting on an outside source. You’ll also find specialty care for issues that a neighborhood clinic may need to refer out.
That level of readiness makes the hospital a strong safety net when something feels urgent.
However, the same triage system that helps critical pets first can make minor cases wait a long time. Emergency-level care may also cost more than a routine clinic visit.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful staff available
.We met with Dr. James to discuss concerns about possible anal cancer in our dog, Baxter. Dr. James was very informative and clearly explained all possible outcomes, which was exactly what I needed.After the exam, Dr. James explained that there were no signs of cancer, but biopsy samples were taken for further analysis. We were told we would receive the results within 7–10 days. I’m very grateful to have Indy Vet and their wonderful staff available to reach out to when needed.
· LuAnn Carpenter | Google Review
4. Shelby Street Animal Clinic
Website: shelbystreetanimalclinic.com
Address: 3315 Shelby Street
Contact: (317) 436-3239 | [email protected]
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM-5 PM; Sat-Sun Closed
Some pet owners care most about seeing familiar faces, especially when their dog or cat gets nervous around new people.
Shelby Street Animal Clinic has that neighborhood feel because its support staff stays consistent, and the doctors are known for taking time with questions.
That helps if you want a visit that feels personal instead of rushed. The team can handle routine care and standard surgical needs, while still referring out when a case needs a higher level of support.
This makes the clinic practical for everyday veterinary care without pushing corporate-style wellness plans.
The downside is weekend access. Since it’s closed on Saturdays and Sundays, urgent problems outside regular hours will need a separate emergency hospital.
Customer Reviews
Very patient and understanding
I was very pleased with my first vet visit with a stray cat I am rehoming. Dr. Rivera was very patient and understanding and answered all my questions. She was very gentle with my cat who is not used to being handled. The veterinary assistant who helped us was also very kind. I would recommend Dr. Rivera and the Shelby Street Clinic without hesitation.
· Kara Pearce | Google Review
A great experience from walking in till leaving
This was our first time coming to the clinic, and we brought two dogs. When we walked in the door, we felt like we had been there manytimes.
When we met with the Dr he was great with the dogs and informative with con cerns we had with our dogs.
We will be back again..and a great experience from walking in till leaving.
· Ken Fairfield | Google Review
5. MedVet Indianapolis
Website: medvet.com
Address: 9650 Mayflower Park Dr., Carmel
Contact: (317) 872-8387 | [email protected]
Hours: Open 24/7
When a pet’s condition feels too serious for a regular clinic, specialized emergency care becomes the priority. MedVet Indianapolis is designed for those situations, with 24/7 support and boarded specialists who can handle complex medical cases.
The hospital’s advanced tools are useful when a pet needs imaging or a less invasive procedure, such as removing a foreign object without open surgery. That kind of setup can reduce stress when you need quick answers and a clear treatment path.
It’s also reassuring for pets with orthopedic or internal medicine concerns that need deeper expertise.
The trade-off is cost. Because the hospital focuses on urgent and specialty care, treatment is usually much more expensive than a standard neighborhood vet visit. It also isn’t the best match for simple wellness appointments.
Customer Reviews
Staff is friendly, warm, and sympathetic
Everyone who took care of my cat was very skilled, professional, and forthcoming with all the information that I required to decide what care was needed to restore my boy back to good health. Staff is friendly, warm, and sympathetic. I am so glad that I brought Noah in for care when I did. I realize that quality emergency care is expensive, and I was kept apprised of costs as things progressed. He’s on the road to recovery now, and very happy to be home. At 17-1/2, he’s definitely a creature of habit and a homebody!
· Gail Galusky | Google Review
As smooth as possible
MedVet always does a fantastic job with our dog. We have brought him since he was just a little guy and have been quite a few times in his young life. The staff is always professional, knowledgeable, and beyond helpful. Emergency vet trips are always stressful and emotional but the team of Veterinarians, Vet Techs, and receptionists help to make the experience as smooth as possible while being friendly and understanding. The facility is always clean and the waiting room has games/food/drinks while you wait. We would recommend this location to anyone looking for Vet care in Indianapolis.
· Leah Buck | Google Review
