The cost, up front
We tell you what every test and procedure costs before we do it, not on the final invoice.
About us
A hospital that explains everything before doing it.
Veterinary care for dogs, cats and small pets in Louisville, with emergency care 24/7.
Because most bad experiences at a vet aren't medical: they come down to communication.
Our approach
Owners make better decisions when they understand.
Willowbark grew out of something we see every day: owners who left another clinic not knowing what was wrong with their pet, holding a bill they didn't expect, with nobody to ask.
- Veterinarians who see the same patient visit after visit.
- The range to handle it all in one place: lab, imaging and surgery.
- Predictable: the cost of every procedure is discussed before it's done.
Three ways we care for your pet
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Wellness
A full exam and a written plan you can follow at home.
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Surgery
Pre-op bloodwork, monitored anesthesia and supervised recovery until your pet is awake.
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Emergency
A veterinarian in the hospital 24/7, every day of the year.
What we solve
A visit can start with a single question.
We start from what's worrying the owner, not from the name of the service.
Pick a question to see how we'd handle it.
My pet won't eat, and I don't know if it's serious.
We examine your pet from nose to tail and, if needed, run bloodwork the same day to know whether it's something passing or something to treat now.
View related serviceWhen are my pet's vaccines due?
We set up their schedule based on age and lifestyle, and remind you before each booster so you don't miss it.
View related serviceI was told my pet needs surgery, and I'm scared.
We measure anesthetic risk with pre-op bloodwork, walk you through the procedure and call you the moment they wake up.
View related serviceSomething happened in the middle of the night.
Come straight in and call us on the way: there's a veterinarian in the hospital at any hour, and we'll have everything ready.
View related serviceMy cat is older and seems fine. Should I bring them in?
Yes. In cats over seven, screening bloodwork catches kidney problems while they can still be slowed.
View related serviceMy dog's breath smells terrible.
It's almost always dental disease, which hurts and affects other organs. We do a full oral exam and a cleaning.
View related serviceI have a rabbit, and nobody will see them.
We will. We check teeth and digestion, and how they live: with these species, husbandry is half the medicine.
View related service Every stage of life
We're with you for your pet's whole life.
From the first vaccine to senior care, with the same medical record.
- Puppy or kitten
- Vaccines
- Spay or neuter
- Adult
- Checkups
- Senior
How we care
Five steps in every visit.
The same order every visit, whether it's the first or the tenth recheck.
- 1
Check-in
Every visit starts the same way: we weigh the patient, take their vitals and note the reason for the visit in their medical record. That record is what lets us compare later and see whether they're improving.
- 2
Physical exam
The veterinarian examines the whole patient, even if the visit is for a limp. Many important findings turn up in a routine exam, not in the reason the pet came in.
- 3
Diagnosis
If bloodwork, X-rays or an ultrasound are needed, we explain what each one is for and what it costs before doing it. The owner decides with all the information, not with the bill at the end.
- 4
Treatment
The treatment plan comes in writing: which medication, what dose, what time and for how many days. Plus the warning signs that mean you should come back before the recheck.
- 5
Follow-up
We call a few days later to see how the patient is doing and schedule the recheck. Treatment without follow-up is only half the care: we wouldn't know whether it worked.
Why WILLOWBARK?
What you get when you bring your pet here.
It's not just about handling the reason for the visit. It's about you leaving knowing what happened.
Records you can access
You can request your pet's medical record anytime, with every test and treatment included.
Real emergency care
We see emergencies 24/7, every day, with a veterinarian in the hospital, not on call by phone.
Explained in plain terms
We explain the diagnosis without jargon and answer your questions as many times as you need.
Low-stress handling
A separate cat waiting area and positive-reinforcement handling: a vet visit doesn't have to be traumatic.
Follow-up included
We call a few days later to see how your pet is doing. The recheck call isn't billed separately.
24 Hours of emergency care Emergency care every day of the year.
8 Medical services Four for everyday care and four for diagnostics.
1 Medical record One record per patient, available to the owner anytime.
Who we are
Who we are, in six answers.
What's worth knowing about Willowbark before your first visit.
What we do
Medicine, surgery and emergency care for dogs, cats and small pets.
Where we're strongest
Senior pets and feline medicine, where catching things early changes everything.
Who we work with
Families with dogs and cats, and owners of rabbits, guinea pigs and birds who can't find anyone to see them.
The problem we solve
Helping owners understand what's wrong with their pet, what treatment costs and what happens without it.
How we do it
A full exam, tests explained before they're done, a written plan and a follow-up call.
What sets us apart
We tell you the cost up front and call you afterward. Two simple things hardly anyone does.
Next step
Let's talk about your pet.
Tell us what's going on or when their checkup is due, and we'll set up the appointment.