Value Vet

**Introduction / Overview**

For pet owners in the Urbandale, Des Moines, and greater Central Iowa areas, finding veterinary care that expertly balances quality medicine with accessible pricing and convenient scheduling can be a challenge. **Value Vet** in Urbandale, located at 8851 Northpark Drive, has built its reputation on meeting exactly this need. Since establishing itself in the community in 2004, the hospital has made it their core mission to provide expert veterinary services—including diagnostics, surgery, and preventive care—all at fair and competitive prices. This dedication to transparent, affordable pet care is what sets them apart and is clearly reflected in their name.

Value Vet operates as a full-service veterinarian practice, proudly serving dogs and cats, and often extending care to pocket pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and hamsters (clients are encouraged to call ahead for exotic pet availability). The hospital environment is designed for efficiency and compassion, offering walk-in medical visits during designated hours to accommodate busy Iowa families. This focus on accessibility, combined with a team of experienced Iowa State University graduates like Dr. Melinda Kelchen (“Dr. Mel”), ensures that pets receive thorough attention and owners receive clear, non-pushy advice. Whether it's a routine visit or an urgent situation, the Value Vet team is committed to enhancing the human-animal bond through dedicated and economical care.

**Location and Accessibility**

Value Vet is conveniently situated at **8851 Northpark Dr Suite 100, Urbandale, IA 50131, USA**. This location in the Northpark area of Urbandale is easily accessible for residents across the northwest suburbs of Des Moines, including Johnston, Clive, and Waukee. The strategic position allows for quick navigation, which is a major benefit for pet owners utilizing their highly flexible walk-in service model.

The hospital prioritizes ease of access for all community members, ensuring comfort and convenience, especially during stressful visits. The following features are provided:

• **Wheelchair accessible entrance:** The main entry is designed to be fully accessible for clients using wheelchairs or those with limited mobility.
• **Wheelchair accessible parking lot:** Designated parking spaces are available close to the entrance for easy access.
• **Wheelchair accessible restroom:** Accessible restroom facilities are provided within the clinic for client use.

The facility maintains an overall focus on client convenience, not just through accessibility, but also through its unique scheduling model. They operate with set hours for both walk-in medical/urgent visits and separate times for general wellness/vaccine services throughout the week (closed Wednesday afternoons and weekends), offering a structured, yet flexible, alternative to appointment-only clinics.

**Services Offered**

Value Vet offers a broad spectrum of veterinary services, covering everything from basic preventative steps to advanced surgical procedures and chronic illness management. Their services are designed to provide comprehensive, quality care for dogs and cats:

• **Preventive Health Care & Wellness:** Includes annual **Pet Exams**, **Check-Ups**, and **Routine Visits** with transparent, competitive pricing. This also covers necessary **Vaccinations**, **Microchip Identification**, and preventative measures against **Fleas And Ticks**.
• **Advanced Diagnostics:** Full diagnostic capabilities including **Radiography Services** (X-rays), **Diagnostic Ultrasounds**, and full **Laboratory Services** (e.g., **Full Diagnostics**, **Blood Testing**, **Intestinal Parasite Screening**).
• **Dental Care:** Full **Dental Exams**, **Dental Radiography**, **Pet Dental Cleanings** (no extractions included in base price), and overall guidance on **Oral Hygiene**.
• **Medical Management:** Treatment for common illnesses, management of **Chronic Illness**, **Internal Medicine** consulting, **Diet And Nutrition** advice, and **Poison Control** support.
• **Surgery:** Routine surgical procedures including **Spay & Neuter**, as well as general **Soft Tissue Surgery** for non-joint or non-bone related issues.
• **Urgent Care & Sick Visits:** Dedicated time blocks for immediate, **Urgent Care** needs, such as injury, vomiting, diarrhea, and ear/skin/eye problems.
• **Senior & End-of-Life Care:** Specialized attention for the **Senior Pet** and compassionate support through **End Of Life Care** and **Pet Loss Support** services.
• **Travel & Certification Services:** Providing **Domestic Health Certificates** and **International Health Certificates** for pets traveling outside of Iowa or the country.
• **Routine Maintenance:** Quick services like **Nail Trims** and **Anal Glands** expression.

**Features / Highlights**

Value Vet distinguishes itself in the Central Iowa veterinary landscape by emphasizing several key operational and financial features:

• **Walk-In Convenience Model:** They offer dedicated morning and afternoon time slots for **Walk-In Medical Visits**, dramatically reducing scheduling stress for busy Iowa families and ensuring sick pets can be seen quickly.
• **Exceptional Value and Transparency:** The most celebrated feature is their commitment to fair and competitive pricing, exemplified by their name. Client reviews confirm they offer a genuine "value" and are "extremely fair" with billing, such as charging only once for X-rays taken over two consecutive days.
• **High-Quality, Comprehensive Care:** Despite the emphasis on value, they provide a full range of services, including **Full Diagnostics**, **Soft Tissue Surgery**, and **Dental Radiography**, ensuring no compromise on quality medical treatment.
• **Compassionate and Highly Competent Staff:** The team is consistently described as **friendly, professional, and patient**. Doctors like Dr. Melinda Kelchen (“Dr. Mel”) and Dr. Natalie Zieser are praised for their thoroughness, clear instructions, and ability to build trust, even with protective or anxious pets.
• **Iowa Roots and Dedication:** With several veterinarians, including Dr. Mel, being graduates of Iowa State University, the clinic has deep local ties and a genuine dedication to the community’s pet health.
• **Financial Flexibility:** They accept various forms of **Pet Insurance** and offer payment arrangements through programs like **CareCredit**, making unexpected medical expenses more manageable for Iowa pet owners.
• **Focus on Education:** The hospital maintains a **Pet Education Center** and is dedicated to providing clear instructions and non-pushy advice, empowering owners in their pet's health journey.

**Contact Information**

For urgent medical needs or general inquiries, the best method is to call the hospital directly. Note their specific hours for walk-in services when planning your visit.

• **Address:** 8851 Northpark Dr Suite 100, Urbandale, IA 50131, USA
• **Primary Phone:** (515) 278-1011
• **Mobile Phone (Alternative/Urgent Line):** +1 515-278-1011
• **Walk-in Sick/Urgent Hours:** Available most weekday mornings and afternoons (check website for current times).

**What is Worth Choosing**

For Urbandale and Des Moines residents seeking a veterinary clinic that truly aligns high-quality medicine with accessible logistics and pricing, **Value Vet** is unequivocally the right choice. It is worth choosing this facility because their model solves the primary pain points of modern pet ownership: time and cost. The combination of flexible **Walk-In Medical Visits** with transparent, **Extremely Fair** pricing—as testified by the client whose pet only paid once for two sets of X-rays—makes managing your pet's health less stressful on your schedule and your wallet. The experienced and caring team, including local favorites like Dr. Mel, ensures that whether you are in for a routine check-up, managing a senior pet, or dealing with an urgent sick visit, your companion animal receives patient, professional, and comprehensive care. Value Vet has earned the confidence of Iowa pet parents who are now "most likely mak them Primary Vet going forward."

Value Vet

8851 Northpark Dr Suite 100, Urbandale, IA 50131, USA