Sounds like a real rip off. I remove stiches myself in most cases if they're going to charge me extra. All I need is a dog that holds still, good light, small, pointy scissors and a pair of tweezers, a little Neo Sporin afterwards. And my bi-focals so I'm sure to get every one. LOL. I don't know...I guess the re-check is important usually. I know how to recognize if something is pussy, red, too swollen...signs of infection. Some of these vets do charge exorbitant amounts. And in this economy, it really pisses me off.