I actually work for a not-for-profit organization that offers a discount on pet insurance when you join their alliance. Of course they offer much much more than pet insurance discounts; but for those of us that love our pets, it is definitely an option. If anyone wants to know more about the alliance program, please check out our website http://www.affordableservices.org. If it interests any of you, please contact me via my email address since I am on the road alot.
S
Maisey's appointment cost me $110 Canadian. That was for a check-up, distemper combo, rabies & deworming. It used to cost me about $65 at the same vet. I think I may also switch to the one my mom took Molly to. They did a great job and were awesome to work with. Oh and there is no nerve damage. The Dr. did an amazing job and for so cheap. I am impressed.
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My vet on Long Island (11554) charges $60 for an office visit and $350 for a neuter for an 8 month lab puppy.
Anyone else on the island/area have similar costs? I used this vet for my old dog and he is great, but I am wondering if there is one around here just as good but a little cheaper. While $60 a visit isn't terrible, $40 would be better.
Anyone else on the island/area have similar costs? I used this vet for my old dog and he is great, but I am wondering if there is one around here just as good but a little cheaper. While $60 a visit isn't terrible, $40 would be better.
We actually compared a bunch of vet costs in our area (Boston, MA) because we wanted to get a puppy, but also wanted to be able to afford one, and I recorded all the prices. The differences were startling:
Vet A:
Neuter + deworming and bloodwork - $500
Microchip – $60-70
Rabies – $25
Distemper – $35
Bordatella (sp?) – $25
Vet B:
Neuter - $363-624
Bloodwork for neuter, optional - $69
Microchip - $72
Optional Dental - $63
Distemper - $24
Rabies - $24
Bordatella (sp?) - $23
Each Office Visit – $60
Vet C:
Each Office Visit - $55
Vaccines - $15-20 each
Neuter - $200-350
We found that even if we were able to save a few bucks on the neutering we got slammed with office visits or vice-versa. Then finally we found a free animal clinic in the area run by donations:
Distempers - $18
Rabies - $15
Dewormings - $10
Optional Lyme vaccines - $20
Neutered - $90
Out of all the vets I talked to, the most expensive were the meanest to talk to: "You're getting a puppy? Why are you calling us? No, we don't know anyone in the MA area selling Yorkies! We're just a vet!" The nicest were the people at the free clinic. The lady chatted on the phone with me for a good ten minutes offering advice. We went in on Saturday and for a measly $5 donation got a check-up for Winston.
I won't deny that vet services do cost a reasonable sum of money, and I know that sometimes you just have a certain amount for basic care, but just because a vet charges more does not make them better. The politeness of each vet I spoke with increased without exception as the costs of their services decreased. I might be naive, but I still think we're getting good care, despite the prices. After all, the vaccinations are all the same...
Vet A:
Neuter + deworming and bloodwork - $500
Microchip – $60-70
Rabies – $25
Distemper – $35
Bordatella (sp?) – $25
Vet B:
Neuter - $363-624
Bloodwork for neuter, optional - $69
Microchip - $72
Optional Dental - $63
Distemper - $24
Rabies - $24
Bordatella (sp?) - $23
Each Office Visit – $60
Vet C:
Each Office Visit - $55
Vaccines - $15-20 each
Neuter - $200-350
We found that even if we were able to save a few bucks on the neutering we got slammed with office visits or vice-versa. Then finally we found a free animal clinic in the area run by donations:
Distempers - $18
Rabies - $15
Dewormings - $10
Optional Lyme vaccines - $20
Neutered - $90
Out of all the vets I talked to, the most expensive were the meanest to talk to: "You're getting a puppy? Why are you calling us? No, we don't know anyone in the MA area selling Yorkies! We're just a vet!" The nicest were the people at the free clinic. The lady chatted on the phone with me for a good ten minutes offering advice. We went in on Saturday and for a measly $5 donation got a check-up for Winston.
I won't deny that vet services do cost a reasonable sum of money, and I know that sometimes you just have a certain amount for basic care, but just because a vet charges more does not make them better. The politeness of each vet I spoke with increased without exception as the costs of their services decreased. I might be naive, but I still think we're getting good care, despite the prices. After all, the vaccinations are all the same...
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The estimate they gave me was high. The actual cost for the surgery, observation and medication was $266. I dropped him off at 8:30 AM on Wednesday and picked him up at 6:00 PM on Thursday.
All in all I am happy with the service. I assume the extra cost was for observation as I heard some places don't keep them overnight.
All in all I am happy with the service. I assume the extra cost was for observation as I heard some places don't keep them overnight.
S
I got vaccinations done for Maisey. The first at the clinic in town, the second at the clinic out of town. The in town vet charged $110 for distemper combo, rabies and check up. The out of town vet charged $21.65 for distemper combo and check up. Distemper was $19.00 plus taxes and it included the check up. If I needed the rabies vacc. it would have only been another $19.50.
It would seem that everyone is being exposed to the free market system!
The obvious difference between "in town" and "out of town" vet prices would be related to overheads (buildings, property taxes etc). It would be an interesting exercise to add in the real costs (time, gas etc) needed to get to the "out of town" vet to get a cheaper service.
My bet is that in the end the difference in total cost berween the two is closer than you would think.
The obvious difference between "in town" and "out of town" vet prices would be related to overheads (buildings, property taxes etc). It would be an interesting exercise to add in the real costs (time, gas etc) needed to get to the "out of town" vet to get a cheaper service.
My bet is that in the end the difference in total cost berween the two is closer than you would think.
S
Not only that Ledoc, but did you read my post about the surgery. $1500 VS $280....again, huge difference. A $1220 difference. I just find it hard to believe that there can be that sort of price difference when they all do the same thing. I mean I once spent over $600 for the vets to tell me my dog was constipated when I already knew that.
Yeowch. I didn't read that. Yes, I'd have to say unless you lived in North America and were going to ship your pet to Australia you wouldn't save that much on gas.
I completely agree with you, though. We paid over $300 for two 6 month old cats to be spayed, and all they got were some organs removed and anesthesia. No painkiller. No stitches OR staples. No board for the rest of the day or overnight, we were asked to pick them up immediately. I personally went into the "cage area" and got them out of a GRIMY metal cage where they had both been crammed (when over ten other cat cages were empty) with one rag soaked in iodine.
They said they decided to not give them any painkiller, so we basically had to just deal with it. Didn't explain that they were still under the effects of anesthesia, so of course we freaked over how they were acting.. not to mention the large holes in their stomachs..
Took them to another vet where we got painkiller for that night and the next day for free, the only thing they asked (yes, asked!) us to pay for was the little cardboard carrier she put Emma in, b/c you shouldn't have two drugged cats in a small carrier with eachother. They stapled the wounds for free, as well, and cleaned them out. In later visits, they cleaned the wounds multiple times and did re-staples, gave antibiotics, more painkiller, etc. Both of them almost died.. and those bills totalled less than $300.
SO... let's hope no one who reads that can deny some vets are just in it for the money. Not to mention your $600 vet trip, Savethebulliedbreeds. :yikes:
I completely agree with you, though. We paid over $300 for two 6 month old cats to be spayed, and all they got were some organs removed and anesthesia. No painkiller. No stitches OR staples. No board for the rest of the day or overnight, we were asked to pick them up immediately. I personally went into the "cage area" and got them out of a GRIMY metal cage where they had both been crammed (when over ten other cat cages were empty) with one rag soaked in iodine.
They said they decided to not give them any painkiller, so we basically had to just deal with it. Didn't explain that they were still under the effects of anesthesia, so of course we freaked over how they were acting.. not to mention the large holes in their stomachs.. Took them to another vet where we got painkiller for that night and the next day for free, the only thing they asked (yes, asked!) us to pay for was the little cardboard carrier she put Emma in, b/c you shouldn't have two drugged cats in a small carrier with eachother. They stapled the wounds for free, as well, and cleaned them out. In later visits, they cleaned the wounds multiple times and did re-staples, gave antibiotics, more painkiller, etc. Both of them almost died.. and those bills totalled less than $300.
SO... let's hope no one who reads that can deny some vets are just in it for the money. Not to mention your $600 vet trip, Savethebulliedbreeds. :yikes:
Living on the other side of the world I can't comment on actual prices charged for procedures, except to say - welcome to the free market system. As to the statement that some vets are only in it for the money, well - obviously. Thats no different from some plastic surgeons , dentists or plumbers - everyone has a different motivation for pursuing a particular career. The notion that vets should somehow be different to the rest of the population is just wishful thinking.
However, the plus side of the free market system is that you have choices as to which vet you visit.
If you look at all the different prices being quoted, one has to assume that all those vets are making a living - so the price is obviously not a problem because if they were charging too much (or too little) they would go out of business.Each one is catering for a specific market and that market is, by and large, happy to pay the prices quoted.
It's horses for courses, and thats good news for people who care about their dogs, because it means that with a bit of effort they will find a vet who suits both their pocket and perception of what a vet should be doing.
However, the plus side of the free market system is that you have choices as to which vet you visit.
If you look at all the different prices being quoted, one has to assume that all those vets are making a living - so the price is obviously not a problem because if they were charging too much (or too little) they would go out of business.Each one is catering for a specific market and that market is, by and large, happy to pay the prices quoted.
It's horses for courses, and thats good news for people who care about their dogs, because it means that with a bit of effort they will find a vet who suits both their pocket and perception of what a vet should be doing.
S
I should tell you too, that when I finally said enough is enough with paying that much for constipation, one of the girls there said "here, give him this." It was a little chewable pill that cost be 35 cents and after the 5 minute ride home from the vet he crapped as we walked in the door. I paid $600 for a vet to tell me he was constipated and 35 cent pill, (that a tech gave me).