How Much Do You Pay For Vet Care?

[eli1126]

We took Beau and Belle to the vet today for their shot series and bloodwork for their upcoming surgeries next month. We like the Vet, but the bills are getting to be a little ridiculous IMO. It was $400.00 for todays visit :eek: I want to assure you all that we are responsible pet owners we know vet care is essential, but we have had to take the kittens every month since May and we haven't had a bill less than $250.00 since then! Also each time we were asked to bring a fecal sample ($30.00 a piece) which we did in May and June and they came back negative. So yesterday when they called to confirm our appt they said it was our option this time to bring the fecal sample. Because Beau and Belle are strictly indoor cats and there haven't been any changes in their bathroom habits we decided to skip the sample this time. Well the receptionist tried to give me a hard time saying in a snooty tone "Well they really need to have a fecal test done." When I said they had one two months in a row that came back negative she said "Oh then they're ok." We are going to go to this vet next month to get both cats spayed and neutered, but after that is it wrong of me to want to shop around? $400.00 is what I make in a month working part time, is it wrong of me to not want to spend more than I make in a month?!! How much do you pay for vet care? This vet also doesn't take the "Friends of Animals" coupon for spaying and neutering which kind of bugged me because here we are doing the right thing for our pets and they can't cut us a little break?!

Beth

[thedoorchick]

One of our dogs just visited the vet yesterday to the tune of about $125. For that she got a visit to the doctor, a shot, and three types of antibiotics (she has some kind of allergic reaction that's causing her to chew on her tail until it is bleeding and infected).

Another of our dogs just got his teeth cleaned. I think that was about $200. They had to put him to sleep so I'm sure that was part of it, and he also had two teeth extracted that day.

I agree; I think vets should be willing to discount spaying and neutering pets. It's absolutely the right thing to do and they should encourage it! No, I don't think it should be free; vets have to earn a living just like anyone, but it would be nice if it was made as easy as possible on people.

[thedoorchick]

I think we're going to start using petmeds.com for routine stuff like heartworm meds, etc. It's a much better deal than what we get when the vet gives us the meds.

[fuzzy]

eli -- That does seem a bit high to me. That said, we live in a rural area where costs of living, generally, are low.

I have *four* cats and the total bill for all *four* annual exams, including shots, examination of fecal matter, charages for the office visit/exam, and FIV tests was $450. Knowing my cats are strictly indoor, they'd never ask for a repeat fecal exam (repeat being more than once a year).

Just to give you another example, my dog recently had an unfortunate run-in with a muskrat and needed the following: an office visit/exam, general anesthesia (they thought she either dislocated her elbow or broke a bone), four x-rays, stitches, a one day hospital stay, a soft cast, a 5 day supply of pain meds, and an 14 day supply of antibiotics and the total bill was $395. She ended up not dislocating or breaking anything and the vet was extremely apologetic for the extra costs (quote from him: "She totally had me fooled with her cries. In the 25 years I have been practicing, I've never seen a dog in that much pain who hasn't suffered a catastrophic leg injury."). So much so that when we came back for our follow up visit, he didn't charge us a penny.

I've read frequently that most vet practices don't really have a profit margin -- they are struggling to break even, according to what I've read. I don't know how true that information is, but it *may* explain why your vet didn't take the coupon. Still, I don't think you are being irresponsible for shopping around.

Out of curiosity, has the vet been insisting that you bring then back every month since May...or were there specific health issues that needed to be addressed?

[eli1126]

Out of curiosity, has the vet been insisting that you bring then back every month since May...or were there specific health issues that needed to be addressed? Posted by fuzzy

They said that they needed the shot series and that it was done over a few visits. The appts have consisted of: fecal testing done 5/11, 6/8, FIV/FeL.V testing 6/8, Distemper done 5/11, 6/8, 7/6, Rabies (today), Bloodwork for Spaying/Neuter Surgery (today), Preventitive Deworming and Adavantage Flea Meds to be sure they didn't have either and to clip nails each time. Are these the healthiest kittens on the planet or what?! We live in Upstate NY in the Albany Area.

Beth

[diedra1027]

Beth - I pay quite a bit for vet care. My cat has/had extensive health issues and my neighborhood vet wasn't cutting it as far as getting her health back on track. I take her to a state of the art cats only clinic. Even so, I've never paid a bill like yours for a regular check-up/shots (and I've never had to bring a fecal sample).

I think it's perfectly reasonable for you to shop around for more affordable care.

[kam]

While vet bills are generally more expensive in the upstart so to speak (puppies and kittens cost a bundle), having a fecal test once a month is definitely excessive if the kittens were indoor and the tests already said negative. We had the tests done at 3 months and 6 months only because we had feral rescues. Also know that you can deny any tests they want to do. Some vets are overly cautious. We had a vet say that we'd have to give Sommer a $500 x-ray in order to rule out that her sore back was muscle strain and not something else like a fracture. Well, within a day we knew the answer since she was jumping around like a nut and not at all in pain.

You're definitely not wrong to shop around. There are some agencies which will offer discounted spay/neutering as an incentive (I know Iams used to have coupons on their website).

Some areas are just a lot more expensive, especially if you have a decent vet school around. We learned that one the hard way!

[IrishMeg]

Just to give you another example, my dog recently had an unfortunate run-in with a muskrat and needed the following: an office visit/exam, general anesthesia (they thought she either dislocated her elbow or broke a bone), four x-rays, stitches, a one day hospital stay, a soft cast, a 5 day supply of pain meds, and an 14 day supply of antibiotics and the total bill was $395.

Whoa, thats aweome! I paid $125 for a shot of benadryl last week when Oliver's face got so swollen he couldn't see. His yearly exam is usually about $100.

[kristin9903]

thedoorchick If you think you're going to go with petmeds.com, then tell your vet. I bet they'll match the price. For some very serious reasons (i.e. dispensing meds without prescriptions and dispensing old medication), vets are pretty anti-petmeds and will sell you their stock at petmeds prices. DH's clinic will even ship it to clients for no extra charge.

[SingleWhiteFemale]

Having 4 cats, we haven't had to do a fecal sample done in forever... I couldn't tell you who's poop belongs to who in the litter box! THe only time we had that done was when we adopted 2 uber sick kittens, who had worms. I believe that was only run 2 or 3 times on them in total.

I live outside of DC by about 10-15 miles, and the DC metro area isn't cheap. I pulled a few vet bills, so here's what we pay at a private practice vet and for what (she's wonderful, and we've seen her for the past 20 years):

-XRay, 14 x 17: $68.00
-XRay, 8 x 10: $48.00
-XRay, 8 x 10, additional views: $45.00
-exam fee: $36.00
-emergency appointment exam fee: $40.00
-minor injury bandage (kitten hurt her paw), level I: $10.00
-cleaning said injured pay, with minor anesthesia, suture, debris removal, bandage: $50.00
-feline 3 year rabies booster: $25.00
-feline FVR booster: $25.00
-euthanasia, under 20lbs: $40.00; burial fee, $40.00
-Heartgard, large (80-100lbs), 6 pills: $46.97
-Heartgard, medium (30lbs), 6 pills, $35.32
-feline spay: $100.00
-front declaw (she didn't know how to use her claws, she would be stuck in the couch for hours on end :( --afterwards, she was so much happier, so don't jump on me for making the decision in her best interest anyone): $125.00
-laser fee: $75.00 (for both the declaw and spay; did laser because it is a much easier heal for the declaw, and a little bit easier on the spay)
-FIV/Feline Leukiema test: $40.00
-one Advantage application, 0-9 lbs: $10.29

The interesting thing is, I found a bill from 1993. It ran $42.00 for a regular neuter, and $78.00 for a spay.

I adopted a Saint from a rescue organization, and they did give me his bills (they paid) for my records. They took him to a low cost clinic for the routine stuff (in Richmond, VA), and it ran:

-1 year, rabies canine, 120 lbs: $8.00
-AVID microchipping: $15.00
-Distemper, Parvo, Corona, 120 lbs: $15.00
-Fecal exam, canine, 120 lbs: $10.00
-Heartworm test: $20.00
-Neuter, male canine, 81-120 lbs: $70.00

I can tell you, I don't pay $8.00 for a rabies shot at my vet for him! Neutering him would have been at least double that--$60.00 is around the amount I pay to have him anestitized, and $25.00 for a cage fee (which may seem as if they're nickel and diming me, but they keep him the entire day, put up with his continued barking--being a small place, it's annoying as heck!--and every time they give him anesthesia he tosses his cookies there at least twice... $25 is not enough for what they deal with!), then tack on the surgery/doctor's fee... Heartworm testing is around $50.

All in all, I love my vet, so I wouldn't go elsewhere. They always fit us in when needed, when we have emergencies they tell us to bring them in immeadiately instead of having to go to the ER, her diagnosis's are right on, she's caring and compassionate (she hugged me when my second cat died in under 5 months). She doesn't try to sell me services my pets don't need. She's worth every penny.

As to heartworm and flea/tick meds from 1800petmeds.com, vet offices are losing so much money to them. My vet used to charge a $5 fee to approve prescriptions to them. Now, for stuff as heartworm and flea/tick, you bring in a reciept/order from 1800petmeds.com, and they'll match their prices. I hate to sound like a pain, but I like 1800petmeds.com because they e-mail me when I need more, there's free shipping, its more convienent. Oh well, whatever :)

[greenbunny]

I've been shelling out a lot for Bella's problems. We've had her since mid-April and our total costs so far have been around $1400. A new pet is always expensive to start out, whether it's a baby or an adult.

However, your vet does sounde excessive, and you don't need a snotty receptionist. My office is always cheerful no matter what. I definitely think you should shop around.

What's your general area? Maybe someone on here is local and can offer a referral.

[Jane&Andy]

I can't imagine a vet recommending monthly fecals on healthy kittens! that seems excessive to me.

kittens and puppies are expensive since they need so many shots in such a short amount of time. I just took my dog in for his yearly exam and shots but I can't remember what exactly it cost me. My cats aren't due til this Fall but a general yearly visit for them includes: distemper shot, fecal exam, physical exam and rabies (but only every three years for rabies). I don't vaccinate for feline leukemia since they are indoors only.

[Sabrina]

Here are some of the costs I can remember off the top of my head (I am in Central CT):

-Pre-surgery bloodwork is $60-$100 per cat for us (older cats are $100)
-Kitten Spay cost us $120 in 2002
-FIV/FeLV bloodwork was $50
-$12 per vaccine (boosters, rabies, etc)
-$9 for ear cleaning
-$26 for a cortisone shot
-$35 for a check-up (check-up is required at every visit)
-$860 for tooth removal (our older cat had all but 2 teeth removed due to severe gum disease. Our vet uses high-tech dental tools which increases the cost of the surgery)

[jesvet]

A note about spay/neuters: Most vets I know charge the minimum needed to cover the cost of the surgery for spays and neuters- it's not a big money maker because they want people to come in the door. If you compare the cost of your average spay/neuter to an equivalent surgery, vets DO cut you a break. As for the $30 low cost surgeries, most are subsidized through grants or the government, or offered by the clinic at a loss. And a lot of them lack the extra safeguards that my clinic undertakes at every surgery- EKG monitoring, pre-op bloodwork, inhalant anesthesia. You get what you pay for, for the most part.

And to echo Kristin, definitely contact your vet before using petmeds. We price match for the exact reason she specified- there have been many instances of people receiving counterfeit or expired products from that site (not ALL the time, but often enough!). There are legitimate online pharmacies out there, but that is not one of them.

[jennylou]

And to echo Kristin, definitely contact your vet before using petmeds. We price match for the exact reason she specified- there have been many instances of people receiving counterfeit or expired products from that site (not ALL the time, but often enough!). There are legitimate online pharmacies out there, but that is not one of them.

ACK! I use petmeds, not so much for the price difference, because it's not that much more at my vets office. But rather, because it's easier to just have them come in the mail then to drive about 35 minutes each way. Eh, maybe it's time to find a closer vet.

[alibaba]

I just got two kittens recently myself, the end of May to be exact. Since then I've been there twice and have an appointment to go back in two weeks. I guess it's standard since kittens need their series of shots. Next up...rabies shots.

I live in upstate New York too, well Westchester so it's not really considered upstate to you ;) but your vet bills don't seem that far off to me. I have paid $20 for each kitten for the exam and another $20 for the fecal testing. And I forget how much the dispemper shots were. My whole bill came to $122 which wasn't that bad. I have had the fecal testing done twice and now only have to do a third time because this last visit they mysteriously had worms (the time before that they didn't) My vet said that can happen sometimes since they came from a shelter. But if yours came back fine twice in a row I don't think I'd bring in another fecal sample for the next visit.

[Jazz]

Hi! That must be stressful to have all those extra bills popping up. I have a dog, so prices probably aren't quite comparable, but we've been using the Banfield (vet clinic in PetSmart) optimum wellness plan for our dog. Here's a link (http://www.banfield.net/health/owp_adults.asp#) describing the different plans; click locations at the top of the page to see if there's one near you. Those first few months we had our dog were pricey, though! (We also paid out of pocket for her spay -- long story -- even though that was supposed to be covered by the rescue group we adopted her from, so if it makes you feel any better, you're not alone.)

The thing I love about it is that there is no extra charge for office visits (during regular hours). This has been great this spring since our dog has had a couple skin issues that we've had to take her in every 2-3 weeks. There's also a percentage off any extras you end up needing (we are just on the primary plan, so we get 5% off). We pay ours in one big chunk once a year, but you can also pay monthly -- makes it much easier to budget! I also love our vet, so that's a good perk, too. :)

Re: medications -- I recently read an article about buying human medications online (looks like I didn't save the link, dangit!). Anyhow, it described tests that indicated that sitting in a hot mail truck for just 4 hours can cut break down the components in (some) medications enough that the effectiveness is halved ... one more thing to consider.

[ee_chick]

As for the $30 low cost surgeries, most are subsidized through grants or the government, or offered by the clinic at a loss. And a lot of them lack the extra safeguards that my clinic undertakes at every surgery- EKG monitoring, pre-op bloodwork, inhalant anesthesia. You get what you pay for, for the most part..

That's an excellent point. When I licensed my puppies the first time, the county agency gave me "coupons" for getting them spayed/nuetered. IIRC, it was worth about half of what my vet charged me. Maybe your county has a similar program?

An office visit runs me $48 for the first dog, $30 for the second. I tend to think that the services beyond that are kind of expensive, but since my dogs tend to see the vet often, and I trust her absolutely, I think it's worth it. I do know that if they need to have surgery that they get all of the extras jesvet talked about, and they do add up. I think I paid $650 for the last surgery (nail removal & lump removal) and that included the monitoring, the bloodwork, the antibiotics, pain meds, an IV catheter and 'special' anesthesia. (the pup has had issues in surgery before). Other prices include $35 for a needle aspiration, $72 for cytology, $35 for a urnine screen.

[BethS0103]

vets are pretty anti-petmeds and will sell you their stock at petmeds pricesI agree with this. My vet often gives us the PetMeds prices without us even asking. We've checked the prices online versus the prices he gives us and often his prices are a dollar or two cheaper believe it or not.

Frank has had to go to the vet quite a bit the past couple of months because he was diganosed with mange and now has to go every week to get dipped. Because the vet knows how much of a strain this has been on us, he's only charging us the $50 for the dip (which is still a lot of money) and nothing for the office visit which normally would be another $28. Sometimes I think he's a little overzealous in the medicating, but at least I know he's looking out for the health of my baby. :)

[eli1126]

Thank You! While we didn't get our babies thinking that it would be cheap for their care and upkeep, we just feel that $400.00 for a well care visit is high, especially when the only thing they did differently was pre-op blood work. This is the bill break down:

Physical Exam/Consult- $28.50
FVRPC-Final Kitten Vac- $16.26
Rabies-Vac-Cat-1Yr PureVax- $19.97
Regulated Med Waste Disposal- $3.79
Nail Trim w/services- $8.00
Pre-Anesth Screen (Blood work)- $85.70
Worming (Beau only, Belle had hers last time)- $ 17.94

Keep in mind that the Bloodwork made it so expensive this time, but we haven't had a bill under $250 yet and that didn't include BW.
Our Vet's office doesn't give you "estimates" until you are at the appt, which doesn't sit well with me, because if I am going to pay $400.00 an office visit, I want to prepare myself :p We asked for a general idea of how much the spaying and neutering are going to cost and they are supposed to call today. If it is too high, I will call around. I love my cats, but I can't see not being able to take care of them because I am paying $250.00 or more everytime we have to go to the Vet's. My other annoyance is that when we went the last time they gave us a heartworm pill to give to Belle because they said she needed to have just eaten, and that if we couldn't get her to swallow it to put it in tuna so she would eat it. So we tried to get her to swallow it and she projectile spit it out! Tried to crush it up in tuna and she only ate a little :rolleyes: But they gave Beau his yesterday at the appointment even though he hadn't eaten yet...it went much easier for the Vet BTW :rolleyes: So now I'm worried and annoyed because After all this money, Belle didn't get her preventitve Heartworm.

Beth

[SingleWhiteFemale]

My other annoyance is that when we went the last time they gave us a heartworm pill to give to Belle because they said she needed to have just eaten, and that if we couldn't get her to swallow it to put it in tuna so she would eat it. So we tried to get her to swallow it and she projectile spit it out! Tried to crush it up in tuna and she only ate a little :rolleyes: But they gave Beau his yesterday at the appointment even though he hadn't eaten yet...it went much easier for the Vet BTW :rolleyes: So now I'm worried and annoyed because After all this money, Belle didn't get her preventitve Heartworm.I feel you on that one. They make "pill shooters" that you can buy at Petsmart. http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444180 7487&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026151&bmUID=1120750665462 http://www.petsmart.com/media/ps/images/products/detail/standard/FallCatalog04/6653_3e27b.jpg It's a nice thing to have for when you need to give them pills in the future. I bought it because I like my fingers, and I'd like to keep them all :D In our house, it's a 2 person job. One gets the cat--human gets on their knees, spreads the legs a little and puts the kitty in there snuggly, lowers their butt so the kitty cant jump up or wiggle out--then pries the mouth open a little, the other shoots that puppy in there, and clamp down their mouth, and hold it shut and keep the cat there. They end up swallowing it ;) Sounds barbaric, but it's the only way with our cats and pills. It's horrid to have to outwit these creatures! Anytime I've had to crush a pill or put it in something, it never gets eaten! I have opted to get anything I can in the form of an injection, because that's a heck of a lot easier for me and the cat :)

[katiadarling]

I don't know about blood works costs.. but everything else on the break down of costs seemed pretty much right on for what I'm familiar with. I do live in a very pet loving area, so costs here are probably some what more than some other places.

As far as giving pills, holding a cat by it's scruff (with all four feet on the ground in a crouched position) really helps to get the mouth open. Also, wrapping the cat in a towel can be a good move to prevent getting nailed. Dogs are easier to medicate if you can fool them into eating a treat with the pill inside. Otherwise prise open the mouth, pop the pill as far back as you can (I put it a little ways down the throat), close the mouth and massage the throat to stimulate swallowing! tah dah! so much fun :rolleyes: