Vet charging too much?

[MyTrixie143]

I have never paid too much attention to the costs and the prices until recently.
I think the vet I am using is a little high, what do you think?

For a vet visit and shots: $80, I actually think that isn't a bad price.
$200 to get 3 of Scamp's baby teeth pulled, it was actually more than $200, I think that is a bit pricey for just having 3 teeth pulled.
$150 for spay/neuter, more for a blood panel done before surgery
$120 for bile acid test
$75-$100 for one xray, $150 for two
Tails docked and dewclaws removed for 3 pups: around $130

These are just some of the basic prices for common procedures.
So do you think these are reasonable prices or are they charging too much?
I guess I am just use to my old vet. Before we moved here our vet charged half of what they charge. But it is just too far to travel to get there anymore, but I really liked them.

And the sad part is the vet I am going to is one of the cheaper vets around. The other one that I really like as I think the vets and staff are really knowledgeable, charge about twice as much. But I always go to them for anything serious or if I need a specialist.

I am really starting not to like the vet I am currently using. I do think they are partially in it for the money. For example you start off with your regular puppy vaccines. You have 3 to 4 weeks before their next series. If you miss their next series by a week they want you to start all over. Which is over-vaccinating in my opinion.

And the one vet there (there is 3) is driving me crazy. Normally I have the woman vet but lately I been getting him. He has this "I know everything" attitude about him. And he really knows very little about yorkies or breeding but you can't argue with him on that. He is fairly young so I think that is part of the problem.

Sorry for rambling on a bit, I am just having second thoughts on whether or not to continue with this vet or find a new one. We did move so he is a bit further away now then the other vets around here that I haven't tried yet.
I just hate switching vets because they get to know you and your dogs and you become an established client. But I just think I don't feel as comfortable there as I use to. So do I look for a new vet or keep the one I have?

[Agosto]

I live in Spain, so maybe prices can't be compared, but my vet charges €12 per visit, €30 per visit+shots. He pulled 4 of Milo's teeth out for €30 -although he did it while he was neutered, so he didn't need to charge for anaesthesia (I think it would have been around €60 more).
But in my opinion the real problem is that you don't really like your vet. I would change vets immediately if I were not confortable with them - in fact I did with my old dog. I used to take him to a well-known vet, really expensive, until the day the poor puppy hurt his leg (a bone got out of place) and he mended it without using any painkillers. That was it. I looked for another vet, and found the one I go to now, which has really been a godsend.

[karensu68]

I am not for sure about the prices for everything you have listed, but with Mazee I spend about $40 I think for shots-and for her spay it was $160 but that included spending the night and pain meds. To me, if you don't feel comfortable there then I would look for a new vet, but that is just me. It is hard to find a good one, but I think it is worth the effort when it comes down to it.

[Diego]

The prices are not very high . I saw much higher prices somewhere else .

[Ladymom]

I live in Raleigh, North Carolina and the price of vet care has really gotten up there. It's now $48 just to walk in the door before the vet even touches your dog. A recheck within a week to ten days used to be free and now it's another $38 dollars.

Even the simplest thing is always over $100. I love my vets and credit them with the fact that Miss Lady has made it to twelve with all her health problems, but I sure am glad I only have one! I honestly couldn't afford more.

[maxs_momma]

For me it is 35 for a check up and shots for a emergency visit it is 50 but of course it could be 150 and i would still take my baby because i have used this vet for over 16 years and think the world of him.

[PrestigeousYT]

Vet prices in the US has absolutely sky rocketed.
In most cases we pay more for the same proceedure for our dogs than we would be paying our doctors to care for us.
It is really out of hand on the vet prices here.
I really love my vet but the prices are just out of sight.

Deana
Prestigeous

[mk97]

I think prices vary by where you live---I work at an Animal Hospital, and some people think we are high, others think we are reasonable. I think the most ridiculous fees out of the stuff you listed are the tails/dewclaw removal--we charge far less then that. I forget exact price but under 20 for the 1st puppy and then less for the 2nd and more puppies--that is one service I don't think we've gone up in. For puppies, our clinic also does where you pay an exam/office call the 1st visit, then for the remaining 3 sets of puppy vax--you only pay for vaccines and a fecal(it's adjusted if the breeder did 1st set--but still only one exam fee). I agree that spay/neuters and removing baby teeth are high, but then depending how much we pay for our babies--you don't want to skimp on some expenses. I bought my yorkie from our Dr for 1200--she had already pulled the puppy teeth/fully vaccinated(as she was almost a year old), and she included my spay in the price(I cleaned her teeth and microchipped her at the same time). She is 2.8lbs, black and gold--I love the little booger--downside is that she has a bad luxating patella on one side.

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by PrestigeousYT

Vet prices in the US has absolutely sky rocketed.
In most cases we pay more for the same proceedure for our dogs than we would be paying our doctors to care for us.
It is really out of hand on the vet prices here.
I really love my vet but the prices are just out of sight.

Deana
Prestigeous

I have to agree with you...I think the prices to take care of our animals is outrageous. They push spaying but, prices are ridiculous! Going to cost me around 350.00 for one and up to 630 for the other...I did apply for credit care and was given a 4000.00 credit line but, really don't want to start putting vet costs on a credit card.

[PrestigeousYT]

My biggest complaint is they will charge you a really big fee if your dog is kept overnight. I use to think if they were keeping your dog someone was there to watch your dog because of the fee you are paying.
I was astounded when I found out they just come in once a night to check on your dog, they don't tell you that.
Of course I am no longer niave and I always ask a lot of questions.
My vet and I have a great relationship but I do think the prices are up there and a lot of pets go without treatment in some homes because they simply have been unable to obtain a price they can afford for vet care.
And so many vets continue to over vaccinate because it helps their bottom line. They don't share with the clients any info on the danger of over vaccinating their dogs.
They are still sending out the post cards to clients for those yearly vaccinations and keep cashing in.
And do they really have to charge an individual price for pulling a tooth during a dental? I mean you are paying so much already then you see the price for this much for each tooth pulled?

Deana
Prestigeous

[tumismom]

we paid $450 for spaying plus blood work and also extra IV fluid. I requested extra IV because Tumi was small and i was really worried. So both girls, it cost us $900. But our vet is one of the best in the nation and i feel really safe and i really like her. She is excellent in surgery! anyway, i am soo sad because we are moving back to nyc and now it's gonna be hard for me to find one that meet her standards! also she is a holistic vet and we are so thankful for that. She is also a big believer of Raw diet and she doesn't even sell Science diet or Iams at her clinic. She only carries NV, wellness, Innova, EVo and huge selection of Raw food. my hubby is worse than me, he wants the best for the girls! he was super picky about finding the vet

[Ines3185lyorkie]

For me it sounds kind of high but again vet prices fluctuate from state to state. I pay $40 a visit for the puppy shots and was quoted about $160 to get Nina spayed. If I were you I'd be wary about the over vaccination. That sounds not only dangerous but that vet is out to make a buck.

[011011]

My vet is 15 to walk in the door.
6 for a exam
3.50 for dews and tails.
Shots (rabies also)and a stool sample 45.00
C sections 250.00 (if we help)
No late time extra fees or for holidays.He is on call 24/7 unless on vacation.
100.00 for teeth cleaning (with antibiotics etc)
100 for spay and 80 for neuter.
I just took over one of my females who is due in 2 weeks she got a check over and it was 20.00.
I have been with my vet for 25 years ,I can call and get things I need with out a visit and that is nice.

We have another vet in Lime Springs and he is about 1/2 of everything what my vet is.But is a old farm vet and does not have alot of things on hand .No x-rays or IV's etc...But a very good vet and on call 24/7 also.

[Breezeaway]

Wow, My vet charges 10.00 per puppy for puppy shots, 65 for spay or neuter. 20.00 for ultra sounds. 25.00 for a farm call.

[daisy mae06]

WOW
To me yes those Are high..
My vet who *Lucky Lady* also goes to Charges alot less.
She can be more help on the (Breeder costs)
But as for the spay and teeth I had Daisy Teeth cleaned and pulled, spay, Chip, and pretests done for under $250.00 And that included the pain killers too. My vet thinks of the Pet First!

I hate when Vets Charge HUGE prices Because they (CAN)
No wonder there are so many unwanted litters and Sick pets.
And owner who just can not afford to treat!