Vet bills!!!

krisnkaipo · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:35 am Post subject: Vet bills!!!

I am curious as to what everyone pays in vet visits. I used to pay $35 just for the visit. Last week Wilson had a simple eye infection, he just had gunky eye, not really a big deal. So, off we go to the vet, they want to run all these tests...I insist it is a simple eye infection and can I get some meds and be on my way. I allowed them to stain it to make sure no ulcer or anything, that was it, now out with the drops. The whole time they are following us around with a digi cam trying to get a good shot of my high strung ADD child who refuses to sit still. Apparently they have a new system and how great is this they can print me out a receipt with my dogs picture on it.....I said I see him everyday, I don't really want his face staring at my $100 plus bill.

The exam alone was $53!!!!! They did not even take his temp! He is WAY overdue on vaccinations and no one even noticed or asked. I have been having the big debate with myself as to whether I am going to get him vaccinated, but certainly don't believe I need to do it annually on the dot.

So, I am curious as to what others across the country are paying for just basic stuff? We are in Carlsbad in North San Diego county and I realize that we pay a premium, but this is crazy.

Cathy · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

I think I pay $35 just for the appointment. Follow-ups are half price, but I think they should be free since they are the one that requires the appointment. I switched to this vet because the Spay was about half the price.

This is the cheapest vet I could find when I got my cat a few years ago and is way cheaper than the first one (which is in a fancier part of town).
Even a simple ear infection is at least $100 by the time they charge for the cleaning and the meds and the follow up. They never take her temp that I know of.

I would be ticked that they cared more about his picture than his shots. How much of your bill is going towards that camera?

nurse88 · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:56 am Post subject:

In our part of Pittsburgh, we pay $45 dollars to see the doctor. If KD needs anything else, it is more. A few months ago, I did a pee test on her and that costs $20 dollars for the results. For her shots and stuff, it can be upwards of $100+ and annually they require a poop test for worms and such so that puts another $25+ on the shot bill. So far since we got her, well over $400+ just for vet visits and medicines and she has only been with us since October.

weimdawgs · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:16 am Post subject:

I can't walk out the door for less than $100.00. Office visits alone (no meds, shots, nothing) are $75.00. Emergency is $120.00 just to walk in the door.......

On the plus side, my vet is also a 24 hour emergency facility and is only 2 miles from my home. And they are the best of the best. The owner, Nancy O. Brown, while money grubbing (although I have been told she wasn't always $ oriented), is affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania and one of the leading Oncologists in this area. And the other vets in the practice are great.

And I have pet insurance on all four.....................Jake's paid for itself when he had torsion surgery in December.

amazonstarlight · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:29 am Post subject:

I think I'm lucky to live in Oklahoma and be on a name-by-name basis with my vets. For a fecal exam it's $10, for heartworm check $20 (I think they gave me a discount though, because it was positive), for rabies shot $10, Neuter of an 85lb dog $75, blood work runs $50, nail clips $12. Not too expensive, but it adds up quickly. Rolling Eyes

When I took Sadie in for several exams after her "asthma" attack they did several xrays, blood work, and kept her a day it only cost me $100. I thought that was dang good.

peppernaei · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:33 am Post subject:

I pay $67 to see the vet and $29 to see a technician (test collection, stitches out, reassessment, etc.)

Our vet is also the local emergency vet and while the examination fee is more than some other clinics, many of the services are cheaper and for regular clients they are willing to make deals (no recheck fee for chronic illnesses requiring multiple tests and even though I broken up Marvin's vaccinations to be DAP2 - 30 days - lepto - 30 days - rabies, they charged me the annual wellness combined reduced rate).

I also love their care and the fact that they are big on continued education, reduced/altered vaccinations schedules and they have specialists in exotics (birds, reptiles and chinchillas) which I have owned.

I heard that if you are not a client, the emergency fees are really high but I guess since they are the only clinic in over an hours drive that has an emergency service they charge a premium.

weim2mom · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:35 am Post subject:

I guess I am lucky. It's $29 for a regular visit and $49 for an emergency.

But, I <i>hopefully</i> will get the job and work there soon, which means 50% off!! Very Happy

amazonstarlight · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject:

shawn · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:12 pm Post subject:

I pay 30.00 for a visit. dont know how much for an emergency.

Last week Gretchens leg cost me 328.00. Thats for 3 xrays, the cast, exam and a rabies shot. I didnt think that was too bad. But more importantly I LOVE my vet! they are more about caring for the animals than making money. They even let you make payments if you have to. Most dont do that.

rejoh0605 · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:32 pm Post subject:

We have only been to the vet twice, the first time it cost $89...that was for his first set of shots, heart medicine, and a distemper. The second time we took him because of his swollen snout and it cost $69. That was for an examination, a shot of antibiotics, and another heart worm pill.
Each time we go in we tell them we are on a budget and they always give us discounted prices. They try to give us free samples and charge less for the examination. I do not know if everywhere does this, but it is worth a shot!

youhavenoidea · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:03 pm Post subject:

I just took my bf's dog in for rabies, nail clipping, and a heartworm test. Was in there for like 10 minutes. Walked out with a $150 bill. Doesn't help that one of the actual vets performed everything . . . which all could have been done by a tech.

I think that's too bloody much, but every person I've asked re-affirms that they're the best clinic in the area, so that's where Slade will be going too (bonus that they have some experience with Weims).

amazonstarlight · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject:

youhavenoidea · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject:

NenaGunther · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject:

Our vet is $30 for an office visit...but I usually take the two together and don't get out under $100. They seem reasonably priced, much less expensive than our old vet.

For Simon our Pit/Collie Mix who was in emergency care for 4 days at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, NJ, the bill was $8000. The pet insurance picked up alot, but we are still paying that off. If we had to do it all over again, we definitely would.

After that, I don't look at vet bills the same anymore. They all seem small in comparison.

Banshee13 · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 12:11 pm Post subject: