[arcane]

Prices have skyrocketed!! I just paid $365.00 for Reba's spay and I declined the post op bloodwork...last year when I spayed Sass it was $100 less! Its just nuts!

 

[fuzzbuzz]

I made Clover's appt today, she goes Wednesday morning. They told me over the phone $103, she's 61 lbs. I also checked out the spay/neuter clinic and it would be $78 with them. By the time I drive 60 miles round trip twice and fight rush hour traffic, I wouldn't be saving that much.
NOW I have to wait and see if there are any extra's that they didn't tell me about.

 

[msdogs1976]

I made Clover's appt today, she goes Wednesday morning. They told me over the phone $103, she's 61 lbs. I also checked out the spay/neuter clinic and it would be $78 with them. By the time I drive 60 miles round trip twice and fight rush hour traffic, I wouldn't be saving that much.
NOW I have to wait and see if there are any extra's that they didn't tell me about.

That sounds more like it in my area. But once or twice a year, there is a free spay/neuter deal advertised in my town. Might be some special qualifications though. Never had a need to look into it. My latest adoption was already neutered. Paid $80 for the adoption which included up to date vaccines, neutering and health certificate. Pretty good deal when you hear what people are paying just for spaying in some areas.

 

[Micki's Mum]

Soooo, I've checked other clinics and they are similar in price. I called the SPCA and they have a vet that does their spay/neuters in house but also gave me the name of a couple of clinics they have used. One of the clinics is a little less expensive and it is where I had my bunnies spayed and neutered.

So my next questions. My clinic gives i.v. fluids and pain meds to go home. The $327 does not include any blood work (that's another $75 if I want it). The other clinic I'm considering (where the bunnies went) does not give i.v. fluids and will only give pain meds if they feel it is necessary. How important are each of these, i.v. fluids and pain meds? The overall cost difference will only be $40 - $70. If this is what is best for Michaela I will gladly pay it. It's just that it's about $100 jump from 18 months ago. I think I'm still in shock.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[Bozema]

Check with your local humane society or SPCA. People think that the care isn't as goood because it's cheaper, but often the care is as good or better. I'm on the board of our local humane society and we offer spays on large dogs for $60 (our actual cost is about $100 so we are subsidizing, so if you can afford to pay a bit more as a donation, that would be nice). Our vet is basically a spay/neuter specialist, does tons of them and would be the person I would trust with a tricky breed like a very small dog or a sighthound or a tricky spay in general just because she has done so darned many of them (we have a huge chihuahua overpopulation issue in our area and some vets won't touch them but ours has done so many, that she's practically a small dog surgery specialist). Ask who their vet is, whether it's a contract vet or a shelter employee and how many spays and neuters they do. Ask if you can see their clinic. Low-cost does not necessarily mean low quality.

Pain meds should only be used on an as-needed basis. Most don't need it. Most don't need IV fluids either. If the vet is good, this is a quick in and out surgery.

 

[Micki's Mum]

Our SPCA doesn't offer spay/neuter outside of their shelter but partner with another organization that offers discounts. The discounts are only available for low income families.

Now I just have to decide between the two vet clinics. I would like to keep her at our regular clinic but $70 is a lot of money at Christmas time. I think I'll give my vet a call and talk to her personally.

Thanks everyone!

 

[fuzzbuzz]

Susan, I hope you got the cost down some with your vet.
I posted what I was quoted but didn't know what the 'extra' would be. I took Clover in this morning. Spay $103 + Pain injection $17 + Micro Chip $35 = $155.
I declined the blood work, she's just over a year old and had all labs done this past summer but forgot to look at the price.
I was going to ask about micro chipping anyway and at $35 it's not too bad.
The pain injection is a must in my book, just include it in the cost of the spay. The other thing was..... I asked when I could call and bring her home. Told me tomorrow!
I asked why and was told they want to make sure the dogs rest well the first night. I'm not thrilled with her staying over night but she has boarded there and I do trust them, just wish they had told me when I called. Oh, the $103 includes over night stay.
Good luck Susan and keep us posted.

 

[rbstoops]

We just had Buddy and Holly neutered and spayed 9 days ago and it was $178.00 for the both and that included the micochips. Our vet charges according to weight. Our guys are about 4 1/2 months old Buddy was 42.5 lbs and Holly was 34.5 lbs the day of the surgery. In fact, we take Holly back this afternoon to get her stitches removed.

 

[rbstoops]

Oh, we live in SW Missouri

 

[iamswiss]

We will pay $ 125 & 50$ bloodwork at a Spay Clinic in Orange County. Our regular vet charges 400$ so we decided to look for an other cheaper option.

 

[Micki's Mum]

I talked to my vet and asked her about the iv fluids and take home meds. She said the fluids were for her (Michaela's) kidneys and she said she would want take home meds if she had an organ removed. I really felt like she was trying to lay a guilt trip on me. I've called other clinics and no one else mentioned iv fluids.

I guess I'm leaning toward leaving her at our clinic but I'm really not happy with the attempted guilt trip and she (our vet) sounded annoyed when I asked if I could get a copy of Michaela's vaccinations if I decide to go elsewhere. But, I'm not crazy about the idea of taking Michaela to a vet I've never met either.

I've posted a poll to see what others' experiences have been. Maybe that will help me decide. Thanks everyone!

 

[CarolinaCasey]

I talked to my vet and asked her about the iv fluids and take home meds. She said the fluids were for her (Michaela's) kidneys and she said she would want take home meds if she had an organ removed. I really felt like she was trying to lay a guilt trip on me. I've called other clinics and no one else mentioned iv fluids.

I guess I'm leaning toward leaving her at our clinic but I'm really not happy with the attempted guilt trip and she (our vet) sounded annoyed when I asked if I could get a copy of Michaela's vaccinations if I decide to go elsewhere. But, I'm not crazy about the idea of taking Michaela to a vet I've never met either.

I've posted a poll to see what others' experiences have been. Maybe that will help me decide. Thanks everyone!

I'm a vet-school applicant and work for a vet P/T. Here's my take:

We use IV fluids based upon pre-sx bloodwork. Is s/he dehydrated? Give fluids. However, this is included in the price just as anal glands/nail clip/ear clean. Also use fluids on old pets or special conditions. Never usually on standard spay/neuter on 6 mo-2 year old pets.

I think pre-sx bloodwork is a must. In my opinion, we as humans take precautions when going under anesthesia. There's always a risk... Just because your dog looks healthy, doesn't mean all organs/systems are! We've actually been able to discover diabetes and a kidney problem recently on two separate (young) pets based on bloodwork in otherwise "healthy" animals. If you can't afford the "general health profile" that screens about 14 different things, ask for the "mini health profile" which covers all basic systems. It should save you some $. More often than not, your pet won't fall into a special case like the diabetes and kidney problems that I mentioned.

I don't think a veterinarian should begrudge someone just because they opt-out of bloodwork, etc. Afterall it is your pet, you know them best. Besides, I feel that pre-surgical bloodwork, post op meds are the "gold standard," where it would be ideal if everyone got it, but it definitely shouldn't diminish the love for your pet if you choose to scale back.