What are your vet costs (kinda long)

[Kenosmom]

Our vet for Diesel is GREAT! It's almost an hour's drive away, but well worth it. A lot of boxers go to this particular vet and both vets are wonderful with our baby. It's $17 for an office visit and about $7 for shots. The vets normally take about 30 minutes with Diesel and of course, he LOVES the attention that he gets from all of the staff! When we called other vets to see how much they would charge to dock his tail, we were priced anywhere from $190 - $220, but our vet charged us $35!!!! He even makes house calls for people who can't make it to him....he is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!

$190-$200 for a tail docking??!!! :eek: How old was Diesel when you were wanting his tail docked? Because I know our vet only charges $10 for a tail docking but it has to be done by the time they are a few days old...we inquired about the tail docking because when we got our Jack Russell her tail was not done...unfortunatly she was already too old (3 mos) to have it done..we were told it's something that has to be done right after birth...

 

[Rlr.Giraffe]

Just curious, why did your breeder ask that you wait until 9 months old before you neuter Willis? .... Also, I thought it was best to neuter a male early on to help curb any aggression issues and also the hiking the leg on everything issue that males tend to get....so that's why I was just wondering...we plan on having Keno neutered within the next month or so (by 6 mos of age)...

Thanks!

There were a few reasons our breeder asked us to wait... mainly because he is monorchid and she was really hoping that he could be shown (can't show unless there's two testicles!). Although unlikely after 6 months, we waited to see if his second testicle would ever drop. It didn't, so now it's time for the snip!!! I would have done it at 6 months, but I wanted to respect our breeder's wishes as I would like to get a dog from her in the future for showing.

As for aggression, I don't think that waiting until 9 months has really had any effect on his personality. He has never shown any signs of aggressive behaviour and he still doesn't lift his leg, so we don't have to worry about hiking .

 

[kactus]

Omg

you guys pay sooo much!!!
i pay nothing for a consult (unless its after hours and then its £50) his neuter including overnight stay was £87. his shots are £20 ish and i once paid £2.70 for 2 anitbiotic shots!!!!! the most costly thing is that his beta blockers are £21 a month. i cant believe you have to pay to be seen!!!! his check ups/stitch removals after his neuter was free too!!!

 

[Marybeth18]

I'm jealous of those inexpensive vets! Daisy's spay cost me $350 - although I don't use that vet any longer due to a $$hungry partner.

My new vet is reasonable for this area (Westchester County). Plus, he owns boxers and he and his wife are very involved in boxer rescue

 

[Mama_Zookeeper]

I love my vet! We have her home # and have used her for years. She charges $25.00 for an office visit, but does not charge if it is part of the yearly check up or vaccination series for pups. She also charges nothing for suture removal or post op checks or follow ups. Her staff also does not charge me when I take Lola Kitty in to replace her "soft paws". These are rubber covers for the nails...no more scratching and we don't have to declaw.

Rocky's last check up went like this:
Exam: $0
Distemper 3rd: $23.50
Rabies Canine 1 yr: $10.00
Iverhart: $26.52
Test Heart worm antigen: $23.50
Total: $83.52

Now emergency vets are a different matter. There is one 24 hr clinic close by and man is it ever pricey! But they are worth it as well if they are needed.

Dora

 

[RVsBoxer]

Too high IMO

Wow that seems high to me. I take Wilson to the Banfield Hospital that's inside my local Petsmart. I am on their wellness plan (for puppies) which cost me $70 one time fee to join (actual price is $100 but my trainer, who is also crazy about Boxers, gave me a special certificate for $30 off :p). After that it is $20 a month. This puppy wellness plan lasts one year (after that they have an adult plan) and by the end of the year it will have cost me a measly $310. These are the main things that come with the plan:

*ALL vaccinations are free, (distemper, corona, giardia, rabies, lyme etc), with vaccine warranty on top of that. We only pay for the heartgard and frontline.
*Deworming
*ALL AND ANY Office calls and physical exams during regular hours are free!!!! *Neutering/spaying is all free, including general anesthesia, antibiotic injection, pain meds, heart monitoring, hospitalization etc (all I am going to have to pay for is extra pain killers and what not for when I take Wilson home. Probably won't spend more than $25 or so I was told).
*3 fecal exams
*Discounts on some other things that are not included in the plan

On top of this, I was given a whole tour of the facility and told about what they do, how they do things etc. They showed me other dogs recovering from neutering, how small the incisions were etc. With every visit where Wilson gets vaccinations and a physical exam I receive an examination report on his current state, info about his vaccines and "outpatient therapy recommendations".

The staff are all friendly and caring and great with Wilson (especially Therese who loves Boxers ), including the vet. I ALWAYS get a phonecall after any visit, asking for an update on how Wilson is doing. If I tell one of the staff something about Wilson, the vet will be asking me about it the next time she sees me. This shows how well they keep track of everything and communicate everything with eachother. This really amazes me! They really do go out of their way.

Anyway my point is, you don't have to break your bank to find a good, caring facilty with a good vet. Definitely look around and see if you can find someone else.

The only small downside with my place is that they are closed Sunday and Monday and they have only one vet. They also don't do emergency service, but they already referred me to where I could go (though it would not be free under my wellness plan).
This is really no big deal to me and I think I am getting great care for my dog, and I'm saving a ton of money. Also the fact that there is only one vet means that she knows Wilson very well, and he knows her.

Good luck with your price comparison, and hopefully you can find a more affordable place!

 

[lillys7]

I just mved a few months ago and didn't know any vets areound here...so I started at one place and got the puppy package for $300...well I ended up not likeing the guy and my suspicions were right...a neighbor didn't like him for the same reasons...anyway... she recommended her vet who I LOVE....explains EVERYTHING in detail and is very good. I don't have bill in front fo me but for a visit I know it's less then $30 and our last visit was around $130 for a visit, skin scrapping, antibiotics, mite cream, ear drops and ear solution. I didn't think it was too bad...but I wish I knew about petsmart...I may visit ours to see if they are as good as yours Val!!!

 

[Sassypainter]

I finally found a good vet, she cares more for the animals than money. Her office visit is $15, no recheck charge. When Harley had to have braces, because he pulled 3 of his bottom teeth out, gum and all, she did e-rays, shots, stitches, bloodwork, anesth, and he stayed all day, she also did a biopsy of a knot on his head and sent it off, the total bill was only $150. When my 3 go in, everybody knows their name, she knows their habits, Harley hates the kennels! And a week later she had to redo the stitches she only charged $50. They are very good with them. I tried using my neighbor who has a very pricey clinic, but I did not like how they were treated and the charges were outrageous!