Over $250 Vet Bill!

[EllenFrasier]

Sticker shock I guess. I took my two dogs to the vet yesterday for their annual check-ups and shots, etc. They each had a physical which consists of the vet looking at them for about two minutes each, listening to their heart and feeling around for lumps or bumps, looking in each ear and opening their mouth. They each had a blood test for Lyme and Heartworm and one had a shot against Distemper. I also bought one Interceptor pill each, cleaning solution for ears, and Ottomax drops for one dog who needs them. I was thinking, "gosh this is going to come close to $200".....got to the cash register and it was $259!!! I know it's only once a year, but Geesh!

 

[DISdreamin']

Sticker shock I guess. I took my two dogs to the vet yesterday for their annual check-ups and shots, etc. They each had a physical which consists of the vet looking at them for about two minutes each, listening to their heart and feeling around for lumps or bumps, looking in each ear and opening their mouth. They each had a blood test for Lyme and Heartworm and one had a shot against Distemper. I also bought one Interceptor pill each, cleaning solution for ears, and Ottomax drops for one dog who needs them. I was thinking, "gosh this is going to come close to $200".....got to the cash register and it was $259!!! I know it's only once a year, but Geesh!

Wow, and I was thinking how reasonable the price seemed for all you got and had done! It has definitely become more expensive to have pups, but what can you do, right?

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My dog's annual check-up is about $125 a year (sometimes more depending on what they do). It's not cheap but I just have $10 every paycheck automatically come out to a separate savings account so then it's not as painful .

 

[njcarita]

we take our 2 dogs to the Pet Smart clinic every year for their shots .. tests.. heartworm meds... saves us a bundle...

 

[dawson5]

I think I just paid $180 for just the one dog a few weeks ago (some shots, check up, heartworm test and nail clipping). Not including her spaying (another $205). My older dog goes in later this year. I would happily pay $260 to have that done to both dogs. Our vet spends some time with our dog, asking questions and checking him over, we're usually in there for about 20 minutes as long as nothing is wrong.

(We adopted a chihuahua. This was her first visit. She is a rescue but not from a rescue group, so no initial vet visit.)

 

[Disneychix]

I feel your pain! The Vet always gets me when I'm down!

My dad has a HUGE lab mix who's maybe gone to the Vet 5 times in 10 years. She's old and can barely walk but otherwise she's ok. I'm the sucker who takes 2 small dogs to the Vet every year (multiple times if needed) and get stuck with HUGE bills. And it's never just a simple distemper shot...they always have ear infections or some awful thing that costs me more money!!

 

[Littlemotherhaywood]

Just one of my cats cost that much last month for a UTI and crystals in his urine. I haven't owned a dog in years so I have no idea how the costs differ vet care wise, but it isn't cheap. I can only imagine the sticker shock we'd all have if we had to pay our own medical bills sans insurance. My youngest recently broke (or so they thought) his arm and the urgent care bill was over a grand just for two x-rays and a splint. Then each follow up with the ortho was over $500. Geesh. I think we saw the doctor two minutes each visit and his fee was half of the entire visit. For what, I wonder. Sorry to go off subject and rant. I just think medical care for humans or animals adds up too quickly.

 

[secretpantssam]

I just had a $250 vet trip too. My cat had crystals in his urine and they had to give him $100 pills and I had to buy prescription food. I think I'm going to make him get a job and start paying for his bills himself

 

[bettymae1121]

That's cheap! My one dog for her annual check up is usually around $350. But my vet is expensive even for the area, she's one of the best in the state and can charge a premium.

 

[la_la]

My vet doesn't ever show a charge for the 'check up part' of the annual visit. There is only a charge for the 2 shots that my dog gets, and any meds that I buy. The most expensive thing we buy for our dog is that darn Cormfortis. It's $60 or $65 for a 6 month supply, which isn't terrible if you break it into months, but when you add it onto the 2 shots that he gets, and the 6 month supply of heartworm meds, it adds up. I spent $110 for 2 shots and the Comfortis last week. Then my dog got a spider bite, and that was $37 5 days later. Again, no actual charge for the vet, just a charge for the 3 Rx's that my dog needed. I know there is a mark up so that the vet doesn't actually show a 'charge', but I have taken my dog several times and as long as there was no meds needed, there was no charge for the vet to take a look at him. We love our vet!!!

 

[FergieTCat]

My cat spent a week at the vet hospital (and subsequently passed on last Saturday). The total bill was $1,500!

While I was in the vet office, I overheard the receptionist saying a visit was $49 and a rabies shot would be $49. So I guess about $125 would be the going rate.

 

[ceecee]

I just paid $260 for my two labs. They needed blood test for heartworm, one needed distemper and both needed bortella shots. My older lab used to get 2-3 ear infections a year at $150 each until we switched to a better food, so I think once a year is getting off good! One will need a teeth cleaning next time at $200.

 

[crjack]

Our lab mix baby tore his ACL and had surgery for it a few weeks ago to the tune of $3600 and we're not done yet so I feel your vet pain!

Ironically we just got a postcard reminding us that it's time for his shots and check up so we'll be back again soon....it's a good thing he's so cute because our summer vacation fund is what paid for the surgery!! It's going to be a long summer

 

[EllenFrasier]

Well, I wasn't saying my vet overcharged me or anything, it's just shocking that it is that much money for what was done. I guess the prevention is worth the cost - they are my fur babies afterall!

 

[my3weasels]

I took 1 of my dogs last week for her wellness exam. When it was said and done, it was $325! $70 was for deramaxx meds, but Holy cow! I still have to go back for the heartworm meds!

And next month, I have to take our other dogs! Ugh, Ugh, Ugh!

 

[mjkacmom]

That sounds cheap! I spent about $80 to get my rat's tumor looked at (and $700 for 2 surgeries).

 

[surfergirl602]

I'm very thankful of the on post vet, where charges are minimal!

 

[Ryansdad0727]

The cost for vets is tremendous. We have 4 dogs and you feel bad saying no don't test for this or that. They don't need to be tested for worms but if you allow the vet to do everything it will be $700 per year for the 4 dogs.

 

[StephMK]

We've timed it so our dogs get their shots/checkup when we board them. It doesn't cost us the vet visit because he can check them when he has time. Thankfully, he's very reasonable & allows us to board our dogs in the same run for company and I think it's about $20 a night.

 

[Jenn4615]

I feel your pain! I have two dogs... Its about 400 dollars when I take them together for their annual shots...its aweful!
One of my dogs had a kidney stone in February...The type of stone he had the only option was surgery.... it was not a disolvable one.... he told me he had to go get me an estimate for the surgery,when he said that I knew it would be bad!... he came back in the room... 1500$
This was our first "baby" so he had the surgery the next day. I really hope another one doesn't appear... he has a 80% chance of reoccurance... UGH