PLEASE HELP! How much for... [warning: kinda gross]

[kimmar067]

...a dog, about 75 lbs, to be spayed? My furbaby finished her estrus [sp?] about 4 weeks ago(mind you, she hadn't gone into heat, or had a visible heat for over 2 years now, and she is now 6 years old), and she has been giving off a mucus discharge for more than 3 weeks! I took her to the vet about 11 days ago, who prescribed an antibiotic for her, but the discharge has not subsided, so I called the vet again, who told me that she should be spayed very soon or it (?) will get worse. The total cost is $700 and boy, right after Christmas, I really don't have that kind of money to shell out. Does that sound about right? (other than the 'mess' all around my house that I have been forever cleaning up, she is in great spirits and hasn't lost her appetite...) HELP! Any suggestions or tips??

 

[kimmar067]

...patiently awaiting replies please....

 

[Belle0101]

$700? Does she get a private duty nurse with that price tag?

I'll admit it's been 4 - 5 since our female was spayed but I know it wasn't anywhere near that price. We'd never have been able to afford that.

I'd only go this route as a last resort but maybe check with your local Humane Society. I had a friend who had dog spayed via them. Her dog didn't come from them but she had heard from a friend they do spays and neuters at a deep discount. The idea being to keep unwanted puppies filling up the shelter.

Why as a last resort? I like to know the vet before I commit to procedures. But that's just me. My friend has no quirks with using the Humane Society and her puppy was just fine.

Best of luck to you!!


ETA: We have 1 female lab, 4 male labs and 1 female greyhound. The labs we had spayed and nuetered at our cost. The spay for the grey is included in the cost of the adoption.

 

[kimmar067]

....she has ben seening this vet periodically since she was a puppy....I was also considering getting in touch with the breeder [who lives in New Hampshire]...when the nurse called back to give me the 'estimate' of how much it'd cost, I kinda went blank and really didn't hear too much of the particulars...apparently, she possibly has something like 'endometriosis'?) . My sister asked if there was a such thing as a 'doggie D & C'.....I'm really upset about this....

 

[kimmar067]

...any vets or Sammie breeders out here that can shed some light on this?

 

[walden]

Not a vet, just an experienced dog owner. Endometriosis usually called pyometra in dogs = not good news. Pyometra is not uncommon in unspayed older female dogs which is why most vets suggest you spay early -- preferably before the first heat. If this is what she has, you must spay her now to save her life.

The uterine infection is probably the reason that the cost is so high for the spay. It is more complicated surgery so perhaps $700 is not totally out of line. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_pyometra.html

Sorry she is going through this. Call the Humane Society and ask for recommendations for vets who may be cheaper. You will probably get the long lecture about spaying and neutering early that I am refraining from giving because it is a bit late for this poor dog.

ETA. I'm sorry, OP, for sounding so harsh. I'm sure you love your dog.

Everyone: Breeding is not for amateurs and should be left to reputable and professional breeders. A responsible pet owner spays or neuters pets to avoid medical complications like this and unwanted puppies and kittens.

 

[teskak]

I agree with the PP. If there is any discharge that resembles tomato soup - especially if her ears feel hot and she might be running a temperature then get to the vet immediatly.

My 6 year old schnauzer was going to have her one & only breeding (and the breeder had selected the father, for lines etc etc) She commenced getting fat as one would have expected and the only other symptom was when she started crying in pain. She had closed pyrometra and it had burst.

$8000 later including 2 lots of surgery, several plasma transfusions and a week in doggy ICU and we were extremely lucky to bring the girl home after suffering from septacaemia.

$700 is the "non-critical" cost for surgery, but any delays and things could get much much worse.

 

[Agri]

Not a vet, just an experienced dog owner. Endometriosis usually called pyometra in dogs = not good news. Pyometra is not uncommon in unspayed older female dogs which is why most vets suggest you spay early -- preferably before the first heat. If this is what she has, you must spay her now to save her life.

The uterine infection is probably the reason that the cost is so high for the spay. It is more complicated surgery so perhaps $700 is not totally out of line. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_pyometra.html

Sorry she is going through this. Call the Humane Society and ask for recommendations for vets who may be cheaper. You will probably get the long lecture about spaying and neutering early that I am refraining from giving because it is a bit late for this poor dog.

ETA. I'm sorry, OP, for sounding so harsh. I'm sure you love your dog.

Everyone: Breeding is not for amateurs and should be left to reputable and professional breeders. A responsible pet owner spays or neuters pets to avoid medical complications like this and unwanted puppies and kittens.

THIS x1000. My friend's dog had it and it cost him over $1000 to save his dog's life when it was all said and done.

I'd get a new vet though, since this one clearly didn't explain things too well to you.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I would ask how they're charging. Our sheltie was much cheaper than the black lab, and both were done at the same age, give or take a couple of weeks. DH mentioned it when he was paying, and they told him it was because the lab weighed more. That's been 7 years ago though.

 

[Jennasis]

$50...through our local human society. They give you a form and ASK how much you can afford for the spay (our regular vet quoted close to $200). We offered $50 (and the HS lady said it was more than most people claimed they could pay). They then gave us a voucher for the spay and had me set up an appointment at a local vet's office (not my regular vet). The office was state of the art, and had glowing recommendations from friends.

The problem I ran into was when the put my girl under and opened her up, they found she'd already been spayed! There wasn't a scar we could see, and we had had found her, so had no idea of her history.

 

[Holly]

I'm surprised that your vet didn't push harder for immediate surgery because this can be a very serious and life threatening condition for a dog.

More info

$700 seems reasonable because it's a more difficult surgery than a normal spay procedure (which is usually done before the dog's first heat cycle). If she were my dog I would get it done asap. If you can't afford it try CareCredit.

 

[kacaju]

exit 16w?? You must live in NJ?? Vet costs here in NJ have skyrocketed in the past 10 years. $700 is probably right since I was quoted over $300 to have my male fixed.

As I read your post pyo came to my mind and yes, you need to get it done ASAP.

Our breeder is in NH and prices there are much lower, so I would not compare, unless you have the means to get your dog up to NH.

 

[walden]

I'm surprised that your vet didn't push harder for immediate surgery because this can be a very serious and life threatening condition for a dog.

More info$700 seems reasonable because it's a more difficult surgery than a normal spay procedure (which is usually done before the dog's first heat cycle). If she were my dog I would get it done asap. If you can't afford it try CareCredit.

That is an excellent article, Holly.

This quote puts the issue very clearly. I hope the OP realises that she must have the dog spayed ASAP whatever the cost.

"Here's a real nasty problem . . . pyometra. The term means pus in the uterus. Any time a veterinarian is presented with a dog or cat suffering from pyometra the condition is considered serious and immediate surgery is nearly always indicated. This pus formation in the uterus results from infection, hormone imbalance or mucous buildup inside the uterus. Most dogs and cats suffering from pyometra are presented because of loss of energy, increased thirst and poor appetite. Plus a good tip-off would be a foul smelling, purulent (means pus) ******l discharge. Most of the cases of pyometra I've seen in dogs occurred about six weeks after the *****'s last heat cycle. They may not look it on the outside, but on the inside these dogs are really sick! If that swollen, enlarged uterus happens to rupture internally, the dog will rapidly go into endotoxic shock and whatever the veterinarian does may not be enough to save the dog."

 

[Hannathy]

The older and the larger the dog is the more it will cost. Even with puppies they go by weight. An older dog has many more complications with surgery so that probably includes more lab work, a more difficult surgery and longer, and more post op care. Also having been in heat adds cost to it.

IMO when my pet has a serious problem it is not the time to shop for price and go to someone I don't know. For routine care sure, or when finding a vet but not with something serious.

 

[JVelasquez]

I take my dog to Banfield which is inside my local petsmart in RI... I'm sure they have locations in ur area. They offer a wellness plan that costs about $130 to start and depending on ur plan a monthly fee ( which isn't very high at all) I got the puppy package when we got our beagle and I pay $26 a mtg and the only thing I paid for when she got spaded was her pain meds.

$700 is a lot of money so if u could find some place with a plan like this it may help. Other than the surgery it includes free office visit, all shots and physicals as well as discounts on heartworm/ flea and tick meds.

 

[kimmar067]

I'm surprised that your vet didn't push harder for immediate surgery because this can be a very serious and life threatening condition for a dog.

More info

....the earliest they would do the spaying would be this Monday....


....as far as the price is conderned, my dog has given our family WA-A-A-A-A-Y more than $700 worth of love and devotion over the years. It's just that money is really tight right now, and we are trying to find a way to come up with money to pay the balance of my DS's tuition so he can graduate this May....I was also hoping for some less drastic, less invasive remedy too...

 

[kimmar067]

I agree with the PP. If there is any discharge that resembles tomato soup - especially if her ears feel hot and she might be running a temperature then get to the vet immediatly....

...no, it's more like [excuse the bluntness] yellow-y snot out of a 5-year-old's runny nose. And, no, she doesn't seem to have a fever - she's eating and drinking fine and acting 'normal' otherwise...

 

[kimmar067]

I would ask how they're charging. Our sheltie was much cheaper than the black lab, and both were done at the same age, give or take a couple of weeks. DH mentioned it when he was paying, and they told him it was because the lab weighed more. That's been 7 years ago though.

...the fee WAS based partially on her size too.....

 

[kimmar067]

...to all responders, thank you so much for your input - I've learned some important info here. I am definitely going to call my local animal shelter to find out a reputable vet to have her spayed....

 

[Hannathy]

...to all responders, thank you so much for your input - I've learned some important info here. I am definitely going to call my local animal shelter to find out a reputable vet to have her spayed....

Don't count on that too much it totally depends on your local shelter. None of the shelters where I live participate in any program. I called when my DH lost his job shortly after getting our puppy. They didn't offer any discount unless you signed the dog over. I just put it on the credit card and paid it off over 3 months.