How much do you pay for dental cleaning? Sandstorm's estimate is $750 to 1200, have to cancel

[Bailey's Mom]

I have found that certain Vets and clinics price per zip code-I am not talking tax, because some cities have higher tax than others at least in my former state. I found articles from former Vets that they actually increased prices based on your zip code. I am NOT making this up, go research it. That is price gouging and totally UNFAIR. I am fairly new to this area, and I have had MANY locals tell me to go to the smaller towns nearby for services because they don't price gouge and provide more services for less. Kaleigh & Savannah didn't really like the Vet near us, so I am shopping for someone they are more comfortable with. I can't believe the range in prices....

Not always the case, sometimes it has to do with how big the facility is and how much it costs to run. I went back to my home town when we got our Vet to a much higher priced zip code to see our family vet for our dogs. She is amazing, but having talked to friends I find her prices to be on par and in some cases cheaper than the surrounding lower priced zip codes. She has a surgical clinic, but she spends her money on animal care not on the most shiny, amazing facility. During emergencies we've visited some of those clinics and the prices are reflective of the facility you visit. We paid premium prices because it was an emergency. However people I've spoken to who use the places for primary care also talk about the higher price for regular services. I'm just mentioning it isn't always the zip code, sometimes it is also the facility.

I will say price has never been my first factor. Clearly I have to pay the bill so I'm not going to lie to myself and say I'll pay anything. However, I won't go cheap if I can't trust a vet and I won't pay more for a Vet I don't trust just because they have an association with a clinic or facility that seems to be in demand.

We are truly blessed in this area that are multiple vets in many towns so for instance in my town there are 2 and in the town we choose to go to there are 2 more and in just the towns we touch I can't think of a town with less than 2. That gives us the benefit of finding a Vet we trust and the reality that the Vets have to compete on costs and services. Since there are so many vets in this area I do find it interesting what it is that draws people to "their" vet because people can be fiercly loyal and wonder why it is you don't use their vet. I always have the opt out that it is a family thing, but people can be really defensive about whom they visit and why. I'm always amazed. In our neighborhood alone, people travel to towns all around us to see vets for their animals. Everyone has a reason why that vet. I guess we are truly blessed that we have so many to choose from that we can spread out among them.

 

[take4roll10]

I will say price has never been my first factor. Clearly I have to pay the bill so I'm not going to lie to myself and say I'll pay anything. However, I won't go cheap if I can't trust a vet and I won't pay more for a Vet I don't trust just because they have an association with a clinic or facility that seems to be in demand.

I have to agree with this. Although, price is always a factor, it's not always my first thought. In other situations, like a mechanic or housework, I've gone the cheaper route and many times it turned out to be "you get what you pay for." I'm not saying that a cheaper vet will have less quality skills and poor equipment, but other than price, you should always consider the vet, the facility, reviews, etc. It might turn out the cheaper option is a great facility with great vets. Sometimes the cost of vet care is based on cost of living and if you go to a different zip code, you'll receive the same quality and treatment for cheaper.

I would just recommend to do additional research on any vet and hospital when considering surgery, especially one you are not familiar with.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

I'm always asking people about their local Vets when it's appropriate to bring into a conversation. You never know when you will want a second opinion, etc. It helps to get feedback from people who have similar views on how they manage their dogs. It also helps to stay aware about what other kinds of options are out there. We use some holistic treatments like chiro and massage, so talking with others about what they do, where they go, etc. gives us some ideas about what the going prices are in the area for traditional and alternative care.

 

[Hanne]

When Minnie were sterilized, I chose a rather expensive vet + Extra - 160 usd - driving expenses.
because I thought it was a huge operation on my little Minnie

Had it been a dental cleaning, I would probably have made Shop around for a cheap price

 

[KarenCurtis]

When Minnie were sterilized, I chose a rather expensive vet + Extra - 160 usd - driving expenses.
because I thought it was a huge operation on my little Minnie

Had it been a dental cleaning, I would probably have made Shop around for a cheap price

Sandstorm here! my mom wants a girl Shellie named Minnie!

 

[Hanne]

Minnie here:
Sandstorm - I am absolutely sure you'll love her- because my mother says that Minnie´s are the best.
I must tell you she does not smell right at first - but smells of baby and that smell is strange

 

[ghggp]

Just scheduled a dental for Logan. Now that we have his bronchitis under control the vet said it was safe to do the procedure!

The breakdown as follows:

PreAnesthesia Panel
$85.00

Cleaning/polishing. $50.00

Day stay at vet. $19.00

Bio hazard. $2.00

Anastasia. $98.00

IV fluids
$30
$284.00 total

Barons vet wanted to charge $800!

 

[ghggp]

Poor Logan got back from his dental visit and he had to have one large tooth pulled and 5 lower front teeth. Poor boy. The vet told me had I not done them now I would have been back in 6 months as they would have been too loose. He said if it was his dog he would not put them through another dental if it could be accomplished now.

He is resting comfortably now as I gave him a small bit of canned food. He is on pain killers and antibiotics too. Will be more vigilant about clean his teeth. He is getting older now and I do not want to put him under again especially with his compromised breathing since he has chronic doggie Bronchitis!

Total cost was $285.

 

[Margi]

Well I went ahead and got the Petsmile toothpaste for 25 bucks in the hopes Fillion and Koko never have to go back under again...I am trying to be diligent and use it every day. Guess I won't know for awhile if it's working or not!

 

[Jackson's Dad]

First post on SN, just want to clear up some things regarding dentals.........

First, keep in mind the estimate ranges are going to be big and high because the vet has no idea what will be found under anesthesia and it really can't be price shopped without going to that other vet and paying them for their time to examine your dog. Second, cheaper may not be better, blood work may be less inclusive, iv fluids may or may not be used, quality of anesthesia used, etc. Third, different vets will send home different medications and the vet that has not seen your sheltie may not know what meds will be needed. Someone posted their charges for their dental and I don't recall seeing antibiotics listed; every dog gets sent home with them due to all the bacteria in the mouth so not sure why her vet did not send them home especially after extractions. The reality is that you have a usual vet who you obviously feel comfortable with or they would not be your usual vet; if you can't trust them to give you an accurate estimate or one that is within your comfort range, question them and/or move to a different vet as you are no longer in sync with him/her.

Everyone should be brushing their sheltie's teeth every night, only takes a minute or two to do and their lives are worth it. Dentals are intense procedures and should be avoided, especially for older dogs. I have known several friends with shelties who put an older dog through a dental and shortly thereafter their dog had chronic kidney issues and that was even after "normal" blood work values. I asked a couple of vets about the coincidence and they could not say there was a connection but not an impossible connection since dogs are usually under for quite a long time on a dental. My dogs have always enjoyed being brushed, the toothpaste is a treat.

Thanks for letting me stand on my soap box.