Vet Costs

[k9kreationz]

In response to the pet insurance, I had a question and didn't want to hijack the other thread.

How many of you, find the cheapest, but decent vet? Versus who you like and pay more?

I ask, because my co-worker is always trying to get me to change vets. I really like my vets (plural because there's about 5 of them in the office, but I typically see 1) but yes, they do charge a lot at times. Let's put it this way. I budget about $300 per dog for their annual visits/shots.

However, my co-worker was recently raving about this vet who charges $5 for rabies, $150 for both her dogs dental cleaning (put them out). She got them all their annual shots for $60 each. Granted, she's also raved about 4 different vets over the past few years. She got her dog spayed/neutered for about $50 each.

Sometimes I think to myself how great it is to save money. Other times, I think about how I've gone to pet stores for cheap stuff and have had issues (Miko is allergic to the L in DHLPP - thankfully they've removed it, but that was one reason I could never go "cheap". Cheap meant having the L in. Expensive meant having the L out.). I wonder how they can charge so cheap and be good/thorough. I wonder am I just paying too much?

Thoughts?

 

[Silaria]

I haven't really shopped around for vets in my area but I know where I go isn't the cheapest place around. Why do I still go there? Simple - I like and trust the doctors there.

Of the vets at our local clinic, the one we see the most and who I consider "our vet" is fantastic! I find her diagnoses to be on the money and she never over prescribes medication. She's also not quick to recommend putting a dog down until there really is no other option. For instance, with our Melody, when the time came she laid it on the line for us... she could give us yet another medication, which may only give us one more month or let her go. She didn't pressure us one way or the other because she knows and understands how difficult the decision is. She does lay the facts of the situation out clearly and what options there are... all the options, not just the most expensive ones... and talk through them with you so an educated decision can be made. THAT is worth its weight in gold to me. I'll pay extra for that level of comfort with my vet.

If you can get that same service from a vet with a lower cost, that's a great thing. Personally, I wouldn't settle for less.

Cheaper is not always better.

If you like the vet you have and are comfortable with them and, more importantly, trust them, then you have to ask yourself if that is worth the extra cost. If it is, then stick with your vet. If its not, shop around for a new one. Just be 100% certain of what you want from your vet because they are caring for a very special member of your family.

 

[take4roll10]

I haven't really shopped around for vets in my area but I know where I go isn't the cheapest place around. Why do I still go there? Simple - I like and trust the doctors there.

Of the vets at our local clinic, the one we see the most and who I consider "our vet" is fantastic! I find her diagnoses to be on the money and she never over prescribes medication. She's also not quick to recommend putting a dog down until there really is no other option. For instance, with our Melody, when the time came she laid it on the line for us... she could give us yet another medication, which may only give us one more month or let her go. She didn't pressure us one way or the other because she knows and understands how difficult the decision is. She does lay the facts of the situation out clearly and what options there are... all the options, not just the most expensive ones... and talk through them with you so an educated decision can be made. THAT is worth its weight in gold to me. I'll pay extra for that level of comfort with my vet.

If you can get that same service from a vet with a lower cost, that's a great thing. Personally, I wouldn't settle for less.

Cheaper is not always better.

If you like the vet you have and are comfortable with them and, more importantly, trust them, then you have to ask yourself if that is worth the extra cost. If it is, then stick with your vet. If its not, shop around for a new one. Just be 100% certain of what you want from your vet because they are caring for a very special member of your family.

Perfectly written Silaria!

I consider Bailey my baby. I only want best for her. If the best vet in my area is the most expensive, then that's the vet I'll take her too. I didn't price around vets. I take Bailey to the vet I've been using for years. I'm comfortable with them. They have multiple doctors. They're open 6 days a week. They have 24 hour emergency service. They never push any products and do not over medicate. My friend uses a different vet and their rates are about the same. a little more for some things and a little less for others. I wouldn't switch vets if there was a cheaper one in my area.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

I haven't really priced around but I know that I don't pay much for my vet.

When I was in high school many (many) years ago, I did a co op with her. I always liked her and her gentleness toward her patients, so I switched to her. She gave me big discounts for years, when she was treating my geriatric cats.

Since the deaths of my cats, she still never charges for yearly check ups, only for the shots she gives. Any time I've had to bring my dogs in, we've never been charged for the appointments, only for x-rays, stool samples, blood work, shots, etc. Even then its not a alot, approx. $50-60 for shots per year.

At first I thought it was just me and possibly my family, but I know several other people who also go to her and she does the same thing.

In addition to her being my friend, I'm very comfortable with her and wouldn't consider leaving her, even if there were someone cheaper.

 

[k9kreationz]

If you like the vet you have and are comfortable with them and, more importantly, trust them, then you have to ask yourself if that is worth the extra cost. If it is, then stick with your vet. If its not, shop around for a new one. Just be 100% certain of what you want from your vet because they are caring for a very special member of your family.

I completely agree. I haven't really dealt with major things, thank gawd, but the things I have dealt with, they have been so great. One time, Miko was sick or something, and when we went back, 3 months later, the vet would ask how he's doing, has his coughing acted up at all? Did what he suggest take care of it, etc? Everytime I go back, no matter the time, he asks if XYZ has acted up again? Did we get it under control. What are we doing, etc. XYZ is usually diarrhea. lol. I know he's just reading the chart, but I like that he does and he doesn't just ask us about what is going on, but also, how have things been since the last time I was in to see him, how other issues have been taken care of, etc. I also love that he'll call me the day after to see how things are. Even though he says, "don't hesitate to call if something has changed".

I think that's what makes me feel good about them. One of the reasons I basically fired my old vet is that my grandmother passed away. Next thing I knew, I had to board Miko and Koji to fly to Hawaii for the funeral. I hadn't boarded Miko in such a long time that he was out of date for his kennel cough vacc. Went to my vet (mind you, I drove 40 miles to see her since I had moved away and hadn't found a vet yet) and asked as an emergency to get bordetella. I was told I had to wait, and even at that, there was no guarantee she could administer it. Are you serious? I went to another vet near my house (a clinic with 6 vets), they wanted to charge me for the vaccine AND an extra $100 because it was an "emergency". WTF! My current vet is who I chose to stick with, cuz I walked in, asked if I could get the vaccination. They told me to hold on, could I wait 30 mins? I did. I waited. I got the vaccination a general check-up and off we went. I had to board him the next day so I could leave.

Sometimes, when I"m struggling with money, I want the cheap stuff. The fact that my vet has been accommodating, responsive, proactive, etc, is why I stay and pay, I'm sure, exorbitant amounts of money. lol

Anyhow. I was just curious. Would love to hear from others. I asked, because my co-worker tells me about how great the vets are, clean facilities, great prices, etc, but I've also noticed....she hasn't and doesn't stick with one vet.

I'm wondering if there are any people here that use, say PetCo's free vaccinations. If so, do you have a regular vet? Do you use them because you are low on money? Feel the regular vets charge too much? Like the idea of free? etc.

I've used them. Don't have any issues with them. I just felt it was impersonal. I asked about the DHLPP shot, they couldn't really tell me much. I asked what if Miko had a reaction, no real answers. Just sign the paper, get the shot. Thank you, next. But at the time, I had no money. My old vet was going to charge me about $200 for his annual vacc's. I also got Koji microchipped that way. They didn't seem too interested in the dog's wellfare (I saw one dog shaking like crazy and freaking out). More to get the chip in and off you go. Next.

TIA. I'm not trying to say pay more. I'm trying to understand 1. how vets can charge so little, whereas others charge so much. $5 rabies is dang cheap. So is $75 for dental (putting them under). My co-worker also raved that they used top of the line anesthesia and top of the line antibiotics. Sorry, I've never even heard of "top of the line" for either, and couldn't tell you what it is. Granted, I'm sure the vet told her that. Have you ever heard of that? I'm trying to justify my paying more and feeling good about it. Especially when I think of how cheap it would be to vaccinate my dogs elsewhere. Sigh.

 

[HopeShelties]

I pay more so I can have the standard of care and service that I want. I go to them because they are the best.
Sure, there are vets in the area who charge less than mine, but I'd have to put up with not getting to speak directly to the vet, not having specific appointment times (people at this other vet wait two or more hours to be seen), being talked down to, and being signed up for things I didn't agree to have done.
I am always seen promptly upon arriving, and get to see my vet. They also are understanding about having multiple dogs, and are helpful when it comes to providing me with affordable options when they could make a much larger profit, allowing me to purchase the big dog Vectra (1 treats all my dogs), and Interceptor (1 treats 4, so I only use 2 per month). They are also the breeder vets in the area, and I feel I have a good relationship with them... they do all of my dogs health testing for breeding, have been spot on with reading the number of pups on an ultrasound, are there to do dew claws, and are always there for me if complications arise.
They aren't the cheapest, but I feel I can rely on them, and trust them.

 

[k9kreationz]

So far, it sounds like everyone choose their vet based on the actual vet. Not the prices.

I have to say. The one thing I love about my vet....he wears suits to work. But he will sit on the ground or crouch down to my dogs to check them out. They RARELY if ever get put up on the table. And he always gives them lots of love and play before even rubbing them down to check for anything. My hubby won't go near the dogs in a suit....even when I tell him, "here's a lint roller". Nope. Nowhere near them.

I think I love my vet (and he's cute, so that helps a lot). And I think that's why I stay. Regardless of price. Granted I could do with a price cut. lol.

 

[Silaria]

Granted, she's also raved about 4 different vets over the past few years.

I went back and re-read your initial post and wanted to focus on this particular statement.

She's been to 4 different vet over the years. I'm going to assume these other vets aren't currently associated with the current "cheap" vet.

WHY is she changing vets so frequent??? If its just to save money by going to the most recent 'cheap' vet, then I, personally, would really take her recommendations with a grain a salt. There is no real relationship between this friend and her 'vet of the year' beyond price point. To me, that is NOT the only thing to base a vet on.

 

[k9kreationz]

1 vet charged normal prices. The other 3 (including the most recent) was "cheap". Y'know, I think I'm going to ask her what happened to the other vets that she ranted and raved about. I'll keep y'all posted about her response. This should be interesting.

Oh trust me. I do take anything she says with a grain of salt. This is the person that says Outback Steakhouse has the best steaks ever (I'd think any top notch restaurant could pull out a better steak).

But the reason I asked was because the pet insurance thread said, "reasonable costs". What is reasonable? Is it $5 rabies shots? Is vet costs something that is important to dog lovers (I put all of us in that group)? Should I have found a vet that costs less? Etc, etc, etc.

 

[Abby's Dad]

Obviously I go to an expensive vet, having done so for 20+ years I would not think about another vet period. Piece of mind is priceless.