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Home > Took My Dog to the Vet (@ My Wallet to the Cleaners!)

Took My Dog to the Vet (@ My Wallet to the Cleaners!)

September 7th, 2007 at 05:04 am

I took one of my dogs to the vet today for her annual check-up and shots. She needed two bosters, had a cut on her shoulder that requires antibiotics (she scratched it and got it infected) and her "glands" needed attention (if you are a dog owner who has ever had to deal with this, you know what I mean. If not, remain blissfully unaware - you do not want to know!) The whole visit lasted less than 30 minutes and cost me $271.00. Wow! $100 of this was for a years supply of heartworm medication and at least $40.00 was for medications for the infection but still! On top of this, I have been needing to schedule to get her spayed. This will be done next week to the tune of at least $500.00 (she is more expensive due to her size). I already have the money put aside for the spay but still, I was not expecting to have to pay over $800 this month just in vet bills. My other dog needs to go for a check up but I think I will put it off a week or two and have a chance to set the money aside. I may even check out another vet. I like two of the vets in our current practice but I still have some bad feelings from when my dog got away from them back in March. I have been told by other neighbors who used them that they switched and have found several other vets they like who were less expensive. I am having the current vet do the spay (with one of the two vets I really like doing the surgery) but after this I think it is time to look to other options. I love my dogs and they are like children to me but if I can get them equal or better care for less money than I am going to.

3 Responses to “Took My Dog to the Vet (@ My Wallet to the Cleaners!)”

  1. monkeymama Says:
    1189173882

    I am not saying this about your situation. (IT actually doesn't sound so bad) but I find the vets overall to be 1 big scam. I always go to the little tiny vet office as opposed to the big centers because they charge tons for a bunch of stuff you don't need. That is what I find with my INDOOR cat. If they had their way I would spend $1k/year on shots and teeth cleanings and blahblahblah. Just be careful. Sounds like you didn't do too bad though. Sounds reasonable at least. Dogs are very different - they probably go outside more and stuff where all the diseases and germs are.

    For me I have debated this with others, but at least I have the money to pay for something if my cat really needs care.

    Getting spayed I would consider a "necessary" expense on the other hand.

    Good luck. Just stay away from those big centers! Wink

  2. JanH Says:
    1189182513

    I have been surprised at the different costs in different areas. My DD got her cat spayed for much less than someone I overheard in our area. I didn't think about it much until then. I recently got a cost estimate of how much to remove a broken tooth in one of our doggies. Needless to say, I am having to save up for it. I feel your wallet's pain. The one thing I realize I can't put a price on is that my dogs love the vet's office. They beg to stay when I take them. They always try to get to the back where their favorite people are. I have heard that they love to spoil them. It makes me feel better when I have to leave town. So back to the saving I go....

  3. fern Says:
    1189184891

    Umm, my cat sometimes has clogged glands and ...gross.

    Teeth cleanings i don't think need to be done every year, but they are important as the cat gets older, as, well, if they don't brush, they can have dental and gum problems just like people.

    My cat is also indoors only, so i havent' gotten her any vaccinations in many years, just as a young 'un.

    Around here we have a volunteer group that does spayings at a discounted cost. It's always more expensive getting that done at a private vet. I'm sure you can find an animal or shelter group that does the same thing for less.

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