prices on vet visits....

[unyverse2000]

i have a friend who is a vet tech. i'm asking her how much it cost for visit, and she said $47. does that sound right? i've never been to a vet before, so i want to get ready for this stuff. i'm calling pet insurance companies for quotes.

also, at 8 weeks, the pup will need two more sets of shots right? how much are they?

[Rott-Wiley]

That does seem a little high but if this is the first visit, that may be why. Shots are usually $10 to $15 depending on what ones you get. Maybe if you checked around in your area you coud get some other prices.

[unyverse2000]

I just asked my friend again what foods do her vets recommend to pet owners. I was a little shocked by her answer.

Iams or Eukunuba dry

should I look elsewhere for a vet based on just that answer and the price of visits?

[Rott-Wiley]

A lot of vets will recommend dry foods like Iams or Eukanuba to pet owners for several reasons. You can't judge them on that fact alone. It does sound like you are not comfortable with that particular vet and if that is the case I would say, yes do try to find a vet that you are comfortable with.

In my area, an office visit is usually $20-$25 and they will do a general exam as part of that. Now in a bigger city or a specialist, that price could go up to $35. But definately try to find a vet you like and trust.

[spidey]

should I look elsewhere for a vet based on just that answer and the price of visits?

Most vets are not nutritionists, they have enough to learn about without spending much time on diet. Take your nutritional advice from other sources if you disagree with this vet's nutritional advice (and I do, as well), but this doesn't at all indicate anything bad about the vet's medical abilities. Keep in mind that Iams used to be a really good food before Proctor & Gamble bought the name and changed the formula, it's not impossible that this vet is under the impression that Iams hasn't gone downhill. Either way, no vet is an expert in all things, and his opinion on diet has no bearing on his medical ability.

As to pricing, call around and get a feel for what the going rates in your area are. Most vets charge similar prices in a similar area, because their operating costs are similar. That price doesn't sound excessive to me, I'm used to prices well over $100 (Canadian) for an exam and shots.

[Emme]

We currently have a notweiler pup - his most recent vet bills have been:
1st visit to new vet $42 for office visit
$15 for shot
$Twenty something (I think) to drain anal glands
We also spent about 20 minutes discussing care of the pup, my concerns and he had his nails clipped, ears cleaned and teeth brushed for *free*

The next visit was $32 for follow up shots and $12 (I think) for draining of glands again. Same free services included

The following was $32 for office visit and $32 for meds for possible kennel cough - couldn't get 3rd series of shots due to meds. Same free services

2 weeks later was another visit for another $32 and $15 for shots, again same services included

Adds up really quick - and thats for a relatively healthy pup!

Our full grown rott Em also goes yearly unless there is a problem - her visits usually run around $50, but we skip the rabies shot at the vet to save money, as our town offers free rabies clinics that we take advantage of. You may also save money buying your heartworm meds elsewhere (check the archives, there was a thread on this recently) Em was a rescue, so her spay only cost $35, however she had worms and it cost us about $50 in meds to get rid of them...

Our vet recommended science diet and provided coupons and such, but was pleased when we told her we were feeding Nutro. I was more concerned with the bedside manner of the vet, along with her knowledge, rather than what food her office endorsed...

[unyverse2000]

so the two meds that i will be giving her monthly are hw preventive and for flees?

and those i should get on my own, and not through the vet.

[tugger5000]

Originally posted by unyverse2000
so the two meds that i will be giving her monthly are hw preventive and for flees?

and those i should get on my own, and not through the vet.

Keep in mind that the manufacturers may not guarantee the product unless you purchased it through a veterinarian. Talk to your vet about it, the cost differences are nominal when you throw in shipping and your vet may even work with you on the price.

[Rott-Wiley]

Before you do give the pup any medication, you really should take them to see a vet. Starting a dog on HW preventative if they already have HW could be very dangerous for them.

We all want the best for our dogs. Go to a vet and have them check out your pup and get the shots it needs.

[Birdie'sMom]

Birdie had her annual check-up last night. It was time for her rabies and distemper. She also had a heart worm test done (even though she is on Interceptor every month) and she needed another 6 months of Interceptor. The total bill was $149. The vet visit itself costs $35.

[sophie's-mom]

I live in a smaller town and the vet visit, IF you go in with your dog, is $25.00, which does not include shots or take home meds. If I send a dog in on "express" they just give the required shots and I only pay for the shots. The vet gets $25.00 if she has to look at me! :D 47.00 is high for a vet "visit" but if that includes the puppy boosters then it's actually pretty good.

As for the heartworm prevention, that is like a prescription, it's not just doled out. A dog MUST have a negative test for heartworms before petmeds will ship this product. I THINK! At least that's the way it was when I ordered from them. They required the vet information to confirm a negative result for heartworms.

[chivas]

I have the best vet in the world, ( yes, I am biased, LOL). He charges me $27 for a visit and any follow up is free, I just pay for any meds, procedures, etc. I dont vaccinate just do titers and he doesnt charge me for an office visit for titers unless there is something he needs to check out better. And i dont love him because he is reasonable for his prices, I love him because he is truely for the best interest of your pets and extremely informative and helpful ( he once called me while at his mothers funeral to ck on the condition of my dog who was battling osteo, at the time i didnt know where he was at). You dont get that dedication from alot of human doctors!

[unyverse2000]

ok, so I don't start the monthly preventive meds, until i have the pup tested and get the ok from the vet (i wasn't going to start throwing in pills without doing that).

but is that the only two preventive meds that should be given monthly for a healthy dog?

i have to bring a stool sample for the first visit?

[chivas]

Very young pups dont usually get heartworm tested and its a blood test not stool. You can buy one pill at a time till your pup gets its optimum weight and then get a 6 month or 1 year supply. I believe there are more then 2 heartworm preventatives out now, but some also have flea preventative and such in them. I like Interceptor, just my preference.
Kim

[unyverse2000]

i wasn't referring the stool sample to test HW. i was referring in general that i heard i have to bring a stool sample.