Anyone want to compare prices and/or tell me which of these things seem over-priced or unnecessary? If this is the cost of things then it’s the cost of things, and I don’t mind paying.
$50 Rabies 1 YR
$50 Distemper annual
$52 parvovirus 6 mo booster
$45 bordetella booster
$35 physical exam DVM
I am NOT bitching about the cost if they are reasonable, I’m just wondering if any of these things are optional or if I should be shopping for another vet.
My wife worked for a vet clinic and is still friends with the owner.
Current pricing here in Utah:
$15 Rabies 1 YR
$30 Distemper annual
$0 parvovirus 6 mo booster (included in distemper booster)
$25 bordetella booster
$30 physical exam DVM
I think their prices are low but I guess we are not in South Florida. 
No, those are not unreasonable for a modern, well-equipped vet practice. Yes, you can get all that for about $50 from the country vet whose normal clientele euthanizes their animals if they are going to cost more than $150 to treat for anything.
My vet has on-site digital x-ray, ultrasound, blood analyzers, and a laser surgical suite, and he goes to continuing education all year long.
If that’s the kind of care you give your animals, then it’s not unreasonable.
I’d be happy with paying your bill Rob. My lab need surgery last week (stomach blockage) and the bill was $1500. I really considered the pistol and shovel technique for him but the kids wouldn’t hear of it.
I have spent a hell of a lot more than that on saving a good dog.
Pet insurance is cheap insurance. My wife is crazy about our Boxer and even though she’s still a pup about 13 months old we have it for just in case accidents, surgery, etc. I believe we pay about $25 a month.
We have it too, and it has paid for itself.
As have I. Most vets will let you work out a payment plan for the animal as they hate to see a good pet die because the owner can’t come up with the money upfront. My wife works as a Vet tech and frequently they do things for free if the owner is honest and just can’t come up with the money to save the animal. No one who works in one of those places enjoys seeing pets die.
Normal
can you guys, with insurance for your pets, provide some details on coverage/limitations/premiums?
thanks
I see rabies shot all the time for 10 bucks they do them at churches and other places ,to get to the people that don’t go to a vet .But the other prices listed are a little High ,but it all depends on your area ,the vet
I use this one: http://www.akcpethealthcare.com/ I have been reimbursed for probably 60% of the major vet bills I’ve had in the last few years. I have the Essential Plus plan on each of my dogs.
Seems about right given what I’ve been paying recently. Heck, I had my dog ahem fixed, hip-scored, and vaccinated for about $450. Not too shabby, IMO.
Actually Rob, my wife who is a degree’d and registered Veterinary Technician reviewed your bill and says this :
1yr Rabies is a little high, my practice would charge $35 for this.
The DHPP vaccine (Distemper, Hepatitis (sometimes A2 or adenovirus 2) Parvovirus, Parainfluenza) combo vaccine is usually priced with the Bordatella Vaccine if they are being given at the same time for around $35 total.The exam fee is cheaper though than a usual DVM (here in Denver) would charge, but not by much.
None of those are optional though. Try a vaccine clinic and get a print out for your records, OR all VCA Animal Hospitals are doing a vaccine clinic every Thursday if you call ahead of time.
Finally, since you live in Florida, you should have your dog vaccinated for K9 Flu virus. It’s nasty, spreads like wildfire, and can cause severe Pneumonia. Again at a VCA, $30 per shot, you get one, then a booster in 3 weeks. It is the most prevalent in Florida, first discovered there, and has spread to all of the lower 48. Something to consider.
Rob I believe many of those shots you can simply purchase yourself at the local feed store and administer them yourself for cheaper.
This vet, from what I can tell, is very good and they have multiple vets on staff. Every one we have met has seemed caring and all that, and the facility is nice.
But, if i thought it was possible to get the shots for 75% off that total price or less I’d probably go elsewhere for the shots, and come to these guys just for the illnesses.
I think you have OK, but not great prices. I see all the same injections my dog gets, so no worries there.
I agree on pet insurance, it has saved us quite a bit.
M_P
Having been on the dumb end of a lead for a while, I do a lot of dog maintenance on my own, including all shots but Rabies… it saves a few bucks, but it is really more a matter of convenience, or habit – Having been a rescue home for the last 20 years, we have dumped a metric shit load of cash into saving dogs; worth every penny of it.
I look at it like this… your dog’s vet is just like your doctor, and if I have to drive a little further or pay a little more to go to a vet that: I trust, I like, has a good reputation, is available, has a good staff and facility and most of all, really cares about my dog… small price to pay.
My Lab came down with “Puppy Strangles” (Juvenile cellulitis) last week. When I first got my dog, I said Pet Insurance, I should do that! And never did. Now I have paid well over 600 bucks out of pocket for meds and vet visits, and thats them cutting me a break on some of the costs. As soon as I can, I will be signing up for the insurance. I was wieghing the option of: 100 Shotgun shells = $23 bucks, Vet bills = $600+… (Keeping in my my lab was only $130…) I just couldnt convince myself to do it, Oh and my puppy is going back to the vet tomorrow morning!
Your vet prices look very similar to what I pay for. But our vet cares, they have a good clean clinic, and the owner has 3 hospitals under his care, so I pay extra for a good piece of mind.