vet bill seems high

[ElFenix]

any of this seem high to yall?

$62.00 blood parasite screen
$44.81 canine intestinal parasite screen
$52.44 office visit fee
$4.27 rabies shot
$2.20 leptospirosis shot
$4.03 bordetella vaccine
$54.08 heartgard plus canine
$30.36 hydroxyzine 25mg 14ct


other than generic heartgard being about $20 cheaper i'm not sure where to cut costs. finding a vet without an office visit fee would be nice, but all of them around here charge that.

 

[Newbian]

So how rough was your week? :Q

 

[RKS]

I think our pup was seen every year for the first few years and now he goes in as needed or vacinnation booster (rabies every three years) but your bill doesn't seem to far off what it usually costs us. My B-I-L is a vet so we do get a lot of "samples" to cut costs.

 

[Hacp]

Try negotiating the price?

 

[0roo0roo]

well most of that is done at the humane society for cheap if you adopt one of their dogs i think. otherwise its yes...rapage.

 

[liluqt]

You wouldn't want to see what our guinea pigs' bills are/were like! Thank goodness I purchased health insurance for all of them -- something you could look into if you anticipate your dog going more than once a year to the vet. Blitz pretty much just goes for his annual now and I'd say that I get most of the premium back through claims alone. You get $50 right off the back each year for flea meds and another $40 for heartguard, plus money back for annual vaccinations, fecal testing, etc.. all standard stuff they have to get done every year anyways.

Your doggy's bill doesn't seem out of the ordinary to me. As for as the heartguard goes... you can purchase it online for significantly cheaper. I'm not sure of your dog's weight range, but I purchase the 25-50lb range for my guy for about $30-$35 (6 month supply). Try 1-800 petmeds!

 

[slag]

I dont understand the office visit fee.. its bullshit because you have to go there-there's no way to escape it.

44.81 canine intestinal parasite screen--kind of a bullshit screen test.. Just put him on heartworm medicine for the months he's outside when its warm which it appears your vet is doing already.

Hydroxyzine is used primarily as an antihistamine for the treatment of itches and irritations and is an effective sedative, hypnotic, and tranquilizer. Why did your dog need this?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: slag
I dont understand the office visit fee.. its bullshit because you have to go there-there's no way to escape it.

44.81 canine intestinal parasite screen--kind of a bullshit screen test.. Just put him on heartworm medicine for the months he's outside when its warm which it appears your vet is doing already.

Hydroxyzine is used primarily as an antihistamine for the treatment of itches and irritations and is an effective sedative, hypnotic, and tranquilizer. Why did your dog need this?

Yes, the vet shouldn't charge for examining the dog. And heartworm medication doesn't prevent all intestinal parasites/worms.

For an annual check-up, the costs sound fairly reasonably. The only weird thing is that the office visit fee included $0.44

 

[Chryso]

Considering that vets go to the equivalent of med school they are extremely cheap.

 

[liluqt]

Originally posted by: Chryso
Considering that vets go to the equivalent of med school they are extremely cheap.

I believe vet schools are much more difficult to get into because there's fewer of them, too. :thumbsup: for vets.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: slag
I dont understand the office visit fee.. its bullshit because you have to go there-there's no way to escape it.

44.81 canine intestinal parasite screen--kind of a bullshit screen test.. Just put him on heartworm medicine for the months he's outside when its warm which it appears your vet is doing already.

Hydroxyzine is used primarily as an antihistamine for the treatment of itches and irritations and is an effective sedative, hypnotic, and tranquilizer. Why did your dog need this?

every once in a while he goes through scratching fits where he'll bloody himself. several vets have tried to tell me it's an allergy. this one out here seems to have convinced my father.



that's a 12 month supply for heartgard.

 

[Miramonti]

hydroxyzine is $.22 per 25mg tablet plus $5 shipping at entirelypets.com. Heartguard is probably cheaper as well depending on weight of dog etc. (maybe save a couple bucks w/coupon as well). I have no problem getting scripts from our vet altho some might give you some BS about the quality of the drugs can't be verified online and some diversive story to scare you into buying their overpriced meds.

Our office visit is $30.

Sounds like your dog might have food allergies since its scratching so much, and it might be good to change its diet. Our dog had the same problem after years of eating the same food, and now she doesn't scratch or lick or chew much at all anymore.

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag
I dont understand the office visit fee.. its bullshit because you have to go there-there's no way to escape it.

44.81 canine intestinal parasite screen--kind of a bullshit screen test.. Just put him on heartworm medicine for the months he's outside when its warm which it appears your vet is doing already.

Hydroxyzine is used primarily as an antihistamine for the treatment of itches and irritations and is an effective sedative, hypnotic, and tranquilizer. Why did your dog need this?

Yes, the vet shouldn't charge for examining the dog. And heartworm medication doesn't prevent all intestinal parasites/worms.

For an annual check-up, the costs sound fairly reasonably. The only weird thing is that the office visit fee included $0.44

I do pay an office visit fee, but its $10.00.. Yours sounds high. Dogs dont have many internal parasites to worry about outside heartworms. I think $250.00 for an annual checkup is bloody murder. I sure as hell dont pay that much when I go to the doctor for yearly checkup.

 

[Instagib]

Vet bills are a scam

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: liluqt

Originally posted by: Chryso
Considering that vets go to the equivalent of med school they are extremely cheap.

I believe vet schools are much more difficult to get into because there's fewer of them, too. :thumbsup: for vets.

There are 17 vet schools in the world afaik... my gf is attempting to get into one.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: slag

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag
I dont understand the office visit fee.. its bullshit because you have to go there-there's no way to escape it.

44.81 canine intestinal parasite screen--kind of a bullshit screen test.. Just put him on heartworm medicine for the months he's outside when its warm which it appears your vet is doing already.

Hydroxyzine is used primarily as an antihistamine for the treatment of itches and irritations and is an effective sedative, hypnotic, and tranquilizer. Why did your dog need this?

Yes, the vet shouldn't charge for examining the dog. And heartworm medication doesn't prevent all intestinal parasites/worms.

For an annual check-up, the costs sound fairly reasonably. The only weird thing is that the office visit fee included $0.44

I do pay an office visit fee, but its $10.00.. Yours sounds high. Dogs dont have many internal parasites to worry about outside heartworms. I think $250.00 for an annual checkup is bloody murder. I sure as hell dont pay that much when I go to the doctor for yearly checkup.

I'm assuming you have health insurance that covers your yearly check-up. Not sure why would you compare that to taking a dog to the vets.

When you have to take your dog to the vets besides the annual check-up, you only have to pay $10? Is your vet independent or part of a non-profit clinic? Not sure how he/she could live on $10/visit.

 

[newnameman]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: liluqt

Originally posted by: Chryso
Considering that vets go to the equivalent of med school they are extremely cheap.

I believe vet schools are much more difficult to get into because there's fewer of them, too. :thumbsup: for vets.

There are 17 vet schools in the world afaik... my gf is attempting to get into one.

I count more than 17: http://www.aavmc.org/students_...ssions/vet_schools.htm

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag
I dont understand the office visit fee.. its bullshit because you have to go there-there's no way to escape it.

44.81 canine intestinal parasite screen--kind of a bullshit screen test.. Just put him on heartworm medicine for the months he's outside when its warm which it appears your vet is doing already.

Hydroxyzine is used primarily as an antihistamine for the treatment of itches and irritations and is an effective sedative, hypnotic, and tranquilizer. Why did your dog need this?

Yes, the vet shouldn't charge for examining the dog. And heartworm medication doesn't prevent all intestinal parasites/worms.

For an annual check-up, the costs sound fairly reasonably. The only weird thing is that the office visit fee included $0.44

I do pay an office visit fee, but its $10.00.. Yours sounds high. Dogs dont have many internal parasites to worry about outside heartworms. I think $250.00 for an annual checkup is bloody murder. I sure as hell dont pay that much when I go to the doctor for yearly checkup.

I'm assuming you have health insurance that covers your yearly check-up. Not sure why would you compare that to taking a dog to the vets.

When you have to take your dog to the vets besides the annual check-up, you only have to pay $10? Is your vet independent or part of a non-profit clinic? Not sure how he/she could live on $10/visit.

Let me answer your questions. 1. I do have insurance now, but my pcp is outside coverage of my wife's insurance. For a few months, we paid out of pocket for doctor visits until we could arrange something else. It was $75.00/visit iirc if we paid cash and that covered everything except for blood tests. Prescriptions were still on our prescription plan. $50.00 for a visit to the vet for a dog is just insane.. its a dog for chrissakes, not a person.

Our dog hasnt been to the vet in two years because he doesnt get sick. We do plan on taking him in the next couple months though because its time. My vet is independant, but he's an older man who doesnt try to screw people out of their money like the OP's vet seems to be doing. Guess the op's vet really wants that new car or big house or his wife wants bigger boobs. He lives on $10.00 a visit because he has his secretary (wife) and himself and has been practicing for years. He's a good ol boy who knows his stuff and we've been extremely happy with him.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: slag
I dont understand the office visit fee.. its bullshit because you have to go there-there's no way to escape it.

44.81 canine intestinal parasite screen--kind of a bullshit screen test.. Just put him on heartworm medicine for the months he's outside when its warm which it appears your vet is doing already.

Hydroxyzine is used primarily as an antihistamine for the treatment of itches and irritations and is an effective sedative, hypnotic, and tranquilizer. Why did your dog need this?

Our vet routinely spends 30 minutes with our dog during an office visit. That office visit fee pays for her time and pays for the facilities. ~$50 isn't bad at all.

As saying the parasite screen, how can you say that's unnecessary when you don't even know what the dog has? When we got our dog the parasite check came back positive, its an important test if the dog may be at risk for it.

To the OP, if the vet is good and spends time with the dog then those costs are in line with what you should expect to pay.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: slag

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag
I dont understand the office visit fee.. its bullshit because you have to go there-there's no way to escape it.

44.81 canine intestinal parasite screen--kind of a bullshit screen test.. Just put him on heartworm medicine for the months he's outside when its warm which it appears your vet is doing already.

Hydroxyzine is used primarily as an antihistamine for the treatment of itches and irritations and is an effective sedative, hypnotic, and tranquilizer. Why did your dog need this?

Yes, the vet shouldn't charge for examining the dog. And heartworm medication doesn't prevent all intestinal parasites/worms.

For an annual check-up, the costs sound fairly reasonably. The only weird thing is that the office visit fee included $0.44

I do pay an office visit fee, but its $10.00.. Yours sounds high. Dogs dont have many internal parasites to worry about outside heartworms. I think $250.00 for an annual checkup is bloody murder. I sure as hell dont pay that much when I go to the doctor for yearly checkup.

I'm assuming you have health insurance that covers your yearly check-up. Not sure why would you compare that to taking a dog to the vets.

When you have to take your dog to the vets besides the annual check-up, you only have to pay $10? Is your vet independent or part of a non-profit clinic? Not sure how he/she could live on $10/visit.

Let me answer your questions. 1. I do have insurance now, but my pcp is outside coverage of my wife's insurance. For a few months, we paid out of pocket for doctor visits until we could arrange something else. It was $75.00/visit iirc if we paid cash and that covered everything except for blood tests. Prescriptions were still on our prescription plan.

Our dog hasnt been to the vet in two years because he doesnt get sick. We do plan on taking him in the next couple months though because its time. My vet is independant, but he's an older man who doesnt try to screw people out of their money like the OP's vet seems to be doing. Guess he really wants that new car or big house. He lives on $10.00 a visit because he has his secretary (wife) and himself and has been practicing for years.

Interesting. I'm guessing he doesn't have to spend money on staff, medical diagnostic/surgical equipment, rent, insurance, etc.

So, if he see a patient every 30 minutes, he makes a whopping $20/hr. I'm guessing the cost of living is extremely low where you live.

In the rest of the country, the cost of living is a lot more expensive. I've been to vets in MA, CA and WA. All of them charged between $45-60 for an office visit.

So, no the OPs vet is not ripping him off. You're just extremely lucky but I assume if your dog needed any specialty care, your vet would have to refer you to someone else. If your dog needed surgery and overnight care, would your vet be able to do that? Xrays? Ultrasounds? MRIs?

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag
I dont understand the office visit fee.. its bullshit because you have to go there-there's no way to escape it.

44.81 canine intestinal parasite screen--kind of a bullshit screen test.. Just put him on heartworm medicine for the months he's outside when its warm which it appears your vet is doing already.

Hydroxyzine is used primarily as an antihistamine for the treatment of itches and irritations and is an effective sedative, hypnotic, and tranquilizer. Why did your dog need this?

Yes, the vet shouldn't charge for examining the dog. And heartworm medication doesn't prevent all intestinal parasites/worms.

For an annual check-up, the costs sound fairly reasonably. The only weird thing is that the office visit fee included $0.44

I do pay an office visit fee, but its $10.00.. Yours sounds high. Dogs dont have many internal parasites to worry about outside heartworms. I think $250.00 for an annual checkup is bloody murder. I sure as hell dont pay that much when I go to the doctor for yearly checkup.

I'm assuming you have health insurance that covers your yearly check-up. Not sure why would you compare that to taking a dog to the vets.

When you have to take your dog to the vets besides the annual check-up, you only have to pay $10? Is your vet independent or part of a non-profit clinic? Not sure how he/she could live on $10/visit.

Let me answer your questions. 1. I do have insurance now, but my pcp is outside coverage of my wife's insurance. For a few months, we paid out of pocket for doctor visits until we could arrange something else. It was $75.00/visit iirc if we paid cash and that covered everything except for blood tests. Prescriptions were still on our prescription plan.

Our dog hasnt been to the vet in two years because he doesnt get sick. We do plan on taking him in the next couple months though because its time. My vet is independant, but he's an older man who doesnt try to screw people out of their money like the OP's vet seems to be doing. Guess he really wants that new car or big house. He lives on $10.00 a visit because he has his secretary (wife) and himself and has been practicing for years.

Interesting. I'm guessing he doesn't have to spend money on staff, medical diagnostic/surgical equipment, rent, insurance, etc.

So, if he see a patient every 30 minutes, he makes a whopping $20/hr. I'm guessing the cost of living is extremely low where you live.

In the rest of the country, the cost of living is a lot more expensive. I've been to vets in MA, CA and WA. All of them charged between $45-60 for an office visit.

So, no the OPs vet is not ripping him off. You're just extremely lucky but I assume if your dog needed any specialty care, your vet would have to refer you to someone else. If your dog needed surgery and overnight care, would your vet be able to do that? Xrays? Ultrasounds? MRIs?

He could also just have a vet degree, and not be specialized in anything regarding surgery... That costs less, and then he would not have the equipment obviously... lower overhead...

And he wouldnt be making $20 an hour, he would be making $10 because he would have to pay his wife something.

 

[jinduy]

vet bills are always high

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: slag
I dont understand the office visit fee.. its bullshit because you have to go there-there's no way to escape it.

44.81 canine intestinal parasite screen--kind of a bullshit screen test.. Just put him on heartworm medicine for the months he's outside when its warm which it appears your vet is doing already.

Hydroxyzine is used primarily as an antihistamine for the treatment of itches and irritations and is an effective sedative, hypnotic, and tranquilizer. Why did your dog need this?

Yes, the vet shouldn't charge for examining the dog. And heartworm medication doesn't prevent all intestinal parasites/worms.

For an annual check-up, the costs sound fairly reasonably. The only weird thing is that the office visit fee included $0.44

I do pay an office visit fee, but its $10.00.. Yours sounds high. Dogs dont have many internal parasites to worry about outside heartworms. I think $250.00 for an annual checkup is bloody murder. I sure as hell dont pay that much when I go to the doctor for yearly checkup.

I'm assuming you have health insurance that covers your yearly check-up. Not sure why would you compare that to taking a dog to the vets.

When you have to take your dog to the vets besides the annual check-up, you only have to pay $10? Is your vet independent or part of a non-profit clinic? Not sure how he/she could live on $10/visit.

Let me answer your questions. 1. I do have insurance now, but my pcp is outside coverage of my wife's insurance. For a few months, we paid out of pocket for doctor visits until we could arrange something else. It was $75.00/visit iirc if we paid cash and that covered everything except for blood tests. Prescriptions were still on our prescription plan.

Our dog hasnt been to the vet in two years because he doesnt get sick. We do plan on taking him in the next couple months though because its time. My vet is independant, but he's an older man who doesnt try to screw people out of their money like the OP's vet seems to be doing. Guess he really wants that new car or big house. He lives on $10.00 a visit because he has his secretary (wife) and himself and has been practicing for years.

Interesting. I'm guessing he doesn't have to spend money on staff, medical diagnostic/surgical equipment, rent, insurance, etc.

So, if he see a patient every 30 minutes, he makes a whopping $20/hr. I'm guessing the cost of living is extremely low where you live.

In the rest of the country, the cost of living is a lot more expensive. I've been to vets in MA, CA and WA. All of them charged between $45-60 for an office visit.

So, no the OPs vet is not ripping him off. You're just extremely lucky but I assume if your dog needed any specialty care, your vet would have to refer you to someone else. If your dog needed surgery and overnight care, would your vet be able to do that? Xrays? Ultrasounds? MRIs?

LOL.. what? I would and will and have paid for my pets to be fixed, but if its something more severe than that, no, i dont pay for it.. Its not worth it.. its a pet, not a person.. I think my cutoff is around $250.00.. maybe a bit higher, but if it comes down to it, I wouldn't pay much more. My neighbor had a puppy that had some disease where they had to cut off its femur socket or something like that.. they paid like $850.00 to get it done.

I don't think any pet is worth that much personally(edit) and certainly would not be within my budget to pay that much for surgery. My wife and I are on a strict budget to become debt free and a cost that extensive just isnt in the cards right now.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: slag
LOL.. what? I would and will and have paid for my pets to be fixed, but if its something more severe than that, no, i dont pay for it.. Its not worth it.. its a pet, not a person.. I think my cutoff is around $250.00.. maybe a bit higher, but if it comes down to it, I wouldn't pay much more. My neighbor had a puppy that had some disease where they had to cut off its femur socket or something like that.. they paid like $850.00 to get it done.

I don't think any pet is worth that much personally.

Then you shouldn't own a pet. A dog dying because you won't spend over $250 is pretty cruel.

 

[liluqt]

Originally posted by: Bignate603

Originally posted by: slag
LOL.. what? I would and will and have paid for my pets to be fixed, but if its something more severe than that, no, i dont pay for it.. Its not worth it.. its a pet, not a person.. I think my cutoff is around $250.00.. maybe a bit higher, but if it comes down to it, I wouldn't pay much more. My neighbor had a puppy that had some disease where they had to cut off its femur socket or something like that.. they paid like $850.00 to get it done.

I don't think any pet is worth that much personally.

Then you shouldn't own a pet. A dog dying because you won't spend over $250 is pretty cruel.

Unbelievable. Do you own a pet under the impression that it will never get sick even at the end of its life??