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Vet bill shock...

December 26th, 2013 at 08:29 pm

So, we adopted two kittens from one of our CSA farm's barn cats. They're healthy, etc. We took them in for their initial round of shots, check up, and boosters and brace your self. The bill for the two of them was $550.

Since when does taking two cats to the vet for shots cost that much???? I'm still reeling. I also asked them how much it will cost to get the cats fixed, and just for the spaying (the girl), it is $225. I'm in shock.

Who can afford that???

I called the low-cost spay/neuter shelter and it will cost me about $50 each to have them fixed. Why is there such a huge cost differential??

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments »

8 Responses to “Vet bill shock...”

  1. klarose Says:
    December 26th, 2013 at 08:58 pm 1388091508
    1388091508

    Oh my goodness! I would absolutely pee myself if they told me it was that much!

    This is a good lesson though, always ask how much it will cost BEFORE you take them in.

    That is ridiculous, and I would seriously be throwing a fit and demanding the bill be lowered. That is pure profit for them.

    I just got my kitten vaccinated and spayed for $50 last week.

    And then people wonder why no one wants to take their animals to the vet for their shots and such, and why there is so many unwanted pets. Sheesh!

  2. Mrs.M180 Says:
    December 26th, 2013 at 09:17 pm 1388092648
    1388092648

    Our local spay/neuter clinic also does routine care and grooming (check ups, teeth cleaning, hair + nails, prescription food and meds) for less than a third of the Vet office's costs. Personally, I'd recommend not going to a Vet clinic except in medical emergencies, as you're paying quite a bit for the "name brand" experience.

  3. creditcardfree Says:
    December 26th, 2013 at 11:00 pm 1388098801
    1388098801

    The difference is that the vet you went to is in the business for profit and your clinic is likely a non profit. Pictures?

  4. snafu Says:
    December 27th, 2013 at 06:42 am 1388126533
    1388126533

    There is huge controversy about how vets manage their practice. Prices have escalated since 2009. Their Professional [State/Provincial] organization licenses based on credentials but there is no oversight. The Board appears to have a long list of cliches which throws responsibility on pet owners to know what is needed, what is in the interest of the pet, which are in the interest of the vet and which benefit pet's owner emotionally but are very expensive. Many Vets do a terrific amount of up-selling. They recommend dog foods that are technically unproven better than good products at general outlets but guess what...way more expensive. Many suggest it's necessary to re-vaccinate every year when every 3 years is proven adequate.

    CBC Marketplace is running a series based on undercover vet visits by an award winning dog which is very revealing.

  5. Looking Forward Says:
    December 27th, 2013 at 06:54 pm 1388170452
    1388170452

    That is a lot! Did you have bloodwork done or something? Or pre-pay for the whole set of vaccinations upfront? I could understand the price if you pre-paid everything in a "Kitten Package".
    I will say the cost of the spay is close to what is charged by a private practice here.
    The difference in cost is because a private vet needs to pay bills (lots of overhead).
    A shelter, or non-profit, is funded with grants, donations, etc... The vets and nurses who do the surgeries donate their time. Almost always the drugs and vaccinations used are donated by the maunufacturers.

  6. ThriftoRama Says:
    December 27th, 2013 at 07:47 pm 1388173637
    1388173637

    No prepay. One blood test, each kitten at $50 each, then vaccinations, and the fee to see the vet. Even though it was one appointment, they charged me for two appointments because I brought two cats. Argh.
    The low cost spay place is a private practice,not a shelter, so why the discrepancy in cost? The last time I had a spay/neuter was 20 years ago, but then it was under $40. I know there has been inflation, but seriously??

  7. looking forward Says:
    December 28th, 2013 at 03:25 am 1388201148
    1388201148

    Hmm.. maybe the low cost vet looks at it like he is providing a community service. For a long time we kept our spay and neuter rates artificially low (like break even or less) because it's best for everyone if the surgery is done.
    It's interesting because a spay is a pretty major abdominal surgery (hysterectomy) and yet it is almost always cheaper than a dental cleaning or having a skin mass removed or many other "easier" procedures.
    I am thankful pets can get "fixed" for free or low cost in so many places, but it greatly diminishes the value of the service.

  8. mrsm180 Says:
    November 8th, 2018 at 10:06 am 1541671599
    1541671599

    Pam did you really need to dig five years down the list to find something to be indignant about? Get a hobby.

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