Am I paying too much?

[Rylie, Crystal and Marcel]

I am arranging for my doodle's neuter and our vet quoted us at $300, including the procedure, medication for afterward and for an additional procedure given that one of his testicles has not descended. Is $300 a typical price I should expect from a vet? I know the humane society offers discounted neutering, however, they were unable to really give me a price since they said it is likely to cost more than what they typically charge ($50) because of his undescended testicle and that he may also need blood work which is not included in the price and medication which is not included, plus they have a four week waitlist which is a little longer than we would like. Does anyone have any helpful info??

[Camilla and Darwin]

I think we payed 100-150 for Darwin's neuter at our vet's office, it may have been a little bit more with the blood work. He didn't have any complications though.

My humane society charges around 70 dollars for a spay or neuter for a large dog... so even with an extra 50, it would be cheaper than the 300. We chose the vet just because they offer a full day of monitored time where your dog rests and wakes up from the anesthesia. The humane society usually just sends your dog home when they are done, without letting them recoverer for very long.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Not only that, but most low cost spay & neuter clinics do not include a pre-surgery work-up, IV fluids, or pain meds in those advertised prices. When you call them, they start giving you all the additonal costs and it really adds up. And who would have let their dog have surgery under general anesthetic without IV fluids or pain meds?????
I don't know what a standard neuter costs, but around here, a standard spay costs about $350. There is a big variance from one area of the country to the next.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We paid $200 for Murphy's neuter. This did include some blood work which the Vet always does if she's putting the dog under anesthesia as well as the IV fluids.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Sounds reasonable especially considering the additional procedure. I would definately take my dog to a vetinary practice vs. a humane society.

[Melissa, Samson & Shelby]

$300 is about what I paid at my vet. Sounds reasonable to me.

[Rylie, Crystal and Marcel]

Thanks Everyone, I appreciate the feedback!!

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I would have to agree that the $300 sounds reasonble considering there is an extra procedure. I am in Akron, OH and was VERY lucky that our vet volunteers at a local spay/neuter clinic and for us it was $250 at the office or $80 at the clinic with the same vet! They did include pain medicines and monitored her for 6 hours afterwards. Good luck! Let us know how his surgery goes ~ he is a DOLL!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Spud was $100.

Starlit was $170 which was higher due to the fact she had gone into heat 2 days before ( we had made the appointment 10 days prior) or her surgery would have been $140

It depends. I also live in the Akron, Ohio area but our economy is way below the national average right now with unemployment still in the double digits. Not good here at all.

For blood work--our vet's paper work said dogs older than 5-6 required a chemistry workup before surgery to make sure the vital organs can handle the anesthesia. Blood work was not required for young healthy dogs. Pain medication was optional with an additional $10.00 charge <--- for me pain medication is a must--not an option.
Our vet REQUIRES all pets have an overnight stay with these procedures which adds to the higher cost. A vet is in the facility all night. I'll pay for that!

Undescened testicles sounds to be a much more invasive procedure and would make more sense to have a higher cost.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with all that's been said. The vet will probably have to do an abdominal incision to get at the undescended testicle . That especially needs to come out due to a higher rate of cancer in undescended testicles. I'd go with the vet.

[Kim]

Allie's was $90 with a Spay Certifricate from Friends of Animals. Our Vet participates in the program, but didn't tell us about the program - I found it myself. You should check into it. Click on the attached link to see if your Vet participates! http://friendsofanimals.org/programs/spay-neuter/index.html

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Seems quite high to me, but my vet is old-fashioned and his fees are fairly old-fashioned also. Lucky us.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

as a breeder I have seen less and I have seen a lot more (up to $600)... it depends on your area and the vet.