Spaying & my Fears...Questions too

[Pam & Trixie]

So Trixie will be Spayed in January...I waited until after her first heat because she had Puppy vaginitis.

Which 'seems' to be gone now that she has been in heat.

 

So I need to decide if I should go with the old Traditional Scalpel Surgery or Laser ($71 more) Which Isnt the main issue...But it is still there...our Estimate from our vet is $340-$760 for her Spay...Chipping is $63...Which I will have done- but it seems rather high.

 

I need to call them with my questions...

Some of the items on the High end Estimate:

 

IV fluids & Pump is an additional $67...Im not sure what this is...if they need it?

Xray the hips $98...I thought that was done after 2 years of age to check for hip dysplasia...?

Therapeutic Laser Post Op...$17.50. I have no idea what that is.

Post Op Pain control $22.50...Will she maybe not need this...if Laser is done?

Post Op Analgesia  $22.50- Again...These last 2 are listed only in the High Column

 

There is also Pain Managment listed $9-$50 (Low -Hi)

 

I have owned 4 dogs that I had Spayed...One had Piometria- ER Surgery.

2 Were under the age of 2...All of them were Scalpel.

 

My Last dog was spayed at 6 years with the Laser & She had Urinary Incontinence starting about 10 months after her surgery... Coincidence??  

So thats my fear.

 

Cone head- $18- Have one of them already.

 

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think laser surgery is easier on the dog.  I believe the IV fluids are necessary, and in Murphy's case the anesthesia was administered via the IV.  The Vet also needed to have the IV running in case there was any emergency during the surgery to administer meds that might become necessary.  I think most of the Vets will give (and prescribe) pain meds for post surgery.  I do wonder about the Xrays of the hips.  Why does the Vet think that is necessary, especially for a puppy of this age.  I would definitely push back on that....did Trixie's parents get the hip clearance?  If yes, that would make me question it even more.  It just seems very strange that they want to do those x-rays....maybe they're looking for a baseline, but even so I wouldn't pay for that.

[Pam & Trixie]

Thanks Jane...So I was going to reply that all the High end listings were Optional...As I relook at my sheet...The Post Op Pain meds are not optional...They are just listed only on the high end...Which doesnt make sense..Because then they should be included on the low estimate too.

 

I think the Hips he put there as An Option as a money maker for him.  I dont plan on having her hips xrayed at this age.

The IV Fluid is Listed in Pink as an Option...Thats why that does not make sense to me...its like it is something that might be needed...

I thought with all surgeries IV fluids were given.

 

I have read about the differences in the laser vs Scalpel...Here is what one site said: (most said similar)

Each spaying method has pros and cons. Laser surgery is more expensive than traditional surgery because the veterinarians have to undergo specific training in order to learn how to use the equipment. Specialized laser equipment also costs more than common surgical tools. Dogs spayed with a laser feel better faster than traditionally spayed dogs, but the healing process is slower. Because pain is not indicative of internal injury, laser-spayed dogs are more likely to re-aggravate their injuries with energetic playing too soon after surgery. Traditionally spayed dogs heal faster. However, traditionally spayed dogs have a tendency to lick the incision site, which can lead to infection. They also suffer more short-term pain.

 

So It is less painful- a Plus...But healing takes longer...

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so surprised that it says healing takes longer.  Maybe others will "weigh in" here, but that seems counter intuitive to me.  I know that I've had two laser surgeries, and that cut my healing time significantly.  I know it says that laser spayed dogs are more likely to re-injure themselves by playing too soon....but that's directly under our control. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yep, sounds high to me also.  Our SPCA does neuter and spay clinics every week or so.  If I remember, it was $25.  My last two dogs came neutered, so it has been a while.  I think my dog 8 years ago was also $25 at the vet.  However, recently I saw an ad at the vet's office that neuter and spay was $200 during the clinics.  When they have the clinics, the doctor is cutting (scalpel) all day long.  I would check with the local SPCA and see what they recommend.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

I agree! I have an appt for Loki coming up with my local SPCA and it was so straight forward because they had everything bundled nicely which made it seem so much less confusing! Also the price was nice and it included all post op care too regardless for what anitibiotics or pain meds the vet determines they need. He hasn't had his surgery yet but so far it has been very pleasant!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have no experience with the laser surgery, but you definitely need the IV fluids and pain meds if you are going with traditional spay surgery.

My vet charges $60 for chipping, and I believe that includes the chip registration, which is typically $20-25.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Daisy was spayed at 6-1/2 months, not laser but they closed her up with a laser, no stitches. She was just under the 50# mark, if she were 51 it would have cost us an additional $130 in anesthesia. They chipped her while she was under and it was only $25.

Her total was $392 , they kept her overnight. I did opt for the pain meds, the IV fluids is not an option, I mean what if she needed it and I didn't give it to her, how would I have known. They did not X-ray her hips, like you I don't think that is necessary at this age. However  if they do it now they do put her under to do it, so more anesthesia, more cost. I will not be doing a routine X-ray unless there is some reason I notice, like getting up or down too slowly. Does anyone on DK just do X-rays for the hips, am I not being a good owner?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't think hip x-rays are necessary without some good reason. What's the point? If there is no disability why would you do anything about whatever you found. I don't believe in getting tests like x-rays for no reason.

[BG and Gavin]

Wow, this sounds like an a la carte menu at a high end restaurant.  When Gavin was done it was $180.  He stayed overnight, came home with a cone on and they gave me a couple of days worth of meds.  I know the surgery is more intrusive for a female, but having all these choices would have most certainly made me anxious.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Sasha went under the knife and was definately on pain meds.  She came thru with flying colors.  At the same time my sisters chow had laser surgery which was only about $50 more dollars than regular so she chose the laser and had no problems what so ever.  Sasha's surgery cost $700

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

This sounds just like my Vets estimate for spaying Bella a yr ago. It was around $700.00. I researched our spay and neuter clinic nearby and spoke to several owners who had used them and went there for her spaying. Total cost, with 4 days of pain meds, an umbilical hernia repair and anesthesia was $90.00.
She had no IV and was home with me within about 2 hours after waking up. I recovered her myself, had my own syringes to administer fluids if she did not drink ,but didn't need it. And I never used a cone either. I just told her to stop if she licked, which she hardly did. The worst was stopping her from playing after about 36 hours post-op!
I am sure there are cases where there are emergencies during surgery and need Ivs but I had not run across a high percentage of that in my research. I was very pleased with the care and treatment she received and they kept me informed from the time they medicated her for surgery, called when she came out of it and an hour later to let me know how she was handling the discomfort. this option isn't for everyone I know, but neither is spending $700.00.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

When facing the same kind of numbers that you are quoting, I checked around and found the spay/neuter mobile clinic that comes to locations in our area.  For 90 dollars, they will take her in the morning, and give her back in the afternoon.  Any immunizations that are needed are free, including rabies.  The charge extra if you want a cone of shame and pain medications to take home are an extra 5 dollars.  It is called the SNAP program and had been recommended by the man that bred Seda; he used it on his littlers.  I didn't wan early spay with her and she was three months old when I got her.  I went without any problems.  All you have to do is call and make an appointment and show up.  Hip xrays can be done when they are asleep if its time for them and you want them.  I didn't so that.  She is walking and runny just fine, So for under a hundred I thought they did a good job,  She had a smooth and uneventful recovery.  Good luch with this,