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.

 

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Not that we wouldn't do anything for our dogs, but at $700, I can see why many people are NOT spaying their female dogs.  That makes it a 'have to save up for' situation rather than an 'okay let's do it' situation. Life happens while we are 'saving up.'  I don't mean to imply that it is okay not to spay because of the cost, just that it is a lot of money to dole out at one time.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I think ours was slightly over $300 with everything except the cone included that was extra. Seems kind of high.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

We were able to use Friends of Animals for the discount spaying with our regular vet a few years ago.  You may want to check and see if yours is a part of that.  Our second doodle came neutered so it's been a couple years. 

[Pam & Trixie]

Thanks for all the replies!   Im glad that you all think the cost (high end) Is alot too.  I think it was about 5 years ago that we spayed our 6 yr old dog there & that was about $600 I think...But she was older & bigger so that added to the cost.

 

The low end estimate I could handle...But there are alot of things on the high end like Chipping, Pain meds, Etc that I will need.

 

 

I did look up the SNAP program in our area & we dont qualify for them. (it would have been $60 to have them do it-$10 more if she was over 50#)  ...And if she was a Boy with an Undestended testicle it would be $1 per minute to find...Can take up to 30 minutes sometimes it said (interesting info) :o

 I can not find any other Discount Spay programs.  The Animal Humane society only Spays animals from them.

 

I have been wanting Trixie to reach 50 #s for months now & she never does....I can see in January her tipping the 50# mark & costing us more $$ LOL

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Wow. Our cost of living in Ohio is a little lower here in Ohio but not that much. I have paid for a neuter and spay in the last 2.5 years, and have had four dogs chipped! Here are the costs:
Chipped: $20:00
Neuter: $120.00 plus $10.00 for pain meds
Spay: $140. 00, but it increased to $167.00 because she went into heat the day before.

There was 'no choice' scalpel vs laser-- after all who would even offer a choice when there are updated methods proven to safer, less invasive, easier on the client, and promotes a faster recovery rate?

[Pam & Trixie]

Our vet is very over priced...I have known that for some time.  There are not other vets for me to pick from that are close by- which I do like to have them close...I have had to rush many dogs to the vet....But I am looking for another vet ...One that I like...With resonable costs.

 

I have not read anywhere that the laser surgery is less invasive.  It is not laproscopic surgery...Just the Incision is done with a Laser vs a Scalpel.

 

It is less pain they say for the Animal...I also think it could be easier on the vet if there is less bleeding.

But I am still not sold on it....I have read on at least 4 sites that offer both laser & Scalpel that the Laser surgery incision takes longer to heal...even though the animal feels better sooner.

 

I would like to see more info on the differences between the 2....If anyone can find some info to post

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

In Ireland spay cost is $130 and this includes anything that might be needed.  Pain meds and anesthesia are part of the whole deal.  I know your vet cost are very high in the US but I do think yours are particularly steep.  I did switch vets some years ago as he was ordering lots of tests that were not necessary and I got a feeling it was all about the money and not necessarily about the pets health.  The hamster who ended up on a drip and cost me about $600 was the final straw!!!

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

holy molie...ya want to come and stay with me in nebraska and use my vet.. .lilly cost a little over 180.00 with laser and dthe whole thing..

[Pam & Trixie]

Yes, I do want to come have it done in NE!

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

message me and come on down..we will have room for you and trixie:)

 

[Chloe, Finley & Mama Shelley]

I feel bad, I havent even talked to my Vet yet about spaying Chloe (she is 41/2 months) Yes, I plan on having it done, but wow, now I am scared! All these decisions..  The vet did mention chipping and said its only 25.00 so that part I can do.

I do have a question for you Pam, you mentioned Trixie had Puppy Vaginitis?? I am wondering if that is what my Chloe has?

Can you explain to me symtoms? My vet said she thought she had something maybe it was that but I dont recall what she said. She gave me some spray for it and told me to wipe her with a warm cloth twice a day, but she still seems to lick the area a lot and has sticky hair from it around the area? Is that what yours was like?? Any suggestions?

[Pam & Trixie]

Hi Shelley,  It does sound like Chloe could have puppy vaginitis (it is different then adult vaginitis)

Sometimes it does go away on its own.  Trixies didnt seem to want to do that.  From researching it. 

I read that if you wait to have them spay until after their 1st heat that that may clear it up (but not always)

Trixie went in heat in Oct & she rarely licks herself now...I also have not noticed any discharge.

You can also use unscented baby wipes on Chloe.  They say the most important wipe is right before bed...To help keep bacteria away for the night.  

There are cons to spaying after the 1st heat...The biggest concern for me was it increases the chance of mammary cancer ( a Later spay)  So one has to decide from the pro & con list- what to do.

 

if you google 'puppy vaginitis' you can find lots of info.  I hope I have helped some.