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.

 

 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I waited to have Tara spayed until after her first heat cycle too. She was just over a year old. It was a non laser surgery and cost $100.00 for the spay plus $29.00 for pain meds (one shot and some pills to take home). She didn't require a cone head and by the next day acted like nothing had happened.Which made it interesting trying to keep her RELAXED!

I guess you already know that your quote seems very high relatively speaking...

Aren't Pain Control and Post Op Analgesia the same thing? Or is one for the clinic and on for home? I would definitely forgo the X-ray due to her age and because it sounds like you have not had any symptoms or indications of problems.

My cat Amber recently had some dental work and had IV fluids for the procedure. In her case, it was not known how long the surgery would take and how many extractions she would need (she has a condition that causes tooth death) so they wanted to be able to keep her fluids stable and also have quick access to administering drugs in case of complications. However with a healthy dog and a simple spay I don't know that they would be needed.  Tara did not have them.

I think you can end up with spay incontinence with either method. In some cases it is due to a botched job by the vet. But also a spay will effect their hormone balance so sometimes the incontinence is caused by a change in muscle tone due to hormone imbalance. This can sometimes be remedied or improved with hormone treatment and/or other drugs.

Wow, a lot of decisions to make!!  Since you have the time maybe it would be worth getting a second or third opinion. You can probably get a quote from other vets just with a phone call.

[Pam & Trixie]

Thanks Tara,   Nice to hear from someone who waited. 

Im not sure why two 'pain meds' are listed.  I didnt think to ask them. (called yesterday- Actually I made my dh call)

They said that the IV is listed for if they need it.  It is not always needed....I do recall now it was listed as needed for my Older dog as a safety measure.

I have asked for estimates from 2 other vets.

Didnt ask about the Xray as I do not plan on doing that- no matter what their answer is.

when I added up the items I would need/have it was $443...If the IV ends up being needed then it would be $511

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My vet charged about $300 with all the IV fluids, pain meds, etc. for spaying a standard female foster.  Rescue got a discount, but that would have been the price if she was mine.

[Carol Brand]

I advise everyone to shop around if they are seeking a veterinary procedure for their dogs.  The cost difference from practice to practice and even town to town can be shocking.  My mother wanted to get her Poodle's teeth cleaned.  She called 5-6 vets and was quoted $98-$700 for the same procedure.  

[Pam & Trixie]

So I got 1 quote from a vet a town over...I inquired at another vet another town over- but never heard back.

The quote I got was almost the same as my vet.  I dont know if an IV was standard with the surgery...As it was not Itemized.

They required a check up before surgery which was an additional $50.

 

Also their chipping fee was only about $5 less then mine charged.

 

So maybe my vet for this area is not over priced.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It sounds like you might be stuck! I'm still surprised at the prices though! Ugh! If you get what you pay for then you should be getting excellent care for Trixie! That would be good! :)

[Pam & Trixie]

Trixie goes in to be spayed on Thursday.  I hope it all goes really good.  Wish her luck : )

I will be skipping the Laser, Having her Chipped, No Xrays,  Pain meds of course, IV if necessary.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It sounds like a good plan! Best wishes for her surgery and her nervous mommy! :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I hope all goes well for Trixie.  Let us know...

[F, Calla & Luca]

Wishing Trixie all the best for her spay.

[Pam & Trixie]

Thanks for all the well wishes!

[Pam & Trixie]

Trixie has been home about 1 hour.

They said she was very vocal all day at the vet- before & after surgery (crying) 

She cried here for about 25 minutes & is now resting quietly.

Hopefully she will rest well all through the night.

 

Oh & my total was $439.   $3 less then I had figured it out to be from my choices on their ala carte.