Clinic vs Vet for shots?

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

It's time for shots for Bella, and we have a very nice low cost clinic nearby that I had her spayed at, that does shots for much less than our vet.

It would cost me over $175.00 for an exam, Rabies, DAPP, Bordetella and Heartworm test with her and $56.00 at the clinic. BIG difference.

 She doesn't have any issues I feel she needs an exam for, just shots. She was there in June for her Giardia test due to consistant diarrhea which was negative. (Vet thinks she has food allergies that I know she does not)

 Is it worth going to the vet just to get her annual check up and keep her updated as a patient, or just get shots and tests at the clinic and go to Vet as needed for more serious issues? Never know quite what to do in this situation.

I had the Banfield Wellness plan with Murphy so he always went to them for everything, but I'm sure I ended up spending more that way.

What is your thinking?

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

That is a huge price difference. My preference is to have a relationship with a vet and to have the dogs looked at about once a year. My vet gives a very thorough exam and I feel that because of my ongoing relationship with him, he is available to me when I have an emergency in ways that he might not be if I was not a regular client.  I am currently working with my vet and kennel were I board my dogs about alternatives to annual immunizations which I don't think are necessary in dogs that have good baseline immunity.

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

I agree Cindy, that is why I'm hesitant. We did just see her in June and I do feel she would be available in an emergency if I were to see them at least once a yr and for issues and I buy my Heartguard there, so I do frequent there often. I have discuss doing titers for immunizations with her, but the costs of those were even worse than the actual vax. Iknow Karen gets titers, but Jack has medical issues that warrant the cost. It's a hard choice. Now with 2, I just need to be as cost effective as possible without putting them at risk.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The cost for the titers is factored over three years, though. Same with the three year vaccines.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with Cindy. The thorough yearly exam is very important, just like a yearly physical for us. It's important to me to have a relationship with my vet, and also for my vet to know Jack. That relationship does make a big difference when an unexpected illness or emergency comes up. It can also influence treatment decisions when a vet knows your dog's particular issues, both physical and psychological. For example, JD had to have a growth removed a couple of years ago; because his vet knows him and his temperament very well, he felt that it could be done under local anesthetic "for this dog". For an unknown dog, general anesthetic might have been recommended as a matter of course.

I never have all immunizations done at the same time, and I try not to do vaccine cocktails. JD gets a three year rabies shot; we alternate between blood titers and three year shots for distemper, parvo, and hepatitis, which means that he only gets a shot every 5-6 years. Bordatella and parainfluenza vaccines are given intranasally at a different time of year. HW testing is done once a year, also separately. Much of this doesn't necessitate an appointment or being seen by the vet at all. Since JD is UTD on everything and has a yearly exam, when he's due for something, I drop by and the tech gives it to him. I only pay for the vaccine or the blood test, no office visit. The first year you start a program like this, it can be expensive, but after that, the savings can be substantial, and you can feel good about not over-vaccinating your dog.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I do the whole 9 yards at the vet since I don't think it's fair to only use the vet as an ER. But it does get pricey.

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

I agree with you that having that relationship with the Vet can influence how they treat them specifically, I learned that lesson the hard way with Murphy and Banfield as there was a new vet every time we went.

When you factor in titers over 3 yrs that makes sense. She is due in Nov for her 3 yr DAPP and we could do titers when they are due in 3 more yrs.

And yes, some of these are just a drop in visit, if the annual is up to date. I see where you're coming from F, as I wouldn't want to just use them for emergencies and not support them for the routines.

Such a dilema when there are 2 of them. I know, it's my responsibility and having dogs isn't cheap, but did want to get everyone's opinion on this and see what others do. thanks.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think that the clinic would be fine for shots.  Just my opinion. This is what our daughter does.  We have always used our vet for everything  because we would rather give the small business our trade, but I am getting to the point where I am looking at ways to cut costs. Often at our vet, if it is just a shot, the tech does it and you don't see the vet at all. 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

i think it comes down to what you can afford. Yes its nice to have a relationship with a vet, but unless you have a sick dog, your only going to see them once a year anyway, so thats not really much of a relationship. 

 

Id personally go with the clinic.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I think you can have a relationship at the vet yearly and in between too and still have shots done at a clinic. My sister does this and she sure can afford to have it all done at the vet. My mom is going to take her cat to an open clinic for shots this year but she normally does it at the vet. So I guess you shouldn't feel bad for doing what's best for you.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

To me it seems you are not referring to changing for the annual things but for the necessary things this is exactly the same at either place.

Daisy has an annual check up and whatever shots she needs with her regular Vet at that time, we do NOT have any type of relationship with that Vet, he looks her over and she gets her shots. Now, if Daisy were sick or had any issues I would want to go to the same Vet all of the time but thankfully that is not the case.

When her Bordatella was due I took her to the low cost place, I also get her Frontline + and Heartguard there. I see no reason to spend an additional $75 office visit for these things. I like to save money when it's a reasonable way to do so.

 

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

I think a relationship with the vet is important, but if I went there for shots I don't see the vet, only a tech and I am charged an office visit.

We have used the clinic for the shots and gone to the vet for everything else and for a yearly physical. Because Bruno is not our first dog the local vet knows us as she walked the difficult road with us as we treated and eventually had to put our last dog to sleep. So, for our family the local clinic shots are our way to go.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I take my two to the Vet and they get their shots and their "check up".  I like the fact that she has gotten to know them really well and we have developed a "relationship".  As a result, for minor things I can give her a call and she'll give advice or prescribe without having to bring them in for an office visit.