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?

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin recently saw the vet so I was thinking of going to a clinic. For us it's a difference of about 75 dollars. A huge savings for us.

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

I appreciate everyones thoughts on this. I do feel it's important to have a relationship with the vet and she has been very cooperative when I have asked her for panacur or albon when she wanted to give the flagyl as the first drug because she does know me, Bella's history and that I'm a nurse and can discuss meds with some background.  She even gave me Opi-Ottic for Murphy who wasnt't even her patient at the time because I explained his ear symptoms to her.

I called the office today and they are having a special on vax next month and will do them for $10.00. The exam is still 50, but then she is pretty much done for another yr.  I did have the Bordetella and heartworm tests done on them both in June and I may continue to do some that way and still see her for the annual and any illnesses that come up.

I do need her to know Murphy well too as he hasn't seen a vet in 10 months as he has been doing well and is UTD with vax.

Murphy has a real fear of Vets now that he has had so many different ones treating him at Banfield for a year of battling with chronic ear infections and their method of "Taking him to the back" to examine him that I stopped allowing after I saw his terror with a subsequent visit.     So we don't go to Banfield anymore and I will be taking him in with Bella for an annual check up as well. Thanks all

[Camus]

I would go to the clinic. We love our vet, but I did all puppy shots myself (cost 10 times less than at the vet). The vet was ok with that and we just discussed the schedule with him. We did the rabies shot at the vet, of course. If we need a real consultation we go to see our vet.

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

Yes, the rabies and distemper require an exam, (per vet) so I will get those with her, but the other drop in type vax that there is no need to see vet for seem fine to just go to the clinic. The first year is so expensive, that I know they understand as well and have been great about me just faxing over any records from the clinic. Thanks