Varying Vet Fees

[Katherine L]

I just have to say - 1 - i love my dog and want him to be 100% at all times.

2.  I am so frustrated right now I just don't know what to do...

I woke up this morning to my wonderful goldendoodle, Coffee having green pus coming out of his eyes.  I worried about him all day and called my mother back home in michigan who has two standard poodles about if i should go to the vet.  She said her poodle just had had the same problem and they only charged her $10 to pick up the eye infection cream.  I just went to the vet - got the same medicine - and was charged $146 for the same exact thing.  they insisted on seeing my dog and of course they charged me for a visit, for some test that took one second and of course was negative and 30 for the same medication. 

I'm like sick about this....

So - my question is... where can i find a vet i can trust.... one who isn't going to try and charge hundreds of dollars for an obviously non expensive issue.  I mean - i am willing to pay but how can this be so different? My dog had diarrhea a month ago and they charged me three hundred dollars for a bag of food and pepto.

Does anyone know a vet in jersey that doesn't charge like this?  I just want a vet I can trust.  I live in jersey city, but i'd drive a couple hours for the right vet.

Let me know!

Thanks,

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can't help you with finding a vet, but I can help with things like the expensive RX food from the vet- don't buy it. It isn't medicine, it can't cure anything, and it's usually a bag full of corn and the cheapest, unhealthiest ingredients you can find.

Why You Should Say No When Your Vet Recommends Rx Food

For any kind of digestive issue, we have lots of help in The Food Group.

You may want to ask about vets in the Jersey Doodles group.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I feel the same Katherine. I live in Canada on the border of the US and vets are so much cheaper in the US. Vets were cheaper in vancouver,  too so i guess it varies where in the country you are

[Candice & Bailey]

It really depends on the vets you go to even in the same city. I've found a vet I love, who doesn't gouge and has treated us well through the years. Our old vet was really good but pricey. (I live on the Canada/US border as well Kaytlin, Vancouver area)

[Vivian & Mojo]

My vet overcharges, I saw him for my puppy's diarrhea and was charged $154.00 for exam, tests and food, the prescription food made him sicker so I boiled ground beef and mixed with rice, he was better in 24 hours. I'm going to change vets when my puppy package I bought is over at 1 year. I found another vet I like and having Mojo neutered there with a $64.00 voucher from Friends of animals, my vet doesn't take the voucher and charges $450.00 to neuter. I don't mind paying but come on.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Ah, the age old question of why.

Please don't take offense, and I am not condoning the charge but chances are the Vet your mom has knows her over the years and he knew he did not have to see her. In your case, new puppy (or new blood) and he had to be seen. Yes a little more (agreed) but not as bad as it could have been.

The first "poopy" visit was way too high in my opinion.

Yes it's time to shop around, it took me 3 Vets to find the right one, not so much the money but the bed side manor. There are a lot of members in Jersey, start by joining the Jersey Doodle Group, they will have a lot of help for you there.

Oh and of course, listen to Karen about the food, most Vets use selling food as a money maker and don't have a clue.

[Doris]

I agree with Daisy.  Do you have a relationship with this vet?  They would be at fault if they just gave out medicine without checking your doodle! I have an established relationship with my vet.  Bodi has reaccuring itchy skin in fall and spring.  We went in a few weeks ago.  I was not charged for the office visit, which of course, made me very happy.  I was charged for an injection and medication.  $46.  In the past my vet has suggested blood tests (asked my permission) suggested x-rays (asked my permission) etc.  I feel like I am in control.  Of course, Bodi is my BABY, so he gets full treatment!

I hope that you can find a vet you like and trust, but remember, they can't just pass out meds.  They need to protect your dog and themselves! Ü

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

The cost of living in New Jersey and Michigan have a lot to do with these charges. I live in Ohio and have compared New Jersey vetting with Ohio's vetting on several occasions with foster doodles and a few Jersey friends.
It honestly sounds like you had the going rate in the Jersey area. It really is cheaper to own a dog in Ohio/MI :)
I Also agree, an established relationship can be priceless - yes pun intended

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

While I agree that the cost of vetting in OH/MI is cheaper than NJ, I would also suggest shopping around a little bit.  I can encounter these same issues right here in my small town area of OH.  There are Vets where it would cost a fortune and then there are small town country vets where the prices are reasonable.  If you find the right vet, then establish a relationship with them, then you could expect treatment such as what your Mom experienced.   I have a Vet a mile from my house, but I drive about 20 miles to another Vet because I'm more comfortable with the way that she does business.  If I had had to go to the office and pay an office visit fee and tests for every issue I've had with my girls, I would be completely broke.  She always tells me what to do over the phone if it is at all possible.  However, when she feels it is necessary she has us come in. So, just shop around.  I also sort of get the feeling that small independent offices are probably more in line with what you are looking for rather than big corporate Vets like the ones in Petsmart and places like that.   In the meantime I would suggest that you get some Pet Insurance because regardless of what Vet, chances are at some point you are going to encounter a huge bill!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Me too, S&L's Mom. We also take the 20 mile drive even though I have 3 vets within 3 miles. We go back to my husbands old family small office vet where a relationship began over 45 years ago. The costs near me may be higher but it is also the care and established trust.
Yes- get insurance NOW ;)

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

I love my vet but she charges about $350 for neutering.  The vet that I have taken fosters to is about 1/2 an hour away and only charges $150 depending on the weight of the dog. 

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Hi Katherine,  I live in NJ (central) and have two doodles Oliver goes to Banfield Vet (inside PetSmart) and my Sasha goes to a vet that I have been going to for a million years :)    He is expensive that is why when I got Oliver I joind him up in Banfield to see if there was any savings.  Oliver is on the Banfield plan that when he was a puppy it included his neutering, all shots, and deworming, etc. etc.  It was like $25 a month, now he is on the wellness plan that includeds once a year blood work, shots,etc.   I was thinking of switching Sasha from her vet to Banfield as well.  I do not like banfield all that much but it is serving its purpose for right now until I find a vet that does not charge you a arm and leg.  And I want to keep up on all shots and preventatives so this is working for now.  When you belong to banfield you do not pay office visits you just pay for meds, and of course they push the meds.  If you know the human version of some meds you can decline and say that you have your own or you will purchase OTC meds.  But that is not the case on all meds though.  The vets are OK in banfield but the one I go to you have to wait a really long time most of the time to see them eventhough you have a appointmet.   I am in the same boat as you and have been looking around as well so I can have both dogs go to the same vet !!!

[Raley the Doodle]

Check around your area for a "cash only" vet. I have one about 90 minutes from me - they do not charge a visit fee, just for any texts or medication - we did all of my doodles puppy shots there, saved us a ton of money! Also, there used to be a vet in my area that waived visit fees on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5pm - they just didn't advertise it, you had to ask or hear it from someone. See if you can find any secret deals! Good luck!