How Does This Compare With Your Vet's Pricing?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jackdoodle had his annual exam today. The total bill was $371. You'd think I would no longer be shocked by that, but I always am, lol.

I thought it would be interesting to hear how these prices compare to other vets around the country. (I'm in the Northern suburbs of Chicago).

Here's the breakdown:

Annual exam- 38.00

Fecal parasite screening- 28.00

Bordatella vaccine (intranasal)- 37.00

3-Year Rabies shot- 65.00

County Rabies tag fee- 18.00

Heartworm test- 45.00

Titer for Distemper/Parvo- 86.00

Hazardous waste disposal- 3.00

(The additional 51.00 was for a B12 injection and Tramadol, which would of course not apply to most dogs.)

Hopefully this made some of you feel better, either because your vets charge less or because you were smart enough to get pet insurance. :) 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I do think it's healthier to titer rather than vaccinate, but there is also a 3 yr version of the Distemper/parvo vaccine that might be a good option. Of all the dogs I know who have been titered, I've never yet heard of one who didn't show good immunity to the diseases. Even Jack, who hasn't had the vaccine in more than 4 years. :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

JusT why my vet agreed we could skip last years without a titer.

[Charlotte and Bo]

I'm on Staten Island and my vet charges--  $65 for the office visit

                                                                     $28 for DA2P 3y

                                                                     $28 for Bordatella

                                                                     $28 for parvo 3y

                                                                     $28 for Rabies 3y

I also pay $72 for clomipramine  and $52 for Revolution.

Who knows what the prices will be on the next go round.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This sounds similar to my area. More for the office visit, less for the rabies, but the totals are about the same.

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

Wow, I'm feeling like vets in Seattle (in the city) have high prices. Last month Oliver went to the vet for his checkup and lepto shot. The total was $100, I believe the breakdown was $70 for the office visit and $30 for the vaccine. However, we do get a good deal on Revolution at eight months for $95 and they don't require yearly heartworm tests for dogs on year round prevention (heart worm is really rare in Seattle).

Our last vet was priced similarly too (located in the east suburbs of Seattle) so it would seem that vets just charge more in our area. :(

[Donna, Emma, Bender & Busby]

We are in Rockland County, NY (about 45 miles NW of NYC) and my three (Bender, Emma and Busby) will be going for their annual exams on Saturday.  Having said that, here is the breakdown from last April: 

Physical Exam:    $65

Bordatella (Intranasal):  $25

Lyme Vaccine:  $37

DHP/CPV/CV (3yr) $25

Rabies Vaccine (3yr)  $25

Lyme/Ehrl/Hwt/Ana/I Snap Test $70

Fecal (Combo) $37

So, for two of the dogs we were charged $284 each, and one was $289 because we were only charged once for the $5 medical waste disposal fee.  Can't wait to see how much this year's prices will increase over these.  At least the wellness rider to our insurance will cover $200 for each of my three guys.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank goodness for insurance! Three at once is a major hit in the pocketbook! 

[Donna, Emma, Bender & Busby]

I can tell you, it's a good thing that I had been leaning on the counter when they gave me the total.  Having only adopted Busby the previous November, (yes, I am a Foster Failure!) I hadn't had all three to the vet yet!  This year, I'm certainly more prepared although the thought of a $900 WELL bill is a bit staggering.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

At least it's a well bill, lol. That's always better than a $900 sick bill. :) 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

You mean we are supposed to look at the bill before we pay it? LOL 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't know, Laurie, it might be better not to look, lol.

But I was once waiting to pay JD's bill at the specialty center for a laser treatment, which is typically $32, when the woman behind the counter said "Okay, so it's six hundred and something-something for today". She was looking at someone else's bill. So it might pay to check first, lol. 

[Amy and Annabelle]

So I called to set up Annabelle's appt for next week and got some pricing. The heartworm test is $23, Lyme vax is $40 and a $2 disposal fee. If she sees her vet that would be another $35. Just seeing the vet tech there is no office charge. This new vet is offering some wellness plans for cheaper than paying a la carte. I am going to check that out.