Help! Need Suggestions on Saving Money @ the Vet

[Riann216]

go to craigslist.com In the upper right hand side there is a pets section. Put up an ad asking about reduced cost vet services in your area. That is the best way to find them aside from google.

In Jacksonville, FL we have a few vets here that will do reduced cost exams and shots. We even have one that doesn't charge an exam fee. I got my dog's shots and exam for around $20.

Also, if you have humane society they may be able to point you in the direction of a lower cost vet.

If you only need shots, luvmypet.com has a list of mobile vaccinations that you can get. Their prices are listed online. Good luck.

[VictoriaR]

[quote=TBEventer2002;2068127]Some vets will price-match with other vets in the area.

Ask your vet what is absolutely necessary for your area. There are state laws that designate how often a rabies must be given. Also, certain areas are much more prone to mosquitos and heartworm disease, so an annual or every-two-years heartworm check might be necessary. It is MUCH cheaper to prevent HWD than to treat! And don't let anyone on here tell you to order medicines from 1800 Pet Meds or any online pharmacy. Google it and you will find where Novartis (maker of Interceptor and Sentinel) actually sued three online pharmacies for selling and distributing their products because Novartis DOES NOT SELL TO THESE PHARMACIES. So while YOU may save a few bucks, you might be hurting YOUR DOG when they come down with liver failure due to bad arthritis meds or HWD from falty products.

I freaked out when I read this! The only items that I've ever bought through 1800 pet meds was the Iverhert and Frontline. I will have to do my research on this--very scary.

Thanks for all of the info. We live in a very humid area, so the heart worm check is required and I've always felt that it's better to pay for a complete exam then to pay for treatment. I will talk to the vet tomorrow to see how flexible he is.

[VictoriaR]

Originally Posted by kval07 I am a member of a few Yahoo dog groups in my area. Through that, I find out when different places are doing things for free or low cost. A few weeks back, some clinic was taking appts for free spays/neuters. Next weekend, the county animal control will microchip for $15. (I will be taking my dog who will go off with anybody to get that one done.) They are also doing $5 rabies shots. Sign up for local animal groups and you can get a ton of information that way. There is way more stuff going on in my area than I thought, and I would never know if I hadn't joined these groups!

Thanks- I never thought of doing joining a group. I plan on looking into it.

[VictoriaR]

Originally Posted by kval07 x12/31/09 $10 Back on Science Diet or Veterinary Services

thanks-now if I can only get my hands on one of those forms!! LOL

[VictoriaR]

Originally Posted by mayanfire If you don't love your vet, you could always shop around. When my vet died (he was the best vet ever!), we first went to the closest clinic and they charged an arm and a leg for my two dogs, and they weren't very warm. It was just a visit, didn't pet my dogs or anything...i know that it's not their job, but they didn't really seem to even like animals, and because my dogs were soooo scared, i was trying to comfort them, and the vet got very annoyed. she could have just been having a bad day, but i've never gone back. my animals are my babies. now i go to a vet thats an hour away, but they are rock bottom prices and they are so warm with my animals! they talk to them and play with them. the only thing i hate, is they are always packed. their phone is always busy. everyone else loves them too. my dogs aren't quite as scared to go there as they were the other place.

I would like to stay with the same vet. I like our vet and my dog seems to be pretty calm around him. Our former vet was a bit rude-even I felt uncomfortable around him, so when we moved I found this vet and you can just tell that he's a dog lover-plus he's pretty darn handsome.

[kval07]

Originally Posted by VictoriaR I would like to stay with the same vet. I like our vet and my dog seems to be pretty calm around him. Our former vet was a bit rude-even I felt uncomfortable around him, so when we moved I found this vet and you can just tell that he's a dog lover-plus he's pretty darn handsome.

Well that settles it!

[Smee]

Originally Posted by hotcouponmama Seems my mom used to get those shots at a feed store and gave them herself? I wouldn't know how to do it, but I think it's possible....

Originally Posted by TBEventer2002 Hotcouponmama, rabies vaccinations aren't sold through feed stores. In many (if not all) states, it is state law that rabies is given by a licensed vet. ;) You wouldn't believe how many people have come in this past year with dogs with parvo, and they vaccinated with TSC shots. :O

Our clinic has seen this a lot, too. Most of my dogs are antiques, so I no longer vaccinate them at all (except rabies as required by law), but if I felt they still needed protection, I would not trust those feed store vaccines. We've seen too many parvo dogs.

Some vets in my area will actually dispense vaccines, though (except rabies). You can (possibly) buy them from the vet and administer them at home, and it saves the cost of the office visit. I don't know how common that is elsewhere, but it's worth asking about. My vet does it all the time for trusted clients.

[choka162]

My vet has a vaccination clinic the first saturday of the month, they just charge you for the shot not the visit. Sometimes it seems that places do that and just don't mention it, so it's always worth asking.

For what it's worth I have used the vaccines you buy at tractor supply and never had a problem with them. I don't think its a bad option if you know what your doing, but it's much easier to have your vet do it. And it's nice to have that face time with your vet- just like your annual check up!

[philekallista]

What a helpful thread. Our kitty seems to be sick with a UTI---though they couldn't get any urine from her to make sure, that's what it looks like, so I paid $110 for an office visit and 2 weeks of Clavamox today. The medicine is *not* sitting well with the poor thing. She's vomited several times and just looks sicker than she did before we gave it to her. So tomorrow I'll probably get to go pay another $50 for another prescription that hopefully won't disagree so much with her. :(

It's about time for her vax boosters, though, and I think I'll just be going to the Petsmart Banfield hospital for those, which doesn't charge for an office visit during certain hours (the place I tried today charged $60; I had no idea it would be that much).

[TBEventer2002]

Phile, that is not uncommon. :( I'm sorry your kitty is sick! Did you get pills or liquid? If you got pills, you should be able to return the remaining medication. We have several kitties who don't tolerate Clavamox well, so we have a variety of antibiotics (and even trying a different form might help!). You can always ask your vet for a written script and call around to local pharmacies. Some of our local ones can make or compound medications for our patients for a small price. :) Good luck, and I hope your kitty feels better soon!