Baseline of 2017 Veterinary Costs for Services
It’s sometimes fear of the unknown that keeps us from doing certain things. Taking our pets to the vet is no exception. It can be expensive, I know. I’ve been there. Most recently, I spent $4,ooo on diagnostics and a few days of hospitalization for a cat with a diagnosis of renal failure.
Currently, I have a cat who may need to have her eyes removed in a procedure called Enucleation. So I went online to find a ballpark cost to steel myself.
I found a website where the vet, Krista Magnifico, feels “that veterinary medicine is way overdue for a little transparency.” She has posted her 2017 Price Guide for various services at her clinic in Jarrettsville, Maryland. They seem similar to what I am seeing here in Texas, so I am posting a link to her page. I want people to be more informed about what to expect. Perhaps with a better guestimate of costs, we can make better decisions. Per Dr. Magnifico,
Our clients are becoming more invested in their pets care and significantly more interested in veterinary medicine. Why then aren’t we open about fees? I think every vet should be transparent. I also firmly believe it will save more lives.
How refreshing, eh? Thank you, Dr. Magnifico.
Keep in mind that these are prices for individual services and often more than one service is required to solve your pet’s issue. For example, a blood test may be required before a specific procedure in started. Then there may be the cost of meds which in some cases can be purchased at a local pharmacy like Walgreens or Walmart, etc. for less.
All that said, in most cases, you know your pet better than your vet, so be specific and precise in your description of symptoms you are seeing when you visit your vet. Sometimes your gut is right. Vets are humans and can miss something you may hold the key to, so tell them everything you know about a problem you are seeing.
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My Maltese named Bells is 13 and is gravely ill.I think she is dying but I have no money to see if I can help her.I cant watch her suffer and Im overwhelmed with grief.Please Help.My name is Mary Mullins and my no.is 3609964050.Thank You and God Bless You All.
Hey Mary. I hope Bells is doing better than when you wrote. What are her symptoms?
Please call some of your local rescue groups to see if they can help you or direct you to someone in your area who can help. They will be your best source for info. Our thoughts are with you both.
Where can I get free vaccinations for my puppy?I am on Social Security and money is very tight.Please tell me of any free clinics in or near Apple Valley,Ca.Thank you!
Call some of the local rescue groups in your area and see if they have recommendations for you. Sometimes the Humane Society can help, too.
*** Originally Posted in Wrong Place***
Bella my 8-9 year old, 85 lb. American Bulldog, re-homed from a homeless person, has a tumor growing out of, what I would call, her right rear knee. It is about the size of a grown man’s fat thumb. It is cold to the touch.
I am disabled and on an extremely fixed income that leaves me nearly nothing at the end of the month. I can’t even take her in for a diagnosis.
Not looking to give her up!!!
Living in Las Vegas Nevada and seeking assistance for Bella…
Lucky Bella, she’s off the streets. Good on you! Does the tumor seem to be causing her any problems? Does she bother it at all?
If you can have it looked at now, it may be a simple matter that can be more easily removed sooner than later. It may also be something that you will just have to watch. At the least, having it looked at will let you know what is going on.
You may reach out to your local rescue groups — especially a Bulldog rescue group — and area vets to see what options there may be for you. Call a few vets and ask them for a ballpark figure for looking at it. Are you associated with any groups that may help you fundraise for some money to help?
Please give me some guy dance is it too late to treat parvo with fluid nausea meds and antibiotic if he has began bleeding from butt. He is 6-8 week old chiuaua please help I just got him and he is very lived already
It is never too late to try. There’s a better chance to save him if you do. Hydration is the most important part. As the parvo runs its course, he will become dehydrated from diarrhea and vomiting. So make a schedule for giving him liquids and food — maybe a small amount of fliquid one hour and a small amount of food the next, then the liquids and then the food — and stick to the schedule no matter what. He will likely look worse before he looks better. Don’t give up.
I have a puppy and he’s about 7-8 weeks old and two days ago he started getting sick and throwing up and he want eat anything and every time he drinks he just throws it right back up what can I do too treat him because I don’t have any money to take him to the vet can u please help me please I don’t want to loose him or can u please get some donations so I can take him to the vet? Please somebody help me please I don’t want to loose my little baby
Is he just vomiting? Does he also have diarrhea? Has he been de-wormed? It could be that he has a belly full of parasites that are causing an upset stomach. Or he could have eaten something he shouldn’t have. He could have a viral/bacterial infection. There are several reasons he could be throwing up.
You can give him some plain yogurt to put good bacteria into his stomach.
It’s also very important that he drink. Otherwise he can go into organ failure. A good general guideline is that a healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. You can give him water with an oral syringe (a syringe that does NOT have a needle on it) throughout the day, but this does not address WHY he is throwing up.
You can baby him like you would a sick child and give him homemade food such as boiled potatoes, rice and well-cooked, skinless chicken. Even Gerber #2 (Sitter) Chicken food. However, if this does not work, your puppy may require fluid therapy, antibiotics, antiemetics (drugs to help control vomiting) or other medication. This will require a trip to the vet. This may be necessary to save his life.
Check with your local pet rescue groups to see if they know a low cost vet or someone else who can help you. I’m sorry but we do not provide donations nor handle getting them. That is best handled in your own community.
Take care of your baby.