Average Vet Costs

rincaro · Jul 7, 2006

We got a doggie! He's a rescue, a beagle, or mostly beagle mix, probably 1-2 years old, and the boys have named him Rufus. He had an initial vet visit, but he needs the whole shebang, including being neutered. I got some prices from my sister's vet, and a few other people have suggested vets, and a friend of mine is a vet, albeit in a very pricey part of town. 
Can anyone give me an idea of what they pay for basic vet services? I know things will vary by city, but I just want to have some idea what I'm looking at. 
The good news is that Rufus seems very healthy, and my sister says his teeth are spotless. He has some rawness around his neck where his old collar had gotten too tight, but otherwise we have a happy doggie, and a very happy family. <a href="http://cdn.veggieboards.com/2/20/20b10388_vbattach4488.jpeg"><img alt="LL" src="http://cdn.veggieboards.com/2/20/525x525px-LL-20b10388_vbattach4488.jpeg" style="width:525px;height:394px;"></a>

GhostUser · Jul 7, 2006

About $100-200 a year, of course depending on if you plan to give him vaccines, ect. If you do, it's around that.

rabid_child · Jul 8, 2006

I think $100-$200/yr is EXTREMELY low for a dog. 
An office visit alone is like $50, then figure at least $20/ea for Rabies, Distemper, +/- Bordetella, +/- Lyme, +/- Leptospirosis. Then there's a fecal exam and a heartworm test, and monthly heartworm medication and flea/tick preventative. I'd guess at least $400/yr, dependind on the size of the dog, if you're buying all appropriate preventative medicines. 
I very highly recomment pet insurane. I have <a href="http://www.petshealthplan.com" target="_blank">www.petshealthplan.com</a> and you can get a plan where they'll cover the neuter and everything. It's $100 annual deductable and then they cover up to 80% of reasonable and customary costs. 
Congratulations on your new dog! He's adorable.

Pescas · Jul 8, 2006

Definetly minimum 500 I'd say. My hamster was 200 $ a year, so I'd think a dog would be more than double that =P (My hamster wasn't sick or anything, until he got old, he just got his teet trimmed and his claws, got some shots and medicine when he was sick, and was put to sleep at three)

rainbow_clouds · Jul 8, 2006

At my vet (for my cat) it is $25 office visit, plus $20 each for shots, deworming, idk how much for flea medicine (I get mine from my mother), plus $100ish for the neuter. 
ETA: ah yes, the fecal exam. That's another 20ish.

GhostUser · Jul 8, 2006

Wow, I guess it really does vary by city or area. Perhaps it's more like $200-300, but for my dog, I don't think it's ever been more than $500 a year, and we do give her all the vaccines also. Well, actually now that she's 14, she has some arthritis medication, so I suppose now it's more like $500, but for most of her life it wasn't as high.

MZCsmpsns · Jul 9, 2006

My dog, minus surgery costs, is at the very least $300 a year. (that includes shots, heartworm pills, regular checkups...) If there happens to be a problem-such as when she needed knee surgery-that was $800. I'd reccomend, like as rabid child said, to invest in pet insurance. Also, if possible start an "animal savings fund" and tuck away however much you can each paycheck for your dog just in case. 
Around here, just a check up is about $25, shots are about $10 each, heartworm is $9 a month (year round here) I'm not sure what fixing costs around here (she was spayed in a different state-i don't remember how much that was) but for cats here it's $110, I'm assuming dogs would be more. Some vets will let you set up a payment plan if need be. 
Your doggie is absolutely adoreable by the way!!! Best of luck to you guys!!!

VeggieFerret · Jul 9, 2006

Mine is 15 dollars a month plan for free shots and other free stuff. But it can be anywjere from 25 to 70 per visit depnding on the vet. Though if your lookign for a cheaper rabies and distemper shots i suggest you go to a shelter that has a low-price shots and nuetering program. They have them to encourage people to neuter and to get the dogs shots. You jsut have to search around the shelters. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

pgor72 · Jul 9, 2006

I have 5 dogs and usually take them to the vet in two groups of two and then my loner babe. 
Anyway it is about 190 for two dogs for all their shots and "stuff" 
I do not use preventive stuff like frontline or advantage for ticks or fleas. 
My vet told me some time ago to get brewers yeast tablets with garlic and boy do they work! It is 6.99 for a bottle of 400 tablets. 
I do have two of my dogs groomed regularly due to heavy coats, the others I bathe and take care of myself. 
Food is the largest expense bhy far. 
i would say I average about 250/300 a year for each dog. 
One should be manageable if you find the most affordable vet! 
And your new baby is very cute!

kpickell · Jul 9, 2006

Congrats on getting the dog! He is very cute. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
I'd have to say the biggest "vet" cost is flea and heartworm preventative. I buy them online from overseas (which many would advise against doing) but it's still over $100/year for Frontline Plus and Heartgard. If you're buying from your vet you're looking at several hundred dollars. 
The shots and checkup is around $100. I pay a little more because I need bordatella. (Although I'm going to start giving the shots myself and just go to the vet for check ups, bringing that cost down to $40/year, not recommended for a new owner). 
So, when there's nothing wrong with my dog, it's less than $200. He's in prime health now, so costs are low. One trip to the emergency clinic will double that estimate though, and should he ever need surgery I'll be in trouble. I do not have pet insurance at this time as I can't budget it. 
Dog food is the expensive thing... A 33lb bag of food costs me $30 and lasts about 40 days. That's $300 on dry food. When you add in canned food and treats, you're up to $400. Then there's the $50 worth of toys, $150 worth of equipment, $600 worth of classes annually, and another couple hundred on miscellaneous costs (trials, picture, etc). Rather depressing to think of it in dollars and cents.

pgor72 · Jul 9, 2006

kpickell said:
... and heartworm preventative. 
Oops... forgot about that! 
I do get the new heartworm shot though, instead of the chews. It's about 19 dollars cheaper - lasts the same amount of time. 

kpickell said:

... Then there's the $50 worth of toys. 
forgot about this, too! 
use old socks! (provided the new baby finds them fun) and a three pack of tennis balls is cheap. <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by kpickell <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
... Rather depressing to think of it in dollars and cents.</div>
</div>
 <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/laugh.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lol:">

Click to expand...

rabid_child · Jul 9, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by pgor72 <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
Oops... forgot about that! 
I do get the new heartworm shot though, instead of the chews. It's about 19 dollars cheaper - lasts the same amount of time.</div>
</div>
 
The shot, however, does not protect against intestinal parasites which can be a big pain on many levels (financial, treatment, house cleaning) if they should pick up a parasite somewhere. Which, if you're taking your dog out of your own yard, they're bound to do at some point. <div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block"> 
forgot about this, too! 
use old socks! (provided the new baby finds them fun) and a three pack of tennis balls is cheap.</div>
</div>
 
Socks are very easily swallowed, and it is not cheap to get them back out again. They are not recommended as a safe toy for dogs. Tennis balls are ok as long as you throw them out as soon as they start to get cracked.

rincaro · Jul 9, 2006

We made a good initial investment on a harness, a crate, toys, dishes, etc. We found some good deals though and got away for about $150 for those things. And my sister is a big dog lover (has four rescues herself) so she came over on Friday with more toys, treats, and a nice big basket bed with a cushion. 
The initial vet visit including all shots, and heartworm test will be $128. The neuter will be $136. And then of course the heartworm stuff, but I don't think I got a quote on that. 
It's awful, the place right down the street from me, charges more than twice as much for the same services. But my sister has been using this vet for more than five years and has always gotten excellent care for her babies. 
He's an amazing doggie though. He's completely housetrained (which I was worried about) and he loves to go for walks and play with the boys. And such a lover. We're very happy to have him.

LittleMistweave · Jul 9, 2006

For the basic shots and the worming for my boxer puppy it was $70.

kpickell · Jul 9, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by rincaro <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
We made a good initial investment on a harness, a crate, toys, dishes, etc. We found some good deals though and got away for about $150 for those things. And my sister is a big dog lover (has four rescues herself) so she came over on Friday with more toys, treats, and a nice big basket bed with a cushion. 
The initial vet visit including all shots, and heartworm test will be $128. The neuter will be $136. And then of course the heartworm stuff, but I don't think I got a quote on that. 
It's awful, the place right down the street from me, charges more than twice as much for the same services. But my sister has been using this vet for more than five years and has always gotten excellent care for her babies. 
He's an amazing doggie though. He's completely housetrained (which I was worried about) and he loves to go for walks and play with the boys. And such a lover. We're very happy to have him.</div>
</div>
 
Sounds like a great match. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smitten.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":smitten:">

Irizary · Jul 9, 2006

here are estimated costs of lifetime dog/cat guardianship... <a href="http://www.petplace.com/dogs/lifetime-costs-of-dog-ownership/page1.aspx#" target="_blank">http://www.petplace.com/dogs/lifetim...ip/page1.aspx#</a>

thebelovedtree · Jul 10, 2006

<<<---Got a second job, pays for whatever is needed and tries to never add it all up.... 
The kittens just had their first "real" (not sick just first shots, deworm, finally old enough for flea stuff, etc.) vet visit and it was about $115 for all three but puppies are much more expensive. You're getting a deal on that neuter though, thats about how much the kittens are going to cost a piece to get fixed and cats are typically much cheaper.

bethann · Jul 10, 2006

I'm usually scared to add it all up--I just paid the yearly fee for my senior dog--$1200 for all his basic care during the year (but that includes his dental, bloodwork, etc.)

Wolfie · Jul 10, 2006

He's adorable! Looks pretty much all beagle to me. And I bet he can bark! 
You might want to check your local shelters to see if they have lower cost clinics. Both near me do and the one especially encourages everyone to bring their animals no matter their income because the $ goes right back into the shelter. I took one of my dogs a month or so ago and it was $49 for the D6, 1-year rabies and heartworm test. The heartworm and flea med. is also cheaper through the shelter. (So far this year I've had no fleas, so I don't buy Frontline unless I need it.) 
A lot of shelters offer low cost spay/neuter too. 
I use my own vet for anything major, but I'm considering using the shelter clinics for the yearly stuff for all the dogs. Of course, I also don't vaccinate every year, but that's my decision and I wouldn't tell anyone else what to do there. 
Good luck with the adorable dog! And congrats on rescuing!

rincaro · Jul 10, 2006

He doesn't really bark much at all. He whines when someone in the family leaves - when my husband goes to work, or when my nephew gets picked up by his mom at the end of her work day. He gives a few pitiful howls when all of us leave. But then he settles down and rests. He's such a good boy! 
I'll definitely look into the shelter thing. That might be perfect!

Average Vet Costs

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