How much is the average cost for X-rays? The reason I ask is because someone I know was recently given an estimate of $1700 (Canadian) for a Terrier. This seems a bit steep to me, what do you guys think?
Well, I don't know all of the details, but I'm pretty sure the dog ran into a moving car (which he has also done in the past). He was scraped and bruised, but otherwise not showing any signs of internal trauma (no blood in urine or vomiting or diarrhea).
~$375 for mine for 30min sedation and 5 x-ray films (with the disclaimer for additional charges for more films if they could not get him position). I had Ichi's x-rays done at 9months to establish a baseline screening for HD/LP so I have a basis for comparison once I get him x-rayed again at 2-years old.
Sake's X-Rays were $275 and that was to screen for HD/LP too. $1700 seems like WAY high, but an emergency vet would charge more, if that is where she went with the dog.
Nope, it was her usual vet (apparently there are only two in the area though). I'm pretty sure she told them to take their xray and shove in an uncomfortable place (to be polite lol).
For hip it is around $275 - 350 but you have to remember that vets charge whatever they wish to in private practice. Same goes with spay. Prices vary with region too.
When we were worried about Squirts leg being broken (thank goodness it wasnt) Our vet quoted $90. We of course understood that if the vet felt that something MORE was needed the price could change. We were actually surprised at the quote.....considering the "clinic" quoted us a higher price. Dr Price is an amazing vet! And we are SOOOO glad we found him. We were SOOO close to choosing the clinic. Whew! lol
Vets are not cheap, however I don't think it's good you're not sure of your own vet...I know it's easier said then done, but like your own doc, go w/ the one that cares, is knowledgable, that your pup likes, and won't overcharge you for the privledge. Just my 2 cents. My husband keeps saying, everytime we come home from our current vet, this is alot cheaper than the other 2 places, and better service! Perhaps we get better service b/c the owner vet and my vet watched me grow up, but I doubt it, they were always fair in pricing, and always packed w/ happy owners and animals.
I just don't know how to go through the process of finding another vet, you know? Like can I just go in and ask to speak to them and ask them if they are familiar with the breed etc? So far, I haven't had to bring Mylo to the vet too much (he's had his annual etc), and I don't really want to go to a different vet every year for his annuals lol.
True. Would it be rude (or is it even necessary) to ask a vet how familiar they are with the breed? There aren't many Shibas around here. And would my own vet be offended if I switched to someone else and asked for Mylos records to be transferred?
asking your friends, neighbors, people who walk their dogs in the neighborhood...these are usually all very good sources (we didnt ask when we first got Spuds, and found out night b4 spaying our closest vet is to be avoided like the plague). I didnt tell any of the 2 I used we went with another vet, I just did it....your bills have alot of info on them, combined they are your medical records ;-)
ditto on that. Spuds loves the vet (at least my normal one, there are 4 in my hospital). She's seen all of them and hasn't had a bad reaction to any of them, so it's good backup (the other vets). We also drive at least 30 mins to see the vet, but in my view it's worth it to see everybody happy and trustworthy.
Oh, very good point Irene. I have all of his bills filed in the office.
Kristin, did you introduce your dogs to the vet before they actually needed an appointment? I would love to bring Mylo into a whole bunch of different offices to just drop in and introduce him, but a) I don't want to waste a vet's time with my over-protective-momness (lol) and b) Mylo is very reactive to other dogs, so I don't want the field trip to turn into a bad experience for him if we meet other dogs while we're there.
I would call around and ask a few vets if they have experience with Shiba's and see what they say. If they seem to have a positive reaction I would ask if you could come in just to see the facility and bring Mylo. Narrow it down to maybe 2 or 3 vets that you get a good vibe from and then go visit those one and narrow it down even more. Also ask if they have any Shiba patients.
Many vets are happy to meet you and your dog. Remember they are animal lovers too (well, one would hope). At the clinic we have, we have a favorite vet, he's the practice owner, but he has two new additional vets and I asked if my dogs could meet them too, when we were last in there. They were delighted to stop in our room, and I got a bit of a sense of them and how they greeted and interacted with my dogs. I just want my dogs to have met them in case we have to go in and Jon isn't available. Go ahead and ask, you may be very pleasantly surprised!
Asking around is a good idea. You would be surprised what you find out in passing standing in a grocery line or hardware store. Folks that work at or individuals that purchase at the local boutique or specialty pet feed store is a good start. Same goes with the local dog wash. Sometime local magazines have surveys/consumer report about most recommended vets too in an area.
Some vets allow for appt visits of the clinic so one can take a tour of the exam rooms and boarding area, plus staff. Some have a special day or hrs for open house so you can come in to meet everyone. Look to see how much they participate with rescue or good will events for rabies clinics or programs that check eyes, heart or hips for dog clubs etc.
Remember the handling of your dog is not just by the vet but also its staff. If they have clinic staff that are apprehensive and don't like your dog or are overly assertive then that also has to be weighed by how your dog reacts. Also if the vet leaves most of the work to the staff and does not visit with you or passes off everything for to the techs that isn't a good sign. You are, after all, paying for the DVM hands on. Ask some questions about general spay costs or programs they are involved with.
Some Vets do not like to work with the public and you most likely will pick up on that during a visit and so will the dog. Some clinics have multiple doctors. Once you do find a vet make sure you specify when making an appt and stick to the one you/your dog likes.
Excellent point, SnF, --the vet techs. the first vet we saw locally was a one vet clinic, and his techs did everything and answered everything, got the shots, prepped them, which really irriated me, and they were the ones that charged the highest (even though we got the checkup for free b/c of the pet store connection ).
second one the vet tech knew more than the Doc, he apparently was the janitor too.. though the doc knew more about shibas. This is the vet that Spuds shiba screamed at..also got spayed at..poor judgement on my part. This was the one all of my neighbors told me to avoid when I asked around the night before..doh!
Our current vets techs are all really good, they usually do a super quick Q&A before the vet comes in...there was an overly zealous one, who obviously wanted to BE the vet..but all in all they are good with the Spud and she remembers . And my vet usually sticks around after the exam when the vet tech leaves to see if we have any questions. I think he really likes Spuds, always observing her from afar when we have questions afterwards and smiling, calling her "Trouble". I don't know if he knows that much about Shiba's specifically, but he knows canines and knows how to spot any issues early on. And yes, aside from yesterday, as it was urgent, I always ask for my vet by name when making appointments. Our first appointment I had to wait 3 weeks (the initial exam that takes longer as it's more thorough).
Good luck, Kyla and Mylo! Let us know how it goes.
Super advice!!! I won't be able to do much about it until about Tuesday (I am doing absurd amounts of laundry after work tomorrow and I have to go to the dentist to get some work done on Monday... apparently I'll be out of it for at least a good 8 hours and have been advised "not to make any important decisions within 24 hours after sedation". LOL (My dentist is VERY good at his job and found stuff I couldn't even feel.). I'll start by making calls on Tuesday or Wednesday though, and asking receptionists if they have any kind of process where I can come in and meet the staff etc. Then I'll start going from there =0)
Thanks again for all of the great advice! I'm actually looking forward to looking for a new Vet! hahaha
Don't be shy about just walking on in to some prospective vet offices and asking for business cards or telling them you are thinking of bringing your dog to them. That way you can also observe the staff for a few minutes answer phones, see how they triage pts into rooms, see what staff do what, etc and how busy their offices are. Then you can also ask face to face if they have treated Shibas and what reactions you get from that question. They should be willing to give you some general price quotes face to face at the very least.
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Jesse
Snf
I always ask how much they know about the breed, and I always pay attention to see how my dogs react to the vet.
I now have a wonderful vet who is amazing with both my dogs and they actually enjoy going there.
Kristin, did you introduce your dogs to the vet before they actually needed an appointment? I would love to bring Mylo into a whole bunch of different offices to just drop in and introduce him, but a) I don't want to waste a vet's time with my over-protective-momness (lol) and b) Mylo is very reactive to other dogs, so I don't want the field trip to turn into a bad experience for him if we meet other dogs while we're there.
Thanks so much!! (I'm glad other people are as diligent about this as I'd like to be)
Some vets allow for appt visits of the clinic so one can take a tour of the exam rooms and boarding area, plus staff. Some have a special day or hrs for open house so you can come in to meet everyone. Look to see how much they participate with rescue or good will events for rabies clinics or programs that check eyes, heart or hips for dog clubs etc.
Remember the handling of your dog is not just by the vet but also its staff. If they have clinic staff that are apprehensive and don't like your dog or are overly assertive then that also has to be weighed by how your dog reacts. Also if the vet leaves most of the work to the staff and does not visit with you or passes off everything for to the techs that isn't a good sign. You are, after all, paying for the DVM hands on. Ask some questions about general spay costs or programs they are involved with.
Some Vets do not like to work with the public and you most likely will pick up on that during a visit and so will the dog. Some clinics have multiple doctors. Once you do find a vet make sure you specify when making an appt and stick to the one you/your dog likes.
Snf
second one the vet tech knew more than the Doc, he apparently was the janitor too.. though the doc knew more about shibas. This is the vet that Spuds shiba screamed at..also got spayed at..poor judgement on my part. This was the one all of my neighbors told me to avoid when I asked around the night before..doh!
Our current vets techs are all really good, they usually do a super quick Q&A before the vet comes in...there was an overly zealous one, who obviously wanted to BE the vet..but all in all they are good with the Spud and she remembers . And my vet usually sticks around after the exam when the vet tech leaves to see if we have any questions. I think he really likes Spuds, always observing her from afar when we have questions afterwards and smiling, calling her "Trouble". I don't know if he knows that much about Shiba's specifically, but he knows canines and knows how to spot any issues early on.
And yes, aside from yesterday, as it was urgent, I always ask for my vet by name when making appointments. Our first appointment I had to wait 3 weeks (the initial exam that takes longer as it's more thorough).
Good luck, Kyla and Mylo! Let us know how it goes.
Thanks again for all of the great advice! I'm actually looking forward to looking for a new Vet! hahaha