NBR: Pet spay/vaccination question

mcgee

We need to get our golden retriever spayed, and she needs her next round of vaccinations. We've been going to Premier Animal Hospital in CP, mostly for convenience more than anything else. Our other dog was already neutered when we got him from the shelter, so I have never paid for spay/neuter surgery before. Mike called to make the appointment, and I almost fell over when he told me that surgery plus vaccination would be $450-$470!

I am being unrealistic in thinking that this is really crazy expensive? I mean, we paid less than $100 to adopt a dog from the shelter, and that included neutering.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a less expensive vet or less expensive options for spaying?

sweetdreams2000

When I used to foster dogs, we'd take them to the Animal Trustees of Austin . . . animaltrustees dot org.  The spay/neuter is $50-$55, but the catch is that it is completely on the other side of town from you.  I **think** the vaccinations are discounted as well - they have a pricing page there to compare.

YellowUmbrella

When your personal vet does a spay or neuter they typically run pre-op bloodwork, which shelters and low cost clinics usually don't include. That would account for some of the cost difference, but I'm not sure how much.

shanwalk2

Cooper's surgery was covered under his Banfield insurance policy. That pretty much paid for itself in the first year.

fjaril

That sounds about right, with costs going up since we last did it.

 

NoeliaV

More or less right for us, and we did it about a year ago. We went with our vet due to the reasons PP listed (the type of anesthesia, the blood testing prior to surgery, etc)... I felt more confident in a good outcome for my dog.

Someone I know just had her pup spayed and the poor thing is suffering from scar tissue on her esophagus from the intubation. I had no idea that such a complication from a simple/routine surgery was possible. Where I was wary of the low cost clinics for spays/neuters before, they're not even on the table as an option now.

BSE

we also used animaltrustees. when we adopted our dog he wasn't neutered yet and the shelter recommended going there. we had a good experience and it was cheap. i feel like you couldn't make a reservation though, just had to show up in the morning and then come back in the evening for your dog? it was 3 years ago and i've never been back but it would be worth checking them out as an option.

sandieleeann

You can try Emancipet also, they do it at a discounted price and are having a spring break special

https://www.emancipet.org/2012/02/spring-bark-special/

A&Jmom

We've used our vet and it wasn't THAT expensive.  I want to say around $150.  But, we opted out of the pre-op blood work (I guess we are bad doggy parents) and it was for neutering (might be a bit cheaper?)  not spaying. Did he get an itimized estimate, how much of that is the actual spying- and does it include the pre-op blood work?

BoxerMomma

We did animal trustees as well and had a great experience. It's right by mueller, so honestly not that bad to get to from cp. it's this side of the river

MrsMillerTime

We had our dog neutered at the vet and it was $110 (no bloodwork) including a bordatella vac.  I'm pretty sure spaying is more expensive but there is no way in hades that it would cost that much more.

We use Dr. Koy in Georgetown if you need another rec.  We absolutely LOVE him. 

angelaggie

It sounds about right for a spay. A neuter is much cheaper, usually less than $200. A neuter is a much more simple process. Think vasectomy va hysterectomy. Also most spays require pain meds and an over night stay. Neuters do not. Weight and age also factor into the cost. The older and heavier the dog, the more the cost. 

Kristen0709

We use Cedar Park Animal Clinic.  I like them, we had our dog spayed in November and it was $170.  I didn't elect for the pre-op bloodwork.  They did try to charge me an add'l $50 because she was over 7 months (by a week) something about the uterus being bigger but the waived it.  Great doctors and staff and I have always thought the prices were fair.  It's at Park St and 183 kind of by Popeyes.

Kristen0709

I should also add that our dog is only 11 pounds and I'm not sure if size matters.

MrsAJL

I had my kitties spayed and vaccinated at Animal Trustees of Austin. Of course at the time I was a "po" college student, but I know they the service is open to anyone. You might check them out.

angelaggie

Kristen0709:

I should also add that our dog is only 11 pounds and I'm not sure if size matters.

Bigger dog = more anesthesia and meds. That's why the price is higher. It usually goes up in increments of 20 pounds