Vet costs and the costs of doing some things on your own

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This topic has 9sd replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 4 months ago by jerseygirl.

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- 01/23/2009 at 6:37 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  My last vet bill for my 3 rabbits (2 bladder sludges and 1 molar trim) was $1041.00 for all 3 rabbits – $436.57 (Giselle bladder sludge), $216.35 (Pepe molar trim) and $388.95 (Twizzler bladder sludge).
  
  It hurt to have to fork that money over but I didn’t feel so bad when another lady had an $1100.00 bill for one cat (not sure what the problem with the cat was).
  
  One of the things that I thought was interesting was the cost of sub-q fluids – for them to administer 100ml’s was $25.50. For me to buy the set-up (1000 ml’s of sub-q fluids, plus the line, plus the needles) was $20.50 – this is probably 10 treatments as normally I do 100 ml’s per rabbit (or more depending) but my rabbits are large. So if you have to do this for your rabbit it’s worth learning because of the cost difference and the fact that you can do this at home where your rabbit is less stressed than at the vet office.
  
  Just an FYI on some of the costs that this particular vet charges:
  
  Urinalysis was $35.40 – this was in-house.
  
  Small Mammal Blood Profile – $131.06 – sent to a lab.
  
  Exotic Exam – $53.00.
  
  X- rays (1 to 2 views) – $136.20.
  
  My regular vet gives me a bit of a break but this one charges for every little thing – I’m not complaining, I know the overhead costs for vet clinics has to be enormous – cost of insurance (E&O, business, etc.), utility bills (water, electric, gas), cost of the lease or mortgage, cost of the staff, cost to rent or lease the equipment, etc., etc, etc.
  
  I know earlier one member had mentioned giving pen-g shots to her rabbits and they charged her around $50 for about 30 doses of this to put it in the syringes, etc…the last time I bought a bottle of pen-g it was around $25.00 – granted this has an expiration date of a few years from the purchase date – I ended up throwing quite a bit out when it expired – it was still cheaper than having the vet syringe it for me.
  
  So just some things to consider down the road when you might have an ill rabbit to care for.
- 01/23/2009 at 6:49 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  thanks for that info Sarita! i agree that it is more economical to learn to administer some of these things by yourself. mention to your vet tech before it’s administered if she can show you how to do it in office. also, if your rabbit requires sub-Q fluids or other at-home treamtents, it’s likely they will require them again further on down the road. the next time, you may feel a bit better prepared to deal with what might come up.
- 01/23/2009 at 6:50 AM
  sweetbluebun
  Participant
  102 posts
  Wow that is expensive, your vet does seem to charge alot. I go to an exotics vet too, but luckily I live in an area where theres quite a few so I was able to shop around a bit more in terms of who would be willing to give me a better price. The molar trim is particularly pricy, my vet only charges $100 for that, and it includes everything (the anesthesia, a little aftercare, medicam injection).
- 01/23/2009 at 7:03 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Yes, this particular vet is pricey but convenient to me too. She charges for every little thing like I said – my regular vet does not. She charges for the exam each time – my vet does not and she charges for hospitalization for the day – I get a bit perturbed about that too since that really drives up the cost. Without that for the molar trim it would be around $148. I cannot wait for my regular vet to get back but in the meantime I’m pretty much forced to use her.
- 01/23/2009 at 8:19 AM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  Ohh that’s steap!! I mean we understand why they charge but it’s still hard to have that kind of money on hand (I *still* haven’t paid my parents back for my last vet bill need to do that before their July yearly checkups so I can borrow again!) and hand it over.
  
  There is a couple who just started volunteering at my shelter, and they had a rabbit with suspected sludge. They went to a few different vets and spent about three thousand dollars with no answer. I told them about my vet and they went, it was just a UTI and the rabbits better. Unfortunately the tests at vets offices who didn’t really know what they were doing cost a fortune!!
  
  But, anything for our babies!! Even KD for dinner for a few months
- 01/23/2009 at 3:39 PM
  skunklionshow
  Participant
  1257 posts
  I hear your pain! My vet usually cuts out the exam fee for me on occassion. I agree that some charge for every little thing. I had a vet that used to charge for hospitalization if you did an am drop off for surgery and picked up in the afternoon. It killed me b/c I always brought the food. I think that definately shows that vet relationships are really important (like you said w/ your reg vet).
  
  The other thing to consider, if you are a squemy med person, that many vet techs will administer meds in your home for a fee. My ex had about 3 regular clients back in Chgo that he did Sub Q’s daily or even pain shots. He usually got paid about $5-$10 per visit, depending on location. But again, I think that comes down to building up your relationships w/ your practice and the staff there.
- 01/23/2009 at 4:57 PM
  MimzMum
  Participant
  8029 posts
  I know what you mean. Just looking at the bill for Shadow’s surgery recently, holey moley! 0_o But I have no skills whatsoever with my animals except for adjunct nursing care, so I have to take what the vet gives me.
  
  Still, it is good to know basics, especially when you live as far from the vet as I do, some things can’t wait 30 minutes’ drive away. *nods*
- 03/28/2017 at 8:50 PM
  Hope8305
  Participant
  1 posts
  Hello Sarita. Those truly are some very expensive vet bills. I was wondering if the price range is different if my veterinary office does not do the urinalysis in house. Thx for the great info in your post before!
- 03/28/2017 at 9:46 PM
  DesertBunny
  Participant
  77 posts
  Here’s what I used to pay for Jet:
  
  Tooth trim $110
  
  Wellness checkup $55-60 (depending on the clinic)
  
  Reglan (for the tummy) $18-35 a bottle (found out WalMart carries it for $4). Yes FOUR dollars!
  
  Eye drops or gel – don’t remember the name – $35-45 Walmart carries the drops (no gel) for $4!
  
  Here’s the real kicker. He had to have Pen G injections since his surgeries in 2006. One vet wanted $90 !!!!!!
  and another vet charged me $18. Exact same identical !!!!! medicine.
  
  It does depend which doctor you pick. We don’t have many choices here ;-(
- 03/28/2017 at 9:52 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Hi Hope8305!
  
  This is a very old thread. We ask that members do not reply to threads that are more then a few months old. Old threads that come up amid the current topics can cause some confusion.
  
  It was interesting to read this regardless. I think it would be a real eye-opener for those who are new to rabbits and the cost of treating an ill rabbit!!
  
  Sadly, Sarita is no longer active on BinkyBunny. I miss her.
  
  She has so much experience treating ill or elderly rabbits.
  
  You are most welcome to start a new topic on the subject. You can also reference and old thread with a link to it.
  
  I will lock this old topic now.
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