Vet cost – is this normal?

[Lindsayjgunn]

Hi everyone,
I have been seeing the same vet for about two years but am
Starting to think that their prices may be too steep. I just left and upon reviewing my bill
I’m shocked this time. I was there for an hour because I was concerned about eye discharge and congested sounds.
The diagnosis is an upper respiratory infection and was given a 2 week course of baytril $38.94, metacam for anti inflammatory
$31.98, flurbiprofen eye drops $23.17 and benebac 15gm tube $41.93 (this one is way overpriced). I was charged $101 for the exam/visit,
$72 for eye duct flush, 18.50 for nail clipping and $3.25 for hazardous waste disposal (I’m assuming the nail clippings). My total was $330.67.
Is this normal?

I have also taken him in before for gi stasis twice with those bills averaging $880 (which included him staying overnight and a teeth trim) and $450
the second time (not overnight and using some of the leftover medication from the previous visit).

[Asriel and Bombur]

That’s all you paid for a stasis visit? I paid $2000 when Bombur was in critical condition with stasis and was at the vet for 36 hours. So I think that seems really nice. All the other stuff sounds pretty standard for the States. My boys see an MSPCA vet who charges $115 per visit and $20 for nail trims. Meds have never been more than $50 for a single drug. So overall yours seems pretty standard.

[Nutmeg]

I can’t compare everything to mine from your list – but you paid less for the meta-calm / anti inflammatory then I did… I paid $23 for one week (so that would have been $46 for two). My vet’s nail trims are usually $20 each – but as I bring in two sometimes they only charge me $30 lol
My exam fee’s are $98 – so pretty standard.

Every place is different though. My friend lives WAY up north from me in the extreme country – and she pays a lot less than those of us closer to the city. But she has to drive a lot further to get to her vet.

[DanaNM]

The medication prices sound normal to me (aside from the benebac), the office visit and nail trim are a bit more than what I pay. My vet charges $68 for an office visit, but think around $75 – 100 is average for an exotics office visit.

18.50 for a nail trim when you are already there seems a bit much… Not sure what my vet charges, but they’ve done it for free when the rabbit was already under anesthesia. I bet the waste disposal was for the fluid from the eye.

I’m not familiar with the duct flush, so not sure what that normal rate is.

And yes I think $880 for an overnight and a tooth trim is also not too bad. Overnight is always expensive, and a dental alone can be about $400 easily.

So if you like your vet, I would stay, because I don’t think you are getting ripped off.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[jerseygirl]

My only question is about the exam fee. It that their long consult fee? It seems you paid for the longer appointment but then the procedures that were done within that time also (duct flush, nail trim).

One thing that might help in future if you have a bun with ongoing issues, is to ask if you could have scripts then shop online for a better price. Metacam for instance is the brand, but there are other options for meloxicam. The clinic will likely just charge a script fee.
And you could certainly ask something like benebac to be taken off the invoice and opt to get that yourself. Its non-prescription.

I know its often things thought of after having paid the bill! Im usually in the mindset of just pay and get bun home, before looking over things in detail.

If you’ve been going to this vet for 2 years, you might have a good rapport with the clinic and feel you can discuss options to make future bills less steep. They’ll be wanting to retain their clientele and will hopefully be accomodation. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

[A Happy Herd of Hares]

This is my usual:
$40 well check
$18 if flea medication is used
Free front teeth clips and nail clips during visit, if not during visit its $10

Awhile back it was $70 total for SQ Fluids and antibiotics

If you spayed them, it’s $120 for female and to neuter a male its $95

Hope this helps!

[Nutmeg]

Posted By Sadie Bun on 10/12/2018 8:36 AM

If you spayed them, it’s $120 for female and to neuter a male its $95

WOW Sadie Bun – those prices are amazing! 

I paid $680 – plus 13% tax – to get my two bunnies fixed a few months ago – One Spay and One Neuter. 

[joea64]

So far the only vet costs I’ve had to pay (knock-knock-knock on wood!!!) are the biannual wellness checkups, which so far I’ve had for Panda and Fernando in November and May (and that reminds me, it’s time to schedule their next visit). Those cost $81 per bun for a total of $162 per visit. I’ve read that rabbits over 3 need to start having their blood tested annually (and maybe other procedures?). As far as I know, Panda’s at least 2 to 2 1/2 now with her boy Fernando being at least 6 months younger, so she may need blood tests starting with the next biannual checkup after this one.

[A Happy Herd of Hares]

Posted By Nutmeg on 10/12/2018 9:11 AM

Posted By Sadie Bun on 10/12/2018 8:36 AM

If you spayed them, it’s $120 for female and to neuter a male its $95

WOW Sadie Bun – those prices are amazing! 

I paid $680 – plus 13% tax – to get my two bunnies fixed a few months ago – One Spay and One Neuter. 

WOW that’s crazy!!

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