Spaying costs

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The cost isn't an issue really as I would always pay (well I should say Des will pay  ) for good care. Its just that niggling feeling that theyre trying it on. As Pat says, I think I might ring round and just see how it compares to others in the area to see if its a massive difference. Then give them the chance to explain if they are overpriced. I'll stick with them anyway as I do trust their care but I'd like to know if they are a lot more than others.

[Patp]

Sometimes interesting to get a friend to phone your vets to find out about cost of jabs / spaying etc on the pretense that they are getting a puppy and looking for a vet to register with.  Could throw up some interesting results!!

Like you said its not about the money, just the principle. 

[Lottielove]

I had 4 rabbits spayed last year and the difference in cost between vets was amazing.

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So mission was quotes. Someone we know had their lab spayed at local vet for a lot less. Called them and price is £110.00. Called the big Vets4Pets for  quote and they are £130.00. Called my vet to discuss and they will not reduce price but are happy for us to take her to be spayed elsewhere but stay registered with them. Oh I'm so unsure now. Vets4pets I wouldn't consider but other local vet has a good reputation and is £80 cheaper. What do you all think? I don't want to be a cheapskate but feel a bit 'ripped off' by my vets.

[Nicola]

I personally would stick with a vet I know and trust; the practice I use is expensive for pretty much everything but I know our vet extremely well (he is also the official Hearing Dogs vet), trust him implicitly, and feel that the care, service and facilities they as a practice provide are worth it. They charge £235 for a medium-sized bitch spay (10-25kg) which includes a pre-op check-up, overnight stay in the hospital (staffed 24/7) and as many post-op appointments as necessary so I don't think what your vet is charging is excessive if you're happy with the service you get from them. It's like most things though, you'll invariably find someone offering lower prices, it just depends if you feel that you'll get the same level of service.

[cockerdoo]

I have just had Autumn spayed this week, it cost me £206 which reading some of your posts seems a little bit expensive, I was happy with the vet and nurses though and they seemed to have done a really good job - I think with hindsight that I should have rang round for a few quotes but I had booked her in and just wanted to get it over with.

[Patp]

It is a dilemma isn't it?

If it was a small independent vets which has come recommended, then I would consider that one.  A friend of mine, whose dog has recently had to undergo lots of treatment, was having to use 3 different vets - her own, from a PAH  who didn't have the expertise or equipment to do some of the treatment, which the other 2 local vets had.  So it was all shared between them, for the best outcome of her dog.

Personally I prefer the old school type of vets rather than the more commercial ones that seem to come and go.

A spay is a very routine operation, so why not ask some other questions eg.  are the stitches internal, therefore no need for a lampshade? Do you want to stay with her until she has had her pre-med?  (I wish I had done this with Jinley)  Does the cost include any painkillers and follow up visits?

I am sure others can give other questions to ask, which I haven't mentioned. 

[8 Hairy Feet]

My Vet is 140-200
depending on weight.

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Yes the cheapest quote is from a vets that has been around years. They are well known horse vets in this area and we meet lots of dog owners who use them. I wouldn't take her to a big chain like Vets4Pets but have to admit their hours of business are geared up for modern day...8-9pm all week then Sat and Sun! I know lots who use them too but they never get to see the same vet so I've discounted them.

Thanks for the replies. I'm still mulling it all over. If Bonnie's stay included the pre op check and an overnight stay like Nicola's vet I would think it was a very good price but the £190 is just the spay, collect her before 5.30 then 2 check ups. Plus, we're in Notts where things tend to be a little cheaper. Oh I'm talking myself in and out of it!!!

[Patp]

My vet practice is the one I used to use when I had my horses.  They just seem more "old school", although there are some vets in the same practice that arent as good and can be a bit risk averse.

My friend whose dogs I mentioned earlier with PAH, their vet has no out of hours and they just get referred to another practice.  Jinley wouldnt have settled overnight away from home in a crate, and I preferred to let her recover at home where it was less stressful, although everyones circumstances are different.

[cockerdoo]

 Do you want to stay with her until she has had her pre-med?  (I wish I had done this with Jinley)  Does the cost include any painkillers and follow up visits?

That's a good point, I was invited to stay with Autumn whilst she had her pre-med and it was so much better, she was less stressed and she curled up on daddy's lap (she's a daddy's girl lol) and gradually drifted off to sleep.  The cost also covered everything, the follow up appts, painkillers, etc.
I was unprepared for how awful I felt doing it to her though, I felt awful for putting her through this, but I know its for the best. 
Just a quick question - when they have their stitches taken out do they sedate them or just get on and do it?! Autumn is quite highly strung and I am a little bit worried how they are going to do this 

[Patp]

Jinley had internal dissolvable stitches, so no need for removal or the dreaded lampshade

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Jinley had internal dissolvable stitches, so no need for removal or the dreaded lampshade

I asked our vet if they could do dissolvable stitches and they said I can request it on the day. I'd like to stay with her for pre op too but that wasn't allowed; just a drop off at 8.30 am n pick up at 5.30pm.

I think they will be the 2 questions I ask the other vet before I make my mind up. If they will let me stay with her and do the dissolvable stitches I might swap I think and see how we go. I really hated taking our old dogs to have stitches out. It was more traumatic for them than the anaesthetic!

[Lottielove]

I know I'm not a cocker but I've had 2 knee replacements and having the staples out was definitely very traumatic despite nurses telling me you don't feel a thing. After the first leg when they tried to tell me that again for the 2nd I suggested they try having 26 staples in their own leg and taking them out again without feeling a thing! dissolvable stitches sounds much nicer.

[airyfairy76]

Do you want to stay with her until she has had her pre-med?  (I wish I had done this with Jinley)  Does the cost include any painkillers and follow up visits?

That's a good point, I was invited to stay with Autumn whilst she had her pre-med and it was so much better, she was less stressed and she curled up on daddy's lap (she's a daddy's girl lol) and gradually drifted off to sleep.  The cost also covered everything, the follow up appts, painkillers, etc.
I was unprepared for how awful I felt doing it to her though, I felt awful for putting her through this, but I know its for the best.  

Ooooh, might do this in April if they let me stay with her during pre-med.

I actually chatted to my vet today - well, my new one as they have taken over my local vets, and I wanted to check they still were going to offer laparoscopic spays.  He seemed a very nice man and I did find out that the £268 quote (so about £170 for traditional) does include two follow ups three and ten days later.