Veterinarian that won't rip me off?

[mikedavid00]

Hi!

I am looking for a vet that offers the base lowest prices for things like shots, fixing, etc. with NO manditory upselling and needless procedures.

I know how vets can be a 'trap' and worse than an auto garage when it comes to billing as they feel etc.

Is there a vet that has low, low prices and will just give the dog shots if that's all we want?

We don't want to get hit up will all sorts of additional services like xrays etc.. If we want shots, we only wants shots at a base low price and nothing else.

That sort of thing.

Thanks!

[ephemera]

You don't mention the location but I am quite pleased with Blue Cross Animal hospital at Broadview+Danforth in Toronto. I brought my dog in to get 'fixed' and they didn't charge me for keeping the dog overnight or other little things. But its kind of far from me, the one closer to me in oakville charges for everything!

[jandumm]

We find country vets a bit cheaper than city vets. Don't know your location but we go to Brookville Vet Clinic, close to Mohawk Racetrack out Guelph way. It's a bit of a drive but we really like their service <- even answer questions over the phone sometimes.

[mikedavid00]

We find country vets a bit cheaper than city vets. Don't know your location but we go to Brookville Vet Clinic, close to Mohawk Racetrack out Guelph way. It's a bit of a drive but we really like their service <- even answer questions over the phone sometimes.

Thanks for the replies!

I'm in west Mississauga not actually in Toronto.

We need to get the puppy his second shots and to get fixed. I've heard lots and lots of stories of vets pretty much billing whatever they please for these services including x-rays and other things that aren't required.

Then you get the whole 'well if you don't pay, you are a bad dog owner' sort of feeling so I want to establish a good relationship with a low cost vet from the start.

[nyik]

I'm in Richmond Hill. My vet charged $200 for my dog (2 yrs ago). Didn't need overnight as the appointment was first thing in the morning. I go to the vet regularly and inquired neutering charge for MIL's dogs. They've now upped to $300. They may give a discount if you have a 2nd dog from the same household. I haven't found that they charge me extra for anything so I'm pretty happy with mine.

[pepper3245]

doesn't the SPCA provide vet services? At least here in Vancouver they do.

[jandumm]

Thanks for the replies!

I'm in west Mississauga not actually in Toronto.

We need to get the puppy his second shots and to get fixed. I've heard lots and lots of stories of vets pretty much billing whatever they please for these services including x-rays and other things that aren't required.

Then you get the whole 'well if you don't pay, you are a bad dog owner' sort of feeling so I want to establish a good relationship with a low cost vet from the start.

We're in West Mississauga as well :) There's various Spay & Neuter clinics in the GTA that provide lower cost options.

I don't know if our vet's the cheapest out there, but I like the fact they tell you the cost beforehand, and don't add any "extras". The only extra they've added have been at our request (e.g. hip x-ray while our puppy was being spayed). The spaying cost us around $300.

I'm also biased as one of the vets at the clinic has a dog from our breeder -> I figure it's kinda like servicing a Honda at a Honda Mechanic :)

[avp77]

Bloor-Kipling Animal Clinic in Etobicoke is where I go - The place is very basic (very RFD, lol), but I've never felt ripped off or hassled - I think their prices are very reasonable.

The one time it did cost more was when one of my cats had a serious problem, but I still think it wasn't too expensive, and I could tell that the doctor was mindful about costs when we were talking about potential next steps (that thankfully weren't necessary, because my cat got better!).

[amz155]

Thanks for the replies!

I'm in west Mississauga not actually in Toronto.

We need to get the puppy his second shots and to get fixed. I've heard lots and lots of stories of vets pretty much billing whatever they please for these services including x-rays and other things that aren't required.

Then you get the whole 'well if you don't pay, you are a bad dog owner' sort of feeling so I want to establish a good relationship with a low cost vet from the start.

You're not forced to pay for anything you don't agree with. Get a quote ahead of time with all charges itemized. If you think something is BS, call them on it and have them explain why you need to pay extra for so and so.

They can't just bill whatever they please. It has to be justified. X-rays are not required for spaying/neutering (in MOST cases) nor for shots. You don't need to book at a clinic that keeps the animal overnight either. IMHO that's BS. I worked at a vet clinic for 3 years and would always laugh when people told me they had their pet fixed at a clinic that kept it overnight for "observation". You also aren't obliged to pay for an e-collar to put on your little guy after he is fixed. Take him home and just monitor him to ensure he doesn't lick the would too much. If he fusses with it, then you can go back and get the e-collar.

Nothing makes you a bad pet owner for refusing to pay for BS charges that are services you didn't ask for or the animal does not require.

On a side note, one of the vets I worked for would tack on "extra" fees to owners that were jerks or animals that were extra poorly misbehaved. For example, for a bloodtest, ehe vet would tack on things like "blood collection fee", "lab delivery fee", etc. The charges are technically justified since the services did occurr but they were not cheaply priced, and the charges were only applied in some cases. So, I do know what you mean about being ripped off. But just be well informed and you should be able to critically analyze your bill.

[mikedavid00]

On a side note, one of the vets I worked for would tack on "extra" fees to owners that were jerks or animals that were extra poorly misbehaved. For example, for a bloodtest, ehe vet would tack on things like "blood collection fee", "lab delivery fee", etc. The charges are technically justified since the services did occurr but they were not cheaply priced, and the charges were only applied in some cases. So, I do know what you mean about being ripped off.

You just explained it perfectly what I meant.

I actually found a website http://www.vetratingz.com/

From what I gather, the vets with the most reviews have the lowest prices. Both the Blue Cross and Bloor/Kipling Animal Clinic have amongst the most ratings there. Not the best ratings, but the most in quantity.

Some of the bad clinics I've read.. wow.. they are almost con artists.

I just want the lowest price possible to get the dog fixed, cat declawed, shots, etc. with NO suprises. This seems to be a rare find.

[amz155]

Well for the puppy to get its second set of vaccines I'm guessing about $65, including the exam; then maybe $90 for the final set and exam.

For the dog to be neutered it depends on the weight of the dog. Heavier dog = more anaesthetic required. On average I'd say $300.

For the cat to be declawed it WILL most likely have to stay one or two days for wounds to be monitored. Cat will most likely also require some type of sedative i.e. fentanyl patch (if that's still how they do it) which isn't cheap. The declaws are not cleap procedures from what I remember.

For the surgeries you will be asked to pay for blood tests to be done prior to the surgery. This is standard. Just make sure its the basic blood test and that its done in house. The blood is taken not too long before surgery just to make sure they should go ahead with the procedure.

Again, this is just from what I remember from years ago.

[Cheap Cat]

I just want the lowest price possible to get the dog fixed, cat declawed, shots, etc. with NO suprises. This seems to be a rare find.

Low cost is one factor but the quality of care is also very important. A bad vet can cause more problems and expenses in the long term.