Are vets fees gone more expensive

Rachel 999

Has anyone been to a vet lately to get a simple proceedure done or vacc's. You need to go to see the doctor when you get the bill.
What prices are people paying round the country for basic vaccinations.:):):)

Honey-ec

Rachel 999 wrote: »

You need to go to see the doctor when you get the bill.

Er, not sure what that means, but anyway, I recently paid €130 for boosters for 3 Boxers in Tullow. I used to bring them to my mum's vet in Dublin and prices there were definitely higher.

Obviously initial vaccines (3, 5 or 9-in-one) will be more expensive.

Sigma Force

Fees in general have gone up and some medication can be expensive.
I paid €35.00 the other week for my little dogs booster and her kennel cough vax. I didn't think that was too bad usually my bills are higher than that..always something with animals.

I find flea treatments are a ridiculous price now stronghold/advocate etc.

I have found that Parazole wormer is so much cheaper than buying wormer tablets.

PurpleBerry

When I got my puppy from his parents owner in Tipperary she said the vaccinations would cost approx €7. I booked them in in a Dublin vets clinic and the cost was €45. I don't know if this was a mark-up or a misunderstanding but I got one round of vaccinations and then a set of boosters two weeks later. It came to €90 in total at the worst time of the year, January.

I would need to be very ill before I spent that much on myself but I can't refuse it for the puppy!

Run_to_da_hills

Is it worth going over the border for pet vaccinations, operations etc?

Dental treatment for humans is a lot cheaper in the North.

wolfpawnat

I'm sorry but €35-45 for the basic checkup or vaccinations has been the price for at least 4 years. Its not that expensive really. But there is one place I came across that is far too overpriced in the South side of Cork city, and I mean basic vaccines DOUBLE the price.

My suggestion is shop around. But beware anyone under €30 for check ups, they are usually that low only because they are not up to par and it is the only way for them to get customers!

boomerang

Neesa wrote: »

When I got my puppy from his parents owner in Tipperary she said the vaccinations would cost approx €7. I booked them in in a Dublin vets clinic and the cost was €45. I don't know if this was a mark-up or a misunderstanding but I got one round of vaccinations and then a set of boosters two weeks later. It came to €90 in total at the worst time of the year, January.

I would need to be very ill before I spent that much on myself but I can't refuse it for the puppy!

€7 is the cost price of the vaccination. There is quite a mark-up by the vets. Each vaccination at the vet will cost anywhere from €30 to €45 euro. I know it's very expensive but you did absolutely the right thing - it's so important that your puppy is inoculated against parvovirus especially - I've seen many puppies die of parvo, it's an absolutely horrible virus and so common.

00112984

Have spent just over €170 on vets' fees in the past three weeks. €70 for initial vaccination, worm dose and check-up for our puppy, €50 to have our rabbit put to sleep and another €50-something for second round of vaccinations for the pup today along with a second worm dose plus one to give her in a month.

Have to say, it certainly is expensive but we're lucky enough to have a vet we trust. They keep excellent records, do their best to accommodate us for Saturday appointments and emergency appointments and always give our pets a very thorough checking-over when they're in for the smallest of things. Even getting the first vaccinations for the pup two weeks ago, we were in with the vet for a good half hour and he checked everything- eyes, ears, feet, heart, hips, stance, tail; everything! He also gave us loads of advice and things to look out for. We never feel rushed to get out.

Apart from that, I know that the area where the clinic is located is an expensive area to rent. It's about a ten minute drive from us and I'd imagine there are places ten minutes in the opposite direction who are cheaper due to lower overheads etc. but this one is ideal as there is parking nearby and plenty of space to bring in crates/carriers etc.

On top of that, there are always at least two vets working, even on a Saturday so we're never left waiting long and there's always a second opinion right next door.

Yes, vets are expensive but we pay for the service as well as the product and the peace of mind in knowing that my pets are in good, though not overtly-cheap, hands.

mossie110

got my fella his yearly booster and got him wormed 69 euros in tralee

Tony H

Got my pup vaccinated twice recently , €40 each time for the vaccination and he was wormed and given a quick check up and had his nails clipped for that ,
I rang a good few vets around the cork area and the difference in charges ranged from €35 to €70 ,

Sigma Force

Not saying anyone should not give their pooch the best of care (or any other pet) but here's a tip for anyone wanting to save a few quid nail clipping fees from a vet can be charged at around €5.00 depending on the vet so if the pets nails need doing regularly then have the vet show you how it's done then invest in a nail clippers..they aren't too expensive and if you feel comfortable do it yourself after that.

Same with worming, as long as you are 100% sure on dosage, you can always pop into most vets and the scales is there free for you to weigh your pet then just ask at the counter what the dosage is and do it yourself.
Parazole wormer is a lot cheaper esp. when worming multiple pets or if you have a new puppy that you have to worm regularly for the first few months. You will pay around 8 euro for the bottle where as the tablets can cost you 4 euro or so per tablet (not sure of exact price because I have switched to Parazole).

I don't want to add up all the vet bills over the past 4 or 5 months I think I would have a little cry if I did

ergonomics

I got booster shots for my dog and microchipped for €69, which I thought was amazing. We've been going to the same vet for years and they really are fantastic.

lucky111

I live in cork [ southside ]
Had to bring Alfie my rotty to the vet today as he was "under the weather"
The vet gave him a dose of antibiotics there, worming tablets [2] and a weeks worth of antibiotics. Came to 68 euro....... Not bad;)

bikki

Got stung for 95 euro to have my cat neutared in Swords last week.

mr1983

fitzdragon wrote: »

Got my pup vaccinated twice recently , €40 each time for the vaccination and he was wormed and given a quick check up and had his nails clipped for that ,
I rang a good few vets around the cork area and the difference in charges ranged from €35 to €70 ,

can u suggest a good reasonably priced vet in cork? have been taking my two dogs to a southside vet that has me all but bent over a tree with a tennis ball in my mouth,its a big practice but they never seem to have the same vet on twice and i would prefer some one who would get to know my dogs and be aware of their histories...

hadook

I paid €78 yesterday for blood tests, antibiotics and a checkup for one of the cats. €35 of that was the vet consultation and I'm not going to complain considering I've called them at 2am in the past with an emergency and been charged no more.

Vets have to make money to pay the bills like the rest of us. I do sometimes feel like I'm personally paying their salary but I guess that's what happens when you have multiple wonky pets

mossie110

this is the reason why i asked of a sticky note for vets, but got reply.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055470607&highlight=vets
i just thought it may have been a good idea, guess not..

Munster Gal

mr1983 wrote: »

can u suggest a good reasonably priced vet in cork? have been taking my two dogs to a southside vet that has me all but bent over a tree with a tennis ball in my mouth,its a big practice but they never seem to have the same vet on twice and i would prefer some one who would get to know my dogs and be aware of their histories...

There's the vets in Blackpool in the Sunbeam Park. I've heard great things about them and as far as I know there's only 2 vets there so they'd get to know you fairly fast.

wolfpawnat

mr1983, where in the southside are you, if you are near Carrigaline there are 2 great vets there, or if you are near Douglas, I would suggest you keep away from a cdertain veterinary hospital at the roundabout near Dunnes, they are thieves(way overcharging fro basic services)!!!!

doolin101

bikki wrote: »

Got stung for 95 euro to have my cat neutared in Swords last week.

Got stung?:eek:
Are you mental?- it is a surgical procedure involving anesthetics, surgical skills, pre and post op monitoring, pain relief and antibiotic injection- €95 is cheap!!

indenial

If your only giving your pet a routine worm dose or innoculation you can do it yourself easy peezy.

If you think about it you basically paying somebody in one of the best professions in Ireland to do something a monkey could do. They charge you the same fee for the time it takes them as it would for them to do life saving surgery.

Quick tip for weighing your pet so you know how much worm dose to administer. Weigh yourself then pick up the pup/kitten and weigh both of you,minus your own weight = the weight of the dog........no more guess work.

anniehoo

indenial wrote: »

If your only giving your pet a routine worm dose or innoculation you can do it yourself easy peezy.

If you think about it you basically paying somebody in one of the best professions in Ireland to do something a monkey could do. They charge you the same fee for the time it takes them as it would for them to do life saving surgery.

Indenial, i agree that simple things like worming every owner should be able to do. Many just cant or wont learn to do basic things like that. Their fault not the vets. But, regardless whether its a routine "monkey job" as you put it you still have to pay for the vets time. Its the same as paying for a plumber or electrician to fix something simple in your home. If we could all fix that leaking tap by ourselves then we would, but they have to earn a living just like anyone else. Just because its a routine job doesnt mean they should provide the service for pittance! Theyd be a long time making money charging next to nothing for every minor issue that comes through their doors of which id say theres a lot.

indenial

Anniehoo, I do think vets charge a lot but that's not what I was saying in my post. What I am saying is that people should take it upon themselves to worm & vaccinate the pups/ kittens themselves.

First time you would want to see a vet do it but it is simple to do yourself after you have seen it done. I do all my pups myself without any hassle and it saves a lot of money. I just think some people run to the vet too easily when there is no need.

Munster Gal

If you vaccinate your dog/cat yourself you won't be able to kennel them because you need a vaccination cert from the vet. You also won't have any comeback in the case of vaccine failure or (rare) vaccine reactions. I agree however that every pet owner should be able to administer worm doses and flea treatments themselves. Any vet worth their salt will show you how to do it and give you some tips on holding the animal etc. In some clinics you don't have to see a vet for minor routine stuff like vaccines - you see the nurse and the cost is lower.

doolin101

indenial wrote: »

If your only giving your pet a routine worm dose or innoculation you can do it yourself easy peezy.

If you think about it you basically paying somebody in one of the best professions in Ireland to do something a monkey could do. They charge you the same fee for the time it takes them as it would for them to do life saving surgery.

Ok so I will scome clean- I am one of those 'Monkeys' you describe who are in the 'best profession' in Ireland. 2 things I would like to address- 1. Of course it does not take as long to do life saving surgery as it does to do a vaccination. At a vaccination consult you do not just get the product of the vacc but you get a full health check, a disscussion regarding your animals care and welfare. Granted €40-€50 euros for a 'jab' may seem steep but scratch the surface to see exactly what you are getting- oh and also the certifaction for kenneling/insurance purposes. Did you know that if you vaccinate your self you are not covered by pet insurance should your animal contract a vaccinatable disease?

Secondly, I would like to know what you mean by 'one of the best professions' in Ireland? In some aspects I would totally agree with you. I love my job, I studied long and hard to qualify and nothing gives me more pleasure than to send a recovered animal home or to welcome a new family member into a household. That said, I often work 90 hours a week + (not including on call hours), I regularly see instances of cruelty and simply avoidable messes from peoples ignorance. We have to help people make some really hard descisions, sometimes for the welfare of the animal but oftentimes simply for financial reasons. As a profession- it is well documented that we have one of the highest rates of suicide and alcoholism per head of practicing vet. If you work out our hourly rate- it is clear that most trades people would/could earn as much as we do and I am guessing they dont have to pay profession indeminty insurance!

This is not meant to be a rant at people who feel they have been ripped off- but please if you have a problem with costs talk to your vet. Pet insurance is well within the grasps of most people -for a cat it works out about €8-10 a month and a non pedigree dog €12-15 a month- not a lot in the grand scheme of things! Of course for those that this is simply too much to pay Vets and the Blue cross are happy to help- but all to often we hear the poor mouth from people in Mercs (this is not an exaggeration- i used to work in a charity Vet clinic and would regularly have people with pure bred dogs costing €500-700+ and mercs and even once a fur coat turn up looking for freebies!).

So to all who read this-please take it in the spirit it is intended, vets love animals, love their jobs and really dont go out of our way to rip off the public!

luckat

My vet bills have soared. I'm actually tempted to go and get my dog vaccinated at the Blue Cross next time, and have it on the vaccination form; maybe it would make my very expensive (though very good) veterinary practice see a little sense about the prices they charge for basic stuff.

I have the dog insured with PetPlan, which saved me a lot on a big operation she had, but it's relatively dear, and climbing.

doolin101

Again, unless you literally cannot afford it the Blue Cross is not there for people who feel the fees are pricey. You could shop around but bear in mind cheaper is not always better. It is great that you have pet insurance- I have it on my pets as even I know for specialist procedures costs can mount into thousands. As regards vaccinations...has anyone recently paid for travel vaccinations for humans- I did, cost over €200 just for the vacc-consultation was more on top of that. In that context €50 in the vets is not bad?

kazza90210

If you are willing to spend money on pricey pedigrees then you should be prepared to pay for their vet costs too. Everyone knows when getting a pet there are costs involved so please dont be using the blue cross who are a great charity if you dont really need it otherwise they will run out of resources and wont be able to help animals who really need it.

siobhan.m

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Is it worth going over the border for pet vaccinations, operations etc?

Dental treatment for humans is a lot cheaper in the North.

Yes, it is FAR cheaper - I took in a stray cat last month, took him up north and got him neutered, wormed, tested for HIV and leukemia and got worming tablets for my other two cats. Cost? £65.

Rnag my vet in Dublin today to book him in for his second vaccination - €66!!! It'll cost me less to drive up to Belfast again and get it done there, which is exactly what I am going to do.

microchipping up north is not an option though, as the vet up there told me there would be different databases here and in the UK.

Munster Gal

siobhan.m wrote: »

Yes, it is FAR cheaper - I took in a stray cat last month, took him up north and got him neutered, wormed, tested for HIV and leukemia and got worming tablets for my other two cats. Cost? £65.

Rnag my vet in Dublin today to book him in for his second vaccination - €66!!! It'll cost me less to drive up to Belfast again and get it done there, which is exactly what I am going to do.

microchipping up north is not an option though, as the vet up there told me there would be different databases here and in the UK.

€66 is very expensive for a 2nd vaccination!!!!

siobhan.m

Munster Gal wrote: »

€66 is very expensive for a 2nd vaccination!!!!

That's what I thought, but I guess that's Dublin for you! I have to go up north to do the shopping on the weekend so i'll take him then. It's only £20 or so up there.