Lumps?

[jorats]

See... I'm just trying to justify my vet raising her prices constantly. I'm getting fed up with the high cost. But then again, it's very expensive for dog and cat procedures as well so it's not just small animals.
I need a vet like yours.

 

[user 78]

I'm sorry, Jo. I understand getting fed up with it after a time. She does offer superior services compared to other vets in the area, so her prices are justified. It'd be nice if they understood, though, that we're not all made out of money and especially rescues get sick often. If she charges higher prices for small animals in general, though, I'd have to think it's due to better equipment, better staff, etc..

If you ever feel a driving need to move to the southern US, I can introduce you to my vet. And if you do that, if you could just pick up a few things for me from Toronto.. :laugh:

 

[jorats]

Hey, anything you want from Toronto, let me know, next time I go there, I can pick it up and ship it to you!

 

[user 78]

LOL I don't think Shelagh and the rats would appreciate being shipped, hehe!


I did forget to mention, that as much as I love my vet she does have her downsides. She's not as hands on as many vets I've heard about online. I do my research, then go in and tell her what I want. She'll give me opinions, but in the end it's whatever I feel is needed. So if I'm unsure about treatment, it can take me a while to get it around to where I want it to be. She doesn't examine unless I ask her to, it's my job to figure dosages and weights, etc.. So, while she is amazing, she would be the reason I'm so good with meds and diagnosing.

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

I agree with Java my vet is probably not has hands on as what your vet is. You do get what you pay for in a lot of cases. It sounds to me like your vet provides excellent service and that is why she is expensive. But it is worth the money to pay for comfort.

 

[jorats]

LOL I don't think Shelagh and the rats would appreciate being shipped, hehe!

LOL! I could always try FedEx! :lol:

 

[Moon]

I do have to wonder if we're all taking into account the locations of our vets.... depending on where they are located and the clientel they cater to, the prices can be drastically different, even if their levels of expertise are the same. A clinic that caters to a more rural area may be fabulous vets but charge less because the clientel they serve are farmers, etc.

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

Moon, that is very true. The vet that wanted to charge a lot has a large facility and is in downtown Tulsa, so lots of Dr's and Lawyer's.

While Dr. Cody is in the same area he has a lot of senior clients and is a sole practitioner with very little overhead (his wife does a lot of the work) and he has one vet tech and one or two kennel techs.

So I think that plays a big role in how much they charge.

 

[SoA]

I really dislike when vets charge a lot in order to dissuade clients from going ahead with surgeries. Why can't they just say they're not comfortable performing them?

Personally, for a tumor removal I pay $30-$60 depending on the size, location, and how much time/work it takes my vet to get it all out and closed up. Neuters are $40, and spays are $60.

 

[jorats]

Oh god... SoA, I'm moving to your city!!

 

[mamarat]

How far is it to Michigan from Sudbury? Those are great prices.

 

[Melissa's ZOO]

SoA your vet prices make me feel a little better. I was starting to doubt the quality of care my girls would receive, since it seemed like everyone's vet charges so much more. I did how ever call Dr. Cody to reassure my self and he told me to feed the girls like I normally do maybe even giving them a little more protein the night before and to bring with me a hot water bottle to put under their carrier to keep them warm while they recover. He also said that he would use glue instead of stitches to try and keep them and their cage mates from messing with the incision. So I feel a little better but surgery is just so nerve racking and it will take everything I have not to bite my finger nails off while I wait for the call that everything went well.

 

[SoA]

I absolutely adore my vet. She has helped me, and Kaia (aka Huron Valley Rat Rescue) out so much. I recommend her to everyone; she went from having 1-2 rat clients a year, to having that many a day!

Mamarat - it's only a mere 500 miles!