Veterinary Costs?

DH and I are seriously considering adopting or purchasing a puppy (havent decided yet). But we were wondering how much estimated vet costs were. How much is a standard checkup? Typically what do you spend per year for the vet?

Re: Veterinary Costs?

Since we had Abby , our puppy who is not yet nuetured we have spent about $1500 for the vet. And thats since July of 2006.

She had a runny nose for the first month we had her, so that added to the cost. The Vet wanted to see her almost weekly.

Re: Veterinary Costs?

The annual cost on average for my dogs is about $800 per dog. I have 4 dogs of all different breeds. The smaller ones need much more attention.

The most I ever spent at one visit was $1700 when Pyxie swallowed a penny & we had to have it surgically removed.

ETA: This is not including special foods or monthly heartworm/flea/tick prevention.

Message edited 2/1/2007 7:52:02 AM.

Re: Veterinary Costs?

You have shots, grooming, clipping nails, Pet Insurance, and what ever else comes up.

Insurance costs me $35 a month, but it covers basically everything. It is worth it to me, because last year Tiny was at the ER and that cost us $1200.

I would say so far last year I must of spent $600 without his trip to the vet.
Scott

Re: Veterinary Costs?

Message edited 1/30/2009 11:30:51 AM.

Re: Veterinary Costs?

I would automatically get Vet insurance (VPI is supossed to be great). You want to get it ASAP so that they can't up the cost due to pre-existing conditions. It's really not expensive at all.

As far as what one spends per year, it's different depdent on the dog. I can tell you that in just the past 5 weeks alone, we've spent over $1K trying to figure out what's wrong with Cooper's stomach (which is the source of almost all of our vet bills). If you love the dog though (and you will, more than you ever thought possible), it will be so worth it!

Good luck!

ETA: If/When you get a dog and when you're trying to decide on a vet, don't settle for a place that is open 24hrs (like an emergency vet) because their prices are usually much higher... a smaller practice is usually (in our experience) cheaper and they are more compasionate towards the animal (kind of like they have a vested interest in your pet whether or not you shelling over the bucks)... and they can always refer you to those expensive 24hr/emergency places that tend to have specialists on hand if the need arises.

Message edited 2/1/2007 4:56:37 PM.

Re: Veterinary Costs?

It really depends. You can't say how much it is cause different things cost different prices.

We just took Rudy to the Vet for his Rabies shot it cost us 240.00 cause he need a whole bunch of stuff

Re: Veterinary Costs?

We spent more initially because we had to neuter, which was expensive. I'd say $1000/year per pet.

Re: Veterinary Costs?

they have cheaper vaccinations at petco, so you can save some money there.