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Can I pay my vet in GUM? — Brooklynian

Can I pay my vet in GUM?

dawnlovesmike
dawnlovesmike
edited November -1 in Brooklyn Pets
Hi all! Like most everyone on this thread we are long time pet owners. We LOVE our animals ( 2 big dogs,) highly value them, and will do most anything to keep them happy and healthy… (I want everyone to know that before I start to sound like I’m being negligent!)

We have a vet who is WONDERFUL and we trust him implicitly. In an emergency I’d sell a kidney to get either pup his care. But his prices are VERY VERY high. 99% of our care has been routine or minor, but we have never once left his office paying less than $400+. Never once.

Like most, our financial status has taken a nose dive, and we’re finding ourselves not taking the dogs in as often as we should. Nothing life threatening (we hope,) but for things we would have gone in for in the past.

We’re considering finding a decent low cost clinic (is there such a thing?) for small stuff (ear infections, a rash, whatever,) and using our regular Dr. when we know it’s important. My husband is a teacher, and even though I lost my job we earn too much to qualify for any special programs. I’ve suggested the cost effective “At-home Euthanasia Kit” (three Tylenol PMs and a brick) but my husband isn't quite onboard with that yet. (kidding)

How is everyone else dealing with this? Does anyone know of any teaching clinics, etc that they trust and can recommend? I’m so afraid we’re going to blow off something that ends up being serious. I know this sounds corny but I don’t think either of us would get over being the cause of avoidable suffering of our dogs.

Thanks to all for your input and for being a safe and knowledgeable community to come to with pet issues!

Comments

  • opossumqueen
    opossumqueen
    Have you checked out the Humane Society?

    I have not looked into this at all, but I think Cornell might have a vet program, though it might not be in the city. I would guess you can get cheaper care at the school.
  • opossumqueen
    opossumqueen
    And holy crap on the $400.

    I really like my vets at Prospect Park Animal Clinic and I think a check-up plus a few heart-worm pills is usually all under $100 for my 50lb. dog. Maybe call a few places for prices?
  • ageye
    ageye
    I second PPAC, although I have 2 cats. I have talked to them about keeping bills down to just the necessities and have never felt the hard push from them on unnecessary tests, shots, food, etc.
  • carmen
    carmen
    3rd-ed on PPAC- I brought my monster there for his neutering with a Muffins cert and they were very candid about the other "optional" services they offer with it...basically they told me it was not necessary for me to get bloodwork or additional testing done since he was a young, healthy dog. Animal Kind not only didn't take a Muffins cert, but they required IV fluids, bloodwork and some really long in-office stay for a standard neutering of a 4 month old puppy.
    Animal Kind also pressured me into getting his puppy teeth pulled while he was under for his neutering (at 4 months!) and PPAC didn't even mention it (for the record, all his teeth came out late at 9 months but he's got a very healthy set of chompers now!)

    Long story short- Animal Kind has always been awesome, attentive and pretty "swanky" but I think PPAC gave equal service for a greatly reduced price. I'd recommend! Plus the park is across the street for a nice long walk after your critters do such a nice job at the vet...
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    vets outside of the city are much cheaper.

    ...for routine care, our mutt goes to a place upstate that charges about half what local places charge.
  • toadette
    toadette
    If you have access to a car or your pups are small enough to bring on the LIRR, North Shore will do some procedures at low cost: http://www.nsalamerica.org/about/wellness-clinic-services-and.html

    And yeah, $400 for a routine vet visit is alarming. My vet charges $60 for the visit, plus respectable other amounts for additional services (vaccinations, meds, tests, etc.). The only time I paid more than $300 even was when I had to take her to the emergency clinic in Boerum Hill after she couldn't keep down even water for a few days in a row. That set me back $600 for testing for every possible ailment (blood work, xrays, parasites, etc.), plus meds and IV fluids.

    Oh - another idea is the Vet My Pet at Petland on 5th. Once a month a vet visits there and will do full exams, vaccinations, whatever you want. I took my girl there once for a bordetellla boster and it wasn't bad. I wouldn't depend on it for primary care, as it has a bit of a cattle call assembly line feel to it, but it was fine for boosters and small things where the full office visit charge is unnecessary. I paid $44 for the booster, whereas it would have been $90 at my regular vet ($60 office visit plus $30 for the shot). Okay, apparently they call it Luv My Pet now - but same thing: http://www.petlanddiscounts.com/VetServices.asp

    And yeah, I also have gone the whynot route and taken my dog to an out of town vet (down south where my mom lives) - I got her the super expensive dental cleaning surgery for half of what I was quoted here.
  • dawnlovesmike
    dawnlovesmike
    ALL EXCELLENT!!! I'm going to look up all the suggested places and weigh prices vs distance. You guys are the best!

    I gotta say, tho... I was suprised that no one agreed with my Euthanasia solution- I hate when my husband is right!. ;)
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