Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic or Our Regular Vet?

[ChickenToes]

I would do the low cost spay/neuter. I've had two dogs spayed in the past, one at a vet and one at a clinic. The regular vet charged well over $200 just for the spay and keeping the dog overnight. The clinic charged $45 for the spay and all the shots, and the stitching was done much better by the clinic than the other vet.

 

[SallyF]

I've had two dogs done by the low cost clinic here, one spayed and one neutered. Had no problems with either dog and would use them again in a heartbeat.

 

[onthespot]

There is a vet not ten minutes from here that will do a small dog for $50 How in the world is it $700 by you??? YIKES!

 

[redhen]

I would go to the clinic..
why not? They have vets there doing the surgeries...

I always being my pets to the spay/neuter clinic now... such a waste of money and just plain silly to go to my vets and pay triple the costs...

 

[missy_cbell21]

I had my cat neutered and one dog spayed at a low cost clinic and 2 dogs neutered at the vet. I only had the 2 done at the vet because they are on the Bainfield wellness plan and it was covered for them to be neutered. The only thing we had to pay for was the "cone of shame." I would look at a few things before you chose though, does the low cost clinic require shots be given first and heartworm test done? I would not want my dogs hanging out all day with another dog that could have something contagious. Also does the vet office even have someone there all night with the dogs? My vet gave us the option to have them stay all night but said no one would be there to take them out potty. So what was the point? Another thing you can do is check if the clinic had a group discount, the one here has a 20% off if you bring in 5 or more animals at once. I know a few people that have made carpools to have their pets spayed/neutered and the clinic is fine with it.

 

[LV426]

Low cost has spayed all my cats and my rabbits so I don't have a problem with them. However I do think that even $300 is excessive for a neuter. Even on big dogs a neuter at a low cost clinic shouldn't run more than $100 and that's for a dog over 20lbs.

Honestly the bloodwork is just a scam because unless you've got an older dog or one that's been suffering illness it's useless. (I also have my own issues with bloodwork especially when you know what's wrong and they insist on running bloodwork anyway, it cheeses me off.)

Microchipping is up to you but I'm pretty sure you can get it for less then $700 even with a neuter if you go to the humane society or look shelter dog days or even adoption fairs.

Also you might try Friends of Animals and see if you can get a voucher for a lower cost neuter. It runs around $65 for neutering if they give you the voucher. Just put your zipcode in and see if it comes up.

http://www.friendsofanimals.org/programs/spay-neuter/index.html

Good luck.

 

[Kansaseq]

Personally, I'd go with my regular vet, if that's a possiblity. The low cost clinics often use injectable (ie less safe) anesthesia, which takes longer to recover from, they don't intubate (which gives you an airway in an emergency), and don't use much in the way of monitoring equipment. Yes, if you have a young, healthy animal, you can probably get away without those things, but your animals are at greater risk if there is a problem. Not all low cost clinics are the same, so you may want to ask questions.
If you simply don't have the funds,(and who the heck has an extra $700 laying around?) and that's your only option, then do it, but is there a possibility another vet in the area can do it more safely, for less than your regular vet?
I work with a tech who, until recently, worked part time at a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. It is an assembly line of animals, with little or no monitoring equipment, and several animals to one person recovering them. It's a good resource to have for people who have no other option, and most of the time the animals do fine, but there is the occasional loss. Most of the time, you get what you pay for.

As for pain medication, back in the old days, the theory was that pain would keep a post- surgical patient quieter and less likely to do damage to itself, and also, that they didn't feel as much pain as we do. We know now that they DO in fact feel pain, but are just better able to hide it.
Think about it this way: If you or your child had major abdominal surgery, would you want them to have pain meds? I sure would. Old or young, I want my animals to have the benefit of pain medication. Heck, when one of my chickens was attacked by a dog, her vet gave her pain meds, too.

You have to decide what you are comfortable with vs what you can reasonably afford. It's a tough decision, especially in this economy. Believe me, I KNOW how expensive vet care is these days. But kudos to you for doing it, whatever route you choose. Good luck

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Quote:
Yes, but you can tell your child to lay down and stay still.

Some dogs/cats don't listen as well.

I personally would go for the low-cost clinic. We got our most recent kitten (now grown) spayed at one for $50. In fact, I only use our regular vet if there's a problem. We go to rabies clinics for vaccines. If the clinic won't do the distemper as well, then I'll do that on my own.

 

[bagendhens]

is this vet the only one locally, $350 each and an overnight stay is insane even with pre-op bloodwork. ive worked at vets clinics and that price is steep!
heck i live in south eastern CT known for high priced everything and the most ive seen a neuter is $150 to include pre-op bloodwork and pain meds and that was for a great dane!, heck even a spay only runs $200.
and unless theres an issue theres NO reason for a dog to stay in overnight, especially for a neuter (though be warned males tend to be cry babies and drama queens lol, ive always found females to "feel better" quicker than males despite the spay being much more invasive.

id call around if there are any other vets in your area and find out what they charge before making up your mind completly, ive seen both good and unfortunatly bad with the low cost ones, so id definatly check ALL options before making up your mind, but i certainly wouldnt pay $350 for a neuter...

it only cost $250 for the pre-op blood work, neuter, dew claw removal and overnight stay (because they did the dewies) on my male chihauhua, and thats considered a high risk case because hes only 3 lbs!

 

[Ashmeade]

Most definitely a clinic! I have rescued lots of dogs and cats and used our local low cost spay / neuter clinics quite a bit and referred them out.

Not sure what area you are in but you might want to shop around more! In NC low cost is about $45 for dogs and $30-35 for cats...