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

[mekasmom]

I would find a different local vet at a more reasonable cost and have it done there. We actually just had this discussion at our home about one of our large dogs because it costs so much more for the laser spay on a giant breed dog. I know how tempting it is to save some cash at a low cost clinic, but I just won't send my pets to one for anything. If I couldn't afford to have them altered at a trusted local vet, then I would just wait. They are my babies, and I want to give them the best. And that's a REAL vet that I know and trust. Those low cost places often have a lot of university kids on staff and residents that help one real vet do all the work.
Plus this is just a neuter, not a spay, so as long as you keep your dogs controlled, you are not going to have to deal with a litter of puppies. If it isn't a medical necessity (prostate issues, cryptorchidism, etc) then just wait to find a good vet you know where you can afford to have it done.

 

[ChickenToes]

I don't doubt that a lot of low cost clinics use volunteers for some of the work, but you really need to call and ask to be sure. The one I took my dog to was held at a regular vet's clinic, and the vet that owns the clinic was the one that performed the surgery on my dog. The volunteers were there just to weigh the animals and monitor them after surgery. Just call and ask, it can't hurt.

 

[allanimals21]

Quote:
I had to stop giving Samantha her pain meds because she was flyin around the place like nothing happened to her. stopped the meds and that changed her tune. She laid around for the next week or so. It was kinda nice. lol

Plus $700 sounds a little steep! One neuter at my vet who is higher priced was only $207. He had his shots done also

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Yeah, that's how ours is. The Humane Society of Bauxite just helps out on the cost, or whatever the deal with the vet is. There is a waiting list, and when your time comes up you take your cat to the normal vet's office down the road. That I could go for in a heartbeat, except that I already got both of my cats done at our regular vet (who charges "normal" prices).

I've also heard horror stories of low cost clinics being done on someone's kitchen table.

That is scary!

So it totally depends on how it's done in your area. Also a neuter is not a huge deal IMO, snip snip and some glue, my kitty was sitting on his booty when he got home from the vet --- and I expected he might be sore!
It's not like a spay, with real abdominal surgery.

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

Not all low cost clinics are the same. If your Vet gave your local one the green light I'd use it. I hope you get the vaccinations and the microchip for that price too though, that's not exactly low cost IMO. Your vet however is way out there with price and the 'need' to keep them overnight and do bloodwork. Older dogs yes, but not a pup! I had a 3 year old rescue done for $300 with microchip and vaccine and she was home in 5 hours. They did do the extra meds and for her it worked out, she slept the drugs off, next day she moved about tenderly, then the day after that I kept her on a leash for being too willing to run and jump. Fourth day I let her do as she wished and she did fine.

 

[dntd]

I would go to the low cost clinic. We did have to take our bichon to a regulat vet as we don't have one in our area, also we had to do the blood test for clotting as she has a genetic bleeding disorder in her family, she barely passed the blood test but we figured if she was to get pregnant she would die during the delivery. That being said most dogs are fine, purebred ones have problems sometimes.