I just want to say I'm utterly shocked at the price of veterinary fees today. I remember back in 2000 when spaying a cat was around $130-$170 and now it's close to $400 minimum. WOAH!

I did a lot of calling around today to find out and it's insane. I remember when exotic vets were pricey, sure makes me wonder how much they charge now.

Just for your info.....yes, exotic vets are still pricey.....that is, if you can find one.

I went through hell about 4 years ago when my guinea pig got sick. After I finally found a vet who could treat her, I was informed that the first office visit would be $250. Then, after they took a look at her, they would give me the estimate of what they thought it would cost to treat her...which needed to be paid ~in advance.~ I don't remember if I posted about this in the past, but thinking back, I think it cost me somewhere between $1000 - $1200 in office visits, meds, etc. and she wound up passing away anyway.

Linda

Lin H wrote:Just for your info.....yes, exotic vets are still pricey.....that is, if you can find one.

I went through hell about 4 years ago when my guinea pig got sick. After I finally found a vet who could treat her, I was informed that the first office visit would be $250. Then, after they took a look at her, they would give me the estimate of what they thought it would cost to treat her...which needed to be paid ~in advance.~ I don't remember if I posted about this in the past, but thinking back, I think it cost me somewhere between $1000 - $1200 in office visits, meds, etc. and she wound up passing away anyway.

Linda

Linda, I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved guinea pig. That's so sad!!

Yes, exotic vets are hard to find around here too, when I started pigeon rehab in my late teens I wound up with an egg bound pigeon and had to take her in, they expected me to pay and estimated something close to what you paid, it's ridiculous !! the bird was dying and they knew she wasn't even mine, she was wild and needed the help.

In the end she went to the wildlife centre, and they took care of things and returned her for release which was wonderful.

I don't know where the heart is in the veterinary field anymore, it seems to me it's just big business, and as long as we've got pets we're going to need them and they're going to take advantage - btw, I don't mean to generalize because I know for a fact there are some great vets out there and I've met some myself, but the point is that for every good one there are more who are just taking advantage.

Your profile says "vet assistant", don't you get an employee discount?

Cyreen wrote:Your profile says "vet assistant", don't you get an employee discount?

I don't work in that field though, other than my volunteer work with animals, and mostly birds, I never perused it.

I too can definitely relate to huge vet costs from exotic vets. I agree with you TTT and also that many take advantage and just don't seem to have a heart. Of course they can't treat every wild animal for free that someone brings to them either.

On the flip side there is a lot an educated pet owner can do themselves (the obvious exceptions being spaying/neutering). Considering I have the two cats and a dog, I do most of my vaccinations myself, rather than pay $50 per head to walk in the door, plus the cost of the vaccination ($6). It makes it much more tolerable when there is a problem out of my league that I know is going to cost the equivalent of a mortgage payment.

Cyreen wrote:On the flip side there is a lot an educated pet owner can do themselves (the obvious exceptions being spaying/neutering). Considering I have the two cats and a dog, I do most of my vaccinations myself, rather than pay $50 per head to walk in the door, plus the cost of the vaccination ($6). It makes it much more tolerable when there is a problem out of my league that I know is going to cost the equivalent of a mortgage payment.

Yes, that's a great idea!! Last year I helped out a lady administer fluids to her cat who was going through a hard time with kidney problems, so it's good to see eager pet owners step up to learn rather than have to run off to the vet everyday, which costs a fortune too.

I wonder how much higher prices will go, it's just out of this world!