What Are Veterinary Costs?
Cats and dogs need to go to the doctor, just like humans do. One significant difference is that a veterinarian doesnβt have any legal responsibility to treat a pet. If an animal had suffered a significant injury and is rushed to a veterinary hospital, a deposit or proof of credit is usually required before the pet can get help.
Tito, the chihuahua, was viciously attacked by another dog on a walk. Tito was bleeding to death, and the office wouldnβt even take the dog back to be stabilized without a deposit. Can you imagine the anxiety and fear that Tito and his owner felt? Titoβs owner filled out an application from the waiting room, and thanks to donors like you, Tito survived. That heartbreaking situation is the reality for many low-income pet owners.
Titoβs ordeal is just one of the many reasons why pets may need veterinary care. A lot of situations are far less dramatic. Weβll go over different types of veterinary care below.
βRoutine Veterinary Care
βRoutine veterinary care covers things like annual check-ups, vaccines, parasite tests, dental checks, flea/tick prevention, heartworm prevention, and spay/neuter services. These services can be planned ahead of time. It is also common to see free or low-cost clinics for vaccines and spay/neuter services. If your pet isnβt acting themselves, is losing weight, or seems sluggish, itβs always a good idea to take them to the vet for a check-up. The cost of a visit to evaluate these symptoms can be vastly different depending on where you live and which veterinary office you choose.
βDiagnostic Veterinary Care
βFinding out the cause of a medical condition can require various diagnostic tests. Costs for these tests vary across the country. In some cases, the cost is higher because the office may need to pay a specializing technician to perform the test. Below are some estimated costs of diagnostic tests:
β’ X-rays: $200-$250ΒΉ
β’ MRIs: Upwards of $2,500 per scanΒ²
β’ Ultrasounds: anywhere between $50 and $500Β²
β’ Endoscopy: $800-$2,000Β²
β’ ECG (Electrocardiogram): $25 to $100Β²
β’ Various types of Blood Work can cost anywhere from $45 to $300 depending on type.
βSurgery
βThere are various types of surgery that pets may need. The majority of operations we see are mass removal, Perineal Urethrostomy (PU) surgery, and ACL surgery.
β’ Mass Removal surgeries are all very different, depending on the location and testing needed on the mass. Arminβs recent Mass Removal cost $3,825.
β’ Perineal Urethrostomy (PU) surgery is common in male cats. Itβs the last resort after changes in diet havenβt been effective, and typically only occurs after the third occurrence of a blockage. The cost for this surgery has a huge range, and often includes varying days of hospitalization. For example, two of our cases with the same outcome had extremely different costs. Kitty was able to have effective surgery for $1,500, while Friday required much more time in the hospital and ended up with a final bill of over $5,000.
β’ ACL Surgery is prevalent in dogs. This surgery ranges from $3,500 to $5,000. Hunter Cole, the service dogβs ACL surgery, cost $3,700.
Many variables can affect total surgery costs.
β’ Pets with existing medical conditions may require additional professional monitoring and care during surgery.
β’ There are separate costs to bring in an anesthesiologist.
β’ Pets may have varying needs for fluids and mediations.
β’ How quickly an animal recovers to the point of being able to go home.
βEmergency Room Visit/Observation
βA hospital stay includes various costs. The initial emergency visit might cost $150 to $500.ΒΉ If the patient needs fluids, that can cost from $30 to $100. Subcutaneous fluids can cost even more. Just like with people, a petβs stay in a hospital will have itemized expenses for every treatment, check-up, meal, and medication. Depending on what the pet needs, it can add up quickly.
βMedication Medication for pets is just as expensive as human prescriptions. In many cases, pets are prescribed the same medications that a person might take, but they have to be compounded to meet the specifications of the animal. The cost of prescriptions is something veterinarians have no control over and can be incredibly expensive. Cancer treatment, thyroid conditions, heart problems, and diabetes are particularly costly to medicate.
βThe Struggle of Veterinarians
βWorking with veterinarians across the country, weβve had the pleasure of dealing with hundreds of amazing veterinary professionals. The story of Titoβs father panicking in a waiting room might make you think that vets are in it for the money. But, weβve also dealt with vet offices where they are literally in danger of closing down because theyβve refused to turn away an animal in need.
The fact is that it costs money to run a veterinary office or hospital. Keeping up with changes in technology and offering state-of-the-art testing and treatment is expensive. There are also necessary costs associated with keeping the doors open and lights on, paying employees, and ordering supplies. Veterinarians may be able to donate their time, but absolutely everything else costs money.
We have certainly met a few veterinary administrators who weβve decided not to work with in the future, but the majority of these professionals are full of heart. They discount services, present all of the options thoroughly so that the owner and FTLOA can make the best choices for the pet, and they save lives while making personal and financial sacrifices.
For the most part, veterinarians go into business because they love animals. It is a more difficult job than many of us may realize. In addition to financial stress, taking care of sick and injured animals is emotionally taxing. One thing is for sure: Veterinary medicine takes heart.
βWhat Can You Do?
βWe encourage anyone who can afford it to start a pet savings account or research pet insurance. Thankfully many people can face a pet emergency with a credit card or care credit. For The Love Of Alex funds emergency vet care for people who have no other option. Your donations save the lives of pets from low-income families. So, no one needs to say goodbye to their best friend.
References:
1.) Ethos Vet: https://www.ethosvet.com/blog-post/why-is-veterinary-care-expensive/
2.) DocShop: https://www.docshop.com/education/veterinary/cost
