Vet fees
 

Just out of curiosity and looking at my dog shredding a tissue found from somewhere :sneaky: What are vet fees like in Canada mainly in the Alberta regions as this is where we are hoping to end up! Also what is the pet insurance like out there??

Thanks guys!

Re: Vet fees
 

We lived in Calagry, but I very much doubt if vetinary costs differ much elsewhere.

Our two dogs were relatively elderly in insurance terms (7 and 8 years old and German Shepherds), so we got rather stung for somewhere around $150-170 per month for the two of them. Despite having the same name, PetPlan in Canada is nothing to do with PetPlan in the UK (or so they claim), so we were effectively considered to be insuring them for the first time which to say the least was rather irksome. Ever more so because we had to put them through a batch of tests at our expense before anyone would even consider insuring them.

Sounds a lot, but in 4 years we must have easily claimed $15,000 or more. Specialist treatment does not come cheap.

Re: Vet fees
 

We are in Ottawa and have found vet fees here to be very expensive. A blood test is around $180........they have one before being issued with the equivalent of frontline. This is to check for heart worm. In this area they only put the stuff for 6 months starting 1st June.

To see a vet it is $70 min, they use technicians a lot here as well which has a seperate price. So our first visit for a intro checkup (for insurance) I felt we were stung as it was $70 for vet to check her over, then $42 for the technician to do glands and take blood then $180 for blood test. I was not happy that the vet did not do it all (as would have happened in the UK).

Not sure all vets do it, but if your dog suffers from something that might put you in the vets often then they might give you a discount.

I did speak to a vet who lives in our street and he works in a rural practice. He thought the prices of the local vets were a little high but he caveated that he dealt mainly with farmers.

{please note all prices based on vets in Ottawa and may not be the norm}

Re: Vet fees
 

We seldom seem to escape the office without spending at least $100. Basic consult is $65 and then goes up from there...

Re: Vet fees
 

Not a big fan of the what seems to be automatic Blood work and X-rays regardless of the condition of the dog and the ailments


Tried to go for the "quick fix" $60 end to all vet bills the last time but the family outvoted me and left me sleeping in the spare room for a week for suggesting it ;)

Re: Vet fees
 

Note that pet drugs are a product on which the savings by buying in the US are enormous. Revolution, the heart worm flea prevention stuff, is half the price by mail order and you don't have to pay for an examination. Horse dewormer, the spray in mouth stuff, is one tenth of the price.

Re: Vet fees
 

Surely a burlap sack and a couple of rocks wouldnt cost $60?:huh:




<ducks and runs!>

Re: Vet fees
 

Absolutely, but for many you need a prescription, so the vet gets their cut anyway:(

Anyone know where I can get Revolution plus without one?

Re: Vet fees
 

Ask me in a week. I've ordered without a prescription. I haven't received the drugs but have dealt with the vendor successfully in the past.

Re: Vet fees
 

My vet charges me $10 for a prescription, which I take to a regular pharmacy. My elderly collie needs Lysodren, Deramaxx and Thyroxin. Lysodren is close to $10 per tablet from the vet, whereas it's $5 from the pharmacy. There are similar % savings on the other two. I save $100 per month buying dog drugs that way.

Re: Vet fees
 

How do you get a script without the exam? or is this a recurring "refill" type thing?

Re: Vet fees
 

As an FYI, PC Financial has a very good Pet Insurance product...

Re: Vet fees
 

In my experience there is a huge variation in vet's fees. Some vets do the job because they love the the work, others do it because they love the money they make. One way to find the former is to ask breeders who they use.

Re: Vet fees
 

I agree.

I would also suggest that the OP uses vets outside of the City of Calgary. Travelling the massive distance to Okotoks can cut the fees by a third. This is wot we does:p

Re: Vet fees
 

Hmm for a change in Vancouver I have found the vets to be cheaper then Sarf Lundun! Annual check up and jabs for two dogs- $130

although he did mutter something silly like oh every 2 years we like to do ful blood work on them - to check for anything underlying - me: err no leave I'll leave that til its obvious thanks

2nd comment - ooh bit of tartar of the teeth, we can sedate and clean them and you should clean them too- me: again errr no = they are dogs, they dont have opposable thumbs, they never used to brush their teeth - they are on the RAW dier at=re are nearly 10 - their teeth look fab considering!

3 t=rd comment as one dog had a scabby hotspot to treat so vet shaved it first - ooh madam normally we like to sedate them before we shave - me: REALLY _ I wanted to say f off and give me the clippers- but said - no , I can hold him he's not gomma bite ya!