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Saturday, November 14, 2009

Good thing's come in 4's!


My baby is 4 months old and weighs 4lbs 2 ounces. She's now old enough and big enough to be spayed.

Can you believe her Vet gave me a quote for $513.00 to spay her? When I told them I thought that was ridiculous they went over the list of charges and by the time we were finished the bill went from $513 all the way down to $145.

Half the items on the list were simply unnecessary and OPTIONAL. Even the nurse who went over the charges admitted that almost all the items on the list were not necessary.

Like $50 to do a fluoride treatment on her teeth. What the heck does that have to do with her being spayed? Does she really need an EKG for $80 and tons of blood tests for her liver? I really don't think she needs a catheter or a fluid drip. The nurse admitted that most kittens don't need any of that. Makes we wonder how many people actually paid all that money and didn't think to question what the charges were for and what procedures actually needed to be done.

She's a kitten, a healthy kitten at that, not a human. I don't know, am I crazy to think $513 is way to much? Am I crazy to take the risk to not do testing to see how my baby Chloe will react while being under anesthesia?

So she'll be getting spayed sometime in December, for $145. The $145 covers the actual surgery, the anesthesia to completely knock her out, pain management shots and medication for afterwards. Oh yeah and a cone to put around her head ($10 for the cone).



So my advice to everyone, always ask for a detailed break down of your pet's Vet bills BEFORE they do any procedures. This way you can find out if they really NEED to do all that they are suggesting.



53 comments:

Vodka Logic said...

wow, I didn't ask for a detailed bill and paid less than $100. Your vet needs a new boat.

TwentySomethingMomma said...

Boy, that sounds familiar! We had a cat in our household when I was growing up (she lives with my mother now because I'm deathly allergic to her) and when we took her in to be spayed, the quote came out to something like $350.

We told the vet there was no way we could cough up that kind of money, not even with a payment plan in place, so he went over the "extraneous" charges for us and knocked it down to just under $100. I always wondered why he didn't just do that to begin with, sheesh!

In any case, Happy 4 Months to your "baby" - she's getting so BIG! =D

Emmy said...

That is just ridiculous! It is crazy what they tried to get away with.
good thing you said something!

That is how I feel any time I go to the dentist.. I think they just make up all these things I "need" like deep cleanings, etc.

Amy said...

I know they always try and get you at the vet for something wild.

Meg said...

Wow! That would have been a lot of money! Glad you asked for a detail billing list.

Tracie said...

That is outrageous! A flouride treatment for a cat? I'm glad you got an itemized list.
PS Your cat is cute!

Krimmyk said...

Is it just me or did it get way more expensive to spay and neuter the animals. I thought it was to be easy and affordable so to control the animal population?

Tricia McWhorter said...

Holy s--t! Good for you. Guess you're not an accountant for nothing.

Cassie said...

Are they crazy? I'm surprised they can keep business with the way they are charging customers. I could understand for your child but for a healthy less than a year old kitten? In our town they have volunteers who spay and neuter animals once a month for free. You have to prove residency and all that but it's worth it.

Anonymous said...

That is just plain nuts. That vet is trying to rack in the money. I have never heard of that much to spay any animal. I think its like 45 to neuter and 80 to spay at our vet.

____j said...

That is completely ridiculous. I'm glad you didn't just agree to it. Around where I live it's about $75. I'm surprised they can get anyone to spay or neuter asking over $500!!

Frugal Vicki said...

She is such a cutie! She looks a lot like my baby. An old and crazy roommate of mine got her from a Pet store, and I was with her when she got her. She just came running and jumped in my arms when I opened it. She was the runt, and a little silly, and she still is. But she is so very sweet.

And you are very very right about the vet. I once had their teeth cleaned and got the price cut in a third because I didn't think a full xray to check all the bones structures in her whole body was necessary!

Kim said...

Don't you love those vet bills?! We have three cats and I swear it gets ridiculous sometimes! We got sucked into one of those blood tests once, it was such a waste of money. It showed that everything was fine, which I expected bc there was no reason for it not to be. Check your local shelter, ours offers vouchers that you can use at your vet for a spay/neuter saving you anywhere between $50-100. Not bad and you get to use your vet. Plus I don't think you need the cone, we've never used one on any of our cats and they did just fine. The cone seemed to bother them more than the actual procedure. Good luck!

Liz Mays said...

She is a cutie! That explains why after we had adopted a pet from the humane society, we were only charged $75 for spaying. Clearly, it's not nearly as expensive as they let on.

I'm glad you thought to question that exorbitant charge!

2Wired2Tired said...

Wow, what a difference! Good thing you spoke up. Your cat is just too cute!

Macey said...

You ROCK! Will you please please come to my vet with me??? I always feel like a tool telling them "no" because whatever it is is freakin ridiculous!

~~Mel~~ said...

$513???? That is absurd!!!

Your baby sure is a cutie.

Allison said...

Wow! That much! That's nuts, glad you went line by line because otherwise they would have taken you to the cleaners with that one!

UberGrumpy said...

You could always try the spay-it-yourself kit, available from good retailers everywhere. Quite cheap.

Needs a steady hand though.

The Royal Family said...

http://bzzagentroyalty.blogspot.com/2009/11/photo-tag.html
I tagged you!

Hey yeah our cats cost 75 to be spayed. :) I thought that was good!

Ashley T said...

Wow.... that's all i have to say is wow! I don't even know if I'd feel comfortable enough to pay that 145 either! We soooo need pet insurance!

Claudya Martinez said...

That just makes me mad.

business travel said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Nicole said...

Great advice! Its funny, we adopted our puppy Lealu from the Mayor's Alliance for animals in NYC and they were responsible for paying for the fixing, then we offically adopted her, and we were responsible afterwards. So she got fixed, anestesia and painkillers for afterwards, and that was it! no crazy amounts added cause it was paid for by the city and then knew not to charge too much I guess! :) good job looking over the bill! I love taking out charges that aren't needed, especially flouride for the teeth!? What!? that makes no sense.

Amy said...

What a sweet kitty! I really wish I had one, but we have nowhere to keep a litter box. My house is too small.

The same applies for doctor bills, especially hospital bills. I have been double charged many times. I have gone through the bill and found tons of mistakes, even once was billed for someone else! It always pays to double check!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

WHY have I never done that. This was a serious PSA lady. And that little fur baby...I can't take it she's so cute!

yonca said...

OMG! That is a huge money! Your kitten is very cute!

Whatever Dee-Dee wants said...

She is so cute!
Fluoride treatment? Now that's just crazy!

Alicia said...

OMG that's a lot!!! so glad you got that price lowered!! we had to do the same thing with our dogs, they were totally trying to overcharge us! its amazing how many things they add on!

Multiple personalities.. said...

Whoa!! That is some serious ripping-off-age they were trying to pull. Glad you stood your ground and told them how ridiculous that was. Your furry baby is ADORABLE! :-)

Coupon Clippin Mommy said...

Super cute cat! I'm popping over from mommy Bloggers Club. I am now following. Come check my blog out sometime.

sarah said...

hey! i miss your bloggin! where are ya?!

Frugal Vicki said...

I love you girl, and I hope you had a FANTASTIC Thanksgiving!

thatgirlblogs said...

we just had ThatPearl spayed at the animal shelter (ARF) for about $65

JennyMac said...

that picture is precious!!!!

egads..that bill?

Hope you had a great holiday!

yonca said...

Let me guess. You're very busy with your new job. Am i smart or what??? Hope you had a great holiday girl!

Debbie said...

Now that is quite the bartering down! My MIL was just telling me her vet wanted $500 to neuter a dog. Incredible.

Night Owl Mama said...

your so right hurray for saving money

Nicholas Garcia (Nick) said...

I agree with you one hundred percent. It's not right to take advantage of people. I know there are laws governing padding the bill in regard to humans . I don't know if it holds true for animals. If it doesn't, it should.

The way it is with most of us the family pet grows into being a family member. Therefore doing anything within our to keep them safe...

Unknown said...

She's gorgeous!!! :D x

Stephanie said...

What a timely tip! Mine goes on Thursday:)

Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog said...

$513??? That's just crazy talk! Glad you were able to knock some $$ off of that bill. Your kitten sure is super-cute!

Amy said...

He must be trying to find a way to pay for his new 4,000 square foot home. Ha! You won our giveaway - email me your address.

Admin said...

Stopping by and following your blog from the MBC! Like your blog! Stop by and follow back at www.glitterfulpreschoolfun.com

Shelby

Anonymous said...

Just dropping by to see how you were. Miss your blog posts :(

Amy said...

Liiiisssssaaaaa, where aaaaarrrrreeee you? Just wondering how you have been doing and wanted to let you know I miss your posts. Hope everything is going well for you and you are just crazy busy with all the mad crafting you are doing for Christmas.

Amy said...

Just checking in to see how you are doing..

I was hoping to see some of your Christmas crafts if you have any going on. I hope all is well..

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Kimi said...

Lisa... Missing you around blogland. Hope you and yours have an amazing holiday!!!

TwoHeartsTogether said...

Merry Christmas!

Stephanie said...

Thought I'd come back and tell you I took this advice and it helped me so much! There are a lot of extras you don't have to pay for unless kitty needs them:)

Thanks for the tip!

Anonymous said...

wow..i have no pet...but you did great..

following on google friend connect via followers club MBC...hope you will follow back too..my google friend connect is at the bottom of my blog..

Alicia said...

TOTALLY! my stepmom manages a pet hospital and every time i have to take my dogs in to my vet i always call her to tell me what they really do and don't need. its amazing to see all of the un-necessary items they tack on!!