I need advice I am clueless about vaccines
 

So my baby will be here in a little over 2 weeks and I am beyond excited! But I never had a dog before and I am clueless about vaccines and prices. I've narrowed it down to two veterinary clinics that have good reviews (friends and family) and now I'm trying to see which is more affordable.

The first will charge me $399 for
-2 fecal exams
-several dewormings
-microchip
-3 visits
-rabies vaccine
-among other things this basically covers all the shots he will need for his first year (the major ones I mean)

The second said it is about 65 for each of the series of puppy vaccines.

I know that prices vary in different states but if you guys could tell me around how much you paid I could see which is the better deal. Also your opinion would help.

Also for those of you who use or have used care credit what is your opinion of it.

Personally I would go with the second one. First one is a package. Do you need everything in that package? How old will your baby be? Mine came fully wormed and only needed the last set of shots. Don't know if I would want to get roped into a package deal.

I am lucky when it comes to my vet. Wonderful care and the best prices. I was amazed when I took him just for a health verification. Was just an exam $26(was expecting $50 or more, based on previous vet in town I used for my cat). His vaccine visits I was charged for the vaccines only, the vet exam was $0, on average vaccine cost was about $35.

My vet charged $140 for the vaccinations, given over 6 weeks and 3 visits because of Sam's size. He also did two fecal exams. Deworming was $13. Rabies was $18. Sam was already chipped when I brought him home, so no idea on that. Throw in a year's supply of heartworm preventive at $39 every 6 months, and I'm right at $250. That first one seems a little high to me.

I agree with skipping the package deal. Your pup's needs will depend on age and what is done by the breeder before bringing your puppy home.

I prefer to split up the vaccines and to do the rabies one at about 5 - 6 months.

Prices vary on where you live. If you are in or close to a major metropolitan area, an office visit is usually $65.

I would also skip the package deal. Mine was $45 for each set of shots, $18 for rabies and $50 for microchipping (got that done when I got her spayed)

The shots, fecal exams, and health exams and consultations add up quickly. The $399 package deal sounds good IF it covers ALL of the necessary vaccinations for 1 year. When I get home tonight, I'll drag out my vet bills to get exact figures, but in two visits, I've already incurred about $350 in charges. I had the initial visit and vaccinations at 8 weeks, and then another round of vaccinations at 12 weeks. I had the fecal exam done at the first visit, and Bella was parasite-free. General health exams were $45 each at each visit. I have another round of shots to do at 16 weeks, and after that it's spaying and baby teeth extraction at 6 or 7 months (although I know that's not included in your package deal). Oh, and flea, tick, and heartworm protection--is that included in the package?

Wow, reading over what people have posted so far in this thread, vet prices are all over the place, depending on where you live. I don't think I'm being overcharged for my area, but maybe you should take peoples' advice and choose the second vet who doesn't have a package deal. You might not need everything in the package and may be paying for services you don't use...

Thank you so much you guys. I feel like because I have no knowledge on this some people might try and take advantage. I'm going to go with the second vet because the first one told me that if I split it up by shots each visit would be around 100 which is way to much compared to other vets in the area.

I would skip the first option. Pay as u go & buy only what u need. The first option is to expensive. For everything my puppy needs I will pay half of that. And pay for the microchip when she's 6 months and being fixed.

Why do most people wait till 6 months for the microchip. Is it better to get when they are older?

Well when I took Bella to the vet the first time I asked if he would microchip her & he told me that she's to little and he usually waits until they spay them. That's right before she turns 6 months.

Because most pups are spayed/neutered around 6 months, so many choose to get microchipping done with their pup is under anesthesia for surgery.

How is the microchip inserted? Our breeder has the pups chipped before they come home.

Oh okay thanks I just assumed they would do it earlier but I guess it makes sense.

The microchip is inserted using a needle. It doesn't HAVE to be done under anesthesia, but I'm having mine done at the same time as the spay too.

It's a BIG needle. The vet showed me it when he showed the brands of microchips he had available to choose from & explained how it was done. I've never actually seen it done though. ZoE was chipped when she was knocked out for her spay.

:eek: Eeek! I would wait until spay/neuter then too.

Microchipping is simple and painless...the needle used is sooo sharp, they do not even feel it going into the skin. I do my own microchipping before my babies go to their new home. I do want to say while I can clearly understand the financial aspect, I can not let it go unsaid.....I would FIRST, make my choice of a vet on the knowledge base of the vet....How long has he been in practice??.....how many small dogs does he see in his practice? How many Yorkies specifically, does he have in his practice? As far as surgeries go, does he use gas anesthesia, a MUST in Yorkies? Does he run IV's during all surgical procedures, and after surgery to provide easy, immediate access to a vein in case of an emergency, and after surgery to "tank up" the dog with fluid and glucose, since most dogs will not eat or drink well 24-36 hours post op.? You have to understand that the vet you choose is all that stands between your dog and death's door. You do not want to be in an emergent, life or death situation, before you realize he is not on cutting edge technology or up to date on the latest medical procedures. You also want to know if he would be willing to take monthly payments in the event of a major medical issue that you can not cover with a check or cash or a credit card. I always recommend a really great book on Yorkies, "Yorkies For Dummies"....there is actually a list of specific questions you would do well to cover with your vet before you make your selection of a vet. This is a really important angle you really need to consider first, even over what the vet charges for treatments.

I did read that book and it was great, lots of info for a first time owner. And I have already asked almost all the questions you mentioned it actually took me a while to narrow it down to two vets. They were both up to par so now it just came up to cost.

I purposefully chose the puppy package because I got my pup at 8 weeks and it was cheaper than individual visits. My package cost about $400, but vets are on the high side but worth every penny

I'm new to this but was wondering if anyone here chooses not to vaccinate? If so why or why not

It would be irresponsible not to vaccinate. Even if your Yorkie never goes outside, you could still easily bring common illnesses indoors on your clothing. The benefits far outweigh the rare instances of adverse reactions.

I vaccinate as a pup (8, 12, 16 weeks) and again at one year old. After that, I will not be vaccinating anymore. Except for rabies every 3yrs (per the law).

At gizmos vet check he had his Exam, His last puppy shots, i got 6 months of Sentinel, and he had a irratation in his eye so got eye drops, and the cost was $116.00 then in 2 weeks he goes back in for his rabies shot that will be $18.00 and he will be done for a year.