Puppy shots are always more expensive because they are getting more shots. Later on it will be less shots but youll have wellness bloodwork and heartworm testing

The first visit is a "new" patient visit..They are more money for people as well because they are supposed to be more comprehensive as far as taking a history, starting a chart, starting from scratch essentially. The price sounds about right.

I used the shelter clinic for Maggies most recent shots and it was cheaper because there is no "office visit" fee and the shots themselves are lower cost.

I would not use the clinic for a new puppy though. You need to begin a relationship with a vet and get your pup checked out. Did you take him for a checkup when you first got him? (you should have!) I would feel more comfortable having the vet do the first year's shots in case he has a reaction. I still take Maggie to the vet for her yearly check-up, but this year I didn't have them do the shots because we were about to go on vacation and I was worried she'd have a reaction. Since she had her checkup in the fall I took her to the clinic for her shots last month. No point in paying an office visit fee again....I waited a few months longer than a year which I figured was safe based on the fact that some people don't even get the shots and others think they last longer. I wanted her to get her Bordatella booster before her last grooming though.

The clinic gave her the shot sub-q, (under the skin I think) and she had NO reaction. I'm pretty sure the vet stuck her in the muscle and she was very achy and not happy for a day or so. I wonder if it matters how it is done? It would be nice for all of us to know so we can request sub-q if it is ok.

From what I've head the rabies shot is supposed to go in the muscle the others can go either place but the muscle does hurt more. I switched vets with yumi before her shots were due because my sister took her morkie to the vet I was going to and they gave her her shots in the hip. I know it wasn't rabies because she was still too young. she could barely walk for a few days it was horrible.

Well we are back from the vet and everything is just fine with him. Here is what he got for a total of $182. This and I asked her about 20 questions which she was very nice about and answered. And by the way, Boushy Bear is 10 ½ weeks old and weighs 4.7 lbs! Yikes!

Don’t ask me why I am posting this document below.. I think because I am just relieved that he is OK. I would also like any input on the upcoming charges.

4.7 lbs… Geesh, he was 3.6 when I brought him home!

Wow :eek:, I just received an email from the vet telling me that his fecal test was negative. Nine PM the same night of visit and I know the results. I am starting to like this vet! :) I also really like that they send you PDF's of his exam results (below). :animal-pa


1.00 Nail Trim Courtesy

1.00 Sanitary Shave Courtesy

1.00 Fecal Centrifuge In House

1.00 Comprehensive Physical Exam with Consultation

1.00 Frontline Plus up to 22 lbs
For the control of fleas and ticks. First dose applied in hospital today.

1.00 Heartgard Blue (up to 25 lb) chewable tablet
Give 1 tablet monthly to prevent heartworms, hookworms & roundworms. We advise yearly heartworm & fecal testing & year round Heartguard administration

1.00 Bordetella Adenovirus Parainfluenza intranasal vaccine

1.00 CV - Vanguard Plus Distemper 1 year

Weight: 4.7 Lb
Temperature: 101.7 F
Heart Rate: 132 bpm, regular rhythm, no murmur
Respiratory Rate: 30 breaths per minute
Capillary Refill Time [In Sec.]: <2 seconds
Mucous Membrane: Pink, moist

Physical Exam

General Appearance: Normal The patient was observed for temperament, mentation, general body condition (BCS n/5) and gait abnormalities.

Behavior: Normal The pet's overall behavior is within normal ranges and expectations.

Eyes: Normal The eyes and surrounding structures are evaluated for symmetry, abnormalities, discharges.

Ears: Normal Ears are evaluated for symmetry, abnormalities, discharges or odor and tumors.

Nose: Normal The nose and nares are free of debris or obstruction and show a normal conformation.

Oral Cavity - Teeth: Normal The teeth are evaluated for - calculus, periodontal disorders, tongue/tonsils, and pharynx is checked for abnormal odors and masses.

Lymph Nodes: Normal The peripheral lymph nodes are palpated and any evidence of peripheral edema noted.

Abdomen: Normal The abdomen is evaluated for symmetry, tenderness, fluid ballottement, and organ enlargement.

Gastrointestinal: Normal The digestive process is evaluated based upon appetite, flow pattern and elimination.

Musculoskeletal: Normal The skeleton is evaluated for symmetry, lameness, and limbs palpated for pain, atrophy, range of motion and joint stability.

Genitourinary: Normal The vulva, prepuce, penis and testicles (if present) are evaluated for discharge, symmetry, masses. Rectal/prostate evaluation done if history of difficult urination or difficult elimination is reported.

Cardiovascular: Normal Mucous membranes evaluated and Capillary Refill Time, heart was auscultated for rate, rhythm and presence of murmurs, and pulse quality evaluated

Respiratory: Normal The nares are observed for discharge and air flow, trachea palpated, lungs auscultated for airflow abnormalities.

Neurological: Normal The nervous system is evaluated for mental status, postural reactions observed, the cranial and spinal nerves evaluated for deficits. Myotactic reflexes further evaluated if postural reactions are abnormal.

Skin/Integument: Normal Skin and adnexa (mammary glands) evaluated for parasites, alopecia, masses and coat quality.

Fur Quality: Normal The fur is evaluated for consistent thickness, shine and quality.

Puppy Initial Exam
Discussion: Bear's exam today was excellent.

He has a wonderful demeanor.

We hold group puppy classes at our hospital on Saturday's at 1:00 p.m. lead by instructors from K9 University. This is a 5 week course and the cost is $150. Topics include puppy socialization, leash training, house training, obedience, and other general puppy training topics. Our classes are small group classes held in a private quiet environment at our hospital. Please let us know if you would like to enroll.

The diet is very good. Please be sure there are no byproducts on the ingredients label.

We discussed daily brushing of teeth and gave a demonstration.

We gave a nail trimming demonstration today.

We gave the following vaccinations today:
One year bordetella vaccine (kennel cough) which needs a booster in one year.
Initial distemper vaccine which needs a booster in 4 weeks.

PLEASE WATCH FOR SIGNS OF VACCINE REACTION (swelling around the eyes, mouth, face, bumps/hives on her body, vomiting or diarrhea, or any other problem).

The fecal centrifuge analysis for intestinal parasites is pending and we will email the results.

We sent home one dose of oral Heartgard to provide protection against heartworms, roundworms and hookworms. We applied a dose of topical Frontline to provide protection against fleas and ticks. Please start the Heartgard immediately.

Please schedule an appointment in 3 weeks for the puppy progress exam as well as distemper booster and initial leptospirosis vaccine. The progress exam fee is $45 and the disteper/lepto booster is $65. We will recommend getting more parasite protection medication at that appointment as well based on the body weight on that date.

We recommend placement of a microchip in all pets. The cost is $75 and we can place it at any upcoming visit. We recommend placing the microchip asap in case of any type of unplanned separation event (i.e. theft, etc.).

We can dispense a 2014 DFA tag today (Dog Friendly Area tag) and you can register with the City of Chicago after the next exam once all vaccine requirements have been met.

We recommend neutering at 6 months of age.
The cost for a neuter surgery at our hospital is $150.
We do recommend preoperative bloodwork prior to the spay surgery that will need to be performed prior to the week of surgery. The purpose of this bloodwork is to check liver and kidney function as well as blood cell counts to be sure there are no underlying abnormalities that might cause problems with anesthesia or with healing from surgery. The cost of preoperative bloodwork is $100. You are allowed to decline this bloodwork, however, we strongly recommend having it performed.

:D ;) :) :D :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: I am so proud 'snif'..

I'm in Chicago and I go to paws Chicago. Much cheaper plus the money helps the shelter!

I did not know that. Thanks for the info!

How much would this have cost at PAWs?

Prices vary but I fall into a zip code where I pay minimum'



http://www.pawschicago.org/spay-neuter-clinic/

Sounds like a good, precise Vet, like the readout of the exam. We'll be looking for one like that here in Tucson soon.

Precise vet is a great way to say it. I really liked that too. They use some kind of system (VETport) that allows you to login and download all of your history with the vet, exams, prescriptions, receipts, test results etc.. I was really impressed. They also email you .pdf attachments if you like.

To get those results for the fecal test the same night by email kind of blew me away. I have not been to a vet in years. Like I said this is my first dog but I did have cats when I was young. It may seem normal to most people but to me it was impressive and like you said precise. A really great experience.

I hope you find a good one in Tucson. I used Yelp.com to find this one. Maybe give that a shot?

Believe me, you got a lot for your money at the vet. Thumbs up on the free sanitary shave! :) The cost for neuter surgery at 6 months is also very good.

Thanks for recommending the sanitary shave of the butt area! She pulled the cordless trimmer out the minute I asked and gave him a little buzz. Now I don't have to comb that crazy butt beard for dingleberries. :eek:

Thats good to hear about the neuter. There is a place in Chicago that will do it for $50 but I just read a lot of horror stories about them on Yelp.com. Terrible terrible stories that I won't repeat here!

Oh, he just ate his Heartgard Blue thingy! It is amazing what a dog will eat. I smelled it and broke it apart for him and never thought he would eat that. Glad he did. :)

I think he has found his vet!

Spaying is serious stuff, especially for Yorkies, when you go cheap some might be great but you might also get a first time just out of Vet school or worse. When ours gets done we want a Vet we already know from check ups and that has done Yorkies, $150 for a good Vet doing the surgery is great price.