Tough financial times
 

This is a question I'm sure, a few of us are pondering:
Do I take my dogs to a vet I have a standing relationship with or to a vet who charges a lot less for the same service? Money is tight these days and if you have more than one dog it adds up quickly. Up until now I've gone to a vet I really like and who I'd called away from his dinner table when I had an emergency. One of my dogs had been hit by a car. He charges between $20,-and $40 more per dog for the upcoming spring vacs that another vet in my area. Do I go back because I feel obligated or save money and start over? What's your take on this?:confused:

I would stick with the vet that I am accustomed to seeing.
If things got tough for me I would ask the vet if he could come
in with a lower price. Vet's just may do that knowing they may
loose a client especially with the financial crunch so many are
facing today. It dosen't hurt to ask.

I would stick with my vet of 28 years!! He has always been extremely reasonably priced and I wouldnt trust my Yorkies with anyone else. Soooooooo, he is not allowed to retire!!LOL I would hope that in a time of need, he would allow me to make payments. Plus, I hate going to new, unknown vets.

I would be willing to change if the new vet is cheaper and also awesome with my furbaby. Not all cheaper vets are bad. I found a super vet he is not only cheaper but also so super, he never rushes, plays and gentle with my Veer.

Despite the tough times, I 100% fully trust my current vet and will do what it takes to stay with them for my furbaby. To me, their prices are very reasonable and they have an extremely well respected staff.

I would stick with my vet. He is amazing...he truly cares about our Biggie..I much rather pay more to see someone that cares than try to find a cheaper vet.

I would stay with the current Vet. They know your pets history. As others have stated, "Talk with your Vet".

I would stick with your vet that you KNOW is there for you when you need him! Not all vets are like that, and you would hate to find that out in an emergency, wouldn't you??
Save money on something else that doesn't matter. Buy the off-brand can food, the no-name paper towels etc.... there are better ways to save money. Peace of mind is worth something too :cool:

I think this is an excellent idea, and certainly wouldn't hurt to try.

Yes, I'd ask if they are able to come down in price.

A vet that you trust is PRICELESS:thumbup::thumbup: Is a furkid's life worth risking to save a few bucks?

Once you find a vet that is knowledgeable about toy breeds, hold on for dear life! Perhaps they can cut you a break on the price, it doesn't hurt to ask;)

Thanks everybody for your input! I think, I will stay with my current vet since he is so familiar with both of my dogs histories. Found out, he will split the bill into two or more payments, if needed. That helps a lot. :thumbup:

it would depend on the history of my yorkies health. if any of mine had serious problems that my vet was well aware of and had treated these things, then I would pay more and stay with him. if my babies had nothing but routine exams and vaccinations, then any vet can do this so i would go to the cheaper. i would educate him as I go. I have a wonderful, reasonably priced vet.

sometimes if hard to find a good vet you trust....I think its better to stick with the one who knows you and your furbaby!

This is a really good question..

We have been in our area a short time(2yrs) so I found a really nice vet and liked him...Just shots and routine visits....Then Bevo got sick and I wanted the Bile Acid test and other lab work run for safety...Our present vet did not do this???

So we went to the Animal Hospital here in town at the recommendation of a co-worker....Granted, I dropped $204 that morning....But I thought it was fair and reasonable compared to some vet charges on here....They are open daily and no appointments necessary...

And the Animal Hospital people were great....And they use the Texas A & M labs for the testing and any referrals...I like that too...

So I have been thinking of switching.....

I think that is the perfect answer. They too need an income and if it comes down to losing a good long standing customer hopefully they will price accordingly.

I would stay with my own vet for annual exams and health issues, but I might be tempted to take my baby to a low cost vaccination clinic often offered at pet stores like Petco. I would do this for Gracie. Holly has well care insurance coverage I my vet submits claims directly for that.

We LOVE Our Vet
 

We had a more expensive vet a few years ago. I did not care for his attitude about our now late Sissy's skin infection. She got a staph infection from a groomer w/dirty clippers (according to the vet). So we changed to a vet who is less than 1/2 mile from me & really cares about all our furkids. In fact when Sis passed away this past July from old age & congestive heart failure:cry:, he had helped her live longer than was predicted, but when she passed & we called to let him know & ask where we could have her cremated, we received a bouquet of beautiful flowers and a condolence card from them in less than 2 hr from our first phone call. So it was no surprise when it came time for Sasha to deliver & there was a minor complication (I got very nervous when it had been a few hours after the first pup) I spoke to him on the phone numerous times during her labor & then finally going to his office for a shot to help her deliver the rest of her pups and another xray to see how many were left in there. He ended up being late for his wifes birthday party, because he stayed with us until she had delivered her babies. I don't find that he is over the top in cost...of course it would be nice if it were cheaper, but not at the expense of great compassionate care we get from him :D

I have been very fortunate to find an excellent vet right on my doorstep....she isn't the cheapest around (Pets @ Home - a chain store all have in-house vet clinics that are very cheap) but she's also not the most expensive.

When Twinkle was sick she was brilliant and said I was to call the emergency number if she got worse during the night and she would come straight round. All the staff are really lovely, and they hold puppy parties there where new pups can socialise (I haven't taken part in these but they sound pretty great:))

Also, I'm always asked, 'Do you want to pay in full, or in instalments?' music to my ears!

My old Vet lets me make payments, the new vet doesn't. I might have to go back to the old vet.....tough decision.

I would stay with your main vet for emergencies and sicknesses, but for just getting vacines, I would go to the cheaper vet. I am planning to take my boys to Petsmart for their vacines when they come up in Dec. Its so much cheaper for the SAME vacines. My vet charges me $400 for vaccines for both boys... but Petsmart will be about $50. If I had a sick baby or an emergency I would take them where I feel most comfortable and that would be with the regular vet or the ER vet.

I can't switch vets because she is the only one that would put up with me.:p
Lol, j/k.
I am very, very spoiled by Ellie's vet though.
No way would I want to switch.
And she is very particular about things just like me which makes me very comfortable.