Changing Estimates Mid-Procedure
 

I don't have a lot of experience with typical vet practices, but I would like some insight. I took my eight-year-old yorkie to the vet for an unrelated issue a few weeks ago, and the vet mentioned that he needed his teeth cleaned. I know that he did, and I probably should have gotten them cleaned long ago, but it is so expensive so I had just kept putting it off. But this time, I realized there was no excuse. His teeth were very dirty and really need help, plus she mentioned that he may not be able to go under for too much longer due to age.

So, I asked how much it would cost. She said it would be between $500 and $800, depending on the number of extractions. I said, ouch, but yes, I should, so I asked that they do the bloodwork that day and then I scheduled an appointment, for today.

Mid-procedure, while the dog was still under, the vet called and said that there were more extractions than she thought and that it would be $1500. Is this at all normal practice? What should my reaction to this have been/be?

I think that is normal. I was quoted a couple of prices before cleaning, but she did say that the price could change if she has any extractions to be done. I don't think they actually know if the teeth need taken out until they have the dog asleep and x-ray taken.

Oh my goodness!! I am speechless! I have a different relationship with my vet...we are close, she knows what I expect and what I like done and she will often do what she thinks I would want done, in the event she is confronted with a questionable issue....which is fine with me because of the total trust I have in her and her capabilities. I have no idea if vets routinely do this type of thing....I know maybe an extra $50.00-$150.00 could be possible, but almost doubling the bill????? Trying to detach myself from the relationship I have with my vet.....I am NOT a wealthy person, with the ability to just add another $700.00 to a bill, willy-nilly....I think I would have said I was not prepared to double this vet bill and I understand her desire to correct all the dental issues....ask is she going to allow you to make installment paymnts? Even if you do not need to do that, it may be a great thing to set up a pattern of a good payment record, in case there ever IS a need to do that. I would say, so we were thinking 8 teeth pulled, how many are we going to have to pull now? I would be trying to nail down exactly what she has tacked on another $700.00 for.....

They did say that I could pay in installments, but I don't need that. On the other hand, if I had any idea that it could be that much, I would have gotten other estimates. It seems like that is a very high number!

I responded on your other thread. We live 55 miles south of DC and our cleanings start at $300+, each extraction is $100, and each xray is $100. Depending on how many teeth are extracted, it is very possible to have the bill go up to $1,500.

At least they are being flexible with payments. Many offices are not.

It is very common for dentals to cost more depending on the amount of teeth pulled. Dentals are priced differently it seems based upon where you live...I have never paid that much ($1,500) for a dental and I have had pups come to me with some really horrible teeth.
Bottom line, though, it is done....and honestly your pup is going to feel SO much better. She had to have been very uncomfortable for some time if her teeth were that bad. Hopefully there are no systemic effects from those teeth. These little ones often suffer from heart and kidney issues from bad teeth.
Welcome to YT...there is a lot of great information on this site!

That seems really high and I think they should have been more upfront with you on the cost but there is really nothing you can do about it now just know your a good pet owner for getting yorkies teeth done before it could cause more problems

Wow that does seem a bit high for a dental but perhaps that is the normal for your area. I had one that had to have several extractions and it was probably only 1/4 of that price so to hear of a dental that would run $1500 around here would be outrageous. Even the most expensive vet in my area and the dog had to have all teeth pulled it still wouldn't cost anywhere close to that.

It is normal for their original price quote to change during a procedure due to complications but that was a pretty big increase.

My vet knows me so he always gives me a price range from lowest amount to worse case scenario highest amount so I know what I'm looking at. Since they account for the worst case scenario the price never goes above that as complications are figured into that price. That way I am always prepared for the high price but most often it turns out to be on the low end which makes it seem like I saved a lot, lol.
The range is usually within a few hundred though, I've never had them double the amount.

Perhaps for future procedures you could ask your vet to do the same that way there are no surprises or sticker shock.

I think the last couple of teeth cleanings for my dogs were around $300.00ish. I was told that was high lol

I can't remember if that covered blood work and such, and I think sam had a couple teeth pulled.

That is average what I pay and that is without blood work and also without extractions. I usually don't have many extractions because they get dentals yearly as needed. I do my bloodwork in the week or so before because I have her do a yearly exam at that time. Also, it is less expensive to send the blood out rather than doing in house the day of the dental.

Wow! And I thought Jackson's dental was high ... I paid $400 here and that included pre-op bloodwork, as well as the OraVet dental kit. And I thought THAT was pushing it! lol.

I'm sorry that happened, it does seem excessive, but your pup must feel so much better!

With a grade 4 dental cleaning and pre bloodwork, and some medicated mouthwash, our total was around $361..We live in NC..

THAT is a blessing! If you trust your vet, no problem! I wouldnt shop around to get better prices if I trusted my vet.....stick with what you know and trust....... especially if I could afford what they charge!

Extraction
 

In my view this is extortion not extraction!! I have been through quite a few procedures with vets for my dogs but this price for a dental is outrageous. The original estimate of $500-800 was high, and it was stated that the range depended on extraction numbers. The vet did examine the dog so he had a good idea of the extent of the work. To call in mid stream and extort the extra cost was unethical to me. What could you do under those circumstances but pay up? I would not go to that vet again and get estimates in writing next time. In life we all get scammed occasionally and sadly we live and learn the hard way. I do feel so bad for you, but hope your baby is doing well after such an extensive dental

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

It is the extractions that run the cost up...you don't know til you are in the mouth what they will be. Especially when there are long waits between dentals. My dental cleaning with blood work in about $300 too. But after the previous owner never cleaned the teeth, it ended up at $1200. The question of is it normal is not a good one, because it so depends on where you live, the type of Vet, your faith in your vet...mine could charge 600 for the cleaning and I would still go. The fact that more Vets are taking payments is a good sign too.

Thank you so much. These responses really helped me to get my arms around this. I don't actually think it was too much, in the end, as he had 17 extractions (poor little doggy), and we live in a very high cost of living area. But, I was very upset with how it was handled. I would have much preferred having a more accurate estimate to begin with; telling someone in the middle of a procedure that the amount will be twice as much as the high end of the estimate is extraordinarily upsetting and confusing. But, in the end, what needed to be done has been done.

Also, I know I should have gotten his teeth cleaned much sooner, and I feel very bad about that. But, it is very hard to know here what is reasonable and what is unreasonable, as many of my neighbors pay $40-50 a day each day for doggy daycare, which I consider to be completely unreasonable. As a kid, we never had dental work for our dogs, but obviously I should have been doing so earlier.

Extraction
 

I am happier now that you are better accepting of the cost. 17 extractions are well above the norm! Poor baby, he must feel better now the bad and painful teeth are now gone. However, I do believe if the teeth were in that bad a shape the vet should have seen that in the initial exam and given you a realistic quote then. A lesson to all of us to get more accurate cost quotes in future. I would not have appreciated that huge escalation in cost!!!
Hope he is doing well now and that he heals quickly.

You know now...no sense beating yourself. He still has some teeth so you can keep them healthy from here on out! :)
Hopefully he will be good as new in no time. I usually see them doing well within 3 days ...

my vet has aa certain price per teeth and more if it is a bigger tooth or one of his last ones, they had to dig out. I would not be comfortable with this vet and calling mid stream seems kind of fishey. Chester had blood work, pain meds, anitbiotics and several teeth removed and one had to be dug out , and it was around 420 or so

In October I had both Azrael and Razael's teeth cleaned and two extractions each. Here is how the price played out. Azrael check up before surgery, blood tests and all came to $292.10, then cleaning and extractions $768.75 and follow-up $36.50.
Razael's was $292.10, $768.75 and $36.50.
That's a grand total of $2,293.70 we paid for in total. Now, am I paying too much for both of them?