Spay at Vet, or County Animal Wellness Clinic?

[Bobswench]

I have a dilemma...opinions appreciated!

I have an excellent vet. However, the quote to have Abigail spayed was $290 with another $75 to have her microchipped.

We have a brand new animal wellness clinic that's associated with the Brevard County, FL Humane Society. They do all the spaying and neutering for the shelter pets. The cost to spay her there is $60, $25 to microchip at the same time.

$365 v $85.

Abigail is not ready yet for the surgery. She is only 12 weeks old and is currently about 3 and a half pounds.

Thoughts?

[Buster Brown]

For me I would always choose a vet that I trust over a wellness clinic. Just my preference I just worry about possible complications although I am sure the wellness clinic people have performed many of these procedures.

[tokipoki]

My friend had her dog neutered at a wellness clinic and walked out having everything done for under $100. She was really happy with the staff and services as well.

Our local SPCA in Wake County has spay/neuter vouchers that you can buy through their website and take to another local vet to have the services performed at a reduced cost which is another option to consider if it's available. Ultimately, you have to do what you're comfortable with but I personally would feel comfortable having something like a spay/neuter, microchipping, vaccination, etc done at a clinic. $75 for a microchip sounds crazy high to me!

[Lovetodream88]

I would chose the vet I trusted. Most spay and neuter clinics do not do blood work before surgery and I don't think they will pull any baby teeth that she has lost either and most small dogs have baby teeth that do not come out by themselves and need to be pulled. I feel like vets would take more care then the clinics but that's just my opinion. I would not spay her before 6 months.

[Maximo]

Some clinics are better than other. I would ask both places about anesthesia protocol (see the sticky post http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-protocol.html)

Pre-op bloodwork

Pull retained baby teeth

as Taylor mentioned above.

[chachi]

I had all my cats spayed at a spay neuter clinic it was $35 dollars a cat and I had 5 cats I also got low cost vaccinations for them there. Your going to have to weigh the pros and cons and do what you think is best

[YorkOfTheShire]

A Yorkie 7 lbs or less should never be intubated unless medically necessary to save their life. Our vet uses valium to sedate any toy breed because they feel intubating puts too much stress on their trachea and other structures in their tiny throats.

...would a vet that does a hundred spays/neuters on a daily basis (ask them, it's a lot of spays and neuters) take the personal time with your pet to make sure they are fully comfortable, not intubated, do a PAS screening, and then have the office staff to properly care for your puppy nonstop until you bring your puppy home? Perhaps the humane society vet in your area is better than the ones here - but I wouldn't trust the ones here with my dogs for even half a second.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by YorkOfTheShire

A Yorkie 7 lbs or less should never be intubated unless medically necessary to save their life. Our vet uses valium to sedate any toy breed because they feel intubating puts too much stress on their trachea and other structures in their tiny throats.

...would a vet that does a hundred spays/neuters on a daily basis (ask them, it's a lot of spays and neuters) take the personal time with your pet to make sure they are fully comfortable, not intubated, do a PAS screening, and then have the office staff to properly care for your puppy nonstop until you bring your puppy home? Perhaps the humane society vet in your area is better than the ones here - but I wouldn't trust the ones here with my dogs for even half a second.

Valium is not sufficient to perform a spay operation. I cannot believe any vet would do this. Can you imagine having a hysterectomy using only valium?

I believe I have read here that sedation carries more risk than general anesthesia.

For dentals, a tube is necessary.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by YorkOfTheShire

A Yorkie 7 lbs or less should never be intubated unless medically necessary to save their life. Our vet uses valium to sedate any toy breed because they feel intubating puts too much stress on their trachea and other structures in their tiny throats.

...would a vet that does a hundred spays/neuters on a daily basis (ask them, it's a lot of spays and neuters) take the personal time with your pet to make sure they are fully comfortable, not intubated, do a PAS screening, and then have the office staff to properly care for your puppy nonstop until you bring your puppy home? Perhaps the humane society vet in your area is better than the ones here - but I wouldn't trust the ones here with my dogs for even half a second.

Does your vet really use valium to perform surgery? I would think the stress/pain would cause the dog to go into shock and the risk of death of would be very high.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Valium is not sufficient to perform a spay operation. I cannot believe any vet would do this. Can you imagine having a hysterectomy using only valium?

I believe I have read here that sedation carries more risk than general anesthesia.

For dentals, a tube is necessary.

Originally Posted by Maximo

Does your vet really use valium to perform surgery? I would think the stress/pain would cause the dog to go into shock and the risk of death of would be very high.

Just when I think I have heard everything......

OMG...that vet should have someone dose him with valium to be neutered. Bet he would change his tune.

And, yes, I think Valium is more risky than up to date anesthetic agents.

[Zoejane]

I would most certainly go to a vet, one that I had built a trusting relationship, one that new my baby and her history. When it is my baby we are talking about I would spare no expense. While spaying is fairly safe, things can and do go wrong I would want the absolute best care available if that happened.

[TxVicki]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Just when I think I have heard everything......

OMG...that vet should have someone dose him with valium to be neutered. Bet he would change his tune.

And, yes, I think Valium is more risky than up to date anesthetic agents.

[YorkOfTheShire]

They use valium to sedate the dog rather than intubating the dog prior to surgery - it's not safe to intubate a toy breed without using valium beforehand unless it is medically necessary to save their life IE: emergency.

I trust my vet - I don't want my dogs intubated unless they have no idea of what's going on - why would anyone believe otherwise???

...any vet who intubates a toy breed without using valium or another brand of what they call 'diazepam' or something similar - before they stick that tube down their throats - shouldn't even be in practice.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by YorkOfTheShire

They use valium to sedate the dog rather than intubating the dog prior to surgery - it's not safe to intubate a toy breed without using valium beforehand unless it is medically necessary to save their life IE: emergency.

I trust my vet - I don't want my dogs intubated unless they have no idea of what's going on - why would anyone believe otherwise???

...any vet who intubates a toy breed without using valium or another brand of what they call 'diazepam' or something similar - before they stick that tube down their throats - shouldn't even be in practice.

I misunderstood your post. I thought you meant your vet performs surgery without intubation/general anesthesia.

For others who may be reading, info from the sticky post on anesthesia:

Pre-surgery Tranquilizer: Most vets will give the pet a mild sedative prior to surgery to help them relax; they might also start pain meds at this time (pre-emptive analgesia). Once the pet is relaxed enough, an IV catheter should be placed to allow venous access to the patient during and after surgery. The patient will likely be induced, receive IV fluids, and medications through this port.

Induction Phase: After the IV is placed and the pet is ready for surgery, they are "induced" into a heavier sedation, usually using an injectable drug via the IV. This allows the pet to be intubated with an endotracheal tube (a tube placed through mouth and into trachea). For most pets - an injectable drug is used for intubating the pet. However, for some pets with health issues (i.e., liver problems) or aggressive animals, "masking down" with gas anesthetic may be another route for intubation. However, masking down is considered rather controversial and generally not as safe as using an injectable. In any case - if your dog has health issues or is aggressive at the Vet's office - the induction phase is a very important step to discuss in detail with your Vet.

Maintenance Anesthesia: Once the pet is safely intubated, they are given gas anesthetic throughout the surgery. Again, this is usually Isoflurane or Sevoflurane.

IV Fluids should be given throughout the procedure and during recovery. This allows the vet continuous and immediate access to the patient to administer pain meds, antibiotics, sedatives, and life-saving medication - if needed.

DISCLAIMER: All information contained herein is for informational, educational, and awareness purposes only. This should not be considered medical or professional advice, therefore, please discuss all health concerns with a trained, licensed, and qualified professional.

[YorkOfTheShire]

His reason: the dog will struggle if nothing is used and the dog is intubated. This without question will cause injury. So I'll say it again, dogs (particularly toy breeds with fragile bodies) should never just be intubated unless it's medically necessary to save them.

You guys are fine with your vets sticking tubes down your dogs throats without sedating them with diazepam or another anesthetic so they don't know what's going on??