Best Neuter location choice?

[Judy in Waco]

Gizmo will be neutered within the next one to two months. We are doing all of the research and checking out all of our options. Before I ask my question, I want to be clear that this is NOT about the money!

1.)Our regular vet, who knows Gizmo and specializes in cats and dogs will charge us $85 for the neuter and will also remove any baby teeth as necessary at the same time (at an added cost).

2.)Non-profit place called Animal Birth Control Clinic www.animalbirthcontrol.org does the neuter for 0-25 lb. dogs for $30.

I am wondering....this place (2) does a LOT of spay/neuters. If you don't consider the money, wouldn't a place with more experience be a better option? Or will he get more personal care with our own vet?

Just wanted some feedback here. Thanks!

[Ellie May]

My dog is not spayed so I am probably not the best person to answer but just want to give my two cents worth. I would never go to any kind of clinic or anywhere that offers it for that cheap. I would only go to my regular vet because some things concern me about those clinics. Some vets charge over $300 for spay/neuter and there is a huge markup but there are things included in the vet's price like the right kind of anesthesia which happens to be really expensive, antibiotics, pain meds, preop blood work, iv catheter... I am not sure that clinics who charge so little could provide all of that.

[Judy in Waco]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

My dog is not spayed so I am probably not the best person to answer but just want to give my two cents worth. I would never go to any kind of clinic or anywhere that offers it for that cheap. I would only go to my regular vet because some things concern me about those clinics. Some vets charge over $300 for spay/neuter and there is a huge markup but there are things included in the vet's price like the right kind of anesthesia which happens to be really expensive, antibiotics, pain meds, preop blood work, iv catheter... I am not sure that clinics who charge so little could provide all of that.

You would think it would be a no-brainer right? Well, I just started thinking about it, checked out th website, and called to ask questions. They are a non-profit business...so they do it at their cost. All meds, bloodwork, etc... are included. They also do a lot of these procedures...so where does experience fit into the equation? My vet has done a lot of chi's and small breed dogs, but not a lot of yorkies...maybe one a year.

Thanks for your opinion though. You are most likely right, and that was my first response to the idea. I just don't want to rule out a good option because I have pre-conceived ideas about discount clinics.

Thanks!

[RLC12345678]

Originally Posted by Judy in Waco

You would think it would be a no-brainer right? Well, I just started thinking about it, checked out th website, and called to ask questions. They are a non-profit business...so they do it at their cost. All meds, bloodwork, etc... are included. They also do a lot of these procedures...so where does experience fit into the equation? My vet has done a lot of chi's and small breed dogs, but not a lot of yorkies...maybe one a year.

Thanks for your opinion though. You are most likely right, and that was my first response to the idea. I just don't want to rule out a good option because I have pre-conceived ideas about discount clinics.

Thanks!

I would ask the #2 option what kind of anesthesia they use. If it's isoflourine, then I would go with the #2 option. Neutering is so much less invasive than a spay. It takes like 10 minutes. So, as long as the anesthesia is good, then I would go with the cheaper option. I have a friend in NY who took her yorkie to the non-profit clinic for neutering and he was perfectly fine.

[Ellie May]

I didn't look at the clinic's site but if they can provide all of that for that price that is impressive especially since they have done so many. I would still go to my regular vet though but that is because I trust her and Ellie has already had surgery there and nothing bad happened. I would consider the clinic though if I wasn't 100% happy with her vet.

[Ellie May]

By the way, I love your avatar.

[Judy in Waco]

I emailed the clinic today and asked a lot of questions about small breeds, yorkies in particular, anesthesia used, intubation, stats on any problems at their clinic, etc...

They sent me a nice reply and will have a vet tech call me to answer my questions. So, we'll see.

I'll let you know what they say.

Thanks!

[Judy in Waco]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

By the way, I love your avatar.

Thanks! Wish I could take credit, but red98vett made it for me. Isn't she great?