Discussions

I was just wondering if anybody knows who does cheaper vaccinations for animals.. i have a dog thats about 3 years old and hasnt had any shots. Would really like to get them done. But cant afford awhole lot. Thanks

First of all find out what shots you need and then get a price. You may be able to spread them out so you won't have to pay fully all at once.

you have to pay around 70 bucks for an "exam" and then the shots will add to the bill.

I have to take my 2yr old dog in for her shots. They said it would be $81 something but she isn't having an appointment. She is getting spayed so it's not an office visit as I just drop her off and pick her up so you would have to call to find out but they are the most affordable in Brandon.

Shots are actually pretty cheap.  
 
Technically all your dog "needs" is there rabies shot, but then if there around other dogs (dog park/kennel) you'll want to get the bordatella shot, if they go outside often where ticks might be present you'll probably want the Lyme disease shot, I think I'm forgetting the other one.. It's a combination shot I believe. With the wellness exam it'll be under $100. They'll also want to do a deworming since they've never been in for shots before.  
 
The rabies shot is mandatory within many municipalities/cities because if your dog was to bite someone or accused of biting someone the only way to test for rabies is for it to be put down and to examine its brain. If it's vaccinated you'd be able to avoid this. So if you really can't afford the other vaccines I highly recommend you get at least the rabies vaccines (I think it's only like $15 on top of the exam).

All vet clinics are different, some charge an exam fee plus an additional fee for the vaccine, others charge a vaccination fee and the exam comes with.  
 
Basic vaccinations for our area are the Rabies and DA2PPC (Distemper/Adeno-2/Parvo/Parainfluenza/Coronavirus) vaccinations. If you have never had vaccines before, the DA2PPC needs boosted in 4 weeks. The initial rabies vaccine will be good for 1 year.  
 
What I would do if I were short on funds:  
1. find a clinic with pricing that works for me.  
2. Get the first DA2PPC combination vaccine. These are all viruses that are common in our province; some are very fatal, some will cost you hundreds-thousands in supportive care to get them through, some will just result in your dog having explosive diarrhea and still needing veterinary attention that costs way more than the most expensive clinic charges for vaccinations. Nothing is sadder than a dog suffering or dying when they could have had an inexpensive, highly effective vaccine.  
2. If the money works to do the rabies shot between the DA2PPC boosters, then go for it, BUT honestly the DA2PPC booster is way more important to get done on time (4 weeks) if $$ is an issue.  
3. Rabies vaccine: still important in our province, & the city will want you to get this. Until you have it, keep your dog out of situations that involve wildlife, other animals, or humans that may provoke a fear-based or aggressive reaction from your dog.  
 
Your vet clinic may bring up deworming, heartworm prevention, lyme disease & bordetella vaccines. They are not wrong to do this, these are all great things and they need to put the information out there so pet owners can make informed decisions. Its always best to just explain that you can only comfortably afford the basics at the moment, but you appreciate the information.

KelseyLyn said "All vet clinics are different, some charge an exam fee plus an additional fee for the vaccine, others charge a vaccination fee and the exam comes with.     Basic vaccinations for our area are the Rabies and DA2PPC (Distemper/Adeno-2/Parvo/Parainfluenza/Coronavirus) vaccinations. If you have never had vaccines before, the DA2PPC needs boosted in 4 weeks. The initial rabies vaccine will be good for 1 year.     What I would do if I were short on funds:   1. find a clinic with pricing that works for me.   2. Get the first DA2PPC combination vaccine. These are all viruses that are common in our province; some are very fatal, some will cost you hundreds-thousands in supportive care to get them through, some will just result in your dog having explosive diarrhea and still needing veterinary attention that costs way more than the most expensive clinic charges for vaccinations. Nothing is sadder than a dog suffering or dying when they could have had an inexpensive, highly effective vaccine.   2. If the money works to do the rabies shot between the DA2PPC boosters, then go for it, BUT honestly the DA2PPC booster is way more important to get done on time (4 weeks) if $$ is an issue.   3. Rabies vaccine: still important in our province, & the city will want you to get this. Until you have it, keep your dog out of situations that involve wildlife, other animals, or humans that may provoke a fear-based or aggressive reaction from your dog.     Your vet clinic may bring up deworming, heartworm prevention, lyme disease & bordetella vaccines. They are not wrong to do this, these are all great things and they need to put the information out there so pet owners can make informed decisions. Its always best to just explain that you can only comfortably afford the basics at the moment, but you appreciate the information. "

which clinic doesn't charge for an exam if the animal only needs shots? Thanks!

Hummerduck said "Wheat City is actually much cheaper! They quoted me almost $200 for shots alone, plus another $160 for fixing at Grand Valley. Wheat City quoted me around $80h for all the shots. I didn't ask about the spaying, because I'm going through FFFF, but Wheat City is my bet! "

I go to Grand Valley and find it hard to believe the $200 just for shots. I take my two dogs in and it usually cost $250ish but that is the deluxe package of shots, with heart worm and usually a blood test for one of my dogs, she has health issues that are regularly monitored.

Johnbisonbear said "    KelseyLyn said "All vet clinics are different, some charge an exam fee plus an additional fee for the vaccine, others charge a vaccination fee and the exam comes with.     Basic vaccinations for our area are the Rabies and DA2PPC (Distemper/Adeno-2/Parvo/Parainfluenza/Coronavirus) vaccinations. If you have never had vaccines before, the DA2PPC needs boosted in 4 weeks. The initial rabies vaccine will be good for 1 year.     What I would do if I were short on funds:   1. find a clinic with pricing that works for me.   2. Get the first DA2PPC combination vaccine. These are all viruses that are common in our province; some are very fatal, some will cost you hundreds-thousands in supportive care to get them through, some will just result in your dog having explosive diarrhea and still needing veterinary attention that costs way more than the most expensive clinic charges for vaccinations. Nothing is sadder than a dog suffering or dying when they could have had an inexpensive, highly effective vaccine.   2. If the money works to do the rabies shot between the DA2PPC boosters, then go for it, BUT honestly the DA2PPC booster is way more important to get done on time (4 weeks) if $$ is an issue.   3. Rabies vaccine: still important in our province, & the city will want you to get this. Until you have it, keep your dog out of situations that involve wildlife, other animals, or humans that may provoke a fear-based or aggressive reaction from your dog.     Your vet clinic may bring up deworming, heartworm prevention, lyme disease & bordetella vaccines. They are not wrong to do this, these are all great things and they need to put the information out there so pet owners can make informed decisions. Its always best to just explain that you can only comfortably afford the basics at the moment, but you appreciate the information. " which clinic doesn't charge for an exam if the animal only needs shots? Thanks! "

All vet clinics will charge for the exam, it''''s just how they break it down in the bill which may be different.  
 
Example: (I have cats, so a dog will be much more than this)  
 
Vet Exam $50.00  
Vaccination $20.00  
Total: $70.00  
 
OR (exam fee just lumped into vaccination)  
 
Vaccination $70.00  
Total $70.00  
 
Call around and ask different vet clinics how much their exam fee is. That''''s what will differ the most, vaccinations will cost about the same everywhere. (From my experience - I use one vet clinic for my personal pets and do dealings with another for rescue)  
 
Edited by .:openminded:., 2016-05-06 15:21:22

When I take my dog in for a vaccination I always tell them we do not want an exam, just the vaccination and I have never been billed any additional charges. I should mention he is almost 2 and has had several exams (I'm not a bad pet owner : ).

"All vet clinics are different, some charge an exam fee plus an additional fee for the vaccine, others charge a vaccination fee and the exam comes with."  
 
Usually, an exam is done when vaccines are done, regardless. What .:openminded:. said was right (and how I meant my post to be read), the breakdown on your bill can be put differently, depending on how that clinic does their billing. Don't assume that a clinic that charges an exam plus a vaccination fee will be more expensive than the clinic that does a lump charge. :-)

Jasper. said "When I take my dog in for a vaccination I always tell them we do not want an exam, just the vaccination and I have never been billed any additional charges. I should mention he is almost 2 and has had several exams (I'm not a bad pet owner : ). "

that I had to pay for an exam 70 and then add the shots too.  
 
What clinic do you take your pets to? thanks!