Discussions

Ya, pets are expensive.. If I was one and couldn't talk, I'd like my owner to take me to the vet for regular checkups too instead of complaining about policies/pricing on an online forum lol. Call around, maybe it'll be cheaper at another local vet such as Wheat City on the hill but I doubt any mandatory-checkup policies differ.

Is actually 3 visits you need. Thats why they offer kitten packages that are cheaper then paying every time. I heard the mobile vet was really good and cheaper. But ill stick with grand valley. I love them there and they always find a way to help me help my pets if needed. Lol we have quite a few so its nice having the same vet for all of them

I take my cats in once a year for a check up,no biggie...shouldn't have to have one every six weeks like their having us do...  
After these shots theres a third one and a exam is charged again!

Gocharliego said "So i brought my cat in for her first set of shots/deworming/rabies/checkup paid for that....second shots are due,why must i pay for ANOTHER checkup? They say it's mandatory but she was checked out weeks ago! Its costing another $76(without deworming)   The shot is cheap apparently.   And honestly when they checked her last it took less then a minute   They looked at her teeth,legs and felt her tummy I'm less then a minute   I should have the option to say i want yet another checkup or not,the first one i get it but weeks later again WHY?????   This is Grande Valley "

You're right, try, Bridge Veterinary Services. 204 574 8371. He will come to your house as he is just building up a veterinary service.

Ill call him

don't know if it's still their policy but when we went to Wheat City on the hill we only paid the exam fee once, the boosters were just given and paid for as a shot no exam fee.

Said she cant believe the city prices she said all started getting outta control when the whole pet insurance came it I told her wat we paid for our 2 dog 2 cats she told us to bring them to her be way cheaper

I took my dog to the vet in glenboro! Almost half the price as grand valley rip off! And better service too!

considered professionals but I think asking close to 80 bucks for another exam is ridiculous! I'd pay for an administrating fee for the shots but not for a second unneeded exam.

campfire3 said "Ya, pets are expensive.. If I was one and couldn't talk, I'd like my owner to take me to the vet for regular checkups too instead of complaining about policies/pricing on an online forum lol. Call around, maybe it'll be cheaper at another local vet such as Wheat City on the hill but I doubt any mandatory-checkup policies differ. "

I find it funny how you go on to a forum to complain about other people voicing an issue. Yes pets are expensive but there is no reason veterinary clinics need to be charging so much. They are exploiting the system. It is obvious the poster is taking their animals in to have their shots so maybe you should praise them instead of criticizing them...  
 
The kitten/puppy packages are definitely a worth while investment to reduce costs. Bundles are better haha. But I also agree that going even a little out of town you will find a way better price.

I had one cat for 19 years and never had shots and was fine all those years and my other cat also never had shots and lived fine until she died age of 9 years from falling off a shelf and hit the stairs below

What about all the overhead vets have to pay for? For example what if there is 1 vet and 3 vet techs and 1 front desk person. Let's guess the vet wants to make $60/hr, techs $25/hr, front desk $20/hr. That's $155/hr they need to make without taking rent, utilities, cleaning, supplies, taxes etc into account. So if they do 3 exams in an hour, that's maybe $210/hr. Doesn't leave a lot left over for overhead, and that's only IF they are fully booked up. Maybe they have a few hours where they have no patients but they still have to pay all their employees. I'm totally fine with paying my vet fees so that they can run a professional, sterile, clean office and I don't have to worry about the quality of care they receive.

jay8484 said "What about all the overhead vets have to pay for? For example what if there is 1 vet and 3 vet techs and 1 front desk person. Let's guess the vet wants to make $60/hr, techs $25/hr, front desk $20/hr. That's $155/hr they need to make without taking rent, utilities, cleaning, supplies, taxes etc into account. So if they do 3 exams in an hour, that's maybe $210/hr. Doesn't leave a lot left over for overhead, and that's only IF they are fully booked up. Maybe they have a few hours where they have no patients but they still have to pay all their employees. I'm totally fine with paying my vet fees so that they can run a professional, sterile, clean office and I don't have to worry about the quality of care they receive. "

Vet techs do not make 25$/hour...front desk do not make 20$/hour. Techs are lucky if they get 15-17$/hour and even less for front desk staff. Vets are the only ones making money at a clinic and even then it's not as much as everyone thinks.  
 
They're just trying to make money like anyone else. If you knew how much human medicine costs, not sure you would question it so much.  
 
But I agree rural vets tend to charge less...they don't alwasy have multiple techs or front desk staff so tehy're overhead is lower and they seem to understand better that not everyone is made of money.

Brandon animal clinic on Brandon Avenue is the way to go . Great staff.  
 
And I think the amount I have to pay with a visit isn't crazy expensive but then again I never gave it any thought. I am more then happy to pay 80$ for the once a year visit to make sure my fur babies are okay.

Mine go there and I haven't been paying any crazy amounts. I took one of my cats 3 weeks ago for her shots, cost less than 100. She goes Thursday for her booster and getting fixed. I was quoted around 200 on the high end. I don't recall having an extra exam charge. Could be based on age?? Mine are 10 months old so maybe that is why?

Before they administer a shot they at least have to do a mini-checkup in order to exercise due diligence, they can't just blindly give an animal a shot.  
 
For the vets who don't charge, either they are giving you a free mini-checkup, or they are not exercising due diligence. They probably would like to charge you for it, but they know to the consumer's eye it looks bad, so they do it for free.  
 
By charging for a checkup each time, they are ensuring that they can provide a safe and thorough service as well be being properly compensated for their time.

You are paying for the type of service you want. I don't blame urban vet clinics for charging what they will - they can, because people will pay. I assume they have higher costs because their building, taxes, parking lot, expenses etc. are higher in the city. Also, people who have pets want to see a clean, inviting place that smells good, knowledgeable and friendly staff, etc. They pay for an experience and an impression that their pets are getting the best possible care. Clients demand that, city vets provide it - all is well.  
 
Rural vets often work primarily with large animals - they are on farms, working in barns and pastures and getting their hands dirty, handling animals, etc. Their clinic might smell like barn because there are farm animals there. The waiting room may not feel like a spa. The parking lot may be gravel and the plants outside may be overgrown with weeds. They may not have time to make you feel good about all of your pet-parenting choices, recommend special diets, tell you how beautiful and special your animal is etc. They check, they give shots, you get on your way. They they understand if you bring your animal in only when necessary because they care for thousands of animals and know that vet fees are often a cost/benefit analysis because the animal means farm revenue and a living for the people who own it.  
 
I am sure all vets love animals but some can't spend as much time pandering to the owners because they don't HAVE the time, they just care for the animals and get on with it. That isn't what everyone wants in a vet, but I think they are all capable professionals and your animal is in good hands with either.  
 
I've had great experiences with both, but when it comes down to something simple like shots, I don't need the extras and won't pay more for someone to treat my animal like a child. Actually, after 15+ years of taking my kids to doctors, I would say those experiences in doctor's clinics are far more like a trip to a rural vet than a city vet.

We have used them twice now and are more than happy with their pricing and services. We had to bring our cat in the other day to get a wound cleaned; we did him as a "drop in". Whole bill was only $161 and that's including painkillers and antibiotics (it was technically a surgery). They also make sure to call and check in on the animal after a couple of days.

before entrusting your pet to any clinic-ask people for their personal references for the various clinics. Be very, very careful with who you choose.  
 
I was extremely disappointed in one clinic and can say for sure I am not the only one in that boat.  
 
To the OP-I agree it seems excessive that every vaccination visit requires the check up fee.