$500 to spay my dog?

Question

A vet wants $500 to spay my dog... it would have been $300 if she was under a year. Why does it cost more to spay a 1+ yr dog? And isn't $500 expensive?

This is for a healthy, properly weighted whippet that is not in estrus

Answer 1

Good grief. $500 is outrageous unless your dog weighs as much as a horse. I would call another vet..

I don't know where you live, but the majority of states all have low cost spay and neuter programs, so I'm adding a link yo a web site that will give you the listings. . Just click on the state you live in.


PS - OK, I know it looks like the site is only for cats, but it's really for all pets that need to be spayed or neutered.

Answer 2

Yes, that would be considered expensive. I don't know why it would be that much more expensive to spay a dog over a year, your vet probably just is trying to get people to do it earlier.
There are a few factors that can often raise the price a good amount such as using laser surgery, a pet with a pre-existing health condition or a breed such as bulldogs which can have trouble under anesthesia.
Ask for a breakdown of the cost as well. Most animals undergoing this routine surgery need to have bloodwork for kidney and liver function and a CBC. Older pets or those with health problems may need a full blood panel first which is often more expensive.
IV fluids are also often an option and usually required for older pets.
Also ask if the price includes things like follow-up care, e-collar, take home pain medication, or overnight boarding. All these things should be considered when price checking, ask if the estimate includes everything or if things such as pain medication are extra costs.

For a relatively young healthy pet a low cost spay/neuter clinic is a great option and usually are less than $80. If your pet has other health concerns or is older than a few years you may be better off at a regular veterinary hospital.
I hope this helps.

Answer 3

AGE isn't usually the factor: it's =weight=.

U don't mention the weight or breed of Ur dog, and also her current state re: estrus.

spaying a dog who's past puberty must be done IN-BETWEEN her estrus, and any other time adds considerably to the risk of complications.

is she in-heat? does she have a uterine-infection?
does she weigh over 80#?
all of these are considerations U don't address -

WT is an issue due to dosage, the number of stitches and sz of incision, pain-meds... even the sz of her recovery kennel is a factor, when treating any larger dogs.

U should still be able to find a less-expensive SIMPLE SPAY - but if she's a brachycephalic breed/mix, is overweight or has other anaesthesia risks, is in estrus or has a pyometra, there may be NO safe, inexpensive alt.

a full blood-panel is another expense that U should =Not= skimp on: this will tell the vet if liver enzymes, kidney function, white-cell #'s, and so on, are Normal.
Very Important Info! it costs abt $85, but can save Ur dog's life if the vet finds something that might mean she'd never wake up...

Answer 4

$500 is extremely expensive. i would call around and find a different vet. does your dog have some sort of medical condition, such as pyometria, where her uterus is full of puss? how old is she, if she's over 8-10 years old i could see after bloodwork and all the preventative measures that would need to taken during surgery that it might be more expensive, but not $500. and even $300 for a puppy is expensive. check around, make sure you trust the vet, talk to friends and family and see what vet they go to. $500 for a spay even with bloodwork and surgical monitoring is way too high.

Answer 5

Your vet is trying to rip you off. If a vet is charging his or her customers between 300 and 500 dollars for spaying a dog? They need to be reported to the vet care board. Your vet is taking advantage of you. Find another vet.

Answer 6

You've got to be kidding!!!! That is WAY too high.!!! I wouldn't say no more that $150 and that is of course on the high side. I would definitely get the phone book and start calling around. Is there any animal organizations in your city that helps with the cost towards spaying & neutering? Good luck and Happy New Year.

Answer 7

You could try another vet or a low cost spay/neuter program. I think that is ridiculously high. My vet charges $250 to spay a 150lbs dog. The only reason that it would to be cheaper to spay a younger dog is just that they usually weigh less.

Answer 8

Way too much to have a dog spayed! Around here, we have a low cost clinic that will do it for $55, but they don't keep the dog over nite for monitoring. At our vet, we paid $109, with pain meds and over nite stay.

I would definitely seek out another vet and call around for other prices. That is way too high, regardless of where you are.

Answer 9

$500 is way too much. Look into Spay and Neuter clinics, humane society and the pound. Way cheaper there. My vet wanted $250 for my dog (that included shots) and I went to a spay and neuter clinic and paid $115, and that also included his shots.

Answer 10

There are less expensive costs to get them spayed for certain! It should cost under $100 - male or female. Call your local human shelter and/or pet stores to find out the various options, they will know a place to get it done inexpensively and can recommend good vets or organizations.