How much does it usually cost you to go to the vet?

Question

how much does it cost to go to the vet for a check-up on your cat? also when you call in to ask for prices, what questions should you ask like specifically what items would you be asking? how much for this vaccine... ? stool sample... ? normal check-up...? surgical procedure...?

Answer 1

Prices vary from vet to vet....and from animal to animal. It also depends on what you are going to take the cat in for. If it is for a first visit...you could use this example:
"I would like to bring in my cat for it's first visit. It's never been to a vet before. I would like to know how much it would be for an office call w/ exam, combo test (to check for leukemia virus), and first vaccines (which are normally Feline Leukemia and Feline Distemper and depending on the age of your cat, a Rabies vaccine also)."
Surgical procedures are harder to price. Surgeries prices are based on the weight of the animal, because different sized animals require different levels of anesthesia and medicines. You may want to ask if your vet offers consultations for surgical procedures. This would give you the opportunity to ask any questions you have about the procedure.
Most of the time, when you call into a veterinarian clinic, the receptionist or technician will ask you questions about your cat to get a better idea of its needs. That way, they would be able to give you a better idea of what it would cost to bring the cat in.
Always remember though, when you call in for prices, that doesn't mean that's exactly what it's going to cost. Prices vary depending on if the cat were to need any medicines while it's there (in case it's found to have ear mites, etc.) and if you ask to have additional things done that you didn't request on the phone (i.e. nail trims, etc.).
Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

Where I live, it cost about $50 for just a visit to the vet, doesn't include all the things that they need to do--tests and vaccinations. Since usually the cats only go to the vet for annual checkups when they also need their annua vaccinations or if they are sick or injured, a visit never costs only $50--and now that the cats are 10 years old, they also now need annual blood tests and teeth cleaning and a lot of tests so it costs us a LOT, but it also gives us peace of mind that the cats are in good shape.

What you need to ask, or rather, tell the vet is how old your cat is and any health problems or other weird physical things you want the vet to check out. Be honest, let them know when the last time you had your cat checked, what shots the cat has had and when the last time was, if you let the cat outdoors, anything else that might effect the health of your cat that the vet should consider. A good vet will then discuss with you what things he'd like to check for. Before he does anything, you can ask for a price estimate on the things he wants to do (my vet automatically generates a cost list and I have to sign it saying I authorize (and will pay for) them. If your cat isn't injured or showing any signs it is sick, you should not need to ask about surgical procedures unless you intend to have it spayed or neutered.

Answer 3

You should shop around unless you have good recommendations from people you trust. If this is a younger cat you need to find out what the office generally does on a first visit. Normally, they will run a stool sample and provide the distemper vaccination. If they are over 16 weeks they should also receive a rabies vaccination. That is all that is really required, aside from neutering which would be scheduled separately. Leukemia vaccines might be useful if your cat goes outside.

However, many of the vets I have come into contact recently will nickle and dime you. Before surgery, our local vet REQUIRES Feline Leukemia vaccinations, FELV/AIDS tests, blood work AND a heartworm check in addition to the routine vaccines. It ends up costing close to $350. If you go outside of our local vet, the requirements vary greatly, which is why it pays to shop around.

So what really needs to be done?

Stool Sample
Distemper Combo Vaccine
Rabies Vaccine
Sterilization

What should maybe be done?

FELV/AIDS Test (just so you know)
Feline Leukemia Vaccine (if cat goes outside)
Heartworm test (if outside in high mosquito population)

Unless there is a noticable problem, I have a hard time having required blood work. It is extremely rare that there is a problem in a younger pet and will not be suggestive as to whether the pet will have a reaction to an anesthetic.

If this is an older cat, there is debate about how often vaccines should be given due to vaccine induced sarcomas (cancer). Rabies, you cannot get out of usually since it is the law. You will read many conflicting reports on the strength of vaccines. Most research states that a cat, after its initial kitten boosters can go three years, and depending on the study, longer between shots. No vet I know of will conceed as it would cut into their business.

As far as cost...You need to figure about 30 - 40 just for an office visit, about 20 per vaccine and about 15 - 20 to run a stool sample. Sterilizaton runs about 80 for a male and about 120 for a female. There are programs for low cost sterilization if you look. Usually the SPCA is a good source for your local options.

Answer 4

it really isn't very much when i consider what i am getting, (a healthy, cared for cat, inoculated, wormed, etc) and all kinds of advise when i ask questions. i think it ranges from 20 to 40 dollars a visit. once i took her for a worm pill and it was only 12 dollars.
but like i say it is well worth the money, and my cat, though not fond of the shots or of the travel, is happy and healthy and probably in some way grateful. it is usually good to bring a fresh stool sample to the annual check-up, i ask prices of the vaccines ...my vet and i avoid surgical procedures (she's been spayed as a kitten, none more has been necessary)
i believ it is a good practice to take a pet to the vet with some kind of regularity

Answer 5

In my area, regular check-up at the vets vary in cost. My vet (who is very good) charges $23.00 and spends no less than 20 mins with my cat and me. He checks cat's ears, eyes, mouth, glands, fur and skin, limbs and paws, and palpitates or feels around the torso and tummy to get an idea how the organs and intestines are doing. He takes the temperature, weighs kitty and we discuss whatever problems there can be and any possible issues that may develop and what can be done to prevent them. Then he calls the vet tech who clips my cat's claws. When there is a problem, the vet prescribes the appropriate medication(s) and gives written intructions on how the medicine is to be administered, how many times, for how long and what to watch out for and the number to call if there is an emergency. Usually, you can get the medications from the vet's office and pay for them there. Happily, apart from the time my cat had to have 4 teeth extracted, the pet check-ups have gone well and problem free. Its really important that you find a good vet now and try and establish a medical history for your pet... and this is done by taking your kitty for regular check-ups (at least once a year). This way, if anything goes wrong, your vet knows your cat, his history, you situation and can better assess treatment.

Answer 6

If you're in NYC, you are truly in luck - Bide-A-Wee is by far the cheapest and definitely the best. If not, check out their website at http://www.bideawee.org/ I'm sure you can contact them for the same kind of organizations in your town or city.

I have two, and the grand total for their yearly check-ups combined is about $150 including taking taxis back & forth, (New Yorkers usually don't drive - I don't even have a licsense, and I'm 40! LOL!). Both their neuterings were WAY under $300 combined. All the so-called "Best" vets in the NYC area, (regardless of speciality - cat, dog, general, etc...), were at least $200 per-cat!!!

Search the web, make calls, and above all - ask the second most imortant question... "How Much Will It Cost?". The first is obviously, the Veterinarians credentials - where did he or she study? Other "patients" accolades, (from their human companions obviously); awards, honourable mention, etc...

However, despite all the accolades your prospective new Veterinarian may have and even be, the absolutely MOST important thing is that your non-human, life companion and partner in crime TRUST this individual you've chosen for their healthcare.

Answer 7

It usually cost about $30 for a visit. If it is your kitty's first visit the cost may be more because they have to do a stool sample plus give a shot for distemper and so forth. If you are going to have the cat fixed and can't afford it the ASPCA can direct you to cheaper places to go. It is good to have your kitty fixed because you may not want more. I have a cat who is about 15 months old. I take her for her shots and tests and don't mind paying. She is healthy and a frisky little cat. You could ask around to different vets to see what the price is. Good luck in your venture as a cat owner. My cat is snobbish and frisky. And a little psychotic at times but I love her. It is a big responsibility to own an animal.

Answer 8

i live in the Northeast, and things are generally more expensive around here but I will tell you what Ihave pd.. ..
office visit $46
vaccines $14-16
spaying $200+
euthanasia $100+
a devoted loving cat... priceless :0) sorry couldnt resist that one!

As far as calling to get prices, just come right out and ask, its best to be direct (expeciially with money) so you and the vet know where each other is coming from...

Answer 9

You will have to check with the vets to see how much it all cost. Lots of vets do give free kitten checks, so then you only have to pay for the shots. It usually cost about $35 to $50 to have a pet micro chipped. If you buy the chip and then you can put it in or have the vet do it. Mine just put it in for $5 each (I had a group of dogs done at once, but I bought the chips). I would ask why are you having a cat micro chipped? Is it a rare or very expensive cat? If not I wouldn't do it, but that is your choice.

Answer 10

SOME TOWNS HAVE LOW COST VACCINE CLINICS YOU CAN SAVE THERE, JUST TAKE CAT IN BOXAND KEEP THE PAPER WORK FOR WHEN YOU TAKE HIM TO THE VET FOR OTHER PURPOSES. AS FOR OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS YOU CAN CALL AND ASK FOR A ESTIMATE PRICE .THEY DONT ASK FOR STOOL SAMPLES UNLESS THERE ARE PROBLEMS.