Why are ultrasounds so expensive for animals?

Question

I have to have an ultrasound for my little dachshund which is going to cost me a whopping 600 bucks which I dont have. I tried to work with them and give them 200 each week and they said NO. What does one do, let their dog just die>

Answer 1

Expensive because usually owners do not sign their pet up for pet health insurance. This results in the owners paying for the entire cost of the diagnostic imaging exam.


If you're fortunate, you have health insurance for yourself .. otherwise, the cost of an ultrasound would be consistent with your pets.

Answer 2

Call around, and see if there is another place you can get the ultasound done, it is possible that there is another clinic that can offer the service.. depending on what is being done, a basic one cavity ultrasound can be as little as $200, but if your dog needs, other test, Biopsy's ultrasound of another body cavity, chest and abdomen and such it will be more.. It is expensive, but compare the same procedure done on a human and you can see the diffrence.. Same equipment, the doctors have the same training,

Unfortunaly advances in Vet medicine allow vets to diagnose and treat many conditions that was not a option years ago.. but this ability does come at a cost, discuss with your vet your options, treatment, and such if you can not afford the more advanced diagnostics.. as a owner it is up to you to decide how much how far you would like to go.. the vet is required to offer you the best, or the most advanced options to give your pet the propper care.. and cannot, decide how much little you do..

It is not just a matter of if you let your dog die, but, you do have to decide how much you can afford, or what treatments you want.. because you are the owner.. We all love our pets, but unfortunaly there are some realities that we all must face, the sad fact is pets are a luxuary item.. and as a owner one has to budget for big expenses, get pet insurance to help, or sometimes make hard decisions,, when it comes to how much one can afford or do..

Unfortunaly, most clinics to not bill anymore,, or do payment plans.. esp with something like a ultrasound because many have traveling vets come in to preform the procedure,, and they have to pay, that doctor that day.. and cannot bill themselves.. it does come down to each clinic,, if several people have ended up not fulfilling there aggrements to pay particular bills, then it is possible that the vet cannot afford to do it anymore,, yes a few dishonest people do ruin it for the rest of the clients that would be very happy to make sure they pay every cent..

There is no excuse for not providing your dog basic care, food and vet care because of money.. but on the other hand, if more advanced diagnostics, treatment is just to much to afford.. there is also no shame in making some decisions,, about it.. Obviosly you have taken your pet in, had inital diagnostics done, and tried to be a resposible owner..


If you need to there is care credit, a low intrest credit card for animal expenses that some clinics offer, or other credit card options.. When you own a pet,, it is always a good idea to have a account, or credit card just for emergencys.. like this..
Amanda

Answer 3

If you were one of the few who had purchased pet insurance, this would be much less...how much do you think an ultrasound would cost you without insurance? I am betting 3 times as much! The machine is expensive, the vet's training, knowledge & interpretation are expensive. That's just how things are.

If you can not afford it, ask the vet what your alternative choices would be - not everyone can afford these things, believe me. They are used to that, and often have a not as great but still semi-acceptable back-up plan. Also, find if there are any vet colleges within traveling distance - often they will do these for less.

p.s. to an above poster: ultrasounds are done for many other reasons beside pregnancy, such as to check heart functions, etc. And I think you are confusing Bulldogs with Dachsunds, which breed & whelp fairly easily.

Answer 4

Check out care credit- I can be used for vet expenses!
http://www.carecredit.com/
IF your vet wont take care credit they have a list of accepting vets - use it & move to one that does

My dogs ultrasound cost $400 - 5 yr ago, not in a major city or other high rent area . Not only do they need expensive equipment but an expert (usually a vet with years fruther training after vet school) must be hired to take the ultrasound and read the results. In my case the radioligist with the test results and a breif 1 sentence case summery got the diagnosis that had eluded 3 vets (one an Internal specialist). The dog turns 11 in a few months, is entered in a obedience show next weekend.

Answer 5

I think you should try another vet that will allow you to pay a little at a time. I am really surprised that they won't since you are offering them the money in just three weeks.

Answer 6

Because the machine is very expensive to buy so the vet passes on the cost to those who need to use it.

Answer 7

they are as as expensive as they are for humans,, perhaps you should have pet insurance OR find another vet that will work out payments..

BETTER YET - if your dog is from an Reputable Breeder ( and not from a backyard breeder/puppymill) the breeder , in most cases will pay for this if it is a genetic issue...

Answer 8

Because people are willing to pay $600.00 for an ultrasound.

Answer 9

GO ***ELSEWHERE****!!!
Ever heard of "COMPARISON SHOPPING"???
Or...just tell them NO & use what info there is W/OUT that diagnostic. NOT the only tool!

Ultrasound machines costs HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of dollars,which the customers pay for...eventually.

Answer 10

#1) Because they are purebred and AKC registered (or should be)
#2) Because this is a breed that cannot "breed" on it's own - requires human intervention; artificial insemination and c-sections, as a rule. Both of those drive up the price of the pups - it's going to be added on and passed along.