Does my dog have to get an examination when all she needs is a rabies shot?

Question

My dog is now a year old and is very happy and healthy. I want to keep her that way. She needs her second rabies shot and every time I try to make an appointment for her to get it they all want to charge me for an examination. The exam costs 4 times what the shot alone costs. I think that the exam is a money making thing. Does she have to have the exam or do I need to just get her a shot somehow?

Answer 1

The answer is no. To be honest, if you have an adult dog they should only need to be examined twice a year. The rabies shot is only once a year. If you live in a larger city, they should have a rabies shot day where they either do it really cheap or free for your dog as well. At least they do here in our city.

The exam is a money making thing for the vet but it's also for your dog's good health. If you don't like your vet's pricing, call around. I did. I found the cheapest and most convienient vet that suited my purposes. He turned out to be a sexest but he was still a cheap vet bill :D. 20 bucks for a checkup isn't bad.

Answer 2

The answer is no. To be honest, if you have an adult dog they should only need to be examined twice a year. The rabies shot is only once a year. If you live in a larger city, they should have a rabies shot day where they either do it really cheap or free for your dog as well. At least they do here in our city.
The exam is a money making thing for the vet but it's also for your dog's good health. If you don't like your vet's pricing, call around. I did. I found the cheapest and most convienient vet that suited my purposes. He turned out to be a sexest but he was still a cheap vet bill :D. 20 bucks for a checkup isn't bad.

Answer 3

I'm starting to wonder, lol. I have a small mousery and wanted a biopsy done on a *deceased* mouse. I was quoted the cost, which included an exam fee. An exam? Uh, I know what's wrong and I know she's dead. When I asked why a dead mouse would need an exam, she suddenly paused and changed it to an office fee. To answer your question, only the rabies shot is required by law. However, it is a good idea to have *live* animals examined. Plus, even if they forgo the exam/exam fee, they'll probably just add on (change it to) an office fee...may as well get the brief exam.

Answer 4

Wow, my vet doesn't charge anything for the brief exam when giving shots. He just gives them a once over since they're there unless you ask him to check something. Unfortunately Rabies is the one shot you can't give yourself so unless you want to look into another vet you just have to go with it.

County animal control (dog pound) often does a Rabies clinic twice a year but it's usually in the late winter just before you have to renew your licenses. You could call and ask if anyone's holding one soon. It's generally an all day event, they only do the vaccine and possibly at a discount.

Answer 5

Taking your dog for her yearly exam is part of responsible pet ownership. Have you coughed up the dough to get her spayed? If not, do it all at once.
There are low-cost vaccination clinics, but I really strongly suggest that you not be cheap when it comes to your pet. Would you take a child to a shot clinic instead of the pediatrician (if you had a choice)? It's the same thing. A vet can make sure your pet stays healthy by catching anything that's amiss long before you might notice it.
If you think your vet is too expensive, call around your area and ask other vets what they charge for exams and vaccinations (and spaying, if it hasn't been done!), maybe you can find one that charges less.
Answers loves responsible pet owners! Join the ranks and be one! Thanks, and good luck!

Answer 6

I would call around. some vets are trying to make money but I just take my dogs and cats and ferret and only get them a rabies shot.
I know that the exam is so much more. or call and ask for just a rabies shot and if they say anythign about exam ask why they need that .
My cat was taken by my sister to a vet she uses and she didn't have the rabies certificate with her so they made her get it and she had just had it 3 months previously. i really think a lot of vets but not all are just out for the money

Answer 7

Annual exams are a good idea because often you can catch something early (in the case of my dog hypothyroidism). But if all you want to do at the moment is the shot, you have a couple choices. Some vets do low cost shot clinics, often on Saturday mornings, where everybody just comes in and gets shots and they are charged for just shots. Call other vets and see if they offer that. Also humane societies and shelters that have spay neuter clinics also often run low cost shot clinics. Go to www.petfinder.com, find the shelters in your area and call them up and ask if they offer the service, and if they don't, who does.

Answer 8

I've read some of the other answers and I think of it like this..a lot can go wrong with a dog in his lifetime. Dogs tend to mask illnesses and cannot communicate to you if something is wrong. Maybe your dog could develop a heart condition or any number of things and it's not all that unheard of. I just feel better knowing my animals get their yearly exam. So should everyone....

Answer 9

Do you have to go to dentist every 6 months to check your teeth even you know they are healthy? This is the same reason. Examination is not a procedure only for sick dogs.
Sometimes you can miss some signs regardless how much you take care of your dog. A professional eye can catch them.
So if you want her stay helathy you should also allow her to be examined.

Answer 10

Petco offers rabies shots as well as other needed shots.

Also some towns offer rabies shot clinics, usually in May or June.