Is this a reasonable price to have a dog euthanised?

Question

I called my local vet and asked about having my dog put down. It's a long, sad story but it needs to be done. They want 200$ for sedative, exam, drugs, disposal is extra, but I am taking him home to be buried.

I've always been happy with this vet, they are very compassionate and knowledgeable but money is very stretched right now and they have a reputation for overcharging.

Is this the average?

I live in the midwest.

The break down is 42$ for the exam
and 160$ for the sedative they give first and then the actual injection.

This is hard enough without worrying over the cost, but sadly it is a factor.

He is a Border Collie, around 40-50 pounds.

They will not euthanise without an exam. I don't understand it either. Maybe they are taking advantage of an emotional situation. I don't know.

I am not paying them for disposal, he is coming home with me to be buried.

Do vets always give a sedative before the injection?

I don't know who is giving the un-warranted thumbs down, but I greatly appreciate everyone's answers.

Answer 1

thats outragious. go to another vet. at the clinic i work at all we do is inject euthasol into the vein and they fall asleep. usually costing around $50. and we are an expensive clinic also. im so sorry for your time of sadness. i know its hard to do. pets become our family. God Bless

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Answer 2

First, all of those things (except for the exam) are charged according to size. If you own a chihuahua, then that might be a bit excessive. But if you own a great dane or even a lab, that might not be an above average cost. Also, prices vary drastically depending on where you live and the cost of living (region of the country, city vs rural, etc).

If you don't feel you can afford that much money and you feel comfortable with a vet you've never gone to before euthanising your dog, then call around and see if this is more than average or if you'll be paying the same price everywhere else in town. Another option, depending on where you live, might be the humane society or your shelter. The humane society and many local shelters often offer veterinary services at a reduced price.

Answer 3

$200 sounds a bit high to me & the vet doesn't sound very compassionate.
Let me tell you how much my vet charges her clients / patients when this time arrives.....................$0.00
The very first time I had to have one of my dogs euthanized I asked how much I owed & she said nothing. I was a little shocked. I asked her if she was serious & she said she feels that is the least she can do for her patients / clients. Over the years I had to have two dogs done & she never charged me a dime either time. That to me says a lot about a vet & how they feel about their business.
Truthfully I think all vets should provide this service to all their regular clients at no charge.
I did bring the dogs back home.
Sad that a person would want to build their business in such a manner at such a sad time!! I'd check around else where.
I am so sorry you are faced with this decison at this time & your vet has to make it even harder.I'd be finding another vet & never go back to this one!! Sounds like they are all out for the $$$ alone!!!

Answer 4

I personally think what the vets charge to put down a pet is outrageous!!!

and why they have to do an exam before putting your animal down is bull crap.

Normally sedatives are used if the dog is unruly and wont be still for them to inject them.

Sadly I have had to put 3 dogs down within the last 2 yrs...
One had a tumor in his brain- he was 14 they charged me over 200.00 at emergency vets
one was 18 yrs old and failing health they charged over 100.00 local vet
one had terminal cancer- was 10 they cut me some slack on cost and charged me under 100.

You can check the humane society also, they are usually cheaper.

Sorry for your upcoming loss of a beloved pet.

Answer 5

I think it is rather odd that your vet would want to do an exam before euthanising; if he is your regular vet he should already know the condition of your dog? As far as the sedative goes, that is done to keep the dog calm-sometimes the stress level is high and the vet just wants your dog to be comfortable.

I am very confused as to why a vet would want to do an exam if this is your regular vet. Can't make a suggestion without knowing more, I guess.

Answer 6

I would go to a different vet.If the dog is going to be euthanized,there's no sense in doing an "exam." Also,my vet has never given a sedative,as the euthanasia injection puts the animal to sleep in about 15 -30 seconds,after which the heart and respiration stop.My vet would charge about 30.00 to euthanize a dog of that size,with cremation extra.It's sad that they feel they have to overcharge someone who's about to lose their dog.

Answer 7

Seems pretty high to me. Compassion seems to be commensurate with cash flow. Vets have to make a living and it makes sense that it costs. I am just sad this seems to be a Vet you have been using for some time. I know that when my Vet had to euthanize my GSD six plus yrs ago, it was far less. He offered to dispose of her at no cost to us, but we wanted to have her cremated. He referred us to a crematory at just the cost of the cremation- 100 dollars for a 126 lb. dog, no added on cost from him which he had every right to do. His costs were a bit lower for us because we have used him for all our dogs over time.
I don't understand the justification for an exam if you are having your dog euthanized. If 200 dollars is the cost of a necropsy and euthanization, then it's more than reasonable in price. But an exam?

Answer 8

I had to have my rabbit euthanized and it cost about 30 dollars. The vet even included a big cardboard pet casket for me to bury him in. I don't know if it would be more just if the animal was larger, but I think that's a bit expensive. Maybe call another vet to see if your vet's prices are reasonable. So sorry, I know how rough it can be to lose a pet like that.

Answer 9

You have got to be kidding 200 dollars. My vet put my little dog to sleep for nothing. All they do is give it a shot, you need to find another vet, they'll do it real cheap at any vet, WOW. it should never be over 10 or 20 dollars at the most. I wouldn't want your vet , he is a rip off. Ny liittle dog was so small I put a towel in a tupper ware fitted lid and buried her in my yard.

Answer 10

I worked at a humane society that would offer euthanization services for around $50. You could take the body home with you to bury however you could not be with the dog during the euthinization. Give your local shelters a call and see if any of them offer this service and perhaps there are some that will let you be with your pup when he passes on. I am so sorry you have to go through this. Good luck to you.