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Neutering - Cost Of


maximum
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I just read the DOL thread on cost of dog neutering. I'm in shock! *LOL*

My vet quoted me a fee of just under $400, providing Max doesn't have an undescended testicle or any other problems. Reading the thread has shown me that that's a pretty high cost! Particularly for a male...And also, the place I bought Max from gave me a discount certificate for desexing for this particular vet. So, the just under $400 is including a discount!

The vet also said Max would have to be in overnight. I've had many animals desexed and have never had this happen before, when there were no complications from surgery. I'm also guessing that this is partly the reason for high cost!

While I agree that the animal's health is of utmost importance, I had planned to switch vets after neutering Max anyway. The vet I'm currently taking him to is a loooong way from where I live - it's in the area I grew up, near the pet shop I purchased Max from. I'll be moving him to a vet much closer to home.

Does anyone know of a GOOD vet clinic in the Sydney metro area that has more reasonable rates?

Please don't get me wrong - I'll pay anything when it comes to my animals' health. I just don't want to get ripped off for a standard procedure that seems to be done for MUCH less money elsewhere.

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I just read the DOL thread on cost of dog neutering. I'm in shock! *LOL*

My vet quoted me a fee of just under $400, providing Max doesn't have an undescended testicle or any other problems. Reading the thread has shown me that that's a pretty high cost! Particularly for a male...And also, the place I bought Max from gave me a discount certificate for desexing for this particular vet. So, the just under $400 is including a discount!

The vet also said Max would have to be in overnight. I've had many animals desexed and have never had this happen before, when there were no complications from surgery. I'm also guessing that this is partly the reason for high cost!

While I agree that the animal's health is of utmost importance, I had planned to switch vets after neutering Max anyway. The vet I'm currently taking him to is a loooong way from where I live - it's in the area I grew up, near the pet shop I purchased Max from. I'll be moving him to a vet much closer to home.

Does anyone know of a GOOD vet clinic in the Sydney metro area that has more reasonable rates?

Please don't get me wrong - I'll pay anything when it comes to my animals' health. I just don't want to get ripped off for a standard procedure that seems to be done for MUCH less money elsewhere.

What part of metro sydney are you in?

$400 does seem excessive. An overnight stay should NOT be compulsory either!! I imagine that would be more distressing for the dog if anything...

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OMG $400 for a small dog. That is very very expensive. I would expect a small male to cost under $250. Even under $200.

I would be looking elsewhere.

And no dogs do not have to stay overnight. I have had many many pugs desexed and have never had any of them stay overnight. Sounds like your vet is trying to overservice.

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What part of metro sydney are you in?

$400 does seem excessive. An overnight stay should NOT be compulsory either!! I imagine that would be more distressing for the dog if anything...

I'm lower north shore. I just did a ring around to 4 vets in the area and they all quoted $330 - $340. And three of them said an overnight stay, basically to monitor the animal and to make sure that he's kept quiet. i.e. no chance of bolting round the house and opening the wound, as my Max is prone to do! They said that the only animal they sent home same day after desexing is male cats.

Interestingly enough, I rang the $400 vet and asked for a quote over the phone. They quoted $252.50 on the phone, plus $40 for Metacam if needed. I then 'unmasked' myself and said I was a client and that the vet Max had been seeing had quoted me over $390. The person I was speaking to said that sometimes dental extractions are necessary and that the vets often quote for them without telling the clients.

Now I'm totally confused!

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Ah, lower north shore, yep, expensive area for vets!

Not sure why they would quote for extractions without seeing the dog? Ours we get a sheet given to us where we can tick boxes for extra services including nail clipping, etc.

$252 not too bad on lower north shore

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Vet costs can vary with location and what anaesthetic is used. Diesel, while a bigger dog than Kaos, was cheaper to desex as I used a different vet (lived in different area) which also used a different type of anaesthetic.

My current vet has this on their site about desexing (also has detailed description and photos of the procedure - quite impressive really)

"Most patients are able to return home the same day however all animals are different and some may be required to stay overnight."

Often females required to stay overnight, sometimes males are (depending on vet ). The vets I have used recently let them come home same day. Haven't done a female in a while, think Zoe stayed overnight (she was done on lower north shore).

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I think the prices you have been quoted are pretty standard for the area which you are in.

With regards to staying overnight, it's probably not essential and while most DOL owners would be more than capable of nursing their pets, there are many who find it difficult to keep them quiet. We keep them in overnight, both boys and girls, for this reason. Our vets feel that its better for them to remain calm and sleep the drugs and anaesthetic off, without the excitement of going home and without people fussing over their wounds. There's also less stress to the owners who would be continuously fussing over them, checking the wound and worrying about any swelling, discharge or wobbliness from the anaesthetic. You'd be surprised at how many people take their animals to emergency post surgery because they see a little bit of blood.

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As has been mentioned in other similar thread, it's important to establish exactly what the estimate includes.

If a castrate is $252, pain relief is $40 then the other $110 may easily be an estimate including intravenous fluids and pain relief, or deciduous canine removal if required.

If you're to compare prices, it's best to know what is actually getting done.

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When I asked my vet for a quote to neuter Benson (4 1/2 month old Aussie Shepherd pup) I got a quote for the neutering PLUS any optional extras.

It cost me about $150, I didn't go for any of the add ons as he didn't need them. The main one offered was to take some blood from him before the surgery in case he required a blood transfusion.

Mind you, there was no talk of a refund or what would happen with the spare blood in the event that he DIDN'T need a transfusion.

To the OP, I'd go to a cheaper suburb. The vet in your suburb sounds like he charges what he thinks the locals can pay. Maybe try the RSPCA, I think they do discount de-sexing...but it actually IS a discount.

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Hi Maximum!

Have you tried the vet clinic at Sydney Uni? We went to a vet we didn't like much near here, and are going to try Sydney Uni next, they have been highly recommended by a number of people.

Though it does mean you'll have to cross the bridge ! :rofl:

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I was quoted for Tilba's spay last May after telling the vet that I was letting her have one heat first. Total cost was $370 which includes pre op blood test, overnight stay & an e collar plus pain meds. Of course I'm expecting it to be more nearly a year later.

Edited by luvsdogs
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What part of metro sydney are you in?

$400 does seem excessive. An overnight stay should NOT be compulsory either!! I imagine that would be more distressing for the dog if anything...

I'm lower north shore. I just did a ring around to 4 vets in the area and they all quoted $330 - $340. And three of them said an overnight stay, basically to monitor the animal and to make sure that he's kept quiet. i.e. no chance of bolting round the house and opening the wound, as my Max is prone to do! They said that the only animal they sent home same day after desexing is male cats.

Interestingly enough, I rang the $400 vet and asked for a quote over the phone. They quoted $252.50 on the phone, plus $40 for Metacam if needed. I then 'unmasked' myself and said I was a client and that the vet Max had been seeing had quoted me over $390. The person I was speaking to said that sometimes dental extractions are necessary and that the vets often quote for them without telling the clients.

Now I'm totally confused!

don't blame you!

my first reaction is 'what the...?????'

mmm i would be going to my usual vet if possible.

and an overnight stay, i think most pets would want to get the hell outa there!

none of mine have ever stayed over night, i think a nice quiet, warm cozy room at home is probably better for the dogs recovery as long as there are no complications.

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I just had one of my girls done last year was nearly $170 which included everything. I didnt have to go back to get the stitches out as they were disolvable stitches. Took her in the morning went and picked her up after work around 6 took her home put her into the big cage in the bedroom where it was quiet. When I went to feed the others she screamed the place down so gave her a feed didnt her from her alnight and the next day was a ratbag. None of my previous dogs had to stay at the vets and I reckon they were all under the $200 mark. I might add my dogs are average size around the 10 kg when they went under though. You would have to pay more money the heavier the dog is though.

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Both my male and female dogs cost about $200-$240 each for desexing (upper north shore area). The vet picked them up in the morning and dropped them back late in the evening. No extra charge for taking the stitches out (the vet came home for that too).

Edited by Odin-Genie
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