Cancer Treatment Options Forum - August 13th, 2011 - 16 Comments
Embarrassed to say this…okay to use low-cost spay clinic? How to get over embarrassment? ?
First off, let me say this. I absolutely can afford my animals and am a responsible pet owner. The cats are all spayed/neutered, everyone is up-to-date on shots, and everyone is on a great food.
Here’s the problem. At the same time my puppy is due to be spayed, I will be starting college classes. My books/supplies will be about 0. All out-of-pocket costs for me. I’ve been doing my best to reduce spending so I have money for both (ie: Not buying a soda everyday, trying to drive less). I don’t see it happening by when she needs to be spayed. I want it done by her first heat to reduce the risk of cancer later on.
I was doing some research and found a spay/neuter clinic in my area that would do the surgery for about a third less than what my regular vet would charge. I feel like a horrible pet owner for wanting to go this route.
Is there any harm is using the low-cost clinic? What sort of questions should I ask? Also, how do I get over this feeling of failure?
Thanks
DO NOT BE EMBARRASSED!! The people who should be embarrassed are the ones who are too lazy or ignorant to research options to spay/neuter their animals. In fact, I applaud you for doing everything you can to get your animals what they need. Our sweet pets cost a lot of money sometimes, and I don’t think anyone will fault you for trying to save money where you can. You obviously care about your animals and are willing to make sacrifices for yourself to see to their care. Kudos!
Most low-cost clinics are not any different than any other vets. Many are vets who volunteer a day or two every week to help out. The only question I would ask is whether or not they use and/or charge extra for anesthesia. A friend of mine used a low-cost clinic and they asked her if she wanted her dog to have anesthesia. Of course she said yes, and when she went to pick him up she found they had added an extra $50 to her total, so it ended up costing what it would have at her regular vet.
Good luck and, again, thank you for doing what is right by your pets!
i would always do the best for my animals. a low cost for spaying could mean unprofessional service.
There is no shame in doing something that costs less. If you feel so inclined make a donation to the clinic when you are financially able to do so.
Good grief, there’s no reason in the world for you to feel like a failure! You’re doing the responsible thing by getting your puppy spayed. Good for you for doing the research and finding a clinic to do it for less. You should be applauded, not feeling like a failure!
What sort of questions to ask – they’re still vets and they’ll take very good care of your puppy. Just make sure they answer all your questions about her after-surgery care and your puppy will be fine.
Why are you embarrassed everyone nowadays is looking for a way to save money. Low cost spay/neutering in most city/states is a group of veterinary doctors who are willing to charge a lower fee but for the same service. Your doing the right thing by controlling the pet population and getting your pet altered…
Lower cost brings in more clientele and in turn, the really make more money that way.
But for God sake, don’t be embarrassed or feel like your a failure – your in school and need to be conservative especially during times like now.
Our low cost in our city is wonderful many many people use them and they are always booked. The staff is very nice and the environment is exceptionally clean and organized.
I have no problems at all with using the low-cost clinics. In our town at the time my dogs and cats needed spayed, the DVM working there was a former employer, so I was comfortable with her skills. Since the docs at the office I manage do large animal only, and don’t even have the proper equipment to spay a dog or cat (they don’t even want to get that started….) I was as happy to take my dogs to the clinic as I would be to take them anywhere else in town. So long as the DVM doing the surgeries is reasonably skilled, I see no reason not to take advantage of the opportunity.
Just because It’s low cost does not mean that it will do a bad job. Ive gotten my cats fixed at a clinic that was totally free. Most clinics are dropping their prices to encourage dog and cat owners to get their animal spayed or neutered. When you first go their just look around and make sure the place is clean, you can also ask your vet about wether or not they have heard of the clinic and if they would recommend it.
Theres nothing wrong with going to a cheaper clinic, i personally think all of them should drop their prices because then more owners would be able to afford to get their animal spayed/neutered.
I wouldn’t feel bad for using the clinic. Most spay and neuter surgeries are way overpriced. A vet clinic in my city wanted $220 for a cat neuter. I went back to my parents’ for a week in the summer to visit them, and had their vet neuter my cat for less than $50. That wasn’t even a clinic situation.
Take the clinic. Vaccines at the vet are priced high too. They have a business to run. If you can use a vaccine clinic, go for that as well.
I don’t think it is a bad thing. You are doing the responsible thing, you are spaying your pet. As for cost, personally I think the price is horrific. It costs about $300 to spay my female Rott. But, the same vet will do it for $100 if you present a Spay/Neuter certificate. So, why does it have to cost the $200 more. They took very good care of my girl and I got pain pills for her after the operation, so why the extra fees. I don’t know, but sometimes you need to look for a way to cut costs so that you can continue to afford your pets. And if a low cost clinic is the way to go, than you do it. And, you are not a failure. The program is there for a reason, to assist in spaying and neutering to insure that there are less dogs in shelters due to the fact that the owner could not pay for the spay or neuter and their dog had puppies.
I don;t think there is any harm in using a low cost clinic. The only harm would be not spaying or neutering your animal. If you are embarrassed about it, don’t discuss it. I mean, I don’t start most of my conversations by saying, "Hi, nice to meet you. I got my dog neutered at his vets office." If you are concerned talk to some people in the waiting room about their experiences with that clinic or ask them at the desk for some statistics of how sucessful their surgeries are. I’m sure they will have a nice big statistic for you. Also the surgery itself is very simple. So I wouldn’t worry. If these clinics were bad they would not be allowed to practice. Good for you for making sure you do this important surgery.
low cost clinics or no cost clinics,they are all highly qualified veterinarians.
They work there to help more animals and the doctors are mostly more experienced with more animals of any kind.
You should feel proud of yourself to go there, you are helping them rescue more dogs and cats and other small animals or any animals.
The doctors are most likely volunteering but they are the more "into your pet’s health" than money so you can depend on them.
It is not a bad idea to switch to low cost clinic to help your pet and help your community.
Be Proud ^^!
I really don’t think there is anything to be embarrassed about, your doing the responsible thing. The low cost clinic will just allow you to make ends meet in your budget.
there is absolutely no harm in useing low cost programs. Most are either staffed by full time vets, or by local vets that donate time and service to help the comunity. In my area there are several that are in permenent buildings, and two that are in mobil vans ( think gray hound bus type thing) that will come to your home if you cant make it to a clinic.
The clinic will give you directions for after care and most give a hotline number incase of trouble, which is rare.
Failure isnt doing what you must, its not doing what you can. not using a low cost clinic because your "too good" or make to much ect is utterly stupid. You can always donate time or money to the clinic when you can afford it. Lady next door had her dog done by the mobil clinic because she was in a wheel chair due to surgery. Now she drives pets for disabled people to the clinic as her way of helping out since she is better.
Most spay/neuter clinics are ran by local vets that are giving their time to help the animals, they also use veterinary residents under the care of Vets. You are doing what you can to help your animal, do not be embarrassed, with today’s economy you have to save when you can while giving the best you can for your animals. Spay/Neuter is so important for the health of your pets you will look like a responsible and caring pet owner and that is the only thing you want to be in the long run.
do not feel horrible about your decision, with the economy the way it is, i don’t think any one would blame you. ask alot of questions and i mean alot. your also going to school and paying your own way basically. your doing the right thing, but if in your heart, you feel it’s the wrong place, by all means don’t do it.
Don’t be embarrassed. I used a low cost spay program in my area many years ago (it was including in the cost of adopting the pup)
Low cost…
take the pup in
surgery is done
dog is out the door after they wake up (hours later)
no follow visit is included (unless things have changed)
any problems I believe you have to take the dog to your vet (CHECK with them on this)
Your Vet
Pre testing done to check for any problems
Surgery is done
Overnight stay is required (make sure there are no problems)
follow up visit is included in the cost
MANY dogs have been through this and have had NO problems. You do what you can afford to do.
The service is there, use it if you need to and don’t be embarrassed if you do…..
WHY would you feel like a failure???? What are your failing in???
Ask them what you SHOULD be concerned about? Bleeding, swelling, not eating or drinking, how long should it take for her to get back to being herself etc…and if any problems come up WHO should you call….
You aren’t being a failure, you are being responsible….