topic Re: Am I off base? in Pet Lovers

Am I off base?

hyacinth003 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 05:48:13 GMT

My husband took our dog, a chihuahua mix, to the vet for vaccinations and check up. I think it was about $175.

While there, my husband said her nails needed trimming, and he didn't ever do it before. Our other dogs had to be groomed monthly, so they had their nails done.

This vet took a nail trimmer and simulated nail trimming, but didn't do it. I was more than a little peeved at this. We are 23 year clients with many pets we take very good care of. We have spent many THOUSANDS of dollars there.

I think she came so close to trimming her nails and should have DONE IT without charge. Am I off base?

Hyacinth

Re: Am I off base?

Haoo — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 06:03:29 GMT

I have a 4 year old miniature Daschund and take her to the vet for wellness checks and vaccinations. I do have her nails trimmed while at the vet. I've never had issues paying for the service as it is expected. It started as $14 per trimming and during this past year it went up to $30. By the way, her annual vaccination cost me $260 which includes the heart warm blood drawing/test. Each month I also pay somewhere around $35 for her heart worm med. Cost and prices are high nowadays.

Re: Am I off base?

AZfem — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 06:18:01 GMT

Doctors, vets, dentists all charge for every little thing. If one ever gets something free its a miracle. I wouldn't expect it.

Re: Am I off base?

Venezia — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 06:24:16 GMT

Your vet "simulated" trimming your dog's nails? What does that mean?

Was she showing your husband how to do it or did she not do it because he didn't want to pay for it? There seems to be some missing information.

We just took our senior cat to the vet for her annual exam, senior bloodwork and while there had to have an x-ray for a potential problem. She also had an injection for her chronic nasal issues.

Cost? $505. Having a pet and being a responsible owner these days costs money. Your $175 sounds reasonable, with or without nail trimming.

(Most places I know now charge to trim nails. Some offer it as a complimentary service, but my cat wouldn't let anyone but me clip her claws. Believe me, one vet found out the hard way!)

Re: Am I off base?

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 07:36:00 GMT

Based on all the nail trimming hassles (and trips to the groomers for clippings) when I get my next kitty, the first thing we're going to do is learn to sit nicely for nail trims.

At least that's what I think is going to happen. LOL

Re: Am I off base?

LizzieInSRQ — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:23:48 GMT

Its a business. They have every right to chsrge for services.

What i dont understand in your post is the part where you say it was " simulated nail trimming but didnt do it".

What does thst mean?

Re: Am I off base?

Carmie — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:47:48 GMT

Just last week, one of my dogs was limping, so I took her to the vet. While she was there, I asked to have her nails cut. I took my second dog in as well and asked for a nail trim.

The limping dog's trim cost $25 and the other dog was $35. That's a lot of money for a nail trim. And their nails weren't smooth after. They didn't do a good job. They are both small dogs.

The vet charged $98 for the office visit and couldn't find anything wrong. The dog might have caught her foot on something....there was no bruising or cuts. The next day she wasn't limping anymore.

I will never get their nails trimmed at the vets. Way too expensive. Vets don't do anything free of charge anymore.

All they do is push expensive vaccines annually that are not necessary causing liver damage and other medical problems.

One of my dogs will be getting a dental this week. I might have to remortgage my house.

Re: Am I off base?

Roscoe the Rascal — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 11:42:56 GMT

Vet bills are high and no wonder some can't take care of their pets like they should. Many have a lot of love to give but just can't afford to take care of their pets properly.

I have spent a fortune at the vet over the years and probably always will. Just like everything prices keep climbing. Just doesn't seem right.

Re: Am I off base?

kaydee50 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 11:52:04 GMT

As much as I love dogs I'm glad I don't have one! I wouldn't even spend $35 for a manicure for myself--LOL!! And I don't even go to the doctor unless something is wrong so those vet bills would be a problem!

Re: Am I off base?

Iwantcoffee — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:15:24 GMT

We pay $10.00 at the vet's office to have our dog's nails trimmed. A groomer trims his nails, not the vet. We pay a separate fee for vaccinations and annual check. They bill for the service performed or product we receive as they are taking their time and using their supplies for all.

Re: Am I off base?

Tori3569 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:24:04 GMT

I'm thinking that perhaps the vet was just showing your husband how to do it. Maybe that's what he asked about.

Re: Am I off base?

CalminHeart — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:28:24 GMT

@hyacinth003 wrote:
My husband took our dog, a chihuahua mix, to the vet for vaccinations and check up. I think it was about $175.

While there, my husband said her nails needed trimming, and he didn't ever do it before. Our other dogs had to be groomed monthly, so they had their nails done.

This vet took a nail trimmer and simulated nail trimming, but didn't do it. I was more than a little peeved at this. We are 23 year clients with many pets we take very good care of. We have spent many THOUSANDS of dollars there.

I think she came so close to trimming her nails and should have DONE IT without charge. Am I off base?

Hyacinth

Did your husband mention he'd never done it before? Maybe the vet thought he wanted to know how.

Your husband should have clarified when the vet started showing him how to do it.

If the vet does it, the vet should charge for it. Services aren't free.

Re: Am I off base?

Skyegirl21 — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 12:52:06 GMT

Veterinary offices these days are BIG business. In my experience, they do nothing for free (maybe so in the past)- I never leave there without spending many hundreds, even for a check-up. And good luck if your animal needs an operation, thousands-

They talk me into bloodwork annually (not necessary in my opinion), and as Carrie mentioned all the unnecessary vaccinations- 🙄

I have an appointment this week (annual checkup, and I am telling them upfront no Lepto vaccine, no bloodwork)- You must ask about prices on anything they do, or else you will be shocked later!
Honestlyi don't know how so many people afford pets!!

Re: Am I off base?

hkrgrl — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:12:02 GMT

our vet of over 30 years has always charged $10 for nail trim. price has not changed that i know of.

we always trimmed our dogs ourselves and our cat. but sometimes when the cat went in for check ups, he would do them if needed and charged.

our present dog goes to groomer every 6 weeks and they do his nails along with bath and groom.

vets charge for everything and they should. they are not running a free operation. they have costs too! if they did it for you then they have to do for everyone, that's a lot of $$ lost.

i think when u said simulation, the vet was showing your DH how to do it. if u don't want to pay, then learn to do it yourself. its not hard, just don't go above the curve of the nail....

Re: Am I off base?

LindaSal — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:29:16 GMT

I agree it seems like some kind of misunderstanding. I personally feel a groomer would be a better choice for nail trimming. They are less rushed than they are at the Vet's office and most likely do a nicer job. I know expenses are high but you have to remember these places: Doctors offices, Dentists, Vets, on and on have a steep overhead for educated, certified/licensed staff, supplies including some meds and very high premiums for malpractice insurance.

Re: Am I off base?

vermint — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:31:05 GMT

Vet expenses (and the difficulty of getting appointments when we need them) are one of the reasons we've decided on no more pets after our two elderly cats and one 5 y/o dog cross the Bridge.

The dog is on Apoquel, and will be for the rest of his life...that's $160+ monthly! Not to mention he's on a more expensvie brand of dog food because of his allergies.

One cat has upper respiratory issues, and its $200+ every time she flares up, which is 2-4 times per year. Plus, we often have to wait 2 weeks for an appointment, or take her to the ER vet if she gets really bad, which costs even more.

It's a struggle for many retired people--who actually have more time to give to pets, and need the companionship more--to pay these kinds of bills.

I've seen this change just since we started using our current vet in 2010.

Re: Am I off base?

Krimpette — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:43:55 GMT

I did that all the time when I had two cats. The key....start early with them. I will add that one of my cats sat on my lap and acted like he was at a salon,handing me one paw at a time. For the other cat....it would sometimes take me the entire day to catch him long enough to do a couple of claws at a time. And I always was careful to do mainly the tips. Not too close to the 'quick".

Re: Am I off base?

cheriere — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:54:05 GMT

@hyacinth003 I had the same thing happen with Ruby one of her first few visits. I agree. As much money as we spend, you'd think that service could be provided at least for a discount. I watched as it was done by a 20 year old vet tech. I'm still afraid to trim her nails on my own.

I hate to say this, but vets and shelters wonder why it's so hard to get animals adopted. Well, the cost of ownership plays the biggest part. 😔

Re: Am I off base?

Ainhisg — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:23:49 GMT

@vermint I couldn't agree more. We lost our two babies last year--one expected, one not--only 51 days apart. It's been 5 months, and my heart is still so broken from losing them. But as badly as I'm hurting, we're not getting any more pups, because of the expense, worry, and being tied down.

Re: Am I off base?

Carmie — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:41:07 GMT

@cheriere wrote:
@hyacinth003 I had the same thing happen with Ruby one of her first few visits. I agree. As much money as we spend, you'd think that service could be provided at least for a discount. I watched as it was done by a 20 year old vet tech. I'm still afraid to trim her nails on my own.

I hate to say this, but vets and shelters wonder why it's so hard to get animals adopted. Well, the cost of ownership plays the biggest part. 😔

My Vet's office offers a 10% discount for seniors over age 65. My chart should indicate that I should get the discount. I have been eligible for years, but they always charge me the full price.

Usually, I catch it and remind them. I was told that I had to be at least 65 of which I am. They always challenge me at the front desk about my age.

Last week, I didn't catch it and paid the full price. When I take my dog in this week for a dental, I will remind them and ask them to refund 10% I overpaid last week.