Cost of a Dental for a cat? - Page 2

Foxxee · ‎10-03-2014

From other comments about high vet charges, I believe they are trying to make up what they lost during Covid.

I looked up costs on the internet. Average is $300 plus $50 for initial vet consult or $350. That does not include x-rays and blood work.

My vet charges $350 for basic teeth cleaning, cat or dog, more, of course, if a tooth needs pulled. It does not include x-rays and blood work.

$1200 is highway robbery, at $1700 this vet needs to be in jail. I doubt many pet owners can afford that every year.

That means pets could develop painful dental disease, owners decide they can't afford a pet, and more pets in shelters.

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

@on the bay

Yes, some cats can absolutely need their teeth cleaned--and on a regular basis. I had a cat with a painful dental condition that had no cure or treatment other than regular dental cleanings and when necessary, extractions.

Just because cats (or dogs) are eating dry food or teats doesn't mean they don't develop periodontal disease.

@Love4cats
My vet charges about $200 for the basic cleaning. If any extractions or surgery is needed, that's extra. He also has two months a year that he runs dental specials with 20% off.

GingerPeach · ‎03-12-2010

I would happily pay what a dental specialist charged, @Love4cats

The best one in my area left her practice just over a year ago so now I have to just use her regular vet. Sure, the cost is less but I would rather be confident in someone's skills and experience and outcomes than just going by price.

As others have said, get an itemized list.

[was Homegirl] Love to be home . . . thus the screen name. Joined 2003.

labloverrr · ‎02-18-2015

i know if I have my dogs teeth cleaned by the vet, it runs over $1,000; I've been told the cost is high because they use anesthia. There is a company that cleans teeth that does not use anesthia, my lab just had hers cleaned and it was either $350 or $400 (their prices did go up substantially since the last time her teeth were cleaned). If extractions are needed I would have to go back to my vet. So far, so good - she got a good teeth report card and she has pearly whites again :-) Maybe there's something like that in your area?

Drythe · ‎07-09-2011

@Marp wrote:
In November my 10-yo cat had a dental cleaning, scaling and one extraction and the total bill with at home meds was $451.59. I am in western NC.

@Marp

I paid @ $800.00 at the NCSU Vet School with a dental specialist. However, he is a 10 year Puggle, difficult mouth, Brachycephalic Syndrome, largest molar, infected.

🦷

As long as he is OK! ♥️

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras

Marp · ‎03-09-2010

@labloverrr wrote:
i know if I have my dogs teeth cleaned by the vet, it runs over $1,000; I've been told the cost is high because they use anesthia. There is a company that cleans teeth that does not use anesthia, my lab just had hers cleaned and it was either $350 or $400 (their prices did go up substantially since the last time her teeth were cleaned). If extractions are needed I would have to go back to my vet. So far, so good - she got a good teeth report card and she has pearly whites again :-) Maybe there's something like that in your area?

@labloverrr, I would ask exactly how much is charged for anesthesia. That sounds like a very poor excuse unless your vet needs to bring in a specialist to administer the anesthesia and monitor vitals.

The first 30 minutes of anesthesia for my cat was included in the base procedure price. There was a charge of $22.40 for additional anesthesia.

My cat was given pain medication and propofol before the inhalant anesthesia (isoflurane) was administered.

The eyes through which you see others may be the same as how they see you.

BlueFinch · ‎08-31-2019

@labloverrr Yes, you're right, the weight of the animal drives up the cost due to the anesthesia, which is expensive to administer and monitor during a procedure.

For example, my dog weighs in the 90's, my previous dog 135lbs, so the cost of anesthesia has, and does, drive the cost up significantly for any procedures. I've learned to expect such.

But a cat? A cat should have significantly lower cost for anesthesia. I would want to review this, if the numbers are very high.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

So if you are poor you can't have a pet? Yes, more feral animals. Which also have no vet.

Like the the other poster our cats lived without dental care and didn't seen to suffer until old age.

Another question: Nature's way is that most animals remain in relatively good health until they get a problem and then they usually don't last long.

So now we extend their life, often painfully, but is that really what we should do?

Thousands and thousands are spent saving rescue pets in terrible condition, often living through a lot of painful operations and procedures in the process.

People often have to pay a lot of money to adopt a rescue pet. They are expected to spend thousands on vet care. What about people who can't afford it?

I am not accusing anyone, not trying to be mean or unfeeling, but these are questions that make me uncomfortable. Do they any of you? I am asking because I can't come to terms with any of this.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@CrazyDaisy wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
Yep, it surely does seem absurdly high. I've been on a rant recently about vets and their money grabs, but this takes the cake. Shop around.
Medical care for both people and pets is expensive. Vets are doctors with the same expenses as a people doctor. Can't afford to take care of your pet, don't get one.

@CrazyDaisy Nonsense. Vets now can't even be bothered to meet the owner. I'm supposed to sit it my car while they supposedly give my dogs exams and shots, then charge me $400 for $100 worth of vaccinations. I can just imagine what kind of exam they do with no one to watch them. They won't give shots without the money grabbing "exam". They've got a racket going and they just rake in the $$$$. I've never even met the vet who's now at the clinic where I've always gone. You'd think she could walk 30ft out to the car....or invite me in. Won't go back.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Drythe · ‎07-09-2011

@Sooner wrote:
So if you are poor you can't have a pet? Yes, more feral animals. Which also have no vet.

Like the the other poster our cats lived without dental care and didn't seen to suffer until old age.

Another question: Nature's way is that most animals remain in relatively good health until they get a problem and then they usually don't last long.

So now we extend their life, often painfully, but is that really what we should do?

Thousands and thousands are spent saving rescue pets in terrible condition, often living through a lot of painful operations and procedures in the process.

People often have to pay a lot of money to adopt a rescue pet. They are expected to spend thousands on vet care. What about people who can't afford it?

I am not accusing anyone, not trying to be mean or unfeeling, but these are questions that make me uncomfortable. Do they any of you? I am asking because I can't come to terms with any of this.