We want to get a dog...

[MoJo]

we're looking at $700 more for the heartworm treatment plus spaying.

Spaying shouldn't cost more than $50-$75, and for such a small dog, it should be closer to (or possibly below) $50.

quote]


Show me a Vet that charges $50 for a spay and I'll show you one that I'll never step foot in their clinic

The Humane Society of Southeast Texas has a spay/nuter clinic that charges a sliding scale baised on your income. My stepdaughter got her son's Lab spayed for free and I have never paid over $60.00 for a spay or nuter. ($60.00 is the max anyone has to pay) it is funded by a bequest from a welthy patron's will.

[cajunautoxer]

we're looking at $700 more for the heartworm treatment plus spaying.

Spaying shouldn't cost more than $50-$75, and for such a small dog, it should be closer to (or possibly below) $50.

quote]


Show me a Vet that charges $50 for a spay and I'll show you one that I'll never step foot in their clinic

The Humane Society of Southeast Texas has a spay/nuter clinic that charges a sliding scale baised on your income. My stepdaughter got her son's Lab spayed for free and I have never paid over $60.00 for a spay or nuter. ($60.00 is the max anyone has to pay) it is funded by a bequest from a welthy patron's will.

Well let me correct myself. I would never visit a private practice that only charged $50 for a spay

[randomoutburst]

Well let me correct myself. I would never visit a private practice that only charged $50 for a spay

I agree. We did take our family cats to the SPCA where we got them spayed for a nickel...some promotional thing, of course, but we knew they'd do a good job simply because of the nature of the place. Private practices typically charge more...at least $100 from what I've seen.

[cajunautoxer]

I recently read an article that estimated if you owned a dog from puppy to death the average cost for that dog is $8k

[randomoutburst]

I recently read an article that estimated if you owned a dog from puppy to death the average cost for that dog is $8k

That's all? I would expect the cost to be more...assuming regular vet visits and vaccinations, food, toys, unexpected illnesses and the cost of the actual dog, I would estimate the cost to be maybe 10k. But then, if you adopted from a shelter the cost of adopting the dog is much less than from a breeder...so then 8k seems more correct. Okay, I guess 8k is actually about right. :)

[chabouk]

We got our little Schnauzer!! He's ADORABLE!
Very mild-mannered so far, but that could change as he becomes more comfortable with his new surroundings. :)

Handsome fellow! Looks about 8-10 weeks old; is that about right?

He's going to be a nice Standard size.

[cajunautoxer]

I recently read an article that estimated if you owned a dog from puppy to death the average cost for that dog is $8k

That's all? I would expect the cost to be more...assuming regular vet visits and vaccinations, food, toys, unexpected illnesses and the cost of the actual dog, I would estimate the cost to be maybe 10k. But then, if you adopted from a shelter the cost of adopting the dog is much less than from a breeder...so then 8k seems more correct. Okay, I guess 8k is actually about right. :)

Well $8k is the mean. I paid $3k for my dog but all the Vet care is free for life so I'm way below the average

[randomoutburst]

Well $8k is the mean. I paid $3k for my dog but all the Vet care is free for life so I'm way below the average

Wow, how did you get that??

[cajunautoxer]

Well $8k is the mean. I paid $3k for my dog but all the Vet care is free for life so I'm way below the average

Wow, how did you get that??

I may or may not have a DVM that lives in my house

[randomoutburst]

I may or may not have a DVM that lives in my house

So can I pick up one of those at PetSmart or should I order it online?

Seriously, though, lucky you! :)

[The Annoyed Man]

we're looking at $700 more for the heartworm treatment plus spaying.

Spaying shouldn't cost more than $50-$75, and for such a small dog, it should be closer to (or possibly below) $50.

Show me a Vet that charges $50 for a spay and I'll show you one that I'll never step foot in their clinic

The Humane Society of Southeast Texas has a spay/nuter clinic that charges a sliding scale baised on your income. My stepdaughter got her son's Lab spayed for free and I have never paid over $60.00 for a spay or nuter. ($60.00 is the max anyone has to pay) it is funded by a bequest from a welthy patron's will.

That's kind of where I was headed with that.

[The Annoyed Man]

I recently read an article that estimated if you owned a dog from puppy to death the average cost for that dog is $8k

That's all? I would expect the cost to be more...assuming regular vet visits and vaccinations, food, toys, unexpected illnesses and the cost of the actual dog, I would estimate the cost to be maybe 10k. But then, if you adopted from a shelter the cost of adopting the dog is much less than from a breeder...so then 8k seems more correct. Okay, I guess 8k is actually about right. :)

It's got to be at least that. My dog is relatively healthy, but she's also 15 years old and getting kinda lumpy, gassy, and slow. The upside is that she's mellowing with age. I'm confident that I've spent at least $1,000 on her veterinary care just in the past year and half to two years. It has been well worth it, whatever she's cost me. I couldn't ask for a more loyal and loving dog. But she's an absolute pill to everyone else who comes through my front door. The above stat of $8K over a dog's life seems well within our experience.

This is her at a much younger age:


and about three years ago:



...of course, this is me at an earlier age... should I be put down as an act of mercy?

[Quahog]

...of course, this is me at an earlier age... should I be put down as an act of mercy?

Was this dog spayed? ha!

[cajunautoxer]

I may or may not have a DVM that lives in my house

So can I pick up one of those at PetSmart or should I order it online?

Seriously, though, lucky you! :)

Just stop by your local Vet school and pick one up. Just remember most come with a student loans over $125K

[The Annoyed Man]

Was this dog spayed? ha!

Not likely!!