Buddy's dental work ... what do you pay?

**happylabs** · 05-05-2009, 07:02 PM

Buddy had his dental work today and I picked him up after work. He seems fine, no apparent mental scars. He ate a little canned food, checked out "his" territory and is now sleeping happily on the chair.They ended up having to pull 2 teeth which I was very surprised about. Also, when he lost the upper right canine tooth (I have no idea when or how he did that) some of the tooth and root were still in the gum so they had to cut and remove it.

Of course, all was well until I saw the vet bill.

So, I want to know how my vet's charges are compared to other PT vets.

Total bill was $254.17. Breakdown:
$11.00 - compartment fee(I took him last night and the surgery was today)
$10.00 - Metacam injectable
$65.00 - Anesthesia
$50.00 - Teeth scale (cleaning)
$30.00 - X-ray 2 films
$40.00 - teeth extractions
$18.00 - 4-0 Moncryl cutting
$16.50 - extra instruments
$13.67 - Amoxidrops

I need a second job to afford my pets' medical expenses!

**aTailOf2Kitties** · 05-05-2009, 07:25 PM

considering all that was done, that doesn't seem too "out there" to me. Why the x-rays? Extra instruments? Never heard of that one!

**happylabs** · 05-05-2009, 07:29 PM

X-ray of his tooth because he had lost the canine and they needed to see if there was anything left in the gum. I didn't ask about the extra instruments...I guess I should have.

**Catlady711** · 05-10-2009, 12:17 AM

With x-rays and 2 extractions that was a BARGAIN! I don't think even where I work we could have done it that inexpensively and we're very reasonable on price.

We've had several clients come in recently from other vets for second opinons on similar procedures and they were quoted anywhere from $400-600 for the same procedure.

Vet prices will vary all over the board though based on location, size/age of building, number of vets and if board certified, number of staff they employ, type and amount of equipment, hours they are open, and services they offer. So price checking things at a vet will often get you a variety of prices that looke like the stock market.

Not sure about the 'extra instruments' part but my best guess is that a standard sterile dental pack has specific instraments in it, if they had to go digging for a leftover root it may have required a different tool not in the standard dental pack. This would entail opening a separate sterile pack with the special tools in it and both would have to be newly wrapped & autoclaved for the next patient.

You got a good deal actually and glad that things came out ok.

**TommyCat** · 05-11-2009, 09:50 PM

Hi,
I just took my 10 year old kitty in for her annual exam, and the estimate is between $600 - $700. My kitty does have a cavity, so this is added in as part of the estimate. The pre lab work was not inckuded in this estimate, as I had that part done today. I have VPI, so part of it will be covered, thank goodness.

**happylabs** · 05-11-2009, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by Catlady711

With x-rays and 2 extractions that was a BARGAIN! I don't think even where I work we could have done it that inexpensively and we're very reasonable on price.
We've had several clients come in recently from other vets for second opinons on similar procedures and they were quoted anywhere from $400-600 for the same procedure.
Vet prices will vary all over the board though based on location, size/age of building, number of vets and if board certified, number of staff they employ, type and amount of equipment, hours they are open, and services they offer. So price checking things at a vet will often get you a variety of prices that looke like the stock market.
Not sure about the 'extra instruments' part but my best guess is that a standard sterile dental pack has specific instraments in it, if they had to go digging for a leftover root it may have required a different tool not in the standard dental pack. This would entail opening a separate sterile pack with the special tools in it and both would have to be newly wrapped & autoclaved for the next patient.
You got a good deal actually and glad that things came out ok.

Thanks for your response. Buddy is doing great too. This cat is the total love of my life so I am glad I took care of his dental needs. I was just looking at his pearly whites tonight when I was giving out treats and his teeth are gorgeous!

**emily_the_spoiled** · 05-12-2009, 08:48 AM

I would be out of this world if my cat's dental was only $250. Unfortunately mine usually range between $400-$550 (depending on the work needed). So if I were you I would be very happy with that

**krazyaboutkatz** · 05-17-2009, 11:32 PM

I'd love to be able to pay what you did. You got such a great deal.

I do go to an expensive vet though and Storm's last dental which included 2 small teeth extractions was $650 and this was without a boarding cost for the day. It was done last year in May.

**kittykatharine** · 05-28-2009, 10:12 AM

I don't think those costs are too high at all! About two years ago I had to have Sydney's teeth cleaned - she ended up having two molars removed and her left upper canine removed due to advanced dental disease. The vet bill was a wopping $450 - needless to say, I am no longer at that vet (for other reasons in addition to the astronomical costs). Hope your baby is still doing well!

**happylabs** · 05-28-2009, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by kittykatharine

I don't think those costs are too high at all! About two years ago I had to have Sydney's teeth cleaned - she ended up having two molars removed and her left upper canine removed due to advanced dental disease. The vet bill was a wopping $450 - needless to say, I am no longer at that vet (for other reasons in addition to the astronomical costs). Hope your baby is still doing well!

Thanks for the responses saying the bill wasn't bad. I will stop complaining.

I am glad I had it done though. He did great and no ill effects. I think he liked the fact that he got to eat canned food for a couple days. Of course I had to give some to all of the cats. They are back to just having canned in the evening for their dinner.

**carole** · 05-28-2009, 05:24 PM

That seems pretty reasonable to me, i just paid about the same 210.20 for my Ellie's dental with two extractions, no pre lab work needed, of course it has now gone up to 275 with all the extra vet visits and treatment needed. she did have a pain relief injection too, but don't know if i was charged for it,probably included but was not on the bill, and she already had a long acting antibiotic from her visit the week before.

Here is a breakdown on our charges.

Anaesthetic per kg IV $34.80
Anaesthetic gas (Isoflurane) $42.00
Scale and Polish up to 20 mins work $84.00
Tooth Extractions per minute work 13 mins $49.40

**allmycats** · 05-31-2009, 11:17 PM

I agree, a bargain!

**Glacier** · 06-02-2009, 12:17 PM

Cheap, cheap, cheap. My Sophia's now toothless mouth(except her lower fangs) is worth 3 grand! I've never paid less than 700 for a dental on a cat or dog!

**Taz_Zoee** · 06-02-2009, 02:40 PM

Taz had his teeth done with one extraction several years ago and it was probably double what you paid.
Many times I see what other PTers pay for their vet bills and I get very jealous. Just an office visit is almost $50 and they don't cut me a break for bringing in more than one animal. If I bring in two it's $100. It's ridiculous!!