Cat Spaying

[sunnysandiegan]

I searched Google for local vets and spaying kittens in my area. Our rescue kitten is approximately 10-11 months old and has been in heat once. I found a few local vets super close to me and then I also found a referral service called SNAP-San Diego. Within that service, I found a vet in a reasonably close area.

Phone calls:
1. $295
2. $329
3. $50+optional services (our kitten is most likely to cost $50-60 due to age and health)

Why such a big difference? I live in a reasonably nice community, but certainly not THAT nice. In fact, the third place is actually in a MUCH more desirable neighborhood. What does SNAP do for vets that they can provide a much more flexible program? Even if we did ALL the optional services, the total bill would be less at #3.

Anyway, we have an appointment next Monday. Any tips on aftercare? I know not to feed her after 10 pm the day before and I know to feed her small amounts after she comes home. Anything else we should be prepared for?

Thanks!

[Oubliette8]

I would ask them how they keep the bill so low. I would also ask your regular vet if they have heard of the program.

I know in my area we have a low cost spay/neuter mobile service. Its nice for people with strays and barn cats, but my vet, whom i trust, tells me its not a good idea for pet cats. They keep the cost low by skimping on certain things and running the cats through assembly style. Most cats do fine, but they aren't equipped to handle emergencies. He's heard of a few cats who didn't make it for one reason or another. My little sister is into rescue work and has helped at similar low cost clinics where she leaves- she says it very much an assembly line process, and with so many cats, its hard to monitor them all.

On the other hand, my local shelter contracts with local vets to give free spay and neuters of all animals adopted. I used this once, and was able to use my normal vet who is part of the program. They explained that everything is covered, with the exception of a few "extras" (bloodwork and pain meds? its been awhile) and I could pay a little more for those. This was done the same as any surgery at my vets- I just booked an appointment on a normal day. I think either the county reimburses them, or the vets donate their time. Maybe a bit of both.

I've also heard that sometimes large price differences between vets are caused by differences in care- perhaps one vet ALWAYS does full blood panels, antibiotics, and pain meds. Some vets always insert an IV for surgery, which adds to the cost, but is good in an emergency. Other vets skip the IV. Some vets use newer or safer anesthetic drugs (some animals are sensitive to certain drugs and react badly), while others use cheaper drugs unless the patient has a known sensitivity. Some vets have someone monitor your pet in recovery, others stick them in a cage and check in every few minutes. I'm not saying you need all of those services, just that it can account for the price difference. You might be able to find out more by asking. Something like, I was quoted X amount by another vet, why is your quote so much higher? Is likely to get the vet talking about why they charge more.

[womenswisdom]

Originally Posted by Oubliette8

I've also heard that sometimes large price differences between vets are caused by differences in care- perhaps one vet ALWAYS does full blood panels, antibiotics, and pain meds. Some vets always insert an IV for surgery, which adds to the cost, but is good in an emergency. Other vets skip the IV. Some vets use newer or safer anesthetic drugs (some animals are sensitive to certain drugs and react badly), while others use cheaper drugs unless the patient has a known sensitivity. Some vets have someone monitor your pet in recovery, others stick them in a cage and check in every few minutes. I'm not saying you need all of those services, just that it can account for the price difference. You might be able to find out more by asking. Something like, I was quoted X amount by another vet, why is your quote so much higher? Is likely to get the vet talking about why they charge more.

Yes, yes, yes. Usually price differences are due to the quality of the materials and services you receive. If I were looking for someone to spay my female cat, I would ask 1) What kind of bloodwork is done prior to surgery? 2) What kind of monitoring is used during the surgery? 3) What type of anesthesia is used (specific drugs for induction and what kind of gas during) 4) Is the surgery laser or scalpel? 5) Are pain medications or antibiotics given? 6) What kind of suture is used (they should not be using "gut") 7) What kind of monitoring is done during recovery? 8) Is an exam done by a vet prior to surgery to check for heart/lung/other problems? 9) Are vaccines required before or during the visit? Those are just the questions I can think of off the top of my head, there are probably more. You very well may have to ask to speak to a technician to get answers to some of these questions.

The problem with vets (like any specialty I guess) is that unless you work in the field or know a lot about what they do, it's hard to know which ones are good and which ones aren't. Most people don't know what questions to ask and then don't know how to judge the information they do receive, so it's really hard to make a decision. If you ask why the price difference, you will find out a lot more information, because they do want to educate clients about good care and why they charge what they do. If you find out answer to the questions I suggested above and need some help interpreting the information, please post again and I'll help! Good luck!

[Leta]

When I got my cats fixed (this was awhile ago) the big cost differential was the kind of anesthstetic (sp?) used. What my vet told me was that for a young, healthy cat, injections are usually fine, but they offered gas if there was any reason to avoid the injectable. The cost difference was significant.

I also contacted the Humane Society, since they had a low cost spay-neuter program, and they said that they paid the vet a lump sum every year with grant/fundraiser program, and then the increased volume helped the vet cover expenses. Also, thru the HS, you could only go one of two days a week- one day for neuters, one for spays. This also helped the vet keep costs low. And it was a VERY low cost program- $20 for male cats, $25 for female cats.

[sunnysandiegan]

Thanks everyone!

I'll check into the SNAP program a little more and ask for help interpreting.

I did ask a bunch of questions, but I am not in this field nor do I have a lot of knowledge about spaying, etc. The information I received was general and common, such as "We take excellent care of your pet" (high cost) and "I would bring my pet here because this is actually less expensive than the place I took her" (receptionist @ $300+ vet).

BTW, we don't have a regular vet, yet. Our kitten was rescued from a 7-11 parking lot in an industrial park 100 miles away by a co-worker of a friend. The friend has 4 cats and took the little one in for a few days and then took the kitten to her vet. It was a week or so before we found out and adopted her. She had all her initial exams and vaccines at that time, but wasn't spayed since she was 1.5 pounds and very young.

[Tizzy]

It depends on the anesthetic, if they put in an IV, if the cat is kept overnight, and if they automatically use antibiotics or not.
I've never opted for antibiotics ahead of time and have never had to deal with an infection. Cats are very clean animals to begin with. Just monitor closely for signs of infection.

[sunnysandiegan]

I carpooled with a couple friends today and one of them is heavily involved in local pet rescues, shelters, etc. She highly recommended the SNAP program.

[Shahbazin]

I don't know where you are, but I'm in San Diego & if you're looking for a regular vet, here's a few vet's practices that are very good; Animal Care Clinic 619-670-8700 in Rancho San Diego (off the 94, between Lemon Grove & El Cajon) & San Carlos Vet Hospital (off Lake Murray Blvd.) off the 8. http://www.sancarlosvet.com/
Hope this helps!

[sunnysandiegan]

Originally Posted by Shahbazin

I don't know where you are, but I'm in San Diego & if you're looking for a regular vet, here's a few vet's practices that are very good; Animal Care Clinic 619-670-8700 in Rancho San Diego (off the 94, between Lemon Grove & El Cajon) & San Carlos Vet Hospital (off Lake Murray Blvd.) off the 8. http://www.sancarlosvet.com/
Hope this helps!

Thanks for the info. We're in Tierrasanta and DH works in Encinitas, so neither of these are going to work well for us. I will keep them in mind for other friends, though.

Meanwhile, here is a link to the SNAP San Diego website. The link is to their "about us" page. Funding comes from private sources mostly and the person who started the organization had been a volunteer at a local shelter. The program mostly focuses on mobile clinics in low income neighborhoods. They work with a variety of vets (all over the county), though, to provide more options for low cost spaying/neutering since the two mobile units are always booked solid.

[Pinoikoi]

Call your local SPCA. Here I got my cat spayed, shots, and a microchip for like $30 I think. They have a mobile unit, and I had to take an appt for a day they would be in my neighborhood, but it was a good deal. Before they had the mobile unit, they would give away so many vouchers a day. You had to call early, but if you got one, they would reimburse your vet up to 60% of the spay cost I think (most vets here were on the eligible list). Worth trying for!

[sunnysandiegan]

Some neighbors also recommended the SNAP program and one has an uncle who is a vet. I decided I would keep the appointment and if I felt in the least bit uncomfortable when we walked in, I would "change my mind" and leave. I liked the office and the location and the three people I interacted with in the office. I also liked the three people I have spoken with over the phone (there is probably overlap, but I didn't ask names ). Everything felt good, so I let them do the spay today. Our kitty is recovering well and can be picked up later today.