I took my dog to the vets last week and for the consultation with the vet, 5 days antibiotics and a bottle of Metacam it was £66. I think this is quite expensive!

How does your vet compare to this? I'm really interested to know how prices vary.

Sounds cheap to me! Obviously a lot depends on the size of the dog (i.e. the meds) but it's about what I'd expect to pay and my vets are very cheap -I know many much more expensive. VERY roughly I'd expect around £20 consultation fee, around £20 for Metacam and much the same for antibiotics if the dog is medium to large.

Our vet consult is around the £25 mark, a bottle of Propalin is around £35 so think that's about the same as I would have paid.

Sounds average. I'd have been happy to pay that

I'd expect to pay over £50 for a consult and basic meds.

So not really that expensive at all.

My lab is only 1 year 1 month and this is his first time poorly so I have nothing to compare it with.

> I'm really interested to know how prices vary

Your bill looks fine to me.  How much was the consult?  You can ring around for comparative prices of a consultation but I'd expect the meds to be similar prices across your region.  I did once change vets due to the prices - but it was more to do with the fact that I didn't feel their back up service or surgery facilities warranted them being significantly higher than other vets.

My current vets have a great reputation, excellent hospital facilities within 25 minutes travelling time, a very good smaller office/surgery 15 minutes from my home, knowledgeable vets, access to well trained locums and additional support from a nearby training college, and long serving friendly support staff that know me and my dogs by name.  I suspect their consult prices are a fraction higher than some other vet practices I could find but I consider it worth paying.  In truth it's probably only a pound or two and their staff will have saved me that many times over by handling all the insurance claims, and being generous with what they claim for.  They also vigorously defended my position when it seemed that an insurance company was going to label my young dogs allergies as a pre existing condition.  That alone has saved me thousands...

I love my vets and would actually have to think very carefully about ever moving house if it meant changing my vet practice! :)

> I love my vets and would actually have to think very carefully about ever moving house if it meant changing my vet practice!

I feel just the same. I'm actually planning a move at the moment and that is the one thing that fills me with dread. I don't care about changing my own GP etc, but I am really worried about finding a new veterinary practice...they will have a lot to live up to!

our local vets now charge £37 for consultation before doing anythiing :(

> our local vets now charge £37 for consultation before doing anythiing :-(

Wow!!!!! That is expensive!

I have just paid £30 for a spot on Flea/Tick/Worm treatment without a consultation! it would have been £50 if it was the first time we had used it as we would have needed to see a vet which is £29 for us.
So I think with seeing the vet and 2 lots of meds £66 is good.
Paula

>> our local vets now charge £37 for consultation before doing anythiing :-(
> Wow!!!!! That is expensive!

lol thought it might make you feel better!  I cringe at slightest sign of ill health now and won't be replaceing my much loved late cat as cannot afford any more vet bills. one dog is expensive enough

Sorry to the OP, mixed Metacam and Propalin up. No idea how much the Metacam would cost. 

£34 for a consultation at my vets - whenever possible I buy my dogs meds online as some meds they charge me nearly double for!

>> our local vets now charge £37 for consultation before doing anythiing :-(

>Wow!!!!! That is expensive!

Perfectly normal for my vet. 

And mine.

Just wanted to say that my Vets are wonderful. Went this week as I felt a small lump on one of the girls shoulders. I thought it may be a fatty lump but it was quite close to where her microchip has moved to so thought it needed checking either way. The Vet thinks she may have knocked it but hasn't ruled out the microchip. Put a syringe into the lump and drew a small amount of serum off so is fairly sure it has been a knock. No charge, not even a consultation fee!!!!!

My vet is great - they charge a 'small animal' consultation fee for my papillon as he's "not really a dog, more a fluffy toy" and they're happy to recommend websites where you can get flea treatments and wormers from if you don't want to pay their prices.

We take our American staffie cross in regularly to get his dew claws clipped and they always send us home with a free bag of pigs ears for both dogs. It's a smallish clinic with full operating facilities and the dogs love going there as the staff are so friendly. Mr Bear always gets lots of cuddles and belly rubs off everyone and sits in the lap of the vet nurse when she's on the floor with him.

I recommend them to everyone in the area as they're very supportive of raw feeding and will happily work with you to keep vet costs to a minimum without compromising their duty of care.

I shall be moving to NSW then bettyonthebus.. :)

Our vets on the GC are extortionate!