Yesterday, I looked at the cost of a dog spay - averaging around $400 of what people actually spent. I was amazed today to see that a neuter is also around $400 out of pocket. So much for male dogs being cheaper than female!
Here's an example of a straightforward neuter for mixed breed dog Oscar, born in May 2010 and living in Plano TX:
| DATE | ITEM | BILLED AMOUNT | |||
| 12/15/2010 | Neuter | $219.34 | |||
| 12/15/2010 | Catheter Set up | $72.93 | |||
| 12/15/2010 | Venoset Complete Set up | $17.83 | |||
| 12/15/2010 | Pump Complete Set Up | $11.18 | |||
| 12/15/2010 | Fluids Complete Set Up | $71.51 | |||
| 12/15/2010 | Extractions Decid Tooth | $30.37 | |||
| 12/15/2010 | Discount | -$105.33 | |||
| Total | $317.83 | ||||
Oscar did have a few baby teeth removed but if the vet hadn't given Oscar a nice discount, the vet bill would have been closer to $390.
A lot of the reason for the extra costs were that some of the procedures cost more because the dog's testicles were retained (cryptorchid) and so cost more to remove. Here's an example of the extra cost for Enzo, a male Doberman born in March 2010 and living in Tarpon Springs FL, who needed a cryptorchid neuter - a $600 procedure!
| DATE | ITEM | BILLED AMOUNT | ||
| 11/26/2010 | metacam 1.5mg/ml sus | $29.50 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | tramadol hydrochloride 50mg | $7.68 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | simplicef 100mg tabs | $40.65 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | CBC/ smac mini | $60.00 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | pt & aptt test | $44.80 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | post surgical domitor | $10.00 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | iv cath & flush w/ sx | $5.00 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | ketamine/valium w/ sx | $5.00 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | anesthesia inhalant w/ sx | $15.00 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | metacam injection | $19.00 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | pre-anesthesia medication sx | $15.00 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | Castration Cryptorchid | $300.00 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | bio-hazard waste fee | $2.50 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | pre-surgical exam | $21.00 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | elizabethan collar | $10.86 | ||
| 11/26/2010 | Heal X Soother Plus Cream | $14.00 | ||
| Total | $599.99 | |||
Who would have thought you'd spend $600 for a relatively routine procedure?
Related Posts:
January is Wellness Month at Embrace Pet Insurance
Guest post: cat wellness care or why cats are not little dogs
Claim Example: Spay (aka OVH/OVE in veterinary speak)
Claim Example: Neuter
Guest Post by Lea: This is your Weight-Loss Wakeup Call
Why Are Pet Veterinarian Visits Going Down?
The Embrace Wellness Rewards Plan
Guest Post: why wellness checkups are so important to me
The Embrace Wellness Rewards Plan
