Dog Castration Cost

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Bit rubbish for a 5kg dog, though.

snowman2_2

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Bit rubbish for a 5kg dog, though.

The Patterdale paid £115 so not sure what you mean.

I thought it might be interesting to explain how we price operations. Ops are priced generally on 3 criteria: Time, materials & expertise.

The longer an operation takes, obviously the more the cost. For some ops which can be variable, we have different time categories. A dental or lump removal that takes 2 hours gets charged more than one that takes 15 minutes.

We charge more as the dogs get bigger both for castrates and spays but also there is a premium for other ops for the anaesthetic for bigger dogs. A one-size fits all does not apply to dogs. Anaesthetics, sutures, surgical kits all get bigger and more expensive for the giant dogs. Saying this, most dogs are 5kg to 30kg and the prices are broadly similar. Once you start getting to 60 - 100kg that is a different matter.

• Equipment probably comes under materials. A vet using the latest anaesthetics, modern premises, fully qualified staff is going to charge more than for a tatty practice with older generation drugs and equipment.

• The more complicated an operation or one that requires specialist training or expertise, is going to be charged at more than say a simple skin tumour removal. That is why orthopaedics, spinal surgery and cataract surgery is more expensive

Just looked up the cost of a private vasectomy in humans. 10 minute op so quicker than a castrate, no GA required, £350 to £1000. Huge range in prices there but also shows £115 is excellent value. Hysterectomy in humans £4000-5000. I charge less than £200 for a dog for actually a bigger procedure. Good quality healthcare costs money but vets actually offer excellent value compared to our human counterparts

zee_2

slightly off subject , after loosing 2 collie !!!!!es to cancer,[being in season can increase risk] , I went to B-A-R-K.CO.UK ,rescue centre in berwick on tweed,great place, obtained 3 month alsatian !!!!! pup ,[could not stand loosing another collie] , cost was £100 ,which included neutering when older ,now has been done ,whole service from bark and vet practice was first class ,even able to go to local branch of vet for 2 post op.checks, now no worries of cancer due to 'seasons' also no randy dog bother out walking.

tankgirl1

snowman2 wrote: »

The Patterdale paid £115 so not sure what you mean.

I thought it might be interesting to explain how we price operations. Ops are priced generally on 3 criteria: Time, materials & expertise.

• The longer an operation takes, obviously the more the cost. For some ops which can be variable, we have different time categories. A dental or lump removal that takes 2 hours gets charged more than one that takes 15 minutes.

• We charge more as the dogs get bigger both for castrates and spays but also there is a premium for other ops for the anaesthetic for bigger dogs. A one-size fits all does not apply to dogs. Anaesthetics, sutures, surgical kits all get bigger and more expensive for the giant dogs. Saying this, most dogs are 5kg to 30kg and the prices are broadly similar. Once you start getting to 60 - 100kg that is a different matter.

• Equipment probably comes under materials. A vet using the latest anaesthetics, modern premises, fully qualified staff is going to charge more than for a tatty practice with older generation drugs and equipment.

• The more complicated an operation or one that requires specialist training or expertise, is going to be charged at more than say a simple skin tumour removal. That is why orthopaedics, spinal surgery and cataract surgery is more expensive

Just looked up the cost of a private vasectomy in humans. 10 minute op so quicker than a castrate, no GA required, £350 to £1000. Huge range in prices there but also shows £115 is excellent value. Hysterectomy in humans £4000-5000. I charge less than £200 for a dog for actually a bigger procedure. Good quality healthcare costs money but vets actually offer excellent value compared to our human counterparts

Couldn't agree more Snowman!

Try pricing up the human equivalent of what your pet needs, bearing in mind that Veterinary Surgeons are professionals too, with a similar amount of student debt and overheads as a human GP/dentist/hospital etc. Veterinary care is actually a good deal!

If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet - harsh but true, and especially true the bigger the animal!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

All my pets have been neutered/spayed, thanks for the advice, though.


But as long as the cost is relatively high - which it is for many people (just look at the amount of the old age pension, minimum wage or single person benefit levels, for example), many people will opt for alternatives - including keeping their fingers crossed that there isn't a mishap.

Same as with humans if vasectomies or other methods of contraception weren't available through the NHS.

kazzah60

come to Coventry !!!!!!!!!!
my vets charge
dogs from 5 months up to 20 kg - £75
dogs from 5 months over 21kg - £95
just checked their website

interestingly when I took my 18 month old std poodle in for his booster the vet asked if he was neutered and I said no
he said - well no reason to get him done unless he starts to get agressive with other dogs

interesting business sense from a vet !!!

Croc_Mad

Call me biased but I helped rescue a litter of nine unwanted puppies yesterday. The cost of microchipping the dogs alone (nevermind food, vaccines, vet trips, de-fleaing, worming which the charity will have to find) comes to more than if their Mother had been spayed!

9 x approx £15 microchip = £135. You can also apply for a voucher from the RSPCA or PUP to get it done for half price.

Excuse the rant but my house was broken into last night, haven't slept a wink.

charlysez

I have just had my 7mth !!!!! spayed at a cost of £60, she is 19kg it goes up to £100 after 20kg (phew). This included the op, the collar, pain meds, check up mid week and then stitches removed.
I used Budget Vets who have lots of practices in Wales, possibly in England too. The other vets were asking £170-£200+

Dog neutering is even cheaper, but cant recall exact price, dont think its weight related.

softuk

As any responsible Vet will tell you, there are health issues related to spaying and neutering, it's not as simple and straightforward as some Vets would have you believe. Studies have shown a higher risk in orthopaedic issues, like ACL tears, due to the growth plates closing at a later date. Neutering male dogs also significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma, and quadruples the risk of prostate cancer!

Hormones are very important to the proper growth of the dog. Personally, if I did have to neuter my dogs, and then it would only be for medical reasons, I would wait until they are mature, so I'm talking about being close to 2 years old.

skippythebushkangaroo

The dogs trust have a scheme where if owners are on certain benefits the charge is £30 regardless of size, weight, age etc. Not all vets participate so it is worth ringing around to find a vet who has signed up to this scheme. The vet where I work takes part and we neuter a dog for £30 (male or female) regardless of whether the owner is an existing client or not. (cats protection do a similar offer for cats but the charge is an affordable £5!) There should be no further charges for antibiotics, pain relief, check ups etc. Hope this helps someone :-)