[airstreamingypsy]

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy

Ketamine alone is not acceptable anesthesia for castration. But if you want to give it a try on yourself, I mean, hey, go for it. I'd love to hear how it goes

Joe

In some specialized high-volume clinics, vets may use a complete injectable combination (e.g., dexmedetomidine, ketamine, and an opioid) instead of gas anesthesia.

[Fastskiguy]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Leads into something else about the "game".

Some time back we needed a procedure done for our Kitty. As she was terrified of the cat carrier and didn't look too fondly on vets either we decided to go with one of the "mobile" vets that serve TV and surrounding areas. We knew we would be paying more than we would if we took Kitty to a vet's office, but... So we called one, call them MobileVeterinarian A, who said they'd do it and quoted us what seemed to be a very high price. We called another one (MobileVeterinarian B) who offered the same service for a much more reasonable price than was MobileVeterinarian A. However they said that we'd have to go with MobileVeterinarian A because they had a noncompete agreement with MobileVeterinarian A that prevented them from serving us!

Think about it. If there is a noncompete agreement between these two Mobile Veterinarians, then it is reasonable to assume that like agreements exist between other mobile veterinarians as well.

Which means, of course, that they can charge whatever they like, as they are effectively the only game in town, at least for the person in question trying to arrange the service for their pet.

Par for the course, unfortinately, for the veterinary "services" being offered to the residents of TV. Bottom line: we're a gold mine.

I wonder if it had to do with your location?

Non competes are a way of protecting an established clinic from a doc leaving a clinic, setting up shop next door and taking clients. Lots of bad blood related to non competes but they are extremely common. In human medicine with private equity taking over an entire region it can be super tough for them to ever leave, once they sign on. But it restricts consumer choice as well. Basically, everybody gets screwed to some degree.

But other than non-competes there are no agreements like "I'll take this area, you take that area" or anything. And agreements like "I'll send cases to you for a kickback" are strictly illegal (as they should be).

House call has got to be super expensive because you just can't see that many patients in a day due to travel. 2-3 appointments per hour is pretty doable in a free standing clinic but once you figure driving you can only see one every hour or two in a housecall practice.

In my stint doing housecalls I was surprised how low the heart rates were of the patients in their own environment....turns out the drive and the veterinary clinic are actually pretty exciting or scary (probably scary...unfortunately)

Joe

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Leads into something else about the "game".

Some time back we needed a procedure done for our Kitty. As she was terrified of the cat carrier and didn't look too fondly on vets either we decided to go with one of the "mobile" vets that serve TV and surrounding areas. We knew we would be paying more than we would if we took Kitty to a vet's office, but... So we called one, call them MobileVeterinarian A, who said they'd do it and quoted us what seemed to be a very high price. We called another one (MobileVeterinarian B) who offered the same service for a much more reasonable price than was MobileVeterinarian A. However they said that we'd have to go with MobileVeterinarian A because they had a noncompete agreement with MobileVeterinarian A that prevented them from serving us!

Think about it. If there is a noncompete agreement between these two Mobile Veterinarians, then it is reasonable to assume that like agreements exist between other mobile veterinarians as well.

Which means, of course, that they can charge whatever they like, as they are effectively the only game in town, at least for the person in question trying to arrange the service for their pet.

Par for the course, unfortinately, for the veterinary "services" being offered to the residents of TV. Bottom line: we're a gold mine.

Is it possible that the noncompete agreement was negotiated as part of a sale of one of the practices? Or, part of an employment agreement to not compete with a practice that the employee left?

Noncompete agreements are usually only legal if they are reasonable as to geographical area and time frame. The courts frown on noncompete agreements that unreasonably restrain trade and healthy competition. There are antitrust laws.

[JannCarr]

Sorry, I think it's a wise thing to do! These are normal Veterinary procedures!!! Finding them at a lower cost does not mean they are a lower Quality. Having lived in NY and Cali, the Vet costs here in TV are grossly inflated; just like many dental practices!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by JannCarr

Sorry, I think it's a wise thing to do! These are normal Veterinary procedures!!! Finding them at a lower cost does not mean they are a lower Quality. Having lived in NY and Cali, the Vet costs here in TV are grossly inflated; just like many dental practices!

I agree. Also, many people become veterinarians because they love animals, not for the money. My wife was an excellent vet, and she definitely did not do it for the money. I can remember several times when she refused to euthanize a dog with a broken leg. Instead, she would not charge the euthanasia fee, keep the dog, and send the client home. Then, she would spend several hours repairing the leg. She would tell her staff that the clinic needed a blood donor. Also, she would not crop ears, even though it was easy money.

[JannCarr]

They are a non-profit veterinary clinic, very near the Sumter County Humane Society. 352-568-9994 735 E. County Road 470, Lake Panasoffkee, Florida 33538. limited hours: Mon.9-2 (for not sick pets, ie. vaccines, shots etc.) and Walk-in T-Thurs. 11-2.

You would have to take the dogs to the clinic for an office visit and while you are there you can make get an estimate for the surgeries and make an appointment, if you wish.

I, wholeheartedly, support them. Hope this helps...

[DonnaNi4os]

Originally Posted by baileysdad

Received estimate from our Vet to neuter our two male 16 pound dogs at $750.00 each. Anyone have any recent experience on cost? Where did you go? Recovery time? Our dogs are 11 months old?
Thank you

Hold on to your hat because you aren’t going to believe me! I had my dog spayed at Planned Pethood in Panasoffkee. My dog is 10 lbs and 7 years old. She was formerly a breeder’s dog. The cost for spaying a 10 pound dog is $105. Yes, you read that correctly. Because of her age she needed blood work and I requested that they clean out her ears and grind her nails while she was under. And oh BTW she had her 3 year rabies vaccine and her heartworm test. Grand total you may ask??? Under $350.

I live in The Villages and the 45 minute ride equated to an approximately $1200 saving! It’s not a fancy place but I was extremely satisfied with the treatment she received. Price does depend on the weight of the dog so I suspect that a dog your size would be under $150. My 7 year old was completely healed and recovered within a week. Just a suggestion…get an inflatable tube for his/her neck. It’s much more comfortable than the comb of shame. Good luck!

[Michael G.]

Just curious question.
I don't own a pet but is there pet insurance out there and is it worth it
on what they cover?

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by DonnaNi4os

Hold on to your hat because you aren’t going to believe me! I had my dog spayed at Planned Pethood in Panasoffkee. My dog is 10 lbs and 7 years old. She was formerly a breeder’s dog. The cost for spaying a 10 pound dog is $105. Yes, you read that correctly. Because of her age she needed blood work and I requested that they clean out her ears and grind her nails while she was under. And oh BTW she had her 3 year rabies vaccine and her heartworm test. Grand total you may ask??? Under $350.

I live in The Villages and the 45 minute ride equated to an approximately $1200 saving! It’s not a fancy place but I was extremely satisfied with the treatment she received. Price does depend on the weight of the dog so I suspect that a dog your size would be under $150. My 7 year old was completely healed and recovered within a week. Just a suggestion…get an inflatable tube for his/her neck. It’s much more comfortable than the comb of shame. Good luck!

The quoted post kind of puts things in perspective.

When we adopted our Kitty at something like 3 years of age (estimated by the shelter) the shelter arranged to have her spayed and chipped before we took possession of her--both welcome for us as her new owners. The shelter had an adoption fee, as I recall, a total of $125. I don't know if vets donate time do do these things for adoptable animals (more power to them if they do), and the shelter did stipulate that the spaying/chipping was done by a "qualified veterinarian", but a $125 fee scarcely begins to cover vet fees as they are charged by the various vets serving TV, not to mention the other added shelter expenses (food, litter, room and the like) accrued by Kitty in her time (three weeks) at the shelter before we took possession of her.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Just curious question.
I don't own a pet but is there pet insurance out there and is it worth it
on what they cover?

Good question. It depends, if you buy it when the animal is young and doesn’t have any pre-existing conditions it definitely can be worth it. Like any insurance, it’s only worth it financially if you need it and the insurer can’t find a legitimate reason to deny the claim. We have it for our dog and were denied our claims both times, once because he ate something that got lodged in his digestive track and it happened within a month of signing up for the insurance, and the other time because he was deemed to have a pre-existing condition (allergies). We still pay the $55 per month but haven’t gotten back a penny. I hope we never have to file another claim, because that will mean the little guy is healthy, but it’s reassuring to know we have the protection. One thing is for certain, there are no Advantage plans available for dogs, where he would get coverage with no premium and a free membership to a puppy fitness center.

[darkim]

Originally Posted by baileysdad

Received estimate from our Vet to neuter our two male 16 pound dogs at $750.00 each. Anyone have any recent experience on cost? Where did you go? Recovery time? Our dogs are 11 months old?
Thank you

. Contact Misfit Clinic in Mt Dora. We just our dog for $150. They use volunteers and volunteer vets. We had to book about 2 months in advance

[Ripp3325]

Originally Posted by baileysdad

Received estimate from our Vet to neuter our two male 16 pound dogs at $750.00 each. Anyone have any recent experience on cost? Where did you go? Recovery time? Our dogs are 11 months old?
Thank you

I suggest you call Sumter County Animal Hospital in Wildwood. We LOVE them and they charge a lot less than many other vets in the area!