I need to take 2 dogs to the vet for itchy problems... I have been taking them to Boulevard animal hospital, but wanted to see if there was any cheaper places that did a good job.
All i really need is a skin graft (that thing where they take a piece of the bothered area to examine), and a fecal because i think they have worms again (I think they got it from the dog park )... and I think my dog is dehydrated, and I'm praying that it is not kidney problems... this is all the same dog, the other one just needs a check up.
I know some vets discount when you take more than one animal at a time, but I'm pretty sure my vet doesn't.
So, if anyone has any suggestions... I would greatly appreciate it. thanks!

11/25/2005 10:49:24 AM

i don't know what your version of cheap is, but i was going to a cat clinic in cary with my kitty, and it was ridiculous - over $50 every time, $70 for one visit...and all they said was "nope, doesn't look like anything's changed. keep doin' what you're doin'"

i have an appt on monday for a vet that a friend of a friend works at:
Crossroads Veterinary Hospital 919-851-8979 1112 Jones Franklin Rd Raleigh NC 27606
and she assured me it should be less than $20 for the actual visit (with no procedures or whatnot) but even the prices she quoted me of the tests i had done at the other place were <$20 instead of $40-50

i think i was just getting majorly screwed...i'm from a very rural place and we've always had take-care-of-your-own-damn-self cats instead of wimpy pansy cats like the one i have now i just figured city vets were more expensive, but fuck $70 for a 10 minute look-over.

11/25/2005 2:52:00 PM

I used to work for Boulevard back in the day and I am pretty sure that BAH is about the cheapest vet in the area. I've worked for another vet in Cary (Northwoods) which has the best medicine by far, but they're a lot more expensive.

Call BAH today and ask if they have a multiple pet discount policy. I am pretty sure that they do-even if it's only 10-15%.

Here's what you're looking at so far:
1 Office exam (depending on where you go, this can be $25-40 per visit)
1 skin scrape in house (prices vary)
1 fecal floatation exam (again prices vary $15-$30)
1 direct fecal exam (prices vary and some places charge one price for a float and a direct whereas other places split the two up)
*If your dog is positive for parasites, etc in the feces, you're looking at the cost of dewormer and/or medication.
*If your dog is positive for mange or any type of skin parasite/problem, then your vet will discuss with you the various options such as dips, medications, etc.

Unfortunately for those of us who don't have plenty of money to splurge, you pretty much get what you pay for in terms of vet care. Just call around and ask for quotes for the above services that I mentioned if you're super concerned about cost.

Hope this helps!

11/25/2005 3:17:59 PM

thanks... I'm gonna check into Crossroads vet hospital and I'll call Boulevard. in the past BAH has been good to me, considering how many animals I have taken to them... but they were a little weird the last few times, and then I sent my parents there with their dogs and they really disliked it and told me that there are cheaper places that will do the same thing if not better.
the only problem if I go to a new vet is that if my dogs do have worms, my cat does too... and sometimes it is necessary for them to have previously seen your animal to give you the meds.... which doesn't make sense if I have proof of them up to date because we all know that if one animal has worms the others are probably infected too.
especially if they constantly groom each other!

11/25/2005 10:00:53 PM

they have to have an exam because *i think* you legally have to have a doctor/patient relationship to dispense medication.

[Edited on November 25, 2005 at 11:25 PM. Reason : also, i work at mayfair animal hospital, and i'm not gonna say we have lower prices, but we're good]

11/25/2005 11:24:24 PM

Yeah legally youre supposed to have a previous client/patient relationship before they can dole out meds but I've worked at some places (in Fayetteville-not the RDU area) that will overlook that rule. Keep in mind though, that your cat and dog might not have the same kind of problem, so when you get meds without an exam or fecal exam, you're taking that risk.

11/26/2005 8:19:52 PM

I don't know how far you are willing to drive, but Hill Creek is where I take my kitties. They're super great and have a wonderful bedside manner and are reasonable on their prices for cats, so I dont see why they wouldn't be reasonable for dogs too. They are located in Pittsboro, in case you're interested.

11/26/2005 8:32:38 PM

APEX VET

11/26/2005 10:57:33 PM

Cary Veterinary Hospital. They'll charge you for the initial visit (check-up), but after that, you don't have to pay an office visit.

11/26/2005 11:13:33 PM

I've been told Brentwood Animal Hospital in north Raleigh is decently priced. I just went with Boulevard at the time because of transportation issues. You can pretty much depend on smaller cities having cheaper vets.

11/27/2005 12:49:26 AM

My girlfriend works for Duraleigh Animal Hospital and told me that rates are extremely fair there as well

11/27/2005 10:17:38 AM

Yep, Crossroads is pretty good, well priced and they're very nice!

11/27/2005 12:19:02 PM

awesome, thank you to all!

11/27/2005 3:26:18 PM

I wonder if your dogs just have allergies like mine did? A food or grass alllergy is fairly common in dogs and can cause that kind of irritation reaction.

11/27/2005 4:33:17 PM

Brentwood Animal Hospital is the cheapest in Raleigh. Crossroads is the 2nd cheapest. The biggest difference betweeen the two price wise is that Brentwood has lower vaccine and office vist and exam costs (aka the yearly things) but slightly higher spay and surgery costs (and I do mean slightly).

Both hospitals have excellent doctors and care but I'll go with Brentwood.

11/27/2005 6:21:34 PM

Darch Animal Hospital in Wake Forest has some of the best prices I've seen. We've taken our animals there for years and they've always done a great job. I know it's pretty far away (30 - 40 min from campus depending upon traffic), but it's worth giving them a call to see relative pricing at the very least.

11/28/2005 12:25:00 AM

arraeuber you are, hands down, the absolute WORST pet owner on TWW. if anyonw wants to know why, go back and look at some or her previous threads in the lounge.

your irresponsible ownership borders on downright pet neglegence, and could be considered animal cruelty. please stop getting pets!

11/28/2005 1:53:44 AM

i have a dog that my friend found in asheville and i've been keeping for the last couple weeks while trying to find her owner. a search which has been unsuccessful. my question is...where is the best place to take her? as in a place that won't kill her and will help find her a good home.

i'm in raleigh by the way. and if anyone wants a dog, you are welcome to have her.

12/15/2005 1:30:10 PM

oh this is an old thread...nm

[Edited on December 15, 2005 at 2:26 PM. Reason : ]

12/15/2005 2:25:37 PM

i used to take my animals to glenwood animal hospital. prices were fine and they seemed more than competant (which is most important).

12/15/2005 2:27:21 PM

not glenwood animal hospital

they're generally incompetent, overcharge, and aren't very friendly (well the one vet is ok, the rest suck though)

12/16/2005 9:01:15 AM

I took both my dogs to Oberlin Animal hospital (sister vet. of Glenwood animal hospital) for years while I was in Raleigh and they might have been a tad overpriced but they were EXCELLENT when it came to taking care of my dogs.

If you decided to go there then ask for Dr. Butler...she was a younger lady but she was very friendly and concerned when it came to my boys.

12/16/2005 9:36:12 AM

creature comforts off of kildaire in cary is a pretty nice place. I adopted a dog from the spca and they recommended them.

12/16/2005 5:03:53 PM