Basic Dog Medical Expenses?

[Rattiemama]

Hubby and I have been wanting a dog for some time, and are really hoping we can move to a place that allows dogs and get one this summer. I have posted before asking about dog "startup" costs, like crates and such, but I still need to know about basic medical costs over a year. I'm sure it will vary by the age of the dog. We are hoping for one at least a couple of years old since we don't really want a puppy. It would be a small dog, likely some kind of mutt with terrier, doxie, or other small dog mixed in. It will depend on what we find in shelters when the time comes.

I know that special situations can come up, but what do you find is your baseline cost? I'm talking about standard health check visits, shots, insurance, and so on. I just want a rough figure to budget for, knowing there will be additional costs for emergencies, illnesses, and such.

Thanks for any help!

[tsk_n_such]

It really varies from vet to vet. But in general you need a checkup at least once a year..that can range anywhere from $30 (previous vet) to $40 and up (current vet), a Rabies vaccination that is every 3 years in most areas. It's $30 here, I think, plus a $20 fee to register the pet with the county for three years (everyone's county varies, so you would have to check with yours on that point).  Distemper/Parvo vaccines that are every year to every three years in some areas. Longer if you want to do titers and such to avoid unnecessary vaccinations. Bordetella vaccination if you are going to board your pet (it's required then) or have them in daycare or other places with high dog volume.

I don't have pet insurance, so not sure on those fees.

And then of course, are the unexpected issues. Many don't have anything too serious. My dog just had a fractured jaw repaired. THAt was certainly unexpected   (and made me wish I'd had pet insurance )

[Rattiemama]

Thank you! So it looks like the basics (and I'm figuring there's heartworm meds and flea and tick treatments to consider as well) would be somewhere in the range of $300-$400 per year? I know this has nothing to do with other stuff that will come up. I just want to have some idea of what to be budgeting for routine care.

[Heather]

I'm not going to be of much help but I never get yearly checkups for my dog, he gets a $20 3-year rabies only, no other vaccines (components of a DHLPP are shown to last atleast 7 years to the lifetime of the animal). I think the only thing I keep up with is heartworm prevention and the test is like $40 or something and then the heartworm meds. I only give him one once every other month because studies I've read have shown the ivermectin to still be effective up to 3 months when the drug has been given once a month for a solid year. I attribute Amos's health to raw feeding. He's never ever been to the vet for sickness in all 2 years. The only thing he went to the vet for was he ate over a pound of EVO cat food and the concentrated, high level of protein gave him a severe hot spot. Things like vomiting, diarrhea are never treated by the vet- I always use natural remedies unless it's super severe. If he has worms I treat that naturally too. And it costs me about $8/mo to feed him. That's all his expenses. Why in the world would people waste money on insurance? If you feed a good diet it prevents most medical issues and feeding RMBs prevents those expensive dentals. A mouth full of rotting teeth covered in tartar opens the door to infection throughout the body. Just keeping the mouth healthy will prevent many problems.

[Rattiemama]

Well we are hoping to feed raw. It sounds like you've been lucky so far, but also if your dog is young you probably just haven't gotten around to some of the health problems that crop up later. You also never know when an animal can get injured or eat something that makes them really sick. Those are some of the things I was anticipating on top of annual expenses. A friend of mine was just really glad she has insurance for her dog when she got a tumor and most of the tests and part of the surgery were covered. Saved them at least $1500.

[holly238]

Don't know if you considered this (or if you're adopting a shelter pet that's already altered), but you'll have the cost of spay/neuter within the first few months of getting the dog. That will be around $200 and could be much more.

At the vet clinic where I work, a yearly check-up is: exam ($35), rabies vacc (1yr--$15, 3yr--$28), distemper vacc ($22), bordetella ($22), heartworm test ($38), and the cost of heartworm preventative (Heartguard Plus/Triheart for a small dog--apprx. $50 for yearly supply) and flea preventative (too many different kinds to even offer price....but it's considerably more expensive than HW prev.).

Common ailments for which a dog may need to be treated include parasites, diarrhea, vomiting, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, skin problems, allergies, etc. Allergy testing is becoming considerably more common at the clinic where I work, and this alone can cost $250. Subsequent treatments for allergies may cost up to $100 per month. As a dog ages, bloodwork may become routine to ensure kidney, liver, thyroid, etc. levels remain in normal ranges. We charge about $100 for these tests.

At some point during your dog's life, he/she will need a dental cleaning or two, which can be $150-200 per visit. Also, if you pick a dog who has long hair and needs grooming by a professional, consider about $30 per month for that. Also considering the price for boarding your dog or hiring a petsitter should you need to go out of town and have no one else to keep him/her. That will be at least $15 per day, and that's the cheap end. I know those aren't medical, but you might not have thought about those.

Hmmmm....I can't think of anything else. Dogs definately have a lot of hidden expenses! Good luck.