Dental Components

[Robin1017]

Hi everyone,

 

I asked my vet for an estimate for a dental for Robin, and this is the information I got.

 

Procedure or Dispensed Item Qty Charge
Dog Prophy - Dental 310.00
Anesthesia Iso, Extra 15 Min. 6 366.00
Canine Full View Dental Xrays 116.00
Dental X-Ray Additional 18.00
Extraction Simple-per tooth 5 145.00
Extraction-Complicated per Tooth 5 330.00
Fluids During Surgery (IV Cath & Fluids) 73.00
Rimadyl 75mg 4-pack 26.30
Ampicillin inj. 500mg 8.50 31.41
Medical Waste Disposal Fee 4.00

Tax... 1.64
----------
Total estimate charges... $1421.35

Actual total may vary between: $562.35 and $1421.35

 

 

I have a couple of questions for those of you who have done this more often. One, is the Ampicillin injection an antibiotic? I'm assuming so...to prevent infection? Also, I'm glad to see the dental x-rays are recommended. Is there anything else I should ask for? What about that anti-bleeding med, amicar?

 

I'm sure this isn't the cheapest it could be, but I don't know if I should shop around too much or just go with my vet who is used to Robin. He's 11, and so I'm quite nervous even though he had a dental once years ago and was fine (his teeth have actually been pretty good his whole life until recently, so he has only had the one). My vet said if I'm really worried, I should go to Angel or Tufts because they have an anesthesiologist to watch him during the procedure. I haven't gotten an estimate yet, but I bet it's a lot more than my regular vet above. Has anyone had a dental at any of those places? Feedback or recommendations? Is it much more expensive?

 

Finally, I got a carecredit card for this, but they only gave me a $500 limit. The paperwork says that if I need a credit increase, to have the vet call and request it. Have any of you ever done this? What are my chances of actually getting them to increase it to enough that I can pay for Robin's dental? My credit isn't great right now--I think it's in the "fair" category. And even if they do, I bet I wouldn't be able to get enough for Angell or Tufts.

 

Aargh. I know I need to do this for him. I do think his teeth hurt him sometimes when he's eating. And his breath is horrible. I want to keep him around with me for a long time, and he's healthy otherwise. But I'm so worried about him being 11 and having anesthesia from the stories I've read on GT, plus my worries that carecredit will not give me the credit to make it happen. And then I want to make sure that they do everything right for him and I request what I should to give him the best chance (like the amicar).

 

Help!!

 

Per the

[KF_in_Georgia]

I don't think there should be a problem getting the Care Credit limit increased, but you need to know that their interest will skyrocket above and beyond any interest a credit card company will charge if you aren't able to pay them off on time. (I've got another two months on Silver's biopsy charges.) The amount of time varies, depending on the vet's terms and the amount of money charged.

 

Also, not all vets take Care Credit. Are you sure your vet will take it? (My vet doesn't, but my vet-ER and vet-dermatologist do.) I'd hate for you to rely on it, then find out you can't use it.

 

These charges from your vet are way higher than I've ever paid here in Georgia, but I'm aware that vet charges vary with geographic area. I can't advise on how reasonable they are for your area.

 

Call Angell and Tufts for quotes.

 

Amicar is the drug to use if Robin needs extractions. I don't think it's expensive.

[GeorgeofNE]

Angell is quite expensive, but you can be sure they know what they're doing.

 

Don't you have a regular credit card? I looked at a Care Credit application once, and the interest rate was sickeningly high.

[Robin1017]

I do know my vet accepts it, thank goodness. Though I guess I don't know about Tufts or Angell. I already used it for $300 two months ago and have paid extra on it so that it is nearly paid off. I was hoping that using it and paying it really fast would help my case. I've been planning ahead, at least a little bit.

 

And I know, Boston prices are high. I am hoping to hear from some local people as well--I think these prices may be competitive, sadly.

[OwnedBySummer]

Up here, $500 without extractions is pretty normal. Without doing the math, I assume that's what your lowest amount is for. So it's not too bad a price, to me. I'd be happy, too, that your vet is using Isoflurane.

Edited January 30, 2013 by OwnedBySummer

[macoduck]

Wow. I just paid less than $500 for Pudge le mutt. She had 2 simple extractions, one surgical, digital xrays, pain meds and antibiotics, had special monitoring and fluids due to her failing kidneys.

[Guest Fasave]

I second Angell. Tucker, Thunder and even Ave had dentals there. In fact, Tucker is going back for a follow up in the morning. So that you know, Angell does their quote based on the amount of time they spend with the pup and NOT what work is done. Therefore, if Robin needs more than anticipated extractions, the cost doesn't automatically go up but likely will slightly as it will take more time. Might be worth getting a second opinion although Angell is down to one dentist (they used to have two) so you will likely need to wait a little bit for an appointment. As a side note, the other thing I find comforting there is that during the week, every imaginable specialist is working. If Robin has any type of crisis or reaction, they've got an awesome back up team.

[Hubcitypam]

Here is a rough breakdown of Poodle's dental in November -

 

gas - $152

dental - $78

senior bloodwork - $78

extractions (4 including 1 molar) - $40

monitor - $49

flouride (?) - $18

fluids - $35

The monitor and fluids were supposed to be because he is 14.

Total in Dallas was $450

 

They put him on Cylndamycin just shy of a week before his surgery and then we finished out the ten days worth afterward. Don't remember how much that was. We already had Tramadol here for pain.