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New vet recommendations

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by luftinarr, Oct 19, 2009.

  1. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    I love, love, love Stream Valley, but I just called to get an estimate for our new adopted kitten's spaying and it was OVER $700. The spay itself was $402 and then tack on other "tests" (like bloodwork and such), the microchip, microchip registration and it took the estimate to over $700. That doesn't include any of the kitten's regular vaccines or the regular visit fee. Don't get me wrong, but I love Drs. Corey and Kirk, but I simply cannot afford that amount to spay a cat.

    I don't want to travel a great distance for a vet, so can anyone share more recent details on their current vet? Caring Hands comes to mind (last post on that was back in June). Any other local place?
     
  2. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    Here's what we've discovered regarding the spay/neuter -

    http://www.hslcva.org/spay_neuter.php

    Loudoun County Humane Society sponsors a low-cost spay/neuter program through participating vets and Caring Hands (although not on LC's website) is a part of that program. Our total outlay will be around $300 through this program vs. over $700 for Stream Valley.

    The total outlay includes the $100 fee to Loudoun County, $49 visit fee to Caring Hands, optional tests, microchip (there is no fee to register it like Stream Valley indicated), and pain medication. The voucher Loudoun County provides is good for one spay/neuter and if you have a female animal, it includes one night's boarding if the vet recommends it.

    Now that's a steal. Stream Valley - are you reading this???
     
  3. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    How were you able to adopt a kitten without a spay/neuter fee or certificate? Most rescues don't even allow you to take the animal home until it is fixed.

    Anyway, my comment was about Stream Valley. I believe they are quoting costs relevant to the age of the kitten and whether you give I.V. fluids oxygen or pain meds during the surgery along with the blood tests for feline leukemia and other diseases. The Comprehensive blood test can run upwards to $300. Personally, I would never put my animal through surgery without the fluids, but that's me. And a fecal check or deworming is advisable.

    Ashburn Village charges $325 for the spay surgery but it will fluctuate depending on add-ons. Vaccines for new kittens are rabies/$30, distemper/$25, and then they alway advise testing for leukemia particularly if the kitten was born to an outdoor cat. Then you have to return for the boosters in a year. And factor in boarding and other incidentals - but that may be included as part of the package.
     
  4. mdcrim

    mdcrim Member

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    We stopped going to Stream Valley because of all the upsell. I could never get out of there for under $300-$400 per visit, no matter what the issue. And I always had to spend 10 minutes declining completely unneccesary tests/ lotions/ meds, etc.
     
  5. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    I adopted a kitten from Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART) in June and the cat was not yet spayed. I signed an agreement stating that I would have it done when the cat was six months old.

    I've used Loudoun Cat Care before and it was fine. I don't know what their fees are but you could look into it. It's located near Leesburg on Route 7 at Cardinal Park Drive (where the Toyota & Honda dealerships are).
     
  6. latka

    latka Active Member

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    Try Catoctin in Leesburg. They are wonderful.
     
  7. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    I took in a cat that was destined for the animal shelter. She was too young to be spayed so that's how I was able to adopt a kitten without the fee.
     
  8. smheese

    smheese New Member

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    We are not a fan of stream valley. It's not exactly close, but we've had great experiences with Dr. Deanna Mitchell in Cascades.
     
  9. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    Ken Melberger at Ashburn Farm Animal Hospital. no upsell, seems to actually KNOW my dog, referencing past visit discussions, no upsell, and Beemer likes him. They honor low LOw rates for heartworm and flea meds that i find online, and they give me insurance claim forms. GREAT customer service.

    http://www.ashburnfarmvet.com/home.html
     
  10. napper

    napper New Member

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    I second Loudoun Cat Care. I had Dr. Wiechmann as a vet when she worked for Countryside Animal Clinic over 10 years ago. I was truly sad when she left, but when I found out she had opened her own cat clinic I was ecstatic. Although I wish she did dogs also, I know that cats is her true calling. She has a very gentle and calm way with them. You'd love her.
     
  11. eam

    eam New Member

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  12. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    She's a lucky little girl!
     
  13. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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  14. kmjtt

    kmjtt New Member

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    We also could not justify the $800 quotes for having our dog neutered. We went through http://www.spay.org/ they found a vet in Sterling for us that did it for $250 plus $17 for the collar. They did try to sell us on vaccines etc. but we have those done at our regular vet.
     
  15. beachgal

    beachgal New Member

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    My nearly one year old Chihuhua costed me $400 to be neutered by Caring Hands. I love them to death but that is a lot I think.
     
  16. broadlndsmom5014

    broadlndsmom5014 New Member

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    We take our dog to Caring Hands Animal Hospial in the Broadlands (Southern Walk Shopping Center). Everyone there has always been very nice.
    www.CaringHandsVet.com
     
  17. Pirate

    Pirate Overland Park Denizen

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    We have used the services of Stream Valley since coming to Broadlands. Not to disparage any of the other doctors, but my wife and I adore Dr. Kirk. It boils down to priorities. If your child needed medical attention, would you take them to the Walmart of pediatrians? Or would you be willing to pay more to know that they will get the right treatment from people who will take their time to get it right, do additional research, and follow up as necessary? We've had a cat with a serious problem and a dog with a very serious problem in the past year, and we're sticking with Dr. Kirk.

    When we first came to VA, we had some reservations about some confusion with the admin staff, but we stuck with them and that's history. Kudos to Linda, Melissa and Nicole (again, not to disparage anyone else, but we've dealt with these ladies a lot lately).
     
  18. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    Pirate - I'm with you on this. I LOVE Dr. Corey and Dr. Kirk. Both have seen all 4 of our animals since we moved to the Broadlands area (from another Ashburn area) in 2005. I just can't fathom dropping that much money on a routine spay. Especially when there are programs out there that help cut the cost.
     
  19. BlueMoon1

    BlueMoon1 New Member

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    We take our Black Lab Blue and both of our cats over to Animal Medical Centers of Loudoun at Brambleton Town Center, their number is 703-327-8471.

    Have always been friendly to my wife and I and of course our little "kids". Their prices seem to be fair as far as vets go. Good luck!!
     

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