How does your vet charge?

[needstoknowmore]

For years no matter where I lived, I paid a standard farm call fee. Could be more for afterhours or emergencys. After the farm call fee, I was just charged for what ever meds or procedure they where called out to do. I was in a bit of shock when I moved here and had my first farm call. I had to ask about how they charged. They charge mileage, one way. And time. If I remember right on the time, they charge from the time the vet leaves the office until he leaves my place. My last farm call was to give 2 calves a shot. The shots cost me $7.36. The total bill was $98.94. I am happy that I don't live any farther from the office than I do. But I sure do miss the standard farm call fee.
I just want to see how things are done/billed elsewhere. I know hay/feed and other things very greatly.

[JeffNY]

It seems to depend which vet you use. One local place charges astronomical prices IMO. To remove three teats from a heifer this one vet charged around $140 or so, twice. Once to come do the prodecure, once to remove the staples. When she does it, it is done right and you can't tell there were extras, so its worth it.


Another vet I used, but he started to steer me wrong. Was highly variable between calls. Some calls he would charge less, some more. He didn't have a set price, was off the top of his head. He was VERY fair at first.

The other place I use, and it is my primary choice depends who comes. The only one so far that charges the least, and is the better of them charges us extremely fair. I have all my animals ultrasounded for pregnancy, palpation is to invasive, and isn't 100%. Usually costs 87 or so, or 90 per preg check. Of course if you had a ton to check, and its more than an hour, it goes up. I have had him here to preg check, and do other stuff, and the price was the same. The other guys that work there, charge more, not sure why.


Many of the older vets either have become too old, and their judgement is getting bad, or some are simply done. Many of these new guys aren't all that great. One of the vets that we used has a son who graduated from Cornell back a couple years. I have heard he isn't that great, and we did have him here indirectly (came with his father). Dehorned a few calves, and he is absolutely terrible. Hit an ear on one of the calves, his father never did that (with the burner).


I am glad we have a choice, vs some are stuck with one vet, and that vet knows it. So they charge accordingly.


Jeff

[wildhorse]

We have been taking maggie to the office vs farm calls its been running $10 for shots. He will do farm calls but Ive found it to be cheaper just to take her in.Ive found around here its cheaper to have a vet work on horses and cows than it is dogs.

[Jennifer L.]

My vet charges $75 an hour, and to be honest I'm not sure if that includes travel time or not. He's about 20 minutes from me, in any case. I hardly ever call him now, but do when I have a bad calving and I need help pulling the calf. He's got a set of wrists on him that are REALLY good to have in that situation.

Jennifer

[Teacupliz]

I was hoping for this tread- interesting- Our farm call is $47. then charges added to that- never get away with much less then $100. no office now to take in smaller critters like goats- I try to save up and have lot done at once- if a emergancy- I get him to do other things while here- try not to call as you do not make enough off shipping milk to justifie calling the vet out- Liz

[DocM]

$100 farm call after hours/weekends
$70 on the one day a week they're scheduled in our area.

Giving shots to livestock is the most basic and easy of self vet care, right next to worming. You can buy syringes and any vaccines you need from Jeffer's. My advice is to start learning quickly how to do 90% of your vet care at home. In 25 years, we've only called the vet out 5 times, and run literally hundreds of head of mixed stock over those years.

[AR Transplant]

DocM, I agree with you totally. We give all of our shots and everything else. We chose a bull that threw small calves and always got rid of the mamas that couldn't calve easily.

I have called the vet out mostly for my jersey. Had her AI'd once and her mama checked the first time I milked her for any hidden disease before we drank the milk.

We don't have the budget for high vet bills, the only time I call the vet on any animal is when they are clearly in pain and I cannot help them.

[needstoknowmore]

I usually give all my own shots. But those where bangs vacs for the calves. They have to be given by the vet. I really like my vet, and it helps that he knows goats. I do have a back up, just in case. But hope I never need to call them to find out how they charge, as they are one town away. But at least I know they are there. I will take an animal in if all possible. Or try to get everything done on one farm call if I need to make one.

[topside1]

$30 farm visit to attend to one animal. $15 dollars for each additional animal and of course charges for supplies used...I'm apparently is a poor area of the country.

[sammyd]

I got one out to do the Bangs shot for a heifer this spring. It's hard to find a big animal vet anymore. 20 dollar trip charge 27 dollar for his time. Or something really close to that.

[travlnusa]

$20/farm call flat fee plus $80/hour plus any/all supplies used.

[Christiaan]

$25 farm call if on a circuit day. Have only had him out for Bang's, $35/each. Have him do rabies for the dogs and cats at the same time.

[Ronney]

I've just hunted out my last farm visit account. All up it came to $377-08 but while he was here he dealt with three cows, a calf that had got in with the bull and was given Prostaglandin, and vaccinated two puppies. That included his time (which was more than was charged for), the mileage and the drugs used. The largest part of the bill was the puppy vaccinations - $205.00 - and that was just for the vaccinations not his time.

I suspect N.Z'ers may use their vets more frequently than other countries which helps build up a rapport. Having said that, most farmers here do their own vaccinating and routine maintenance work such as hoof trimming.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[pygmywombat]

Ours charges $35 for the farm call, then adds in whatever else they do (preg check, dehorning, etc.).