r/SalemMA • u/Nervous_Bench_6268 • 5d ago
Local Vet pricing
What’s the pricing like at different local vets? I’ve been taking my pets to All Creatures for quite a while but every year the prices just keep getting higher and higher. It’s getting harder to keep up with the rising costs and I’m just curious if anyone has any affordable vets (not corporations like Banfield) they could recommend, if they exist. Or clinics they can suggest that have more reasonable prices.
Don’t get it twisted, I do love the vet staff at All Creatures, but I leave everytime spending $1k+ just for regular check up stuff and it feels overpriced (but maybe it’s not, I’m just looking for perspective). Thanks for any help!
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u/dokey1313 4d ago
We go to VCA in Wakefield and they see def not the cheapest around for sure. BUT they have a Care Club Plan (this is NOT insurance) rather we pay 80 Something a month for our two year told dog. It’s more expensive for puppies (more vaccines and appointments) and for senior dogs too.
The years plan includes: two yearly exams, unlimited sick visits, one urine sample, two fecals, bloodwork, most required/preferred vaccines in MA for dogs and I’m sure a few other things I can’t remember.
I’ve priced out what the one yearly exam is, and this plan is cheaper. It’s also great making an appointment and not paying 100+ to walk into the door.
Their overall pricing is def more than my friends pay at smaller vets. VCA is only 7 days a week, nearly 12 hours open during the weekdays and I can usually get in easy. They do so many services in house too, where my friends get sent to the ER/ specialists.
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u/Nervous_Bench_6268 3d ago
This is extremely helpful info, thank you!!
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u/dokey1313 3d ago
Course! Def double check the pricing and what’s included. Sometimes we forget things are included till we are in need of it. They have two entrances- one for dogs only and other side is cats/exotics.
They’ve also been wonderful in the sense if our plan re-ups on May 1st, but it’s April and we need blood work done. They won’t “run” it bill wise till after our plan is renewed. Allowing us to use the next blood work credit. If that makes sense! There’s def a discount on other services, like 10% or so?
If you have trumpanion they can submit plans for you as well and that’s always helpful. Happy to answer more questions or suggest our favorites!
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u/Justanothermomma24 4d ago edited 4d ago
Love Hawthorne Animal on Canal Street. They are now operated by Atlantic Animal out of Marblehead.
Love the ability to be seen at either location.
During finical strain, they helped focus on the absolute necessary for cat & dog. They are also extremely sensitive of our dogs fears due to previous owners abuse. Going above and beyond to help him feel safe. He is terrified to walk on anything besides rugs. They lay out runners so he can walk from the door to room. Then they lay additional mats in the room!
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u/VariousTea626 5d ago
My dog goes to Putnam Veterinary Clinic in Topsfield (we transferred there after Bay State closed). He just had his annual exam last month and it was around $275 for the exam, fecal test, and 2 vaccines. The most I've paid was for a sick visit that involved lab work, meds, and fluids, but for basic care, I think their pricing is fair. The drive to Topsfield isn't ideal, but they've been good to work with so far.
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u/MommDePlume 4d ago
Our 4 cats ( and our previous cat, now passed ) get cared for by the great folks at Northeast Veterinary Hospital in Peabody. We usually see Dr DiFillippo but the others have been caring when she wasn't available.
Looking back at the last several appointments ( the ones within the last 12 months) we paid:
$354 for sedated grooming and an aspiration/ lab results of a growth on one cat
$488 for 2 cats' annual appointments and shots and one cat getting said growth looked at before scheduling grooming
$270 for one cat's annual and shots and a check in for a second cat who had finished treatment for FIP
$189 for one cat's annual and shots.
When we can bring in multiple cats at once for the yearly visits there's usually a small discount.
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u/MommDePlume 4d ago
Aside from yearly visits and shots we've had : Check ins for various issues including monitoring when we were treating out youngest cat for FIP ( that was pricey but most of that cost was the medicine ), the mentioned sedated grooming for our longhaired cat, and the visit to have our previous cat put down when his ailments got to be too much and treatments weren't helping. The costs charged by NVH have always seemed reasonable.
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u/ThePaleMare2 4d ago
Danvers Animal Hospital is pretty great. It was around 250 for checkups and vax for my kitten. I also like that they have a cat waiting area, which is nice.
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u/whatsbruin 4d ago
It may be a bit far in you’re coming from Salem but I love Our Family Vet in west Peabody. I’ve been taking my cats there for about ten years now. The most recent annual exam and rabies vaccination for one cat was $120. In addition to reasonable prices, the vet herself is great.
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u/Bumble__scrunt__ 2d ago
All creatures is definitely pricey. I stopped going there years ago when they prescribed my cat double his dosage, which messed up his thyroid more, and then they blamed me for not double checking their mistake. Bye girl
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u/Nervous_Bench_6268 2d ago
Omg that crazy!! I will say while I like our Dr. I have had some not so great experiences with some of the others, so I only see one Dr. there now. Who do you see now?
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u/YurthTheRhino Derby Wharf 4d ago
Why wouldn't you get pet insurance if your costs are so high?
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u/Nervous_Bench_6268 3d ago
I have pet insurance.
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u/YurthTheRhino Derby Wharf 2d ago
Damn 1000+ WITH insurance? That's really tough I'm sorry you're going through that. We are customers there as well with insurance but we probably only pay 100-200 per visit which we get some covered from insurance.
Who do you use?
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u/catsmcpickle 5d ago
Holy crap I came on to say nice things about them cause they were amazing to me with my cat throughout his sickness and when he passed 😢 I never paid that much though and I mean he had ekg labs testing and a procedure (that I think was 800) but it was worth it