I have six cats with ages ranging from 7 to19, and, I'm trying to prepare for the inevitable time when that last Vet appointment will arrive. I would really like my Vet to be more reasonable in pricing their Euthenasia procedures. I'm certainly not rich, and I know I'm in for large charges in, possibly, the near future. I wish your hospital were near me. Preparing a pet for Rainbow Bridge is almost as expensive as burying a person. It makes a sad situation even sadder when you, not only grieve for the loss of a beloved pet, but also, have to bear the burden of the expense.

Hmm,I can understand your situation and ya its too costly but here one idea i would like to tell you that pet cremation its not too much costly.so in any condition wanna more info about cremation so just have look of my site http://www.Shurdenjackson.com

IMHO $215 is still ridiculous. I used to work for a vet when I was a teenager.. a dying animal does NOT need an IV for any reason. They do not need sedation, unless they are completely unruly, but the right vet tech should be able to contain them. Horses, I would say, yeah maybe, but hundreds of them get euthed each year w/o sedation. "It’s uncouth to hit up your clients for a huge bill when their pet has just died. " Yes, that is true, practice what you preach. This price is exactly why people don't take their animal to the vet to be "put down" because they can't afford it. Lots of people just let their pet slowly suffer to death because they have no other option or those that are able will shoot them on their own. I enjoy your blog, but I think there is a HUGE overabundance of markup in veterinary practice. I own a horse and two dogs, I give my own shots and take care of everything I can, calling the vet is a last resort. That's my .02

I completely agree.Why pay outrageous vet bills for things you can easily do at home? It's much less stressful for the animal,to be in their own surroundings.When I had horses and other large farm animals,it would have cost a small fortune every time some little thing happened,plus regular vaccinations,wormings etc.Now that I only own a cat and 2 giant dogs (Newfoundlands) I still do most of my own routine vet care,and save the vet bills for life and limb emergencies

During my time with my last two dogs I have made sure that my credit card number is on file at the vet's office. I have occasionally had a friend pick up food or meds and find it reassuring to know it is paid for when they pick it up. I also know when the last visit comes that I don't have to discuss the dollars when I am so distraught and I don't think they have ever or will ever take advantage of me. Stay true to your trusted vet and you will have a long and mutually respectful relationship with them. Years ago I left a vet that unkindly asked for the money for the last visit while we were still standing with the dog because he said he had trouble collecting that sometimes. I have seen him since and he asked us back to his clinic but I couldn't get past that unnecessary comment. Even if he had waited until I was outside that room I would have taken it better.

Living in the midwest where you can still find small animal practices that don't have sky high overhead can make things easier. Last year when we had to face this with a beloved 15 year old companion our vet gave a single injection. Total cost of office visit - $45.00. We elected for private cremation which was $160.00 but this decision was ours. A week later we received a sympathy card from the vet's office signed by everyone in the office accompanied by a plaster of paris cast of one of our pet's paws. We consider ourselves very very lucky to have found this practice.

I think after years of care for an animal that this service should done for cost, its rough enough to go through this without walking out of the Vets office without your beloved pet and a bill in your hand. The treatment of the pet's owners at this very difficult is very telling of the care and compassion the vet has .

Two years ago, I brought my bunny into an emergency clinic. I didn't think there was much hope, but I wanted to try. I left them with $300 in cash (for which I had a receipt). The next day, I called them and they said he wasn't doing much better. So I said "Well, I guess we better put him down." Do you know that they would not euthanize him until I gave them my Visa number? The woman acted like she didn't hear me when I said: "What about the $300 I brought in last night?" no comment. Then she went on to say she could lose her job and she kind of mumbled around until I gave them the number. Any vet office that treats one like that I would not have been surprised if he had died during the night and they would have still charged me. Now my other vet, who moved their office far away from me and doesn't have an ER, when I brought in another bunny, I explained I was in Chapter 13 so I couldn't afford a private/partitioned cremation; and could they just give back the body so we could bury him in a private pet cemetary. They euthanized him. They gave me back his body in a white cardboard box, but they wrote his name in fancy letters on the top and put bunny stickers on top. I was touched. They charged me $35.00. There are good-hearted people out there. They are few and far between, but they're there.

My beloved dog recently was euthanized after a long illness. We expected to bring her body home to bury her as we've done with other pets. An assistant gave me papers to sign (no idea what, I was crying too hard to read them). Then we were told by the assistant (who was new to us) it was usual to cremate the body. The arguments were that it would be easier to bury the body when the ground thawed, if that is what we wanted, that we could "take her with us if we moved" (not an issue for us), that they would give us a lovely urn with her name on it (also not an issue). All of this in the room with the vet, our dog on the table, while we were discussing the method planned to make the euthanasia easiest for our pet.

In short, it was a hard sell. Under the circumstances, what else would we do?

When we received the bill, it was over $400 and was NOT itemized so I have no idea what I paid for. Since I intend to continue to use this practice and they were otherwise wonderful with my pet I haven't questioned the bill. I know I probably should.

It makes me uncomfortable to even discuss the subject. I thought perhaps they were trying to make it easier by not itemizing? But in any case, it is a very large bill.

We spent a fortune on our dog. We are not wealthy, or even middle class. I have been on medical disability for over 18 years, my husband is a low paid social worker. We used our entire savings (which were small to begin with) on vet costs.

I think it is wrong to gouge an animal owner in their pet's final moment. Charge more for discretionary items, like manicures or grooming, or boarding, anything except the final moments.

And don't expect owners to make sensible decisions when they are sadlly accepting that their dog is going to die in a few moments.

BTW our dogs remains were given to us in a small can, much like what you would buy cookies in.

Fortunately my son, who is a sculptor and has the material and equipment is going to make a nice metal coffin for us to bury our dog in.

The can with the remains is still in our car. Neither my husband nor I can bring ourselves to remove the can and put it somewhere in our house.

We thought we were going to have to euthanize one of our dogs last summer. Among other things, our vet's office told us that they do not charge regular clients for this visit at all. (Not to say they pay for outside cremation or other outside costs of course, just no charge for the office visit or the drugs.)

It was a tiny consolation in an overall miserable experience--but one that sticks out in my memory, and which made a huge impact on me. That's such compassion. It's wonderful that they are able to do it. Certainly every practice will be structured differently, and some simply won't have the resources to make that same offer. But it it a kind, kind thing.

I left a comment re: our experience with my dog's euthanasia costs and cremation. One thing that I should have added is that the vet who took care of our dog and who euthanized our dog was remarkable. She was available for questions and when we needed her outside her regular hours. We could not have asked for a better veterinarian.

She, however, does not set any of the billing practices in the practice. She is not an owner or part owner, she is a vet who is at more than one practice.

This may well be the case for other animal owners and their veterinarians. Some of the vets may not have the option of reducing charges for services. I live in an area with ahigh cost of living. The charges for my dog may have been in line for other practices, or even a little lower than what this practice would normally charge.

It is still an expensive procedure. I can't imagine how people in even worse financial circumstances can have an animal humanely euthanized. My daughter had a dog recently who was in serious condition. the dog lingered for more than a year with serious braininjuries and other injuries from being run over by a car. The dog finally died. I don't know the circumstances.

My daughter frequently told me she simply had no money for the vet. They have had no income for about a year. I did what I cold, but don't have the funds myself. In these cases, it would be nice to have an option. Most ofus could not just shoot our animal or otherwise humanely eliminate the animal's sufffering.

My dear old 15 year old Shepherd Mix died in the fall. The previous dog that I had euthanized and cremated at that hospital cost around $400 - $450. Being retired, now, there was just no way - that is a lot of money. So after the vet euthanized her, he helped me put her in my car and I drove her to the crematorium. They charged a very reasonable price ($140.) and I got her ashes back as well. The total cost of the euthanasia and cremation was $231. And, most important to me.......I have her ashes.

Hmm right i have also a dog and last time my dog have died so i also took a decision to make a cremation for my pet and its really so reasonable.Here i will say in some other time if you want more info about creamtion so just have a look of my site http://www.Shurdenjackson.com

Two experiences come to mind on this topic. The bad one-I noticed a cat along the road in Greenwood, Indiana and stopped to see what was wrong with it. It was in bad shape, really near death as it was laying in the ditch, covered in mud as it was raining, and had sometime in the past few months had a leg amputated, so I scooped it up and ran in to a nearby vet clinic to ask if they would euthanize it, that I would pay for it as it was suffering greatly even though it wasn't my cat. The vet gave it the injection, didn't give it enough so had to give it a second shot, then they gave me the bill for $90! I was shocked, you would think they would have charged me maybe cost of the medicine, even $50 would have been ok. I would never go there again as they showed their true colors--green the color of money.
The good experience--I have taken 2 very old cats on separate ocassions to an emergency clinic on the east side of Indianapolis during weekend hours when my regular vet was closed, to have them euthanized as they were suffering too much to wait until Monday morning. Both times they were wonderful, very compassionate and only charged me about $55 each time which is for the sedation shot and the euthanasia shot (we live in the country so I bring them home to bury them). They did not try to get me to do tests, etc, as it was obvious the cats were not going to live. There was another emergency clinic I considered going to that was closer to my house, however I called and asked first, both times, if the vet or a tech puts them to sleep and both times was told that at this closer clinic the techs always do the euthanasias. I am sure techs are trained, but I still want a veterinarian putting my pets to sleep. You must always ask that question.

I have had a 15-year relationship through 2 dogs with my vet and when my beloved husky had to be euthanized due to cancer, the office, my vet and the techs went above and beyond. I was so thankful we had a little time to plan and I didn't have to take him to an emergency vet who didn't know us.

They cried with me and were so gentle during the euthanasia and not only did they not ask for payment that day (they said they would bill me as this wasn't the time to worry about it), when I got the bill, they had waived all the charges except for $20 worth of meds/supplies and the cremation (which was only about $150). When I picked up his ashes, they had done a pawprint clay impression and gave me a river rock with his name engraved on it - no charge. And they also made a donation to the local shelter in his honor. Relationships are everything.

I resent your using the expression "ashy vestige of it's former self. I lost my MOST BELOVED Buffy in Jan 2009. She had to be put to sleep due to the amount of pain she was in caused by bone cancer that was discovered to late. It was THE HARDEST thing I have ever done in my life. It hurt worse than anything I have ever experienced. The hurt is just as strong today. To me, it was a merciful way for her to go to sleep. The vet and her staff treated her with the utmost respect, and cried right along with me. I know what creation is and what happens. I think it is cold and uncaring to use such a description to identify what happens when our loved ones are put to sleep. Loving vets are concerned only with their patients and their owners. Please be more careful when choosing your words.

Dear Doc Patty,
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Humans treat their pets awful enough - penny pinching vet visits because they don't have/want to spend the money. I see too many pets suffering as folks wait for Fluffy to just keel over and die rather than help end the suffering because they don't want to spend the money.

I understand the vet needs to make a living and the routine visit costs. But it costs me a minimum of $350 a visit for a senior without meds and I run a small rescue. Living in a large metropolitan area, the costs don't get much better. Thank you for personalizing your services.

I euthanized my cat last spring at my vet's office. I can't remember what I paid but I'm sure it was reasonable. I paid to have him cremated but did not request ashes or separate cremation. In my county, it is illegal to bury a pet unless at a pet cemetery so taking the pet home is not an option.

I'm sure I saw somewhere the county reduced the cost of euthanasia in their schedule of fees at DuPage (IL) County Animal Care and Control. I looked up their fees in their fee schedule and it is Animal under 30 lb,,,$50. animal over 30 lb $75. Cost for a nonresident of the county...$100.

It would be cheaper to surrender the animal...$20.

I still think it is cheaper today as there has been a lot of unemployment in the area despite this being one of the wealthiest counties in the nation.

Dottie: I absolutely understand your distaste. Please forgive...from one lover of her pets' ashes to another.

My husband was out of work for all of 2009. Our sweet 17 yr old Silky Terrier Chipper, became ill late on a Friday. He went from not being able to poop to not able to poop, peep he was throwingup and my husband saw him actually fall over in the back yard. At that point I said, "It's time he's suffering and that's not fair".
We took him to the Emergency vet and had him put to sleep. They did NOT charge us all the fees you listed.
No vet looked at him, they just gave him the injection. Here in Indianapolis they have a group cremation program. The pets are cremated and spread over a flower garden.
Our total was $50.00

My vets have been wonderful over many years and many pets at the time of their death, natural or of necessity, euthanasia.

For humans it can get far worse. A fiend's husband died, and the hospital would not release the body until she paid the bill in full. That bill was in the thousands of dollars. Then comes the cost of providing a funeral. There is pressure to buy the best casket, the best limo, the best of every thing for your loved one! Next is finding the best interment site for you beloved eternal rest. My mother-in-law paid $8000 for the cases, there were two wakes and funeral service, one in Florida and the other in Michigan. It cost $10,000 to fly Dad's remains to Michigan, his home state. People are in a state of shock, and are often sedated so they can get through the process. Many times these consumers are in such shock (physical and emotional), that the blithely sign contracts, which when the itemized statements will include additional items such as the costs of embalming and cleaning the deceased, transport to the mortuary, every element in the funeral they provide. The total cost following death can be into the thousands of dollars. Given my Mother's wishes, she died at home, Hospice care her last 3 weeks of life. Mother wanted cremation. The cost of removal of the body, transportation to the mortuary in another city, and return of cremains by mail came to just under $1,000.

Back pet deaths, I finally got the courage to go with my pets and stay with them, and stroking them until it was over. When my dog died, someone at the clinic made a plaster cast of Snoopy's paw at no extra charge, just an extremely kind thoughtful gift which I truly appreciate. I think owners should be encouraged to be present when they have a beloved pet, a member of their family euthanized. It's not scary, but may be a tearful experience, The comfort veterinarians give is a real blessing.

Thank you for "hearing" me out. God bless you for your compassion and care of our pets and their owners.

Sincerely,
Gini Hostman

Taking the animal to animal control to save money- what a horrible thing to do! In my county, owner surrenders are kept for a minimum of 24 hours before they euthanize, and they don't euthanize on weekends (so an animal surrendered on a Friday is left until Monday). Meanwhile the animal is in a very stressful environment, confused and wondering why he/she has been abandoned and will die in a stranger's arms. Is that really what you want for your beloved pet, just to save a few dollars?

When I had to put down my beloved 14 year old lab mix last year, I took her to my regular vet who had cared for her for most of her life. It as a traumatic but necessary experience made much easier by the compassion of my wonderful vet.

When I went to pay the bill, they said there would be no charge. They took care of her in life & they would take care of her in death. What a blessing! That act of kindness was so appreciated at a very difficult time.

I will never switch vets. So, no, you are not doing something wrong....you're doing right by your clients which is ALWAYS the right thing to do!

I know that having county authorities euthanize animals to save a few dollars is not the best choice for the animal. What worries me is that some people who do not have money as they have been out of work for a long time, might not take an animal to be euthanized at all. Euthanasia stops suffering. Sometimes the government is the place of last resort for poor people and suffering animals. Saving a few dollars is important if a few dollars is all you have.

When I look at the fees my county charges to euthanize an animal, I ask myself if the fee is too high for some poor people. Because if it is, I worry that the suffering animal might be left to die at home. Or worse.

People go to the county as they have few other options.

"Sometimes the government is the place of last resort for poor people and suffering animals. Saving a few dollars is important if a few dollars is all you have."

You make a good point, Patricia. Thank you for sharing your point of view!

The day after Christmas we had to take my son's dog to the emergency vet (he had a bladder stone stuck in his urethra). Because we did not have the $5000 dollars that they wanted to remove it, and would not be allowed to make payments, we have to have a beautiful dog euthanized. To add insult to injury, we were not able to have a private cremation (which my son really wanted) because it would have been an additional $200 above and beyond the normal cost of the euthanasia and cremation. The total cost for the euthanizing, cremation and disposal? $565 and we didn't even get his leash back. But, it was a really pretty vet hospital...................

a few months ago i had to put my dog to sleep. the vet charged $75. reasonable to me for this. there is only 1 pet cemetary in our area and they wanted $350 if i got him back in a plain box. then they have group cremation for $100. i did that, he was too big for me to bury in my backyard with everybody else but i sure was hoping to be able to bring him back and scatter his ashes over the land he loved to run and play in.

I certainly sympathize with everyone who has had to go through the inevitably painful process of saying good-bye to a loved pet. From the other side of the table...euthanasia, especially done in-room with owners present, are one of the most emotionally stressful things that are done in a veterinary hospital. It takes more time and emotional energy than a typical office visit. Frequently these are done by a pet we haven't seen in years. I don't see why we should be expected to do an office visit at no charge, or not charge for cremation (albeit, the charges should be reasonable). There is certainly no comparison to similar charges from a human mortuary...we'd be talking thousands minimum.

You stated it yourself.. "one of the most emotionally stressful things". It would seem that a bit of compassion on the part of the you the vet would also insure continued clients in the future. Sure you need a fee of course, but here at least, many vets euthanasia fee is a simple one, no matter the pet or the size, quite reduced from the standard office visit "build a bill" list. What I have a hard time fathoming is the profit/greed factor that surrounds death of a pet. But not unlike human morticians, I suppose vets are probably with hands out as well. BTW, re: human cremations aren't nearly that expensive. My pops was under $1000, everything included.