$$ Compare Your Vets

[Angelic Vampyre 0]

I was talking to someone today about the cost of vets and I decided to do a bit of research. I have three bird vets around me and so I rang and asked what a new pet consutation and wing clips would cost, here are the results

 

Vet 1

$60 for consultation

$10 for wing clip (but you have to have the consultation)

$47 for poo smear

$66 for diease test

 

Total - $183

 

Vet 2

$49.50 For consultation, wingclip, poo smear and crop flush

 

Total $49.50

 

Vet 3

$49.95 for Consultation

$28.00 (approx depending on how the bird behaves) for wing clipp

Unknown for extra test she could not tell me and it would depend on the bird

 

Total $77.95 minimum

 

BIG Difference so it pays to shop around (I am lucky I have a car and have the choice) however the cheapest vet is only open from 9 - 5 monday to friday so I can't see them due to work, vet 3 is a good 1/2 hour away and then sometimes you don't end up seeing the vet that has the bird qualifications just others that have experience and they charge extra for weekends and vet one is down the road works late (open till 8pm some nights) and works both sat & sunday at no extra cost.

 

Anyway I just thought you guys might find that intresting.

[jwancia 0]

I go to vet 2! ( I think it must be my vet )

[Angelic Vampyre 0]

I am sure you do as it's sort of from your area. I am sure most people can work out which vets I am talking about. I normally use vet 1 as they are 5 mins down the road and they do give me a bit of a discount or we work things out for my Budgies but I have decided to try vet 2 and got Elmo (my King Parrot) an app there next week on one of my days off. However I must say I like the way vet 1 handles my birds and also the bird vet at vet three is also really good so will have to see how vet 2 goes. (anyone else confused with my code?)

[LILBABYBUDGIES 0]

wow it looks like it pays off to do your research. awesome ill take note of that so one day i can reseach myself :hi:

 

xx Elise xx

[Angelic Vampyre 0]

If you want to know who these vets are (they are pretty much the three known bird vets in Melbourne) PM me and I will send the details. I just did not want to be seen quoting their prices incase it cages in the future or I heard wrong or they quoted wrong.

[LILBABYBUDGIES 0]

no problem. ill pm you if needed. its great to know i can have a reliable vet if needed

[jwancia 0]

Vet 2 is lovely! They used to do my dogs (yes my one eyed cavie!) before they became a bird vet. I love them to pieces, they areso gentle and lovely!

[Angelic Vampyre 0]

I have heard this from other owners (my sisters boyfriends mum who has always had budgies) but cause the others where closer to where I lived I went there however with my ever growing population it might be wise to chase the cheaper vet if they are just as good.

[Elly 0]

I find that our vet prices will vary from city to city also, it is actually sad to see such a huge difference.

[RIPbudgies 0]

You will find the price variables will be due to a number of things.

 

1. Location - High rent prices in desirable suburbs. High rates also if building is owned.

 

2. Size of Practice - The more people employed, the more wages to be paid. But having said that sometimes this is a good thing as more people to care for animals which is then reflected in a higher standard of care.

 

3. Experience - Some vets just starting out may price low to attract new customers. On the other hand some are not money hungry.

 

In my past experience seeking veterinary care for my many past persuits with dogs, cats, horses and birds I pick the one who first and foremost cares about the animals without being too expensive. Those who more involved in a certain animal's persuit will generally be more pliable to that particular animal. So if you want a good budgie vet find one who is really into birds. There are vets out there who have preferances. It's your job to find them.

 

As far as wing clipping you can do it yourself. Poop tests also can be carried out by yourself. Get a microscope and good book on what parasites look like. Also keep your birds in a controlled situation and don't chuck a new-comer straight into an aviary. Quarantine all new birds.

[JimmyBanks 0]

Welcome RIPbudgies...

[RIPbudgies 0]

JimmyBanks

[Neat 0]

Wow ..

 

Here Avain Vet is

 

$48 Consultation will include poo smears, crop washes etc the Works

apart from blood test - that can be up to $50 if you want a disease tested

 

$10 wing clip is No need for consult fees

[Sailorwolf 0]

Well for me my vet consultation is free

Wing clipping is free (because I do it myself)

10% off all prices

And if you are exceptionally lucky it becomes a teaching case, and it is much much less. This is a rare occurence and I think it only happened to me, because my pet was a bird with very unusual clinical signs and because our country has so many rare birds, that I think knowledge gained from his case was used to help our wildlife.

 

But this is only because I'm a vet student.

Edited December 18, 2008 by Sailorwolf

[Angelic Vampyre 0]

$28 bucks for a Budgies wing clip is alot however I would be happy to pay that for Elmo as clipping his wings is a two person job with protective gear! Sometimes I think that some vets (like some Drs) take people for a ride with costs and other times I can see the justification. My Dr is in a high priced area and is VERY good so I pay the extra to see him but it is always good to have choices.

[**Liv** 0]

My vet charges $55 for the consultation including poo smears and most basic on the spot tests. They were really friendly and were happy to teach me how to crop feed and allowed me to take 2 birds for the cost of one.

 

Wing clips are free because i do them myself - i can do up to tiel sized birds on my own.

[Chrysocome 0]

I know who AV's vets are as well.

 

My own fees are exactly the same as SW's. I assume you'd have to pay lab fees as well though?

At one of the vets above, my medications are at cost price (versus 10% off at the uni) but I have to do the extra long drive (1.5 hours).

[melbournebudgies 0]

I don't know about the cost of specifics at my vet but I saw him today and spent about 1/2 hour with him looking my lorikeet over because she has developed swelling on one side of her face. He suggested an antibiotic which I happen to have at home already so all he charged was the consultation fee of $26.50 which is his standard 'small animal' rate. He is EXCELLENT with birds and very knowledgable, he explained to me the ins and outs of a bird sinus today and the various possibilities that could be causing the swelling.

 

I don't pay for wing clips and have clipped birds up to galah size on my own, I would be happy to do my corellas if needs be but I don't want to as I hope to breed them.

[Sailorwolf 0]

Yeah, we have to pay lab fees

[jwancia 0]

Thanks to work i have had alot of experience doing wing clips. Ive can do budgies to major mitchelle's

[thk 0]

I posted some weeks ago about Charley's vet visit here in Brisbane. Cost me an unexpected $185 for wing clip and "health check", very similar to your "Vet no. 1". I was a little annoyed as when I phoned for a 'quote' they told me only that the wing clip would be $16 and then asked would I like a health check as well. My own fault for not asking first how much extra but I just presumed it would be reasonable, say around $50.. however I felt $185 a little steep for a mere "check up" and wing clip! I'm seriously thinking now of trying the other well known avian vet here in Brisbane, and I will make sure I ask "how much" before hand so that I know what I'm up for. I have no problem of course paying for any treatment my little man needs but I do prefer to be given a ROUGH idea beforehand of how much it would cost, and they made no attempt to inform me.

Edited December 20, 2008 by thk

[Sailorwolf 0]

Ugh. How annoying!

[melbournebudgies 0]

Personally I'd be calling the other vet and asking for a quote for the same thing the vet charged you for and then if there is a massive difference calling your first vet back and asking them to explain why such a big fee diff.

 

Just me though and I like to stir things up

[christine 0]

George's dirty beak cost me about $100 today - but that included a poo smear. I suspect I was at vet 1. For a face wash it was expensive, but I have been to my local vet - nice guy and great with dogs and cats but useless with budgies. You might as well just drop off the money and keep driving for all the advice he can give.

[melbournebudgies 0]

Huh, just looked at my vet's invoice from my bird check up yesterday, it was actually only $24.75.