Vet prices in your area.

[mdavenport0121]

What are your vet prices in your area? It's outrageous here in North Texas. I have used one three times now and have spent about $170. This vet is across from the cattle sale barn. They treat cows and horses as well. There is another one that is a little cheaper, but they don't mess with goats.

CL test (I took a sample in that I took out of the goat) $62, the test came back negative, hallelujah.
Fecal test $24
Tube a kid that was dehydrated and gave me coccidia meds $85

With goat prices here, I can get a non-registered boer nanny for $150. It's almost feasible to let the goat die and use the money I would use on the vet to go get a new one. I see a lot of people recommending taking fecal to a vet and going to the vet every time there seems to be something just a little bit wrong. Prices for goats must be high in your area and the vet must be cheap.

 

[Catahoula]

Is there any Veterinarian Teaching Hospital in your area? They are usually the most reasonable. Vet in our area is not cheap either but it is a little cheaper than taking the dog in. I think many people learn to treat their own goats because finding a goat vet is not easy either. Fecal for my goat at the vet is $36, at the teaching hosp is $10. I got my own equipment now so I will learn to do it and do it myself. I give the CD&T too. If you can take blood sample, you can send samples to lab yourself and order different tests and it is a lot cheaper. For some people, it is cheaper to let the goats die and get new ones. As for price of goats, an unregistered boer doeling cost about $150... I hope my goats will stay healthy but I would take them to the vet if I have to.

 

[AshleyFishy]

Vet fecals in my area are $10.

Tubing cost really depends on the situation... I've had him tube for free before.

You really should look into doing your own fecals. You can get a microscope from about $75

It is super easy, you really only need to look the crawly and check if it looks like picture A-C etc.

Here ya go

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/fecals.htm

 

[Moonshine]

I was just going to recommend fiasco farms. I have talked to the different people I have bought my goats from and none of them gave shots. I love all my animals but if its something I can't take care of myself I'm sure they will die. After reading all I have, if a vet can't get to your goat within about 24 hours they go down hill pretty fast. I do plan to get my own microscope and do my own testing and my LGD will stay current on her shots. I'd hate to lose one but I'm not gonna go in the hole trying to save one either. I've heard of people spending $1000+ on their dogs (ex: to remove cataracs only to have their dog die a month later of old age) in one visit and that's just crazy to me.

 

[AshleyFishy]

I agree with you. I spent $5000+ for my jumping horse at the time to fix his ankle. They fused it anyway in the end and he became a pasture ornament for two years before I sold him for NOTHING as a trail horse. Lesson learned.

Goats can go from fine to dead in a snap. I would hate to expend more than the goat is worth. Unless it is just my favorite goat in the world. Even then the cut off is about $300 with a 50/50 chance.

 

[bcnewe2]

You learn over time to do most of your own vetting or it gets really expensive. That being said my vet isn't expensive. He's an older gentlemen who isn't still paying for school or a huge nice new office. Tons of experience. My last trip ended up in putting the tiny lamb down and with meds to take home for other sheep it cost me $21.00 total.
I love my farm vet! He will spay my lgd when she's ready for 150.00 with an overnight stay included.
I live near St. Louis MO

 

[Allison]

My dad had a heifer go for a c-section this spring. He brought it to the clinic so the vet didn't have to come to the farm...still cost nearly $500 (about an hours work) We're in SE Manitoba.

 

[CritterZone]

We have to haul our animals 2 hours to the nearest large animal vet, so, we only take the large animals in when we have to. The good news is, the large animal vet we use isn't horribly expensive. I had a colt gelded who was a crypt orchid. Several vets I called wanted thousands to do the surgery; our vet did it for $650 and we had excellent results. We had a horse get pigeon fever, however, instead of localizing in his chest like normal, the abscesses localized in his sheath so we weren't sure what was wrong with him. We had to make 3 trips, but the treatment cost me less than $100, including meds. We have been really lucky and our sheep have been healthy, or we have been able to treat them ourselves. We have also been able to treat most of our horse injuries ourselves. I really like the vet I use. He has a low tech clinic, and he recognizes that we are not rich. He gives you the facts about your animals, and doesn't treat you like a POS if you choose euthanasia.

 

[Fluffygal]

I live around Conroe Tx and have only been able to find 1 vet that sees goats.
I did have fecals done December 2012 that cost $25. The prices seem fair compared to what you would pay for a dog or cat. Pet vets are definitely more expensive cus there are so many people willing to pay more for their pets.

I had to take Fiona in due to an ear infection in May (can't remember how much I paid on that visit) and Clover n Cotton were taken recently over some concerns and given CD&T shots as the lady I got them from never gave them the shots, their visit was $40. They are all doing well. My goats are like pets to me so I don't mind taking them in if it is necessary. My goat herd is only 5 goats that I am already attached to.
Daisy (LGD) is a big investment as she is to protect the goats and chickens, therefore, she will be kept up on all shots.

I think it is only going to get harder in finding good Vets at reasonable prices the things keep going up. I am not good at shot giving and am pretty squimish about needles; but, am willing to learn if I have to. Right now I can afford to take them to the Vet when needed.

My poor chickens are just up the creek if something happens to them as no one sees chickens. Kinda ruff when you have favorite pets in the flock that would break your heart if anything happened to them. They are the most under appreciated pets a person can have.

 

[SheepGirl]

I have been very fortunate because the only reason my vet's been called out was for MD intrastate health papers. $50 farm call + $25 for the papers. If any of my sheep get a temperature (have about one/year), I will give them Pen G but I will also ask for additional advice occasionally from my vet who gives me free info over the phone.

Otherwise I do everything myself.