Cost friendly vet recommendations?

Submitted by Good-Carpet4251 t3_126d0hu in baltimore

We currently go to Eastern Animal Hospital but feel like we are raked over the coals financially every time we go. Even for minor issues or routine check ups, it feels like we are pressured into spending hundreds on unnecessary tests. Or they will run the tests and want to re-run them "just to be sure". Does anyone else have this experience?

Any recommendations for vets in the area (preferably near Canton but willing to drive) that don't overprice / upsell?

7

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

snow_banksy t1_je9ieyp wrote

I have had a great experience at Eastern Animal Hospital, they’ve never asked to re-do tests or asked for any that felt unnecessary. I always said yes or no to the non-mandatory vaccines, there was a time I brought her in for a lump that was gone when we went in and they didn’t request any tests and we just went on our way. Her prescriptions are pricey from there but the pharmacy there worked with me to get them called into Walgreens so I can afford them with GoodRX coupons compared to the vet pharmacy.

however, in december my dog’s medicine price changed and i asked why. they said they adjust their prices annually for inflation. i didn’t love hearing that, but i’ve been so far happy with the level of care my dog has gotten there and i never felt there was a single extra test or procedure requested. the only one i hesitated on was a check-up bcs i’d never done one for my dog but ultimately i just lined it up with an appointment for her medication and did them both at the same time, knocking the price way down.

best of luck!! :-) i hope you like the future vet!

1

BarbaraBeans t1_je9jbej wrote

Belvedere Veterinary Center also tries to do tons of unnecessary tests and upcharge the hell out of you. They are awful. Last time I went because my cat was vomiting, they recommended all these unnecessary tests and make you feel bad for rejecting it. I ultimately paid $1200 for a few tests which showed nothing. Fuck them. My cat was fine by the next day.

I've since been to much better facilities and they've not come remotely close to charging me $1200 for a visit (my cat has a yearly vomiting fit it seems)

As for a cheap facility: 🤷‍♂️

1

WhiskeyDickCheney t1_je9x62l wrote

Beltway Animal Hospital is the best vet I've ever been to, and they're incredibly inexpensive. I had a cat with a bladder infection who I dropped off for an all day observation and got ten days worth of antibiotics - the total cost was $45. And on a few occasions the vet told me as I was leaving my appointment to not even stop by the front desk on my way out since I wasn't there long enough to justify the visit fee. They're about a 20 minute drive from Canton if you can swing it.

4

PitchFormal921 t1_je9xf21 wrote

Ive always heard great things about Aardmore but whenever I've called they aren't taking new patients. I go to Belvedere which is a bit more expensive in comparison but all the vets and techs are quality. I really do not suggest Erdman, especially if you're taking a dog

3

Ok_Spray_2317 t1_jeab69m wrote

I really love City Pets in Federal Hill- we moved out of downtown and I tried a few other places (Mt. Washington and Belvedere) but ended up going back to City Pets- I don't know that they are cheaper necessarily but definitely always seem conscious of cost- they give the price before doing things and don't push or make you feel bad if you want to skip or wait on expensive things. https://www.citypetsvet.com

1

wesoloski t1_jealk61 wrote

Replying to Ok_Spray_2317 (#2,488,575)

Similar story - moved out of Fed and kept going to City pets for a while, then got tired of going into the city for it, went to Paradise in Catonsville, then ended up back at City Pets.

I will say that scheduling emergency visits into City Pets is very difficult. They stay very booked and are closed Sunday and Monday. Great for all the normal upkeep, but most urgent matters we go back to Paradise.

1

PigtownDesign t1_jeb0t5b wrote

The SPCA has a neighborhood vet clinic. They were closed during the pandemic, but look to be open now. They give you the cost of everything up front. They also have clinics for shots and spay/neuter. One year, they did a holiday special for spay/neuter/shots/nails. Merry Christmas, puppy!!!

1

ahbagelxo t1_jeb6cn3 wrote

I've always had positive expriences at Harbor View Veterinary Hospital! It's in Canton and I have never felt upsold. I recently took my cat to Eastern for an urgent care situation and despite nothing serious being wrong in the end, spent $1400 💀 I was willing to do it to ensure he was okay, but I also decided to get pet insurance because that sum flattened me. Oof.

3

Paramedic-Optimal t1_jec168w wrote

Erdman animal hospital has really dropped the ball. They told me 3x to come and pick my dog up after surgery. All three times he was not ready and they sent me home.

They then diagnosed my moms cat with cancer and my mom took it home. When she came back to euthanize it they tried to tell her it wasn’t cancer. Proceeded to stab the cat over 5x to get an iv put in and it was really sad for the cats last time being alive.

1