Veterinary Clinic - Chest X-rays for Malamute - Less expensive alternatives?

[zipdoa]

I've been referred to Western Veterinary clinic to get some chest x-rays done on my Malamute. He's had a persistent productive cough for about a week, and after being on anti-biotics and anti-inflammatory drugs for 5 days, he shows no improvement.

I was given the heads up that an x-ray alone will cost $500, plus treatment, plus diagnosis etc etc etc. Not really looking to drop thousands if I can avoid it, but at the same time I'm not really interested in risking my pups life!

Any tips for less expensive clinics? I've heard rural clinics are a better deal, but will they have the equipment necessary?

Thanks beyond!

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/10900191_10152929024685874_4081238342826313655_o.jpg

[nzwasp]

Everything I've heard about that clinic is that they charge a huge amount for everything.

In saying that I had fish creek vet give my dog a ultrasound and it cost me around $500.

I really like Mcknight Vet for the price they charge for things for instance my dog ate a corn cob and he had his stomach pumped twice and an xray and they charged me around $200 (incl afterhours fee)

[Strider]

Try Rocky Ridge Pet Hospital... My dog had some dental extractions with x-rays there after I got some insane quotes elsewhere.

[thinmyster]

We had chest X-rays done on our chihuahua at dewinton pet hospital and it was significantly cheaper. Maybe 200$? Although switching vets you'll probably need to pay for another checkup

[The_Penguin]

Western are great, but yes, really expensive.
We've been using Fish Creek Pet Hospital for years, the staff there are very good.
Maybe not the least expensive but should be better than Western by a fair bit.

[bjstare]

I've had good luck at Beddington Animal hospital - great docs and very inexpensive. Having said that, I'm not sure if they offer x-rays, but it's worth calling them to see.

[jhmed]

I can't comment on costs for vet services and the reason is: Pet insurance is amazing. Had our dog on it since she was 10wks old, and at 5.5yo they've paid out more than we've paid in premiums. Makes these surprises a little less costly. Our vet even direct bills.

[Gripenfelter]

My cousin runs Copperfield Veterinary Hospital.

15566 McIvor Blvd SE #115, Calgary

(403) 532-9192

Dr. Rajbir Sandhu.

Him and his wife run it.

Tell him his cousin Grip from Winnipeg sent you.

I have a Malamute too.

He REALLY knows his shit and I'm not just saying that. He is always bang on. He's found mistakes that my vet here in Winnipeg has made. He's also a highly respected surgeon.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/santa_zpsynqszlia.jpg

[killramos]

Do you know what they are looking for on the x Ray?

Because giving him drugs is the cheap way of treating. If they are looking for a defect or a congenital problem or something none of those are going to be reasonable costs to fix.

A family member (different city) went through something similar recently and it comes to the point of if you are looking for something like cancer are you even willing to treat it if you find it?

Something to think about.

Hope he gets better.

[sr20s14zenki]

It's way out but try giving nagel vet clinic in Crossfield. They have always been good to my mom. (she does lots of horse stuff)

[mazdavirgin]

Western is probably the best pet hospital in southern Alberta. They are well equipped to handle a variety of things that most other vets don't have the means to handle. It's like the difference between going to your GP and going to see a specialist. However yeah it's going to cost you an arm and a leg. :dunno:

The thing to recall here is Western is not a clinic. So it's not like going to see a vet. It's a full on comprehensive facility with many different specialist on site.

If you got referred there it's quite possible either the problem is odd enough or complex enough most other places won't be able to handle it in the first place.

[spikerS]

Get better soon Noa!

On a side note, the kids are asking when they can puppy-sit Noa again Mike.

[BlueHaloGirl]

I really like McKnight Pet Emergency.
I have dealt with them a few times now with lacerations on my dogs foot. Both for staples and stiches, they are great and not to pricey.

I recommend pet insurance though if you haven't done so yet. Honestly is worth it. May not seem like it when your paying $70/month but I only had to pay $200 instead of $600 for this last go around with the stiches in my dogs paw pad. They also cover any follow up due to the same injury so instead of $45 for re-bandage I paid $3. Best part is Trupanion is a direct bill!!!!