LaRenegade

Cost difference of crop -
Louisiana quoted $175- vet done many and all good results
Sarasota Fl quoted $250
Naples Fl quoted $475
Naples Fl quoted $350 but ended up charging $420

I just had my pup cropped and the procedure was supposed to cost $350! The explaination was $46 for the evaluation of the pup and if decision is to crop the $46 goes toward the $350 so I would owe the balance of $304.

Then actually what occured the next day was:
$350 for the procedure
+ $25 for pain meds consisting of 2 pills broke in half
+ $20 for the plastic collar to protect from scratching
+ $30 for heartworm bloodwork= (even though pup was already on heartworm preventitive combo flea wormer meds)

TOTAL OF $425 The assistant said I owed $350 plus 25 + 20 + 30 I didn't tell her she added incorrectly or gave $5 off since I was originally quoted $350 for the entire deal, and paid the $420.

Be warned if you go to a vet you do not know, and keep up with what you are told and charged for.
As a warning confirming the price is necessary due to their breaking down and itemizing the cost to run up the bill. In this case the vet was trying to charge one amount and the assistant was charging more saying another total. Then on top of that when I returned as instructed two days after for the first wrap change since the pup was irritated and hurting the vet tried to charge $20 for 6 more pain pills. He was hurting and 1 day supply was not nearly enough meds.

When the vet added up the amount I had paid and he realized I had paid more than he had quoted for the procedure, He rudly slammed 6 pills he wanted to charge $20 for on the counter and yelled here is your "free pills", like I was getting them for free when actually I had paid in excess of the cost! To think that a vet would perform surgery and then not give the patient enough medicine to last thru the pain period shows me that the care of the dog is not the main concern in this case.

Also in the matter of the heartworm test the vet said he didn't do it. I told him I paid for it, $30, then the assistant said she didn't charge for it. I stressed they were telling two different things and to add up my paid money. Then looking at my pups leg the hair was shaved where the blood was drawn and the vet then 'REMEMBERS' that he did do bloodwork, seeing the hair gone. I told the vet I purchased my hertworm meds from Omaha Vaccine and he wanted them to fax their form for him to order my heartworm meds and that he would fill that out for the order rather than give me a perscription for it. As of yet he has not returned the fax to Omaha Vaccine for the prescription for the heartworm meds. Remember I paid $30 for test at his order, but the assistant tried to say it was not done. I will see if he has ordered the heartworm meds this coming week before further action.

What a nightmare here in Naples, Florida.
Has anyone had any problems like this?
What are the meds usually given when ears are cropped ?
How aout any tips on healing?
Do you use an ointment like neosporin, bactrim on the area when changing the wraps?

How long do the ears normally take to heal?
Any recommendations would be appreciated that might help.
I now am reconsidering ear cropping in the future.

Thanks for any info or reply.
LaRenegade