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

greenkouki

A nightmare is right. Sounds like a real nickel and dime operation rather than an honest veterinary practice. It's really unfortunate that after all that the vet didn't offer any real aftercare advice for you. I would write them a letter expressing your concern and see if they can refund you, of course, supplement any previous quotes etc. Hopefully you are at least pleased with how the crop turned out

whitecat

I have never had problems like you are describing. The main reason I havenn't is that all my Doberman puppies came from breeders who cropped the whole litter before any went to their new homes. This is far easier on both the puppies and the new owners, and the breeders know who to get to crop their litters that will do a good job.

What was the evaluation for? The only reason I've known for a pup not to be cropped with the rest of its litter was if a puppy was sickly and not considered strong enough for the surgery.

None of my puppies were ever given pain meds after cropping nor did they seem to need them. None of them ever wore an ecollar/cone after cropping, and they didn't need them.

clipclop

Wow that is absolutely a nightmare of an experience. So sorry that you went through all that. Did you pay with a credit card? If so, you can dispute the charges under the chargeback code services NOT rendered. Its worth it to teach this guy a lesson.

velmadobe

I just had a whole litter cropped this week - here is my experience:

I was advised of most of the costs up front, and this is not my regular vet (who does not do crops) - some things just come up so you deal with that.

- Litter exam

- hospitalization for one day

- cut back of nails - optional procedure but it helps a lot with scratching if there are no long nails to scratch with!

- one tail fixed

- medical waste fee

- neopredef powder

- Antibiotic

- Crop for 5 puppies

They were given pain meds the day of surgery, but none after. They do not have any Elizabethian collars either. Their ears are all on cups with the edges exposed. They have some gauze around the cup that is taken off the next day.

By the day after surgery, they are back to eating fine and doing some playing. The ears seem to be more itchy than anything and I don't notice a lot of discomfort - more just getting used to the thing on their head - LOL!

Three were done on Wednesday but then the weather caused a power outage and the last two were done on Friday. The three done on Wednesday are pretty much back to normal but still a little itchy. I saw a couple of them within a 1/2 hour of waking up from the surgery - they take awhile to come out of it, but perked up much faster than I was anticipating.

The cost for doing a whole litter is different than for doing just one dog for an individual. I drove 1 1/2 hours each direction to have my litter done by one of the top croppers in the USA.

By the time they go to their homes, some will still be on cups but will have someone experienced in place to help them with posting. At least one will be staying with me till the stitches are out and the ears in posts - that puppy will be coming to me for posting. None of the people getting a puppy will have to deal with anything more than posting an already cropped puppy.......... and they will have help with the posting.

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alwayshadpets

What an unhappy experience. Best to get a cropped puppy from a good caring breeder. Having to go with a crop on your own is not worth it.
Hope the end result turns out ok for you.

vegaslove

Sounds like a nightmare situation. Hope this is not your regular vet. I'd be looking for new services elsewhere. From the sounds of this, it won't be getting any better, especially if there is hard feelings from both sides and not much communication.

JenTN

I don't have any advice, I just wanted to say that if my vet ever suggests any treatement over the normal office visit, they print and have me sign an estimate.

When I had a cat with an abdominal obstruction, the estimate was itemized and had everything including the collar, meds, x-rays, and it ended up being less than the estimate. Always ask for something in writing, IMO.

LaRenegade

Hello all and thanks for the replies. Could I get some guidance here.
Almadobe, you mentioned some things I hoped you could elaborate on.
1. "Their ears are all on cups with the edges exposed. They have some gauze around the cup that is taken off the next day."
I have not seen the cup method of positioning since around 1970 but remember that as the way my vet did it for our two dobes in the 1970's. The vet here has the ears wrapped like this:
Makes a roll out of 4X4 gauze into the shape like a tampon and sticks one end into the ear and then completely wrap the entire ear with 3 inch med tape. After each is wrapped he tapes both ears together.
My thoughts are the wounds are not getting air because they are so tightly and completely wrapped in tape and I am concerned the cartlidge may be bent or not straight which I have seen other dogs with ears that were not matched straight up. I am thinking the ears need to be spread open and taped close as possible to the alert and straight position and the edges or cuts covered only with gauze so air but no dirt can allow them to heal quicker.
2. I am giving him starting today, 4 day post-op the following:
Antibiotics- ? dosage and name. I'm going with Amoxicillin 250mg 2 x day.
Anybody got comments?
Baby Aspirin 80mg 2 x day, no more than 3 a day and give it with a malox to protect the stomach.
3. Have Torbutrol 5mg for pain I gave him 1/2 tab(2.5mg) yesterday and last night when he was constantly uncomfortable.
4. Benedryl gel- I applied the gel that dries fast but helps with itching all around the base of his ears where the tape stops. Not to any area open.

After 15 or 20 minutes he calms down and is able to relax and sleep some. Otherwise he sits there trying to scratch snd barks wanting me to scratch for him. I can imagine the feeling. His left ear seems to be irritating him the most and that one was the one that I am concerned about as it had the edges open.

I am changing the bandages today and would like to try to do it the cup method. Can anyone describe, picture of, or tell me how to do the cup method of holding the ears. If I remember you hold the cup centered and tape the ears staight up on the side of the cup. What I don't remember is how much they are taped. Do you try to leave them open to air or completely cover them in tape?
If the cut edges of one ear are not scabbed over after 4 days I am concerned about infection. He was not put on antibiotic so I am starting Amoxicillin 250mg 2 x day. Also giving a 80mg baby asprin 2 x day. At four days post-op he is still constantly trying to scratch his ears. Anyone have a timeline on the healing?
Neosporin/Bactraban- Should it be applied lightly to the open/edges etc of the ear? One ear seemed to have the ear skin pulled all the way to the ear edge but the one that itches him the most appeared to have wider stitches an had left areas that the skin was not completely out to the ear edge. Will hair grow there or should I try to use a steri-strip and close the small open cuts like a tape stitch?
All comments are appreciated.

Later,
LaRenegade

StarlaineK9

..and people wonder why even a "pet" goes for the price they do......you don't even want to know what I just paid to have 12 puppies cropped!!!

The vet I use is 2 1/2 hours away and is one of the best. His staff members are wonderful and took very good care of the babies. I stayed with a friend the night before and had them all at the vet at 8am the next day. I left them over night and picked everyone up in the am.

They all have ears on cups with an elizabethan collar on. This is to prevent scratching and loss of the sutures. I cannot imagine going without them, especially with 12. They negotiate just fine with them on.

Twice each day I wash the ears with vet scrub and warm water, removing excess scabbing. I then apply a small anount of neosporin. I get the one that also has a pain med in it. They were given pain meds after cropping but did not need any after that. They are on an antibiotic and that is all.

I will post a picture of the ones on cups in a bit. right now I am off to do a home check...

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