Munku

My dog is getting quite old and in visible pain and I've been seriously considering having her euthanized. I've tried asperin but it doesn't seem to be helping and I can't stand to see her like this, so I was wondering what the average cost to have a pet euthanized at a vet would be? Thanks guys

Thorny

Call a few local vets and ask. For these things, I prefer an older vet, or one with considerable large animal experience, they seem more pragmatic when it comes to older animals that are suffering, and far less likely to make you feel guilty for not paying for expensive treatments to prolong a pet's life for a short time.

It's hard to let go of a loved companion. I hope you both find peace.

roadkill

The price is far too much, not monentary but emotionally. I've had to let a few pets go before. Never through euthanization though. I hope it's not very much money but I hope you find the best solution for you and your pet. Best reguards.

BadNick

When I had to put down my beloved lab who I had for over 15 years, I took him to the vet he always knew since a pup, it cost me $40. I paid extra to have his ashes saved for me which I still have, other than a bit I sprinkled here and there at some of his favorite spots.

I hope you can deal with it reasonably well, it's tough loosing a pet you love.

I'm glad I did this, but when it was time, I held him tightly with my arms wrapped around his neck and kissing his head, whispering into his ear, the doc gave him the shot and he sort of passed out/fell asleep and that was the end. I cried, the vet cried but I'm glad I did it that way.

1010011010

I had a kitten euthanized that decided to sleep in the fan housing of an older Ford truck we had at the time. It was also $40. That's probably coincidence, but who knows... maybe there's a flat rate for this sort of thing.

That's the only time I can remember crying in the past 15 years or so... and this wasn't a beloved pet. It's like they know what you're doing and they're okay with it. I can't imagine what it would be like with an animal you'd known for years.

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onewolf

My vet is a long time friend of mine - we were in the same high school class. Her dad was always our family vet growing up, and after college she went to vet school and then started working with him. When my wife and I got a dog after we were first married, he was one of her first patients. Sadly after we'd had him only a month he dug out of our yard, was struck by a car, and shattered his jaw (also broke a leg). The leg healed fine. The shattered jaw required a very long surgery - both our old vet (the dad) and the new vet (my friend) ended up putting several pins in his jaw and when he came out there were wires everywhere. He was on a liquid dogfood diet with his jaw wired shut for 8 weeks - that was tough. But when they pulled out all the hardware, he had recovered exceptionally well other than a lower tooth that always stuck out after that. It was funny because he was the friendliest dog in the world but after that accident when he'd approach people with that tooth hanging out, they'd start to reach to pet him, then do a double-take and think twice of it... It gave him that junkyard dog look.

Anyway, 14 years later when it was time to put him to sleep (terminal cancer), my vet cried harder than I we did I think. She sent us straight home, wouldn't let me stop at the desk to pay, said she'd send a bill. She never did.

Not sure why I shared that story... I doubt it's interesting to anybody outside of my family...

lpj8

I recently had to euthanize my wife's dog. I really disliked the dog, as it bit me often. . I ended up having to take her myself because my wife could not do it. It was surprisingly very emotionally draining. Much tougher than I expected it to be.
I ended up calling a few places. My vet wanted $100, so I called the SPCA who did it for $35.

ryfo

Our vet came to our house to euthanize my dog. It was nice that he was home surrounded by familiar things and we had the chance to hold him while he slipped away, we then had his ashes delivered back to us and to this day I still have them. This cost us 90 bucks but thats in Aussie dollars so its probably around $40 us. I am not sure I could let my animals live in pain so I think you are doing the right thing, anyway I firmly believe that you will know when the time is right for both of you, My thoughts are with you and your poochie.

Atropos4

I had to euthanize one of my dogs last November. I believe it cost around $47. (that was in MI) I feel for you. I also had to make the choice to end her suffering.

At the office I work in now I think they charge around $50...I'll have to ask them.

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Hank Jr.

I hate to say this about a pet, becuas i know the emotional attachment, but if the word euthanize simply means to put down than....that can be done vary cheaply. What we do around here, is, let the dog lose in the back yard, scope in on him then send him home. It can be vary emotional but it is quick and simple. And you can have it buried on your land. I hope this does not offend anyone, its jsut the way things are done around here. I do have a heart for animals and know the pain involved in loosing one, especially when taking it out yourself.

Locobot

Wow that's pretty depraved dude, and almost certainly illegal. I'm guessing "around here" is up some West Virginia mountain. We all know how other things get done around there, "squeal squeal like a pig boy!"

And no, that's not the same thing as euthanasia.

Ananas

^ Oh c'mon, Locobot. That was totally out of line and you know it.

Hank, that was the accepted method for putting down animals on the farm or in a rural setting, but for most people who've been raised in the city, it's horrific.

I've experienced the "country" method and the city method when pets became terminally ill, and I'll tell you the city method was infinitely better. The cost here in Maryland was $80 (if the vet had to transport your pet after euthanasia) $45 if was done in the vet's office.

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majik_6

Munku: Sorry to hear about your pet. I've never personally had to put a pet down, though a few of my family pets when I was younger were euthanized when they got too sick to keep on. The local animal shelter should be able to help financially, though I'd make sure that they're employing humane methods (injections as opposed to gassing).

If the pain is only because of age and not a result of a terminal illness your vet may be able to prescribe something stronger than aspirin that would allow your pet to live out it's natural life pain-free without hampering it's quality of living.

Locobot: In rural areas, that's actually pretty common. Not because all West Virginians (or southerners or rural people) are sick weirdos, but because for some people, that is a more economically and emotionally suitable method. I don't personally partake or believe in it, but it doesn't mean that I'd mock those who do as being hillbillies or mountain-dwelling sodomites.

For some people, it's almost like a form of personal responsibility: having been the person to care for the pet in life, certain individuals feel that it's their burden to take the animal out of this world as quickly and painlessly as possible (a bullet is much more humane that gas euthanasia).

(FYI, "Deliverance" was set in Georgia, not West Virginia)

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elaphe

Munku,
I just put down my cat Nikki that I have had for almost 15 years. Nikki was my first pet after I moved out on my own. He was special. But, he was diagnosed with feline diabetes last spring and required two daily injections of insulin. He had already lost most of his teeth and because the vet botched the dentistry (he left the root of one of the canines in the jaw!) he was prone to mouth infections. I tried my best to keep up with the shots and the meds but I realized that I was fighting a loosing battle. Nikki was loosing weight (he wasn't eating well due to the mouth infections) and was having problems with his hip. I took Nikki to my current vet and good friend from university to have him put down. It was the hardest decision I have had to make yet. Knowing Nikki, that dumb cat would have lingered for another year and wouldn't have protested one bit. He was a happy cat that loved life. But I couldn't bear to watch him suffer. My friend and I both agreed that it would be best to let him go before he suffered too much.

I wish the best for you and your dog.

PS The euthanasia and cremation cost me $200.00CAD.

Elaphe

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tspikes51

Ummm, our last 2 pets that we had to euthanize (one for feline leukemia and one for a collapse of the fluid sac surrounding the lungs-my favorite cat ever) were both put down for about 5 cents a piece. It's been done that way for hundreds of years, and quite frankly I don't see the difference between one method of euthanization and another, provided they are both painless. This may sound a bit heartless, but it's not a hard shot to make provided that the shooter has at least some shooting experience (my dad doesn't even own a scope and he hit dead on both times) because if your pet is in that much pain it probably won't move. The key is to get somebody you can trust to do it and make sure you can't hear the shot. It is all painless to the animal, and your pet doesn't even have to bother it while transporting it to the vet.

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Rodney

A cat, not a dog. Cost about $80, including cremation. It's going to vary from place to place. But I wouldn't let the cost stand in the way, even if it was more. Letting a pet live in pain isn't right.

That said, have the dog checked out first. Maybe there's something the vet can give her to make her more comfortable. If so, she can stay with you and have a little more good life. If not, then you move ahead. It's a mercy.

CityOfAngels

I see you've already gotten great advice; all I must say is I hope the best for both you and your dog. Make sure you smother your dog with love until that very last day. You will be glad you did.

Ustwo

It doesn't cost much to put them down but the body disposal can be a little expensive.

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MSD

When my cat dies or has to be put down (unfortunately, he's about 17 years old, so it's creeping up,) I'm going to give him a Viking funeral. That's what I want when I die, and I don't see why the little guy who's been around since I was in middle school deserves any less. The soil is too shallow for a decent burial here, anyway.