Less expensive dog teeth cleaning options in Seattle
December 31, 2016 12:12 PM Subscribe
Where can I go to get my dog's teeth cleaned in Seattle without completely blowing my budget?
It cost me a couple hundred dollars to establish care at Northwest Veterinary Hospital so I could get my dog's teeth cleaned, but then they quoted me ~$700 for the procedure (just a standard cleaning with no planned extractions). This is more than twice the most I've ever paid to have her teeth cleaned and is way beyond my means. Are there any places around that are less expensive and, preferably, would accept the physical/bloodwork done at Northwest rather than having to also pay for that again? I'm in Wallingford but I'm willing to drive out of town to not pay this much.
It cost me a couple hundred dollars to establish care at Northwest Veterinary Hospital so I could get my dog's teeth cleaned, but then they quoted me ~$700 for the procedure (just a standard cleaning with no planned extractions). This is more than twice the most I've ever paid to have her teeth cleaned and is way beyond my means. Are there any places around that are less expensive and, preferably, would accept the physical/bloodwork done at Northwest rather than having to also pay for that again? I'm in Wallingford but I'm willing to drive out of town to not pay this much.
Rereading, it sounds like the last physical/bloodwork might be within 30 days, so my last caveat might not apply. Good luck!
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 12:37 PM on December 31, 2016
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 12:37 PM on December 31, 2016
My friend went to "vets for less" and it cost less, but it's riskier because they cut costs by doing less testing, iirc. Also they sent the animal home pretty drugged up.
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 12:52 PM on December 31, 2016
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 12:52 PM on December 31, 2016
Please don't opt for anesthesia-free dental "cleaning". Informative article here from the American Veterinary Dental College on the risks vs benefits of that procedure.
posted by cozenedindigo at 2:42 PM on December 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by cozenedindigo at 2:42 PM on December 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
Cheaper isn't better. Perhaps apply for CareCredit or save until you can have it done at your vet with proper monitoring, full mouth x-rays and a good anesthetic protocol. Mismanaged anesthesia can lead to lifelong complications and there is very little benefit to having a super budget dental done, since it often means no x-rays are done and the actual vet has minimal involvement.
And yes, DO NOT OPT for anesthesia-free, it's unethical and a waste of your money. Simply cleaning the teeth has minimal actual benefit, it's the x-rays and proper oral exam including probing the gum margins that actually have the most benefit to your pet's oral health. Bad teeth can cause major problems, including shortening lifespans, cheaper really isn't better here.
posted by biscotti at 2:49 PM on December 31, 2016 [4 favorites]
And yes, DO NOT OPT for anesthesia-free, it's unethical and a waste of your money. Simply cleaning the teeth has minimal actual benefit, it's the x-rays and proper oral exam including probing the gum margins that actually have the most benefit to your pet's oral health. Bad teeth can cause major problems, including shortening lifespans, cheaper really isn't better here.
posted by biscotti at 2:49 PM on December 31, 2016 [4 favorites]
Urban Animal down in Capitol Hill was up to half as expensive as Northwest for teeth cleaning when it comes to cats, at least, so you could try them. I don't know if they'd accept the bloodwork but you could call and ask.
posted by foxfirefey at 4:41 PM on December 31, 2016
posted by foxfirefey at 4:41 PM on December 31, 2016
Oh--and I should mention that we've had at least four cat teeth cleanings at Urban Animal. Additionally, they were not comfortable with teeth cleaning one of our cats until he lost a few pounds, because of the strain the anesthesia would put on his heart, but after we put him on a wet food only diet and accomplished that we had his teeth cleaned there without issue. I mention that so you know that they're not just running the animals through some sort of teeth cleaning chop shop.
posted by foxfirefey at 11:27 PM on December 31, 2016
posted by foxfirefey at 11:27 PM on December 31, 2016
Response by poster: I called Urban Animal and they quoted me ~$200 pending the physical exam (which is $50) and they said they'd accept the bloodwork from Northwest. It also occurred to me that Companion Pet Clinic (where I've taken her before) might do it, so I called them too and they quoted ~$300. Thanks y'all!
posted by quiet coyote at 10:42 AM on January 6, 2017
posted by quiet coyote at 10:42 AM on January 6, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
I just moved from Seattle, but when I lived there I went to Aurora Veterinary Clinic and found their prices to be super competitive and they're top notch (if you can ignore the awful location). Might be worth price shopping there. They accepted blood work from another vet when prescribing meds, which I appreciated, but I have a feeling you're stuck paying for the physical and bloodwork because I've had to do that within 30 days of a teeth cleaning every time.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 12:36 PM on December 31, 2016 [1 favorite]