Reb
5/27/2011 17:45 EST
What should I expect regarding prices and services of veterinarians and vet-medicines? I know that services will vary depending on location, etc. I would just like a little feedback. Also, I am going to Quito and coastal areas in mid-August (w/o pets). Please post suggestions for vets that I could talk to while I am there. Thanks! Reb
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boncur
5/29/2011 08:27 EST
Reb, there are killer vets here and there are good vets here. Unfortunately I have seen the gamut. We have always had alot of dogs (as well as other animals).....I used to go to a vet in Ibarra, almost an hour drive away, and I spent alot of money with him over the years---alot! He was good, but I'm not rich! So we recently took two dogs there to be neutered. One dog only had one testicle (thought about asking for a discount), so we are talking 3 testicles in all, and the price was $200 which I thought was way too high. So now I do not go to that Doc. I wrote to Lee Carper, one of the "Dog Whisperers" and he said:
"We use a vet here in Cotacachi. His name is Danny Morales and it is 50 - 75 dollars depending on the size of the dog for spaying..."
So that sounds more reasonable. (Although the Indians said they would do it free with their machete, like they did to the pig!) I have also had another vet recommended to me by Carol McKinney who used to post here.....
Years and Years ago, when there were no "pet" vets here in Otavalo or Ibarra (only for farm animals) we went into a pet clinic on Ave. Coruna in Quito. We even sent one of our dogs into Quito one day in a taxi. There are SO many places for pets now, as more and more folks have pets. DO be careful if you decided to purchase a pet in the "pet stores;" there is a high chance that you could buy a sick dog there. Also "dog papers" here are usually suspect, but who cares, if you love the animal?
When you are in a certain area, of course, you will be meeting with other expats, at least you should, and they can advise you precisely. We just do not have a good loving "pet-only" vet here in Otavalo! Too bad. I have had extreme ecuatrocities happen to our pets as a result of some of these guys over the years! Now, I will travel to find a good one. And another thing--these vets will always try to charge us gringos more, just a fact of life. Try to get a local 'head's up' on prices of certain procedures before you go.
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Summersmist
5/29/2011 13:21 EST
$200 for a neuter is "highway robbery" even for a giant dog. I have done animal rescue for 14 years and even worked for a couple of vets here in North Texas. The $50 to $75 depending on size is actually about the same as the vets I've used in rescue in Texas. I would appreciate a referrence in the Cuenca area as I plan to move there soon and have a dog. Thanks so much,.
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boncur
5/29/2011 13:34 EST
Thank you, Summersmist, for your take on reality. Actually, a strange thing happened that day; I sent a check in with my husband who took the dogs, who like most men, are not astute as to the prices and values of things (sometimes, that is)......and he 'mis-signed' the check! So the vet called me and said that the check was invallid and I had to send another one.
So I took the opportunity to remind him that over about a 5-6 year period, we had spent thousands and more with him and of course, I had recommended him also.....and that I sincerely thought in my heart that $200 was too much for this simple procedure.....well, let me tell you what 'years of loyalty' can purchase! The vet threatened me with a law suit and a slander suit if I did not pay him immediately and if I ever spoke of him, EVER, I would go to jail! Hmmm. These Ecuadorians can be VERY sneakily rotten, even when you have presented loyalty to them.
Now if this happened in Colombia and if alot of the things that 'happen' here to innocent people would take place in Colombia, well, it would just be settled with a simple act--quick and simple and no repercussions. Of course, I would not want to live in Colombia!
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Reb
5/30/2011 10:44 EST
Hello Boncur,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply. Your information is what I suspected, and I will make certain that I contact expats wherever I am to find a good vet. I am sure that the treatment of animals is going to be a difficult adjustment. Reb
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boncur
5/30/2011 11:52 EST
Reb, two things to remember, is to get a "pet vet" and now that more and more people have pets, they are more and more available, BUT do research the price. There are lots of vets that minister to cows and pigs and other farm animals...but they are not astute to dogs and cats.
We had a rather tragic thing happen about 8 months ago. Our 12 year old Border Collie was hit by a car down in the village. Somehow he crawled home, couldn't move. We were unable to go into Ibarra at the time, so my husband said he would do something. He found a 'vet' in town, brought him up, the guy charged us a fortune, gave the dog injections and said he would 'be alright.' I saw the dog suffer for two days, so I went into town to find our only semi-decent vet, and I was in luck because he was sober---so I brought him up, he comfirmed our beliefs that the dog was in fact paralized and then 'put him down.' And without pain, just an injection.
Of course it was so sad, but some vets here are more dangerous than not even having a vet at all. So many expats here have pets and you will have no trouble at all getting connected. I also forgot to include the phone # of the pet vet that works with the "Dog Whisperers, Peggy and Lee Karper"--I have it here if anyone needs it in the Cotacachi area.
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vandtor
7/19/2011 23:05 EST
There are 2 types of veterinary degrees issued in Ecuador, Zootecnista and Veterinary Medicine. Both are educated for the most part in the same schools and can care for animals. However the major difference between the 2 is that a Veterinary Medicine degree teaches surgery whereas, a zootecnista does not learn surgery. A Zootecnista is concerned with preventative care as well as the commercial aspect of veterinary medicine. So before choosing a vet, you may want to ask which degree that they have so that you know. Both are qualified to treat your pets.
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alhdvm05
9/21/2015 04:43 EST
I realize this post is many years old but I just had to laugh when I read it and I need to correct you on something. I am a veterinarian and you thinking you should get a discout for a dog neuter because your dog only has one testicle is hilarious. He may have had only one testicle in the scrotum but the other testicle is not just missing. It is either in the inguinal area (groin) or still retained in the abdominal cavity. Either way, the surgery is actually more difficult and should cost more. If you are going to a vet that is only taking out the one testicle that is present in the scrotum then you have a problem. The retained testicle, if left behind, will usually become cancerous and start causing problems. Be careful and make sure you are knowledgeable about what is going on and what type of surgery is being done on your animal. A retained testicle should NEVER be left behind. Just an FYI.
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OrganicMom
9/21/2015 10:24 EST
Are you a practicing vet in Ecuador, alhdvm05?
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