Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Ecuador Expat Forum

Ecuador Veterinarians

New Topic Newest First
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

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.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca
Connect

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

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,.

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!

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

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.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca
Connect

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

With Offices in BOTH Ecuador and the US, Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move! Specializing in Ecuador Residency Visas plus converting from Temporary to Permanent Residency, Containers, Real Estate Closings, Wills and Estate Planning, Driver Licenses, Opening Businesses & Citizenship!
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

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.

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.

OrganicMom
  9/21/2015 10:24 EST

Are you a practicing vet in Ecuador, alhdvm05?

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca
Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move!
Learn More

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move!
Learn More

Living in Ecuador GuideLiving in Ecuador Guide

Expats in Ecuador share some of the pros and cons of living in Ecuador. Topics covered include where to live, the bureaucracy, the people and more.

Ecuador Forum Ecuador Forum
Join our Ecuador forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Ecuador.

Contribute to Ecuador Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ecuador.

Best Places to Live in Ecuador Best Places to Live in Ecuador

If you're dreaming about living in Ecuador, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Ecuador in 2023.

Healthcare in EcuadorHealthcare in Ecuador

Expats in Ecuador share their experiences with healthcare and overseas medical insurance in Ecuador.

Cost of Living in EcuadorCost of Living in Ecuador

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Ecuador.

Moving to EcuadorMoving to Ecuador Guide

Expats in Ecuador offer advice to newcomers and people considering a move to Ecuador about clothing, sunscreen, renting before buying, gringo pricing, Ecuadorians politeness and much more.

Real Estate in EcuadorReal Estate in Ecuador

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Ecuador.

Pros Cons of Living in EcuadorPros & Cons of Living in Ecuador

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Ecuador.

Retiring in EcuadorRetiring in Ecuador

Advice for people retiring in Ecuador.

10 Tips for Living in Ecuador10 Tips for Living in Ecuador

If you've recently arrived in Ecuador, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Ecuador.

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca
Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move!
Learn More

Ecuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara ChacaEcuador Visas - Law office of Attorney Sara Chaca

Ecuador Visas with Attorney Sara Chaca is the No. 1 Visa Law Firm for Your Move!
Learn More

Contribute to Ecuador Network Contribute
Help others in Ecuador by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Ecuador.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal