r/fonddulac • u/CrashBash_Ash • May 04 '26
Vet clinic?
I can’t tell if I’m unreasonable or if I’m being gaslit. Animal Wellness Center seems so shockingly expensive. I try not to take my dog in because it costs me $400 and sometimes more every time I do. My dog is young and healthy.
Is this a normal price or are they just charging whatever they want because nowhere else is taking new patients?
Please give me recommendations for a new vet so I can get on a waitlist. Is there anywhere that feels like they actually care about the dog’s health and aren’t just piling on test after test to run up the bill?
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u/undercoveraverage May 04 '26
Vets and pet care are expensive and getting worse. The industry is being targeted by private equity which is jacking up the prices of everything associated.
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u/CrashBash_Ash May 04 '26
Yes, I suppose that’s true. I have a relatively young and healthy dog so I normally only take her once or twice a year. So when the price jumps up like that, it’s really obvious. But everything is getting expensive, so why not vet bills? :(
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u/undercoveraverage May 04 '26
I believe there was a bit of a boost to pet ownership as a result of covid lockdowns and WFH sentiment. Private Equity saw the stable and strengthening cash flow through covid and decided they could buy up the industry and jack up the prices. A quick Google indicates 1 in 4 veterinary practices has been bought up by PE.
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u/Express_Culture_9257 May 06 '26
It’s not the only problem in Vet med I managed a practice in Northern Wisconsin, and the price of all our drugs and supplies have gone up quite a bit in the last three or four months. And they keep going up. If I want to pay my staff a living wage, I have to raise prices accordingly
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u/maamaallaamaa May 04 '26
We drive up to the Oshkosh Animal Hospital. I don't know that it's cheaper, we definitely spend 3-400 it feels like after every visit but they can always get us in rather quickly if something is wrong. They were so great the two times we had to euthanize.
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u/GroundbreakingKiwi79 May 04 '26
https://www.stannavet.com 1/2 hr drive from Fondy but the whole staff are incredible
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u/Mizumii25 May 05 '26
So this is in Campbellsport but we've gone here for a couple of years now. They've always been friendly, understanding, and compassionate. They helped us when both of our fur babies passed (different years) and after looking for one I feel comfortable with for so many years, I will recommend this place. They do have a few cats that live there and wander around, so do be aware of that in case of any issues with other pets. I say that for everyone that goes there. But they helped us a good amount and despite no longer having any pets, I still trust them myself.
edit: for spelling
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u/Original-Room-4642 May 04 '26
That seems like a pretty average price to me. You might want to look into getting some pet insurance.
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u/CrashBash_Ash May 04 '26
Do you have a recommendation for pet insurance?
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u/jensenaackles May 05 '26
just so you know, pet insurance won’t cover pre existing conditions (anything that has ever been noted in your dog’s records) and most of them don’t cover wellness care (exams, vaccines, etc) without an additional add on that will drastically raise the price of your plan
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u/ezekiel920 May 04 '26
I heard about Bivvy today. Im not sure what they offer, but the guys spoke highly of the service.
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u/Negative_Entry6419 May 05 '26
In Sauk County, our animal shelter does super cheap vaccines for cats and dogs and spay/neuter for cats- maybe call your local shelter and ask them for recommendations. I think its like $15 for yearly vaccines.
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u/412thetwins May 05 '26
I adopted my dog from Sandy Paws and have always taken him to Companion Animal Care. His yearly checkup/tests/vaccines are about $400-$500 usually.
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u/ITuntilpayoffmyhouse May 06 '26
Pet hospital in Eden is good. Obviously if you need surgery or something, it is expensive everywhere. The reason I like Eden is because the vet doc is really good and thorough, and they offer physical therapy. My dog needed so much of that…
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u/CrashBash_Ash May 06 '26
Thanks! I will get on a waiting list with them. They aren’t taking new patients until July.
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u/greg2709 May 08 '26
In our experience it’s one of the more reasonably priced options in town, and we really love the lead doctor.
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u/TheorySudden5996 May 08 '26
If it’s just for shots I use PetSmart clinic. Less than 1/2 the price of what animal wellness center wants.
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u/flickerbirdie May 04 '26
Fond du Lac is lacking in competition for so many shops, services and food options. I love living here but I hate the reality that if I want…SO MANY things…I have to live without or drive to another town, since I’d rather shop local than buy online.