Hi Hailee,

Thanks for your question.

A consultation and physical examination for your pet will widely vary in price depending on the clinic and the socioeconomic area where it is located. These are private businesses and they are free to charge what they would like for this service.

My recommendation is to call ahead and price shop. You can also ask how long they book appointments for, which will typically range from 15 to 30 minutes but could be longer for a new patient or one presenting with a disease process. I wouldn’t just make a decision on price, however. I think you should ask for one of the veterinarians or the owner, and first of all, see if they are kind enough to get on the phone to meet you. I believe a good veterinarian should take the time to say hello and have a very short conversation with a prospective client. Use your judgement based on a call like that. Checking online for reviews and asking others at the dog park will help you decide as well. An approximate cost for a consultation and physical examination could be anywhere from $55 to $90 (here in Ontario, Canada). You’ll also find that these fees are reduced when combined with a vaccination visit or pre-surgical appointment, in most cases.

Here we have listed out some recommendations when finding the right veterinarian that I recommend you to take a look: “The Top 10 Signs You Have a Bad Veterinarian”.

Good luck!

Dr. Greenway