Acro/IAA Tests/Cost ???

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Suzanne & Cobb(GA)

Member Since 2013
Ok, so I'm now in search of a new vet as well. :sad:

I called another vet in the area who will do the blood draw and send it to Michigan State.

She told me the IAA test would cost $40 and the acro test would be $130. She said those are the prices MSU gave her over the phone (which is drastically different than their web site), but she said they would not charge anything additional for the clinic visit or overnight shipping.

Does that sound about right???
 
Can't help you with cost comparisons.

There are Vet Interview Topics in my signature link.
 
I wonder if the new vet meant that the amounts included shipping charges?

Worth a call/email to find out for sure what they are though...and glad you at least found someone willing to do the blood draw! Maybe you've just found yourself a new permanent vet that will work WITH you instead of dictate to you!
 
I found my receipts for punkin. In May 2011 the IGF-1 was $61.25, the iaa $18.75, the overnight postage was *gasp* $75 and the blood collection fee was $11.

the recheck for his IGF-1 in April 2012 was $49 and the shipping was $15. no charge for blood draw but this was at a different vet.

Have you asked Donaleen what she paid? Hers was within the month.
 
I did call MSU and they said the prices on their site are correct.

I'm checking with another cat vet in the area as well.

I'm so perturbed by the other vet though. It wasn't that I liked her all that much, but because I've put in all this work (that would/could) helped her in the future and she wants to charge me to discuss it. Whatever...

I'll PM Donaleen.
 
Suzanne --

I'm betting the vet added in the cost for shipping to the cost for the tests. If you add up the numbers Julie gave you plus what shipping cost her, it comes out to around $150 which is what the vet quoted you.

Also, keep in mind that shipping prices will vary based on your location.
 
Sienne and Gabby said:
Suzanne --

I'm betting the vet added in the cost for shipping to the cost for the tests. If you add up the numbers Julie gave you plus what shipping cost her, it comes out to around $150 which is what the vet quoted you.

Also, keep in mind that shipping prices will vary based on your location.

I'm sure you're right. What bugs me is when I asked that to double check, she said those are the prices MSU told her on the phone. Just feels like she lied to me. And then she called back and said one of their drs would have to do a complete exam before doing the blood draw, and they wouldn't accept paperwork from another vet. I can't afford all of that right now, especially since we just got some unexpected bills from when the baby has to go to the hospital right after he was born.

I'm not giving up...still looking around. It just might not be as immediate as everyone would like.
 
Jazzy's tests were a few years ago, but I think I paid in the neighborhood of $150-200 to my vet. I assume that included shipping and possibly a little markup for them.
 
It's really not unreasonable that the vet is asking to do an exam on a new patient before ordering tests/doing anything. I think you'd raise an eyebrow if this was you going to a new MD who ordered the tests you told him/her you wanted without doing an exam. It would make me very suspicious regarding the quality of care. I think we've all learned that Dr. Google (or WebMD) is not the most reliable source for health care. If you need to wait a bit for the tests, it's fine. There's not a huge rush.
 
Sienne and Gabby said:
It's really not unreasonable that the vet is asking to do an exam on a new patient before ordering tests/doing anything. I think you'd raise an eyebrow if this was you going to a new MD who ordered the tests you told him/her you wanted without doing an exam. It would make me very suspicious regarding the quality of care. I think we've all learned that Dr. Google (or WebMD) is not the most reliable source for health care. If you need to wait a bit for the tests, it's fine. There's not a huge rush.

No I agree. I didn't exactly phrase is correctly. He's not really a new patient. They have seen him before and have all his records except last year's. We just went to a different vet last year. We had some issues initially with this vet (long story), but there are only so many feline-only vets in the area.

Cobb is due for his annual in a month or so anyway, so we may end up getting everything done in one visit. Plus maybe I'll be back at work and have some flexibility in the budget. One visit for Cobb as well - less stress. If we can't find someone here in the area that we like, I'll probably end up driving to his original vet in Columbia, SC. I liked her a lot and was sad when we moved and had to find a new one.
 
I dug up the records from the BK archives-

08/21/2008 Test for Acro - $88.00
09/18/2008 Test for IAA - $26.00
11/07/2008 Retest for IAA - $26.00

I don't see any shipping costs . . .
 
I did give her my costs in her condo yesterday....cost was $125. I know the vet was astounded by how reasonable their prices are for tests. They said it was much lower than the charges for the lab they usually use. I think the total cost from MSU for both tests was under $80, the rest was for the blood draw and packaging and shipping.
 
Thanks all! Yesterday was a rough day...between the vet issue, sick baby (who refuses to take medicine), nd me getting sick, I was overwhelmed and my posts sound harsher than I intended. Sorry!!
 
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