At Summit Veterinary Care, we believe your pet deserves nothing less than the highest standard of care. It’s important to us that you understand why the cost of surgeries, dentistry, and other procedures may be higher here compared to low-cost spay/neuter clinics or other veterinary practices. While the cost might be higher, it reflects our commitment to providing your pet with the best possible care, ensuring their safety, comfort, and well-being at every step of their procedure. Here’s why:

1. Gold Standard Care and Medicine
We adhere to the “gold standard” of veterinary care, meaning we never compromise on the quality of medicine or the safety of your pet. For every surgery, no matter how routine it may seem, we place an IV catheter. This is not a standard practice at low-cost clinics, but it is a vital part of keeping your pet safe. Why? IV access is essential in case of an emergency. It allows us to quickly administer fluids or medications if needed during the procedure. Fluids are especially important in maintaining your pet’s blood pressure, hydration, and overall stability during surgery. This added precaution helps ensure a smoother, safer procedure and a quicker recovery.

2. Additional Staffing for Personalized Care
Another reason our costs are higher is that we employ additional staff during surgery days. Unlike low-cost clinics, where a smaller team may handle the entire process, we believe in giving your pet the individualized attention they deserve. From intake to recovery, your pet is never left unattended. We have team members dedicated to each stage of the procedure, so your pet gets a consistent caregiver from beginning to end. This reduces the risk of mistakes and ensures that no part of the process—whether it’s anesthesia induction, surgical prep, or postoperative recovery is overlooked.

3. Comprehensive Pre-Surgery Bloodwork
Pre-surgery bloodwork is included in the price of surgery at our clinic. Even if your pet is young and appears healthy, bloodwork is essential to assess organ function, check for underlying issues, and ensure they’re fit to undergo anesthesia. Many clinics may skip this step to save money, but we believe it’s a crucial part of minimizing risk. By catching any potential health issues before surgery, we can adjust the approach to ensure your pet’s safety throughout the procedure. It’s a proactive approach that helps us identify any hidden health concerns that might otherwise go undetected.

4. High-Quality Medications for Pain Management
We understand that surgery can be a stressful experience for pets, which is why we provide the highest quality pain medications available. These medications, although more expensive, are proven to manage pain effectively and promote a quicker, more comfortable recovery. We don’t cut corners when it comes to pain control because we believe your pet deserves to recover without discomfort. The science behind these medications ensures that your pet experiences the least amount of pain possible, helping them bounce back and return to their normal life faster.

5. Sterilization and Surgical Room Cleanliness
At our clinic, we take extra time and care to maintain the sterility of our surgical rooms. This means thorough cleaning between each patient – performing deep cleaning and sanitizing measures to the surgery table, warming equipment, monitoring equipment, and more. After surgery, each instrument is first washed, then cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner, organized, packed, and sterilized in an autoclave. This rigorous process ensures that the risk of contamination is minimized, giving your pet the safest possible environment for their procedure. While these extra cleaning steps do take time and require paying our staff for their work—we consider it a critical part of maintaining the highest surgical standards.

6. New Endotracheal Tubes for Every Patient
Unlike most other clinics that reuse endotracheal tubes after a quick cleaning, we use a brand new, sterile endotracheal tube for every single surgery. This helps eliminate any risk of contamination or infection during the procedure. We also donate our used tubes to spay/neuter clinics in underprivileged areas, which helps us give back to the community. While using new tubes adds to the cost of the procedure, we believe it’s an essential step in ensuring your pet’s safety and well-being during surgery.

7. Comprehensive Monitoring During Surgery
At our clinic, we use advanced monitoring equipment to track your pet’s vital signs throughout the surgery. While many spay/neuter clinics only monitor heart rate and oxygen levels, we take it a step further. We also use a capnograph, which measures the carbon dioxide in your pet’s breath, and a continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor heart rhythms. This gives us a detailed view of your pet’s status during the procedure and allows us to detect any irregularities or issues early on. Additionally, we closely monitor your pet’s blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure is essential because it helps us ensure that your pet’s organs are receiving the necessary blood flow and oxygen during surgery. Low or high blood pressure can indicate underlying problems that require immediate attention, so keeping it in a healthy range is crucial for a safe surgery. We also have a licensed veterinary technician present throughout the entire surgery, monitoring your pet with their eyes, ears, and hands – not just with machines. This extra layer of observation ensures that your pet is getting the attention and care they need every second of the way.

8. Elizabethan Collars Included for Post-Surgery Care
Finally, we include an Elizabethan collar in the price of surgery to help prevent your pet from licking or irritating the incision site. These collars are crucial for ensuring that your pet’s wound heals properly and doesn’t become infected. We understand that getting the right-sized collar can be a hassle, especially if you need to go elsewhere to buy one after picking up your pet. By including it in the price of surgery, we take one extra worry off your plate and ensure that your pet is well-protected during their recovery.

Why It’s Worth the Extra Cost
While other veterinary practices and low-cost spay/neuter clinics may offer more affordable services, they may cut corners in the areas of staffing, care, and safety to keep prices low. We believe your pet deserves the best, which is why we go above and beyond to ensure they get the highest standard of care before, during, and after surgery.
When you choose Summit Veterinary Care, you’re not just paying for a procedure—you’re paying for peace of mind. You’re investing in your pet’s safety, comfort, and long-term well-being. We believe that your pet is worth it, and we’re committed to providing the best possible care to help them lead a healthy, happy life.
If you have any questions or concerns about our procedures or pricing, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’re here to answer all your questions and ensure that your pet receives the highest quality care possible.