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Veterinary Care in Costa Rica

by Jeanne in Costa Rica

If you move to Costa Rica and need veterinary services, you'll be happy to know that these services are both high quality and affordable. Costa Rican veterinary services are some of the best in the world, and they offer excellent pet care.

Not only are these high-quality services, but they are also affordable. Veterinary services here offer various services, from preventative care, nutrition advice, dental care, emergency care, and more. You can get all the services you’re used to here in Costa Rica. We have been delighted with our vet experience and the low cost.

When Looking For a Vet in Costa Rica

When looking for a veterinarian in Costa Rica or anywhere, looking for a highly trained and qualified vet is essential. Many vets in Costa Rica are graduates of accredited veterinary schools. These schools are known for their high standards and rigorous curricula.

Veterinarians are also required to take continuous education classes with exams. When choosing a vet, asking questions about their experience and training is important. Additionally, reading vet reviews and talking to people in your new neighborhood before deciding is important.

This will help you to find a vet that offers the best possible care for your pet. You’ll find veterinarians all over the country serving household and farm animals. The more rural area you choose to live in, the more farm vets you’ll find. Some vets, like ours, are farms (finca) who also care for household pets.

The Costs of Veterinary Care

You will be amazed at the prices of vet care here in Costa Rica. In the U.S., we had a running joke. Whichever one of us picked our animal up at the vet would call the other one from the parking lot before leaving and let them know the cost of the visit.

Then, we would celebrate if we got out of the vet for under $500. Sound familiar? In our time here, we have spent a fraction of that amount. These costs are from costarica.com, but we have found them true from our experience.

House Call: $20-$80

De-worming: $1.50 per pill for at-home worming or $15

Grooming: $15-$30 (we have two standard poodles and pay $37 per dog. In the U.S., we pay $75.00 per dog. In Costa Rica, the groomer comes to our house 😊)

Boarding: $20-$30 per night per dog

Exam Fee: $12-$30

Exam Fee-Emergency: $30-$50

Vaccinations: $8-$20 each

Spay/Neuter: $30-$70

X-Rays: $30

Hospitalization: $30+ per night, depending on your pet's needs

Flea and tick medication – similar to the U.S.

Some vets will try to decrease costs by prescribing human medication in the animal-sized dose. Our vet said we didn’t have to be stressed about giving our dogs their flea and tick medication every four weeks and, instead, go six to eight weeks.

You can imagine we were nervous to try this because we had always been told and warned about the danger of missing a month of meds. We figured we were in a new country and would try a new way rather than be stuck in ours. Part of moving to a new country is being open to new ways of doing things.

In almost 1.5 years in Costa Rica, we have given our dogs their flea & tick meds between six and eight weeks. I can report that they are doing fine. Here are some pet insurance companies that provide coverage for your loved one:

• MediSmart – MediSmart is a prepaid medicine plan providing medical benefits in Costa Rica. A pet program is part of their product.

• Figopetinsurance

• Puffin Insurance

A Final Thought

Costa Rican vets have a wealth of experience and are always up to date on the latest veterinary technology.

Additionally, they work with some of the world's most reputable pet insurance providers, meaning your pets' medical bills may be covered in an emergency.

When it comes to finding a good veterinarian, it’s hard to beat Costa Rican veterinary services.

Pura Vida! 🌺