I've been to Palisades Pet Clinic, VCA Barcroft, and Columbia Pike Animal hospital for my two cats and have found Columbia Pike to the best -- both in terms of time spent and thoroughness, but also price. VCA Barcroft I always felt like was gouging me on extra exam fees, etc. Definitely get a second opinion.

we've been going to VCA Barcroft Cat Clinic for years ... the vet we loved has retired but we still go there, they are thorough and nice folks, if a little corporate...

wife took one of our cats back to Arl. Animal Hosp on Columbia Pike, which she took a previous cat to for yrs., they charge less but were also less thorough in some ways that surprised me (not even suggesting a blood profile on our 9 yr. old cat -- not that we'd have to get it but I do think it's a valid suggestion annually at that age).... but we had good experience w/ them too (though unlike VCA they are not cat-only).

A few years ago we had a cat have to have numerous teeth extracted during a teeth cleaning. We ended up paying about $900 I think because they had to remove 3 or 4 teeth. We went to Centreville Animal Hospital.

I used to go to Capital Cat as well. They are wonderful, but it is significantly more expensive than most other places in the area - for all procedures.

Thanks for the suggestions, and for the reality check! I've been going to Capital Cat Clinic in Ballston for years and I really really like them, but I had a feeling their charges are on the high end. I will check out some of these other places PPs have recommended.

sounds high --- which vet/clinic is this?

That's ridiculous. Find another vet. One of my cats just had a tooth pulled in January and the bill was $352 and that included $50 of optional blood work. That was in MD though. Consumer Checkbook ranks vets for price and quality. You might want to get a subscription.

Look at Columbia Pike Animal Hosp. in Annandale. They run a special on dental work every February- so you could get a discount right now- we've done it before and definitely not $800.

My cat had it done at Kingstowne Cat Clinic and it was certainly not that much. I can't remember what it was, but the most expensive thing we ever paid for the cat was the $600 endoscopy and I was choking on that for a long time.

I like Kingstowne Cat Clinic (off of Van Dorn Street in Alexandria) b/c they only do cats.

Drive 1-2 hours away from the city, then find a vet there.

17:12 -- where did you have it done? I'd love to get the name of the vet! Thanks

Drug the cat with catnip and pull it out yourself.

Our cat had 3 extractions in the fall, with bloodwork it was about $500.

I had my cat anesthetized for a tooth cleaning and a couple of extractions a few years ago. Unfortunately I don't remember the cost, but I know it was no where near $800 b/c I would not have done it (I was unemployed at the time). My guess is it was closer to $300-$400. I no longer have my feline friend (passed at 20 years!) but I highly recommend my vet--Dr. Adam Jaffe at Montgomery Animal Hospital, 301.881.6447. You can always call and ask receptionist about the cost to get a comparison.

Cat owners: have you had your cat put under for a dental cleaning and tooth extraction? What was the cost? My cat needs to have a tooth pulled (poor kitty) and then while she's under they would do a full dental cleaning. The vet's estimate came to about $800, which seems really high to me. I'm in Arlington and am thinking I should get an estimate from one or two other vets, unless this is just the going rate. If you can recommend your vet and/or let me know what you paid for a similar surgery, I would appreciate it! Thanks.