Petmed

Transparent Veterinary Pricing in Dubuque, IA

“I’ve sat on both sides of the exam room—as a pet owner who would do anything for my own pets, and as a veterinarian helping families navigate those same decisions. I know how frustrating it can be when cost becomes part of the equation, even when we wish it didn’t.

Sharing some of our pricing is one way I can be more transparent, reduce that uncertainty, and help you feel more prepared and supported when it matters most—because these decisions are never just numbers on a page.”

— Dr. Mackenzie Hellert
Martin and Thaddeus’ Mom

At PetMed of Key West Veterinary Clinic, we provide full-service veterinary care for dogs and cats in Dubuque, Asbury, Peosta, Epworth, Dyersville, Farley, and surrounding communities. Below are general starting points for our veterinary services. Every pet is unique, and their care reflects that. We’ll always walk through recommendations and discuss estimates with you prior to providing treatment.

Routine Preventive Care

Keeping your pet healthy starts with consistent, proactive care. From physical exams to vaccines and routine testing, this section covers the services most pets need throughout the year to stay well.

Exams & Visits

All pets require a current exam with one of our veterinarians, just like a yearly physical with your doctor. We do not offer “vaccine-only” visits. An exam ensures your pet is healthy and that vaccines and treatments are given safely and appropriately.

Vaccinations

Vaccines help protect your pet from serious diseases that can affect their well-being. Our team tailors your pet’s vaccination schedule to their specific lifestyle and risk.

Dogs:

  • Rabies: $28 
  • Distemper: $32 
  • Bordetella: $30 
  • Leptospirosis: $35 
  • Lyme: $45 

Cats:

  • Rabies: $36 
  • Distemper: $32
  • Feline Leukemia: $45

Rabies vaccines must be given by a veterinarian (by law). After your pet’s yearly exam, additional vaccines can be performed during technician visits when appropriate.

Screening Tests

Preventive testing allows our team to detect and treat any health problems before they become serious. Our fecal testing includes screening for Giardia, a common intestinal parasite in the Dubuque area that is not included in many basic in-house tests. This helps us catch infections that might otherwise be missed.

The 4Dx test screens for heartworm disease as well as common tick-borne diseases like Lyme.

If a pet tests positive for Lyme exposure, we perform additional testing (called a C6 test) to help determine whether this represents an active infection or past exposure. This allows us to make more accurate treatment decisions and avoid unnecessary medications.

When indicated, this follow-up testing (and repeat monitoring when needed) is included as part of our care so we can make the most accurate decisions for your pet.

  • Heartworm & tick-borne disease test (4Dx): $76
  • Fecal Test (includes Giardia screening): $62

Routine Services (Technician Appointments)

Services performed during technician appointments do not require an exam fee but are available only for established patients so we can ensure safe handling and appropriate care. Some services (such as grooming-related services like nail trims) may be subject to sales tax.

For current patients only:

 

  • Nail Trim: $25
  • Nail Dremel: $38
  • Anal Gland Expression: $40
  • Microchip: $72

Parasite Prevention

Fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms are common and require year-round prevention. We provide veterinarian-approved products tailored to your pet, often at a lower overall cost than Chewy when rebates and product guarantees are factored in.

See Pricing →

Surgery & Dental Care (Starting Prices)

We believe in being transparent about costs while also providing safe, thorough surgical and dental care for every patient. All dental and surgical procedures include:

  • Anesthesia and monitoring 
  • Pain medications before, during, and after surgery 
  • Routine aftercare instructions 
  • E-collar or recovery options when recommended 

IV catheter placement is included for all procedures except routine cat neuters, where it is not typically required.

Dental Cleaning (Teeth Cleaning)

Every dental procedure includes full-mouth dental X-rays on every patient, anesthesia and monitoring, pain management, and a professional cleaning and oral evaluation. Dental disease often occurs below the gumline, and X-rays allow us to diagnose and treat problems that cannot be seen during a visual exam alone. 

Dental procedures can vary widely in cost, depending on if your pet needs extractions or other dental treatments. We do our best to provide an accurate treatment plan based on your pet’s dental disease stage, but many periodontal problems are hidden until we are able to safely anesthetize your pet and review full-mouth X-rays.

Dental cleaning: Starting at $390+ for Grade 1 or mild dental disease

Spay & Neuter

The pricing outlined below for spays and neuters is the initial starting price. Additional fees may be necessary if your female pet is in heat or pregnant, if your male pet has a retained testicle, or for other medical issues that require treatment.

Dogs (Starting at): 

  • Spay: $365+
    Neuter: $275+

Cats (Starting at): 

  • Cat spay: $342+
    Cat neuter: $130+

Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL/ACL) Surgery

Knee injuries are one of the most common orthopedic issues in dogs. We offer cruciate ligament repair (often referred to as ACL surgery) at competitive pricing, which varies based on your pet’s size and specific surgical needs.

  • Cruciate (ACL/CCL) repair: Starting at $2,800

 

Required Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork

For your pet’s safety, pre-anesthetic bloodwork is required for all surgical and dental procedures. When bloodwork is completed at least 2–3 days prior to surgery, we offer a discount of up to $50 compared to same-day testing. Bloodwork allows us to evaluate organ function before anesthesia, identify any hidden risks, and adjust anesthesia protocols for your pet. We do not perform anesthesia without appropriate safety testing. This is a standard part of safe, modern veterinary care.


Typical cost: $135–$165

Before Scheduling Surgery

To ensure safe and appropriate care, we require:

 

  • A current exam with one of our veterinarians 
  • Up-to-date rabies and distemper vaccines (at minimum) 
  • An established relationship with our clinic

Urgent & Emergency Care

When something unexpected comes up, we offer same-day care options to help address concerns quickly. We recommend calling ahead so our team can prepare for your pet’s arrival and provide timely care.

  • Same-day urgent care (current clients): starting at $110 
  • New client urgent care: starting at $175 

After-hours emergency fee (current patients only): $250

Why Our Pricing May Be Different

At PedMed of Key West Veterinary Clinic, our approach to care goes beyond simply offering low-cost services. We focus on providing thoughtful, attentive care at every visit, including: 

  • Thorough exams 
  • Safe anesthesia and monitoring 
  • Pain management 
  • High-quality diagnostics 
  • Clear communication 

We’re committed to doing what’s right for your pet, with care and attention you can feel confident in. If you have questions about veterinary pricing in Dubuque or your pet’s specific needs, our team is always happy to walk you through options and help you plan ahead.

Dalmatian dog receiving an exam with stethoscope