Yeah, I don't miss that about the US. Vet bills were less than human doctor bills by a long shot but still kicked you in the pants every time you took your dog in for anything you are staring down the barrel of a several hundred dollar trip.
I took Nadi in for annual vaccination shots and some deworming tablets a few months ago and also asked them to cut her nails - which I am afraid to do after that dreaded day that I cut them myself and broke the quick in two of her toes.
The total bill was around $7
$7! That is amazing!