I'd agree with the above - those costs are not out of line at all. Like human healthcare, veterinary services are not cheap. It was almost $400 to have my former doggy best buddy euthanized and his remains disposed of. And it was nearly $600 for my new pup to be neutered. It's $150 bucks every time he goes to the groomers!!

Responsible pet ownership is not cheap.

Looks pretty normal to me, especially if it was at an emergency vet.

When I misread it as $7000, I thought it was expensive. $700 didn’t seem too expensive at all! We are very close to our vet - friends since he began his practice 34 years ago. There is a major shortage of vets in the US, because they only graduate 3500 a year. Our cat had a non-emergency surgery last week that was $300. A vet practice is a business like any other - they have overhead, employees with benefits, etc. you can have your friend ask about a payment plan. Also consider the cost of having pets.

at first glance, i thought the "weird-looking ailment" looked like a well-healed enucleation that was weeping fluid of some sort but i assume it was a problem/injury to a normal eye? am i missing something?

eye issues in pets is 100% an emergency so your family member was right to take this dog in right away.

as for the bill, it looks pretty standard to me. the only entry i find a bit questionable would be "sedation" at $175 but even that isn't totally out of line.

i have great danes. if you want to see sticker shock, i can show you a couple of e.r. visits for fairly minor issues that were double the costs here!

what did the problem turn out to be and is it getting better?

Sorry this happened to the pup, and emergency treatment is expensive.