Clarion Animal Hospital

I typically see a particular veterinarian at CAH, who has provided excellent care to my many "kids." However, I recently brought my cat in for a dental. A few weeks prior, my vet had looked at my cat's teeth and gave me a verbal estimate (my BIG mistake)- quoting me $135 for the dental and about $40 per extraction. She saw 1-2 extractions, but stated she was not sure if there would be more. I would have asked for a written estimate but they were BUSY that day and I did not want to "add" to the their workload. I dropped my cat off for her dental, telling them to pull whatever teeth needed pulled. I picked her up and there was a $550+ bill waiting for me!! It was not my "regular" vet who did the dental. When I questioned the bill, I was told there were two exractions- equaling $255 of the bill (not the $8O I expected). Plus additional anesthesia. The reason I was given was they were basically a "different, more difficult" kind of extraction. Should I not have been told extractions could be higher than the $40ish I was originally quoted!!?? I previously worked as a vet assistant for 8 years (my mother a LVT for 30+ years), I have seen possibly hundreds of teeth pulled. I have never seen a cat tooth that was "hard" to extract (some larger canine molars, yes, kitty teeth, no) so they cannot bs me there. I spend LOTS of money on my babies, and I expect to because pet care costs money. However, I had trusted this clinic and did not expect to be blind sided. I cannot help but feel cheated.