Recommend Veterinary for Dogs

Hello, I have an older dog who is 11.5 yrs old. He recently started throwing up in the morning. Today was the second day. Yesterday he threw up thrice and today he threw us twice in the morning. I made the decision to take him to the Vet because he has never thrown up in the past. If it is an infection then I want to get it treated.The vet barely diagnosed him (took his temperature from the ears and pressed his stomach)and gave us three options. The first option was blood work, second was Radiography, and third was to wait for 48 hrs to see if he is getting better. I opted for the third option as I wanted to wait and see his condition. His temperature was 37 degree C that the vet said is normal. The vet pressed the stomach and he was okay with it. She remarked that the dog seems fine so there is nothing to be too concerned therefore I opted for the third option to wait and see his condition. She recommended anti- vomit medication, probiotics to be taken empty stomach and after eating the food. The total came to be $415. I was shocked that a simple diagnosis of 10min and simple medication would bring a fee of $415. I was infected by a virus last month that cause diarrhea and vomiting. I went to Walk-IN clinic and they prescribed the meds that costed around $50. For a dog the cost is $415 that is an amount I cannot fathom. I don't understand since when a human diagnosis/ medication is cheaper than an animal diagnosis/ medication. I don't wish to make this a rant post but it does seems as though the Vet that I am using is probably on the expensive side. I wanted to inquire if anyone is using a vet who is reasonable and charges appropriately. I don't understand how a 10 min diagnosis and simple medication add upto $415. I feel that a vet clinic for animals has a running cost that they try to meet from their customers by over- charging. I fear that tomorrow when my dog ages then I would probably have to set aside $2000-3000/ month for this checkup/ diagnosis that is equivalent to the mortgage that I pay. This dog came from an abused background so my friend picked him up. My friend's father was serious due to COVID so he left the dog with me for couple of months while his father was being treated in the hospital. My friend took the dog back after his father recovered from lung infection but the dog wouldn't eat and kept howling. After a day my friend requested if I can take the dog because the dog kept howling constantly and didn't eat/ drink for the entire day. I decided to take the dog and for the past 4 yrs he has been a great dog. I inquired about insurance from three companies but they declined insurance because of the dog's age and he didn't have any medical history. I tried to reach out to the previous owner but they never told me the Vet they used or the dog's name. They would pickup the call but would cut the call when I inquired about the dog's name and vet/ hospital they used for regular checkup. I gave up on the previous owners and gave up on the insurance. All in all- I don't have insurance.

Sorry for the lost post, Thank you if you made it till the end. Any vet recommendations would help a lot.