FURTHER TO VET BILLS.. - Page 4

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

I always have pet insurance. It is pricey, but I want it and pay for it. I lost two dogs last year who both saw specialists. It was expensive, even with pet insurance. So what? I could afford it, so we had them treated.

One dog died from heart disease quite suddenly, though we expected it. The other one had to be euthanized. She could have been treated further, but I knew in my heart that I didn't want her to suffer and did her a kindness. both of my dogs had echocardiogram a, twice a year, expensive drugs and one had a big expensive surgery for Syringomia that allowed her to live. Without that surgery, I would have been forced to put her down around her first birthday.

Her Doctor was expensive and he is the best in the country. I was fortunate that he is only a hour and a half away. Many people fly their pets to him for treatment. He is super caring and not into it for the money.

Yes, Vets are expensive, but you can shop around and look for less expensive ones. Your choice.

I feel that if I can afford something and it is in the best interest of my pet to receive the procedure, I'll spend the money.

There has to be a limit though based on facts. My best friend had a lab who had cancer. She spent her entire inheritance from her mother for chemo for her dog. It was a long shot that the cancer would go into remission. He lost his life anyway after months of treatment. Her money, her choice.

We can only hope that everyone does the best they can with their pets to keep them safe and healthy to the best of their ability and finances. Everyone's best is different. I'll not judge their choices.

BadWolf · ‎10-10-2014

I agree that vet's are getting quite expensive, however, I understand the education they have invested in to perform their work. I do have a problem with going into some vets offices and they will have 3 to 5 desk staff just sitting around. Never understood their purpose. Then, when you take your pet into the exam room, a vet tech comes in first to go over existing info and ask if any problems. Finally, the vet comes in and asks basically the same questions. Seems I am paying a lot of overhead. So i changed to a smaller practice that concentrates on the animal and remembers the last time I was in.

As far as pushing expensive treatments, I think the vet is responsible to let you know of all available options, should you want to pursue treatment of a problem. They will not make the decision for you. I had to make that call on an aged furbaby that was my heart. He was 15 and the treatment would have been horrible and ongoing. I knew he would not want it so I stated so to the vet. Only after I made my decision, she said "I wouldn't either if it was my dog".

jubilant · ‎06-10-2010

One of DH's best friends is a retired vet. He heard how much some of the other friends are paying and what all is being done with their pets and this is what he says...."I should have never retired....I'd be a lot richer". Some of these shots the vets are giving today....he says, "in all my many years as a vet, I saw only two dogs with that disease (heartworm)". He was a vet for 40 yrs.

Also, @KingstonsMom said something I agree with. My grandmother had animals and most of them lived long lives (and had a lot less itching) than the dogs today. Maybe a little arthritis and bladder leaks when they were older. It seems to me, too, dogs were less sick in those days???? I wonder how much Dr. Pol charges!!! LOL! DH says he has his own dog food now.

Gorgf · ‎03-10-2010

I agree to seek a Vet like a Doctor that you can relate to and feel they are upfront and honest. When I moved to this area one had to drive half an hour to see a Vet. Now there are five and the one I used to like has gone Corporate so to speak. Now I have choices. Like our Medical Doctors and offices.

I had trouble with the young receptionist who must thought she was in charge. The first time I asked a question why ordering from their website on line was more expensive as shipping etc. It did not make sense. She snapped at me and said to order on line then. I told the Vet and she apologized.

The second time was summer before last and I rescued a dog and adoption instructions included what exactly date her Heartguard and Nexgard was to be continued. This receptionist argued with me that I needed a new blood test and I had to bring her in. She went on and on that they did not have a record and asked for her adoption number. I told her I had the file and could bring it in and show it was already in her system. Instead of offering to check and call me back she argued. I was so mad I said I would just use my other dog's pills as close in weight. She was doing what she was told to say I guess? Make a visit and lab fee for money?

To me it would be like me being told I had to have NEW lab blood work to get my prescription continued because I change Drs. I complained on line and they finially oked it. Too late. I am going new Vet which took time with Covid to get in as a new patient. The other Vet office did not care and I told them they were not the only game in town.

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@happycat wrote:
I hate what happened to you with and your dog that had the amputation. Its very sad indeed.
I have had 2 vets in the past that I felt like were in it for the money. I found a different vet with 2 vets that I trust.. Have used our present vet clinic for several years, I knew ours wasn't in it for the money when she asked to take my little jack russell who was having siezures home with her one afternoon. I went to get my little dog back the next day, I don't remember what the charge was, but it was very low.
My animals really like these 2 vets. Seeing as how I think animals are smarter than most people that means a lot to me. I think our animals can tell when ppl are full of ******-
there are both good and bad vets... like people doctors... not all vets are bad...

Very true, and I feel blessed that I have a couple of very good vets.

It hasn't always been cheap by any means especially when one needs surgery, but I have never felt that my current vets tried to take advantage of me and the love I have for these animals.

BadWolf · ‎10-10-2014

@Gorgf OK, had to add my vet horror story. I had taken my two Maltese to the same vet practice for over 12 years. This also involved taking them in for grooming every six weeks at the same practice and their grooming was not cheap. Once, my baby hurt his back so I called to take him in ASAP as he was in pain. They told me I could get in at 2:30 for an additional $25.00 emergency fee or come in after 5:00 when they had open visits until 7:00 but there would be no guarantee of him being seen. I paid the $25.00, got him pain and muscle relaxers from them and immediately came home and found a new vet.

Puppy Lips · ‎05-09-2010

Wow, I am sorry I missed that thread. I will have to read all these comments when I have more time. I absolutely love my Vet. However, I too think he charges too much. Years ago he mentioned that he was putting an addition on his house. Funny, his fees went up too. Recently he expanded his building, hired more people, and his fees went up again - but the services to me are the same. Years ago he did fix two problems with my Husky mix, Indigo, when no other Vet could figure out what to do. That is why I went to him in the first place. For that reason, I am going to be somewhat loyal to him.

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. Margaret Mead

chlema · ‎05-22-2010

@KingstonsMom How true. We had a wonderful dog many years ago when I was growing up. My parents never took her to a vet until it was time to euthanize her because she was dying and in pain. Never had her spayed, never had her get shots and she lived for 15 years. Now, I wouldn't do that, all mine had yearly care and the required innoculations but only one lived to be 14. The others left me due to cancer at 9 or 10 years. However I often wonder if some of the medications that are prescribed do more harm than good, such as the one that will kill fleas that you give to your dog in pill form once a month. If it kills fleas what I wonder does it do to the dog in the long run?

FancyPhillyshopper · ‎05-02-2017

There are many people in this country who suffer from poor health and cannot afford the best medical treatments. There are very rich people who have concierge doctors who come at their call. We have a capitalist economy where profit will always affect financial decisions.

People make their own decisions about how they will spend their money, and pet lovers who can financially afford advanced treatments have every right to do so. I do not begrudge vets their prices, because they spend a lot of money going to veterinary school and they also have many, many overhead costs.

I have a multi-pet household, and I have seen every kind of specialist vet. I have paid hundreds for a parakeet to be treated, and thousands for my cats and dogs. However, I also read all the veterinary research and ask a lot of questions. Just as many doctors are not perfect and do not know everything, the same is true of vets. We must become the best advocates for our pets, as well as for ourselves and our own medical needs.

For me the bottom line is, did I do everything possible to offer my pet the highest quality of life?

So sorry for those who have emotional pain due to the loss of the pet, or an ineffective treatment. That is the sorrow of owning animals--their too short life spans. The joy is the time they are with us are days filled with happiness.