F....Animal Vets
 

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I was going to title this thread how to lose $1,500 in half hour outside of Vegas; Answer go to a Vet. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I love my dogs a lot let me first say that. My wife is obsessed with the dogs. With that said the past two weeks my one dog has been throwing up once a day but acts normal otherwise. My wife takes him to the Vet (AKA Alarmist), where they say he has an enlarged spleen and heart, maybe. So off to the Pet ER (why these things are never discovered during office hours is beyond; tack on additional fees). Where he gets a bunch of ultrasounds that say he is fine and yes his heart and spleen are a bit oversized. He will need to take over the counter Zantac and they will be $1500 for the half hour testing. Oh and he also needs to come back for a GI scan, another $500. Not to mention he may need to go see a cardiovascular Vet about his heart. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]So much money it is crazy. We just had a baby 7 weeks ago and now all this. Vet’s are just getting out of hand with the cost. I love my dogs but there is a point where you need to draw the line in the sand. The dog’s bills can’t take away from my son’s growth. If you are a dog owner someday you will face this same problem. It is gut wrench having to set a financial limit on dog that you love. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Now days a man can barely afford to have a child, home and a dog. Today’s economy is just horrible. I am starting to feel like the American dream is no longer attainable. [/SIZE][/FONT]
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Re: F....Animal Vets
 

Dude I feel you on this.

I've got a Miniature Schnauzer. She's 11 years old now. Great personality, playful when you want to play, cuddly when the wife wants to cuddle, mild-mannered with the kids, perfect dog. We love her, my wife is especially attached.

A few years ago she was peeing in the house frequently. We'd walk her and let her out all the time. But she'd stop to pee every 10 steps. Eventually she would strain to pee, and then eventually blood showed up in the urine.

She was clearly in pain so we took her to the vet. They did x-rays (which I was fine with) and they found bladder stones. They recommended surgery to remove the stones and a special diet to prevent them from forming again. The surgery was $600. It was costly, but I was even fine with that, because I can't let my dog deal with that much pain, ya know?

But then as the vet is listening to her heart, she says I hear a bit of a heart murmur. I think we should do an echocardiogram just to be sure the heart can handle the anestesia from the bladder surgery. So they got me all worried about her heart giving out, so we're like OK do the echo. Another $250.

Now everytime we take her in to get immunizations, her teeth cleaned, whatever, they ALWAYS say that we should do another echo to see if the murmur gets worse.

WHY? Are we going to do open heart surgery on my effing dog??? Even if her murmur is bad, we're not paying for a $4000 heart surgery. So I drew the line, I told them no more Echos, the murmur is what it is.

I think it's part of their business model. Tug at your heartstrings to get you to open your wallet.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

Thanks Schneed it is always nice to know someone else is walking on your same path in life.

I really don't think our normal vet is trying to make money off us, since most of the bills were added up at the ER Vet. I think some of it has something to do with CYA and lawsuits. It is up to us as pet owners to say when enough is enough. Which you have done.

My problem lies with my obessed wife over the dog. She simiply can not make that decision. She is going to need a intervention or something. The part that gets me the most is the dog is not in pain at all and now that he is taking the Zantac he is golden no throwing up. Enough with the testing.

I also agree with the heart. They want to check for a tumor, ok lets say he has one, there is nothing we can do. So why waste the money trying to find out something you can't do jack about. I would rather not know and see how long he goes. Ignorance is bliss in this case. Let me add they already said they saw no fluid around his heart (good sign) and he is in no pain.

It is madding!

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

I guess you gotta know which places to go. My sister is a vet assistant and she told me she would never take our dogs or my cat (We have 2 dogs, and my cat) to where she works because they charge you 2-3 times what other places would. She says the place she takes our pets to only charge you for services rendered, like if an animal needs a shot, they'll charge you for that shot but they won't charge you for bringing the animal in to take a look at them, but where she works, they charge you 50 bucks just to bring her in and get her checked out, and then they pile on a bunch of fees, like "labor" for giving the pet a shot, in addition to all those other fees that bring the bill out to like 4-5 times what it would be at another place. She doesn't like working there either, because the owner is a greedy asshole who's bottom line is how much money is going into her pocket.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

There's a quick and easy solution... don't have pets.

Yes I know I'm being a jerk. But tell me I'm wrong.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=mredskins;450801]Thanks Schneed it is always nice to know someone else is walking on your same path in life.

I really don't think our normal vet is trying to make money off us, since most of the bills were added up at the ER Vet. I think some of it has something to do with CYA and lawsuits. It is up to us as pet owners to say when enough is enough. Which you have done.

My problem lies with my obessed wife over the dog. She simiply can not make that decision. She is going to need a intervention or something. The part that gets me the most is the dog is not in pain at all and now that he is taking the Zantac he is golden no throwing up. Enough with the testing.

I also agree with the heart. They want to check for a tumor, ok lets say he has one, there is nothing we can do. So why waste the money trying to find out something you can't do jack about. I would rather not know and see how long he goes. Ignorance is bliss in this case. Let me add they already said they saw no fluid around his heart (good sign) and he is in no pain.

It is madding![/quote]

I think you're right about CYA and lawsuits. They want to make sure they don't leave themselves exposed to a big suit. Sign of the times I guess.

You talked about the American Dream getting harder to attain, that CYA mindset is a big reason why. So many people suing for huge payouts has resulted in medical professionals (vets or otherwise) doing all they can to avoid a lawsuit.

Also, my wife also has a very hard time separating her emotional attachment to the dog from the medical decisions. I've taken the tactic of insisting that we sleep on medical decisions for the dog. We'll be in the vet's office, and the vet will make my wife all worried, and before you know it my wife will be agreeing to every test known to man. When she sleeps on it a few days, she gets the chance to cool those emotions down and then I can actually get through to her with a logical argument. That's when I ask her "Why do an echo on a heart that we're not going to fix anyway?" Once the emotions calm down a little bit, she's a little easier to get through to.

Doesn't always work, but you could try it! After all, what's the harm in waiting a few days if you end up deciding to do the tests anyway?

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=Mattyk72;450806]There's a quick and easy solution... don't have pets.

Yes I know I'm being a jerk. But tell me I'm wrong.[/quote]


Right now I am mad and venting but if I pull back and look at what that dog has given back to me $1500 - $2000 is nothing for that kind of happiness.

Pets are no sweat compared to kids. My first is seven weeks old and has been nothing but work since day one but to seem him simle or do anything it is all worth it.

Most of the best things in life also require at times sweat, blood, and tears but it all worth it!

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=mredskins;450809]Right now I am mad and venting but if I pull back and look at what that dog has given back to me $1500 - $2000 is nothing for that kind of happiness.

Pets are no sweat compared to kids. My first is seven weeks old and has been nothing but work since day one but to seem him simle or do anything it is all worth it.

Most of the best things in life also require at times sweat, blood, and tears but it all worth it![/quote]

I know, I'm just sayin'

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=Mattyk72;450806]There's a quick and easy solution... don't have pets.

Yes I know I'm being a jerk. But tell me I'm wrong.[/quote]

LOL

It would be simpler, that's for sure. At some point, that is exactly the decision you have to make when the medical bills get too costly. Let's say your dog gets cancer. Really, your choices are pay $3000 for cancer treatments, or not to have a dog anymore (put him down).

It's a labor of love. And the cost is definitely worth it... up to a point.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

S10 thanks for all your comments today. You definitley gave me some hope!

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=Schneed10;450811]LOL

It would be simpler, that's for sure. At some point, that is exactly the decision you have to make when the medical bills get too costly. Let's say your dog gets cancer. Really, your choices are pay $3000 for cancer treatments, or not to have a dog anymore (put him down).

It's a labor of love. And the cost is definitely worth it... up to a point.[/quote]

That's the truth but it hurts just as much as losing a loved one. I had a black lab for about 8 years, up until August of 05, and he contracted heart and lung cancer and we had to put him down because there was no way my family could afford the payments that it would've cost to keep him alive. That's the price you have to pay in the end.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=mredskins;450813]S10 thanks for all your comments today. You definitley gave me some hope![/quote]
Sadly, you are not the only one that will be ??????? foolish enough to lay some real $$$ down for your pet.........or famliy member. They do become more like family members. We paid to have a hip problem (much pain for the dog) corrected last year for one of our dogs. It was definately a good decision as the dog brings much joy to my wife (and more to me than I like to admit).
Had it were 5k, she would have to be put down. HOWEVER, we would grieve her passing like......a family member

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

Back in the 80's all a vet did was look at your dog and could make a few suggestions. In todays world they can now run test after test with expensive equipment just like doctors do for people. The tough part now is with all this new equipment and testing where do you draw the line "$". Before it was pretty simple either let the pet suffer or put them to sleep. I'm sure their are vets which take advantage of people.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

Who's up for starting an insurance company for pets with me? We'd make millions!!!

Okay, in all seriousness deciding that it is too costly to keep treating a pet is one of the hardest decisions to make. My family was forced to do that with our 13 year old yellow lab a few years ago and it was like saying that we weren't going to pay for cancer treatments for a family member.
You also have to take into account what spending all that money will do for your pet. We decided that trying to literally buy our 13 year old dog another couple of months or maybe a year or two just wasn't worth it, especially since his quality of life wouldn't significantly improve.

As far as just deciding to not have a pet, I suppose that is the easiest course of action, but I think for some people you just don't feel right without having a pet around. I grew up with dogs and cats (I could have done without the cats) and I hate not having a dog right now. I don't have one because I know that it would be tough to care for a dog by myself, especially since I live in the city, but I do hope to get one in the next few years.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

Trust me, I know this one by heart.

I have had two dogs die in the past 4 years. Both young, both expensive. Add in the 12 year old lab who requires $50-60 in meds each month for his dysplasia and we’re talking real money.

Abby had epilepsy and always had her worst seizures on off hours (of course). We took her to the Pet ER who gave her a shot and then would insist on her staying the night for monitoring. We did this once, at tremendous expense. After that we spoke to our regular vet who gave us an epi-pen for dogs so that we could administer the shot. We had to do this several times and our vet kept supplying us with the pens at minimal cost. On occasion, when she would have truly bad strokes, we would take her to the Pet ER and after they calmed her, take her home. In doing so, the Pet ER people made us sign a waiver that, essentially, said “We are horrible parents, if the dog dies it’s all our fault. We were warned but chose to ignore the warning.” I know it’s a disclaimer for the purposes of CYA as Schneed10 said, but, damn, they do their best to make you feel like crap sometimes.

Abby got cancer and died after some expensive tests and medication. She was six.

Then there was Bronwyn who died this past Christmas.

She was a sweet and beautiful puppy who led a short and hard life. In doing so, unlike many humans, she never complained, loved us with her last breath and was my son’s best playmate and protector.

She was a crazy happy puppy who wanted to play all the time. One day in April '07, she bolted out our front door and ran down the block and across the avenue to “her” field. She was only 7 months old and we were still working on obedience training. She simply was not responsive to my calls as her desire to play outweighed her desire to obey. She ran right in front of a car and was hit. Broke her back, fractured her skull, broke a femur and lost all the ligaments and tendons in a rear ankle. She spent 2 weeks in Pet ER (Do the math on that one!) and spent another six weeks, essentially, crated at home. Over that time, we had to change her bandage 3-4 times a day where the skin, tendons and ligaments had been ripped away to avoid infection and take her to the vet 3 times a week. Unbelievably, she made a full recovery with only a slight limp in her ankle. We called her the “Miracle Dog”. In September, she went to the beach with us and was swimming in the surf. The total cost of the treatment was in the neighborhood of 6-7K.

Then Christmas came and we went away for a couple days. When we came back, Bronwyn was clearly not well. We waited through the night to take her the vet. The tests came back very bad. She had an auto-immune disease called IMHA. Her red blood cell count was low and falling fast. Our vet told us to take her to the Pet ER for monitoring. 48 hours and two blood transfusions later, she died in the middle of the night (a kindly neighbor came over at 2:00 a.m. to sit with our kids while we went to be with her).

On the night she was to die, my wife and I were leaving around 11:00 pm. to visit her. As we were getting ready to leave, my four-year old son comes to me, sits in my lap, and whispers so only I could hear him - “Dad, please don’t let Bronwyn die.” It was the innocent plea of a child who still thinks: “Dad can do anything”. All I could say was “I’ll try son, I’ll try.” -- In all my life, I have never felt so powerless as that moment.

Bronwyn died 4 hours later. Did I mention I felt powerless?

Although her time with us was brief, Bronwyn left an indelible mark on our hearts. For all her troubles, she never slowed down. For her, regardless of the pain and suffering, life was about joy. She had no concept of bitterness or anger at her circumstances. Rather, at every stage and until the very end, she showed us that each moment of life is to be enjoyed no matter the trials faced.

In her short life, Bronwyn cost us well over 10K. My wife and I constantly stressed over money and, now, as we face tuition bills, we worry and punish ourselves with our choices. In the end, however, while I wish it had not been so costly, I would do it all again and my only regret is that Bronwyn is no longer with us.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;450842]Trust me, I know this one by heart.

I have had two dogs die in the past 4 years. Both young, both expensive. Add in the 12 year old lab who requires $50-60 in meds each month for his dysplasia and we’re talking real money.

Abby had epilepsy and always had her worst seizures on off hours (of course). We took her to the Pet ER who gave her a shot and then would insist on her staying the night for monitoring. We did this once, at tremendous expense. After that we spoke to our regular vet who gave us an epi-pen for dogs so that we could administer the shot. We had to do this several times and our vet kept supplying us with the pens at minimal cost. On occasion, when she would have truly bad strokes, we would take her to the Pet ER and after they calmed her, take her home. In doing so, the Pet ER people made us sign a waiver that, essentially, said “We are horrible parents, if the dog dies it’s all our fault. We were warned but chose to ignore the warning.” I know it’s a disclaimer for the purposes of CYA as Schneed10 said, but, damn, they do their best to make you feel like crap sometimes.

Abby got cancer and died after some expensive tests and medication. She was six.

Then there was Bronwyn who died this past Christmas.

She was a sweet and beautiful puppy who led a short and hard life. In doing so, unlike many humans, she never complained, loved us with her last breath and was my son’s best playmate and protector.

She was a crazy happy puppy who wanted to play all the time. One day in April '07, she bolted out our front door and ran down the block and across the avenue to “her” field. She was only 7 months old and we were still working on obedience training. She simply was not responsive to my calls as her desire to play outweighed her desire to obey. She ran right in front of a car and was hit. Broke her back, fractured her skull, broke a femur and lost all the ligaments and tendons in a rear ankle. She spent 2 weeks in Pet ER (Do the math on that one!) and spent another six weeks, essentially, crated at home. Over that time, we had to change her bandage 3-4 times a day where the skin, tendons and ligaments had been ripped away to avoid infection and take her to the vet 3 times a week. Unbelievably, she made a full recovery with only a slight limp in her ankle. We called her the “Miracle Dog”. In September, she went to the beach with us and was swimming in the surf. The total cost of the treatment was in the neighborhood of 6-7K.

Then Christmas came and we went away for a couple days. When we came back, Bronwyn was clearly not well. We waited through the night to take her the vet. The tests came back very bad. She had an auto-immune disease called IMHA. Her red blood cell count was low and falling fast. Our vet told us to take her to the Pet ER for monitoring. 48 hours and two blood transfusions later, she died in the middle of the night (a kindly neighbor came over at 2:00 a.m. to sit with our kids while we went to be with her).

On the night she was to die, my wife and I were leaving around 11:00 pm. to visit her. As we were getting ready to leave, my four-year old son comes to me, sits in my lap, and whispers so only I could hear him - “Dad, please don’t let Bronwyn die.” It was the innocent plea of a child who still thinks: “Dad can do anything”. All I could say was “I’ll try son, I’ll try.” -- In all my life, I have never felt so powerless as that moment.

Bronwyn died 4 hours later. Did I mention I felt powerless?

Although her time with us was brief, Bronwyn left an indelible mark on our hearts. For all her troubles, she never slowed down. For her, regardless of the pain and suffering, life was about joy. She had no concept of bitterness or anger at her circumstances. Rather, at every stage and until the very end, she showed us that each moment of life is to be enjoyed no matter the trials faced.

In her short life, Bronwyn cost us well over 10K. My wife and I constantly stressed over money and, now, as we face tuition bills, we worry and punish ourselves with our choices. In the end, however, while I wish it had not been so costly, I would do it all again and my only regret is that Bronwyn is no longer with us.[/quote]

JR, nice post. Knowing that you'd do it all over again definitely provides comfort that you made the right decision. Not only that, but you can feel comforted by the fact that you did everything you could to take care of your dogs. In the process, you probably taught your kids a valuable lesson without even realizing it: you don't quit on family, you stick by them and you care for them when they need you.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;450825]Who's up for starting an insurance company for pets with me? We'd make millions!!!
[/quote]


Actually there is pet insurance, but coverage ends before the dogs get old enough to need it plus if the dog has a preexisting condition, you can't get covered.


It's basically useless. I looked into it because of how vets empty your bank accounts for tests...but if the dog won't be covered when it's older, there's no point.

My dog is 5 1/2 and hasn't had a single health issue, just a few broken toenails from ice or getting snagged on carpet while playing that needed to be cleaned up and wrapped up. So if I had the insurance, the premiums I paid would be for nothing.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

I'm with Matty. I've never had a pet because I'm too cognizant of an animals life expectancy. I can however empathize with pet owners dealing with high vet bills. My wife buried her 16 year old yellow lab, much like AMD's story, a few years ago. The whole family was emotionally tore up over this loss.

Currently we have a cat, inherited with the marriage, that has an upper respiratory infection. The vet recommends taking him to have his nose checked out with a scope and possibly surgically removing whatever is causing the infection: pollup, foreign matter, etc. Approximate bill = $1500. It's hard deciding the best course of action when the bill gets to a certain number. I think I'd be okay if the cost were ~$500, maybe $750 but once we get into the $1,000 range you're talking real money.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=Schneed10;450853]JR, nice post. Knowing that you'd do it all over again definitely provides comfort at you made the right decision. Not only that, but you can feel comforted by the fact that you did everything you could to take care of your dogs. In the process, you probably taught your kids a valuable lesson without even realizing it: you don't quit on family, you stick by them and you care for them when they need you.[/quote]

I agree with all that, but..............I WILL EVER read another post by JoeR, that even COULD BE on an emotional level!!! It took me 20 minutes to stop crying long enough to respond. What next, a story from your childhood, fearturing Ol' Yeller??????

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

JR thanks for sharing your story. It proves my theory someone always has it tougher.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[QUOTE=mredskins;450867]JR thanks for sharing your story. It proves my theory someone always has it tougher.[/QUOTE]

Well, I wasn't trying to "one up you". Just letting you know that, as a fellow pet lover, I understand both the difficult choices we must face at times and the wonderful rewards that our four-legged friends bring us.

For as much as we treat them like family, are pets aren't human and, at times, the real needs of our human family will force us into horrible Hobbesian choices. The pain at those times can be visceral.

[Stop reading now Hog1] On the other hand, as Schneed10 said, my son did learn a hard but sweet lesson. One of Bronwyn's favorite things to do was stick her head and paws into the bathtub while Aidan (my son) was getting his bath. Shortly after Bronwyn's death, my wife was giving Aidan a bath and, while doing so, had a "Bronwyn Moment". Aidan asked her why she was crying and my wife said that she just missed Bronwyn. My son reached out, took his mother's hand and, with the conviction of a comforting sage, said "Mom, it's okay, as long as she's in our hearts and minds, Bronwyn will always be with us." I thought that was some pretty intense thinking for a four year old.

My wife, however, completely lost it.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

BTW - My user CP has a picture of me and Bronwyn for those interested.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

I spent $80 dollars at the vet Saturday because apparently my new beagle is a drama queen.

Sadie was flying around the back yard, excited that my husband was home. She then stops, lets out this blood curdling howl and raises her paw up. OMG... the howls coming out of that dog when you'd try to touch her paw were deafening. I tell my husband he'll have to take her to the vet because it might be broken.

Long story short... She comes trotting out of the exam room after 10 minutes as happy as can be. She's fine. There's nothing wrong with her paw other than she may have stepped on something weird. Then the vet basically tells my husband that beagles are pretty much big babies and there's nothing to worry about. So Sadie spends the rest of her visit schmoozing with the staff and getting her picture taken.

I basically spent $80 for a stubbed toe and a kodak moment. Nice.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

$80 that doesn't even cover the tax on my bill.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=mredskins;450916]$80 that doesn't even cover the tax on my bill.[/quote]
My husband and I thought it was more humorous than anything. We pretty much felt like our dog played us. Now we know to wait a bit before hitting the panic button when she goes into drama mode.

I know too well the cost of maintaining a physically ill pet. I had to put down my 12 year old cocker spaniel last September. Unfortunately, cockers have a lot of problems that are inherent to the breed. Cancer, skin tumors, deafness and blindness finally got the best of him. He had three major surgeries over his lifetime and we probably spent over $2000 just to have benign tumors and skin growths removed every so often. He also suffered from terrible ear infections which a former vet never properly treated him for. Factor in his general vet care over the course of 12+ years and that's quite a chunk.

Would I do it all over again? You betcha. Would I ever have another cocker spaniel again? No way.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=Lady Brave;450956]My husband and I thought it was more humorous than anything. We pretty much felt like our dog played us. Now we know to wait a bit before hitting the panic button when she goes into drama mode.

I know too well the cost of maintaining a physically ill pet. I had to put down my 12 year old cocker spaniel last September. [B]Unfortunately, cockers have a lot of problems that are inherent to the breed.[/B] Cancer, skin tumors, deafness and blindness finally got the best of him. He had three major surgeries over his lifetime and we probably spent over $2000 just to have benign tumors and skin growths removed every so often. He also suffered from terrible ear infections which a former vet never properly treated him for. Factor in his general vet care over the course of 12+ years and that's quite a chunk.

Would I do it all over again? You betcha. Would I ever have another cocker spaniel again? No way.[/quote]

Each breed of dogs are prone to a whole mess of different inherent problems.

I've even seen a pug that a guy had thrown thousands of dollars into so it could have multiple back surgeries. And the dog hadn't even reached 8 years old yet.

I think there are a few steady breeds that, when they get older, won't be a complete mess. Labs, golden retrievers, boxers and big working group dogs (Dobermans, Sheepdogs, Newfies, Rottweilers) tend to hold up very well so long as you keep them in shape and don't overfeed them.

I've never owned a dog, but I've worked with them for over 2 years and I can understand that bond between people and their pets. It's just like having a kid (to a point). If your dog needs something, I can understand an owner pouring almost as much money necessary into making sure it gets good treatment.

But I do think vets gouge on what they wanna do for pet owners. I know a dog that is on medication for separation anxiety. Come on... Is that really worth medicating your dog over? I can see if he's just freaking out and biting people when he's away from his owner or something.. But I really don't think it's worth spending money on a dog for medication for separation anxiety. Maybe it is? I just don't understand it myself.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=DynamiteRave;450972][B]Each breed of dogs are prone to a whole mess of different inherent problems. [/B]

I've even seen a pug that a guy had thrown thousands of dollars into so it could have multiple back surgeries. And the dog hadn't even reached 8 years old yet.

I think there are a few steady breeds that, when they get older, won't be a complete mess. Labs, golden retrievers, boxers and big working group dogs (Dobermans, Sheepdogs, Newfies, Rottweilers) tend to hold up very well so long as you keep them in shape and don't overfeed them.

I've never owned a dog, but I've worked with them for over 2 years and I can understand that bond between people and their pets. It's just like having a kid (to a point). If your dog needs something, I can understand an owner pouring almost as much money necessary into making sure it gets good treatment.

But I do think vets gouge on what they wanna do for pet owners. I know a dog that is on medication for separation anxiety. Come on... Is that really worth medicating your dog over? I can see if he's just freaking out and biting people when he's away from his owner or something.. But I really don't think it's worth spending money on a dog for medication for separation anxiety. Maybe it is? I just don't understand it myself.[/quote]
True, but I think there are certain breeds that suffer from chronic health issues that can't be corrected through surgery or a series of treatments. They have ongoing issues that over the course of their life results in higher medical costs. While one breed might be prone to one issue, another breed can be prone to five different ones.

We once asked our vet's staff what breed of dog would they recommend to someone. Their response was that they could tell us what breed they definately wouldn't recommend... cocker spaniels. Unfortunately their temperaments are often poor and they can be very expensive to care for because of their medical and grooming costs. I tend to agree.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[QUOTE=Lady Brave;450893]I spent $80 dollars at the vet Saturday because apparently my new beagle is a drama queen.

Sadie was flying around the back yard, excited that my husband was home. She then stops, lets out this blood curdling howl and raises her paw up. OMG... the howls coming out of that dog when you'd try to touch her paw were deafening. I tell my husband he'll have to take her to the vet because it might be broken.

Long story short... She comes trotting out of the exam room after 10 minutes as happy as can be. She's fine. There's nothing wrong with her paw other than she may have stepped on something weird. Then the vet basically tells my husband that beagles are pretty much big babies and there's nothing to worry about. So Sadie spends the rest of her visit schmoozing with the staff and getting her picture taken.

I basically spent $80 for a stubbed toe and a kodak moment. Nice.[/QUOTE]
Get used to it. Beagles are serious emotional wrecks. We now have a hound/lab mix that is even worse.

I'd ignore it but she almost died about a month ago when she and our middle dog were playing and the older dog's jaw got caught in her collar and almost strangled her. Luckily I was right there and was able to get her undone but not before she was deprived of oxygen for a good minute. After that she stood up, crapped and passed out. Serious life changing momoent for the pup. Same for me. She was literally dying in my arms as I tried to untangled them. I ended up worse probably than her with all the cuts and scratches I got and a $400 midnight visit to the ER vet.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[QUOTE=Lady Brave;450978]True, but I think there are certain breeds that suffer from chronic health issues that can't be corrected through surgery or a series of treatments. They have ongoing issues that over the course of their life results in higher medical costs. While one breed might be prone to one issue, another breed can be prone to five different ones.

We once asked our vet's staff what breed of dog would they recommend to someone. Their response was that they could tell us what breed they definately wouldn't recommend... cocker spaniels. Unfortunately their temperaments are often poor and they can be very expensive to care for because of their medical and grooming costs. I tend to agree.[/QUOTE]

Pure breeds in general have shorter life expectancies and higher maintenance costs because their lack of interbreeding really never lets nature take it course. Mixed dogs generally get the bad traits bred out and live longer while pure breds just pass the crappy hips and so forth from one generation to the next without the bad traits ever getting "natural selectioned" out.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=FRPLG;450994]Get used to it. Beagles are serious emotional wrecks. We now have a hound/lab mix that is even worse.

I'd ignore it but she almost died about a month ago when she and our middle dog were playing and the older dog's jaw got caught in her collar and almost strangled her. Luckily I was right there and was able to get her undone but not before she was deprived of oxygen for a good minute. After that she stood up, crapped and passed out. Serious life changing momoent for the pup. Same for me. She was literally dying in my arms as I tried to untangled them. I ended up worse probably than her with all the cuts and scratches I got and a $400 midnight visit to the ER vet.[/quote]
Glad she's ok. Does she act any differently now since the incident?

Sadie has a few issues (timid around men, hates thunderstorms), but she's a very good dog. She's really laid back and quiet most of the time. She only gets excited when we come home. I was so worried I would end up with a chronic howler.

One thing I've noticed is that she is starting to shy away when we have several people around or the neighbors bring their dogs over. She loves the neighbors dogs and she'll be fine for awhile, then I'll find her off in a corner of the yard somewhere by herself. I just find that odd since beagles are bred to be part of a hunting pack and really don't enjoy being by themselves. She's like our little wallflower now. I'm just wondering if she would do better if we got another dog.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[QUOTE=Lady Brave;451006]Glad she's ok. Does she act any differently now since the incident?

Sadie has a few issues (timid around men, hates thunderstorms), but she's a very good dog. She's really laid back and quiet most of the time. She only gets excited when we come home. I was so worried I would end up with a chronic howler.

One thing I've noticed is that she is starting to shy away when we have several people around or the neighbors bring their dogs over. She loves the neighbors dogs and she'll be fine for awhile, then I'll find her off in a corner of the yard somewhere by herself. I just find that odd since beagles are bred to be part of a hunting pack and really don't enjoy being by themselves. She's like our little wallflower now. I'm just wondering if she would do better if we got another dog.[/QUOTE]

She's doing just fine now. She def had a change in personality. A little more settled but not any more timid with her playing withe dogs strangely enough. The next few days after the incident she was pretty knocked on her ass but she'd sit outside and just stare off into pace contemplating life i think. She's a good looking sog and has turned out to have pretty good personality. Sh'es a winner.

I think most dogs do better with other dogs. They are pack animals and most tend to settle when another dog comes in. We have three and our middle dog, aka: "the strangler" was damn straight crazy wound tight before we got the puppy. Ever since though she has matured a good bit and become much more settled and a bit motherly. The oldest bog is just a old biddie who'd be one of those widowed 80 year olds bitching and moaning about everything if she were human. Every now and then she gets a kick in her step and will roll with the younger crew though. Then she'll take a nap. It is good for her though.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=Hog1;450863]I agree with all that, but..............I WILL NEVER read another post by JoeR, that even COULD BE on an emotional level!!! It took me 20 minutes to stop crying long enough to respond. What next, a story from your childhood, fearturing Ol' Yeller??????[/quote]...........................

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

Vets suck! Ive had my dog SWOL for almost 8 years now. For the past 5 he has had allergies that cause this nasty mucus to cover his eyes. The vets (several different ones) cant seem to figure anything out after thousands of dollars of tests. So I pay $80 a month for a 3.5g tube of ointment. REALLY $80 for a tube of antiboitic eye ointment, WTF!. and it really doesnt even help that much, i usually get a better reaction from him when i flush his eyes with the over the counter stuff from CVS for $5. F vets! if the answer isnt staring them in the face, then they have no clue.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

Stacks agreeded. They are great at figuring out broken legs.

"yup, I think it is broken, $1k please"

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

I don't think that most vets are out to gouge everyone. Hell it's tough enough to properly diagnose people sometimes and we can at least communicate what's wrong with us.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=Mattyk72;451063]I don't think that most vets are out to gouge everyone. Hell it's tough enough to properly diagnose people sometimes and we can at least communicate what's wrong with us.[/quote]


I think you have a very optimistic view, I think that vets are on par with auto mechanics. Every once in a while you can find a good honest one, but mostly its people who are there to gouge you, and sell you crap you dont need.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=Mattyk72;451063]I don't think that most vets are out to gouge everyone. Hell it's tough enough to properly diagnose people sometimes and we can at least communicate what's wrong with us.[/quote]

Only a select few are out to gouge. But to prevent against getting sued, they all have to assume that every owner wants to do everything in their power to get the pet healthy, including spending tens of thousands on tests and surgeries.

For most pet owners, the owner wants the vet to tell them, before testing, what the possible diagnoses are, what the costs of treating each diagnosis are, and the costs involved in testing for the diagnosis. Most owners will be able to rule out a number of treatment pathways right from the get-go based on cost. But vets instead cover their ass and recommend you do everything from A to Z. And when you opt not to, they make you sign that waiver JR mentioned, saying "I'm a bad pet owner, I'm going against vet's advice."

It's not a gouge, it's the cost of living in this ridiculous CYA, overly-litigious society.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

The best thing for dog owners is having a nice healthy dog and just when they start to have health problems they get flattened by a car.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=firstdown;451111]The best thing for dog owners is having a nice healthy dog and just when they start to have health problems they get flattened by a car.[/quote]

I guess this would be a true statement if I looked at owning my dogs as a finiancal investment.

Re: F....Animal Vets
 

[quote=firstdown;451111]The best thing for dog owners is having a nice healthy dog and just when they start to have health problems they get flattened by a car.[/quote]

Maybe you were trying to be funny or maybe you weren't, but all the same I don't find that cool. My sister's friend had a dog once who lived absolutely fine (It was a little weiner dog, I forget what their true name is) who got out of the yard once and she disappeared for a couple days and they discovered she got ran over near a school about a mile away from where she lived. That's the worst kind of pet death there is imo, one day you have a fine, healthy, normal pet and the next they get out and boom they're gone.