[nagdu] Vet costs

[Sherrill O'Brien]

Tracy,

I'm assuming you don't get a break on your vet costs because Ben is a guide?
I do get ten percent off, which isn't much, but it's something.  Have you
approached them about a discount, which of course they could use as a tax
break?

Anyway, that's pretty pricey, but unfortunately, not unusual.  Was this
blood test  a comprehensive analysis, or were they simply looking for one
thing?  I've found that a total blood work up is extremely expensive.

I haven't looked at pet insurance for a couple years.  It sounds good in
theory, but at least when I did some research on it, it didn't seem all that
cost effective.  I'm thinking of doing a program on this topic at FLAGDU's
annual meeting next May.  I think with the difficult economy, and rising vet
bills, not to mention all these great and necessary, but oh so expensive
drugs for flea control and heartworm, it's the time to put these pet
insurance plans under a microscope to see what they offer.  Most likely your
vet's office has brochures about plans which they consider worthwhile.  But
since our NAGDU list has so many subscribers, perhaps there's some folks out
there who have had experiences with pet insurance, whether fair or foul,
which they are willing to share.

Well, with  Ben's big bill, those hot dogs and beans which you'll be eating
for the next few days aren't really so bad (lol.)

Sherrill


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 9:08 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: njagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] Vet costs


I had to take Ben to the vet yesterday for what I think will turn out to
be nothing.  He had an exam, urinalysis, and a blood test, and it came to
$260!  I was shocked.  Is this typical?  Have I forgotten what vet trips
cost? This was our first time at a new vet, since our old one went out of
business.  It seems like a big practice, with a small lab on the premises,
so maybe that's what I'm paying for.  I want the best care for my dogs, of
course, but... When I bring both dogs in for their annual check-up in the
spring, I can see that it could easily cost me $500-600, and maybe more.
If I were unemployed, it would be prohibitive.  I'd have to switch back to
GDB, just for the vet stipend.
Anyone have pet insurance?  Is it working out well?  Too bad Benny can't
be on my Blue Cross.  He needs a prescription plan too--heartworm pills
are $7 a pill, as I recall.  Way more than my cancer-fighting pills, which
are covered by my insurance.
So, I'm just wondering, are these costs typical, or not?  And I'd love to
hear about any experiences with pet insurance.
Tracy



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