[nagdu] Vet costs

[Cindy Ray]

I have never had a discount.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Susan Jones" <sblanjones11 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 6:48 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Vet costs


My vet gives a15% discount for service animals.
Not only can they write this off as a tax break, they feel it's worth it
since most service animal owners take good care of their animals, and don't
let little problems get big before they get attention.

I had pet insurance on Nellie, and was very glad that I did.  I think the
company has gone out of business since.  My experience is that you really
save money on pet insurance if you start it while they're young.

Susan & Rhoda


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 10:33 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Vet costs

Hi Sherrill.
My old vet gave me a bit of a discount, but the new one did not.  I will ask
them if they have any reccomendations for pet insurance, or if they take
any.  No sense paying for something the doctor won't accept.

A program about pet insurance sounds very interesting to me.
Tracy


> 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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