[nagdu] Vet costs

Wed Nov 10 01:33:25 UTC 2010

Susan,
Misha's vet does the same.  Furthermore, when my retired guide Ripley passed
away this past August, he had incurred some pretty extensive costs which
they reduced from almost $1000 to a little over $300.  They have treated all
3 of my guides with the best of service, and me too.  That' is why I have
not gone elsewhere.

Steve & Misha

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Susan Jones
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 6:48 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
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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