Hello all
I'm new to this newsgroup but I need everyone's input.
I have a 9 yr old female ( spayed ) Chihuahua that is just smaller than a
cat.
I recently took her to the vet to have her teeth cleaned and her shots
updated. The vet wanted to run a chem. profile ( blood ) and I agreed.
The vet updated her shots and then took the dog for her blood test. He
didn't want to clean the teeth until the test were complete. He then gave
me a estimate for the cleaning, blood test and to have a small ( pea size )
wart thing removed from behind one ear. Cost.. $577. Okay I thought this
a little high but what are you going to do. Later that day he called and
said
her liver enzymes were "off the chart" and he mentioned several things it
could
be.. Cushing's disease or syndrome, cancer, chemical. I had no idea what
Cushing's was but soon found out through the internet at www.lbah.com.
The dog has absolutely no sign of Cushing's, has a normal temp. no
jaundice
vomiting or other symptoms, she just needs her teeth cleaned. But he won't
clean the teeth until I have these tests run at a cost of another $1034.60
so
the total of everything is $ 1,611.60 !
Am I out of place here to think this is just too high a cost? I'm 64 and on
S.S.
so this is a lot of money to me.
Thanks to all,
You can respond personally or through the newsgroup

"Sg" wrote:
Hello all
I'm new to this newsgroup but I need everyone's input.
I have a 9 yr old female ( spayed ) Chihuahua that is just smaller than a
cat.
I recently took her to the vet to have her teeth cleaned and her shots
updated. The vet wanted to run a chem. profile ( blood ) and I agreed.
The vet updated her shots and then took the dog for her blood test. He
didn't want to clean the teeth until the test were complete. He then gave
me a estimate for the cleaning, blood test and to have a small ( pea
size )
wart thing removed from behind one ear. Cost.. $577. Okay I thought this
a little high but what are you going to do. Later that day he called and
said
her liver enzymes were "off the chart" and he mentioned several things it
could
be.. Cushing's disease or syndrome, cancer, chemical. I had no idea what
Cushing's was but soon found out through the internet at www.lbah.com.
The dog has absolutely no sign of Cushing's, has a normal temp. no
jaundice
vomiting or other symptoms, she just needs her teeth cleaned. But he won't
clean the teeth until I have these tests run at a cost of another $1034.60
so
the total of everything is $ 1,611.60 !
Am I out of place here to think this is just too high a cost? I'm 64 and
on
S.S.
so this is a lot of money to me.
Thanks to all,
You can respond personally or through the newsgroup

I know where you're coming from. I had a vet who was more reasonable in his
prices a year ago. I cannot recall any procedure costing me more than $100,
meds included. Now that he retired, the new vet is always around $300-400
whenever I take my beagle in. I am beginning to think the veterinary
journals must have published some "Make more money quick scheme" lately.
As you, I did the teeth cleaning and wart removal thing. My dog has many
(20-30 warts) in his old age. One large one above his eye bothered me more
than it did him. I had it removed. It came back. Vet said that happens
and not to remove any of the other warts if they don't bother him. So that
lesson cost me a sizeable hospital bill ($200). Last visit he says it's
common in the purebred beagle breed (!).
Now the dog has some CRF (Chronic Renal Failure) going on, but one of his
panel items (BUN or Creatine) is within norms but the others are out so I am
suspicious of the test since he is so lively compared to the other dogs
around here. Add to it, his specific gravity was low but the test was done
after the dog drank a lot of water and late in the day (not first catch) so
the sp. gravity would be lower. As a result, I now have to feed him special
dog food that I cannot get anywhere but from the vet and at a high cost.
Same goes for his thyroid meds. They will not give me an Rx for online
ordering as "They will not jeopardize his health by giving him cheaper,
unknown quality mail-order drugs." So no Rx. However, they switched brands
and gave me a more economical drug (non-flavored thyroid pill that cost
nearly $1 more per pill 2x/day).
I am suspicious of my new vet's practices as everyone who leaves there has a
bill of nearly $300. Now I ask up front (best stern look I can give) "What
is this gonna cost me?" The prices are a little reasonable judging from the
past bills. Actually, my own blood panels are cheaper than his - and he
uses the same human lab for the tests!
What intrigued me about the old vet was his "If you were my brother, I'd
tell you not to do the test/procedure. If it is genetic, not much can be
done for him" (he had heart problems and was 10 years old). He saved me
money - but the outcome was inevitable anyway.
You might want to go to another vet for a second opinion. If they want to
keep you as a customer, they make work a better deal. Procedures are
negotiable - and often by a lot.

Maybe you could just use some teeth cleansing enzyme chews (CET) from the
vet if his teeth aren't too bad. Mine likes them and his teeth are still in
good shape even though he did have them cleaned in the past. I also give
him a Greenie for him to chew on in the evenings.

Good luck.
BP~

"Sg" wrote:
Hello all
I'm new to this newsgroup but I need everyone's input.
I have a 9 yr old female ( spayed ) Chihuahua that is just smaller than a
cat.
I recently took her to the vet to have her teeth cleaned and her shots
updated. The vet wanted to run a chem. profile ( blood ) and I agreed.
The vet updated her shots and then took the dog for her blood test. He
didn't want to clean the teeth until the test were complete. He then gave
me a estimate for the cleaning, blood test and to have a small ( pea
size )
wart thing removed from behind one ear. Cost.. $577. Okay I thought this
a little high but what are you going to do. Later that day he called and
said
her liver enzymes were "off the chart" and he mentioned several things it
could
be.. Cushing's disease or syndrome, cancer, chemical. I had no idea what
Cushing's was but soon found out through the internet at www.lbah.com.
The dog has absolutely no sign of Cushing's, has a normal temp. no
jaundice
vomiting or other symptoms, she just needs her teeth cleaned. But he won't
clean the teeth until I have these tests run at a cost of another $1034.60
so
the total of everything is $ 1,611.60 !
Am I out of place here to think this is just too high a cost? I'm 64 and
on
S.S.
so this is a lot of money to me.
Thanks to all,
You can respond personally or through the newsgroup

I know where you're coming from. I had a vet who was more reasonable in his
prices a year ago. I cannot recall any procedure costing me more than $100,
meds included. Now that he retired, the new vet is always around $300-400
whenever I take my beagle in. I am beginning to think the veterinary
journals must have published some "Make more money quick scheme" lately.
As you, I did the teeth cleaning and wart removal thing. My dog has many
(20-30 warts) in his old age. One large one above his eye bothered me more
than it did him. I had it removed. It came back. Vet said that happens
and not to remove any of the other warts if they don't bother him. So that
lesson cost me a sizeable hospital bill ($200). Last visit he says it's
common in the purebred beagle breed (!).
Now the dog has some CRF (Chronic Renal Failure) going on, but one of his
panel items (BUN or Creatine) is within norms but the others are out so I am
suspicious of the test since he is so lively compared to the other dogs
around here. Add to it, his specific gravity was low but the test was done
after the dog drank a lot of water and late in the day (not first catch) so
the sp. gravity would be lower. As a result, I now have to feed him special
dog food that I cannot get anywhere but from the vet and at a high cost.
Same goes for his thyroid meds. They will not give me an Rx for online
ordering as "They will not jeopardize his health by giving him cheaper,
unknown quality mail-order drugs." So no Rx. However, they switched brands
and gave me a more economical drug (non-flavored thyroid pill that cost
nearly $1 more per pill 2x/day).
I am suspicious of my new vet's practices as everyone who leaves there has a
bill of nearly $300. Now I ask up front (best stern look I can give) "What
is this gonna cost me?" The prices are a little reasonable judging from the
past bills. Actually, my own blood panels are cheaper than his - and he
uses the same human lab for the tests!
What intrigued me about the old vet was his "If you were my brother, I'd
tell you not to do the test/procedure. If it is genetic, not much can be
done for him" (he had heart problems and was 10 years old). He saved me
money - but the outcome was inevitable anyway.
You might want to go to another vet for a second opinion. If they want to
keep you as a customer, they make work a better deal. Procedures are
negotiable - and often by a lot.

Maybe you could just use some teeth cleansing enzyme chews (CET) from the
vet if his teeth aren't too bad. Mine likes them and his teeth are still in
good shape even though he did have them cleaned in the past. I also give
him a Greenie for him to chew on in the evenings.

Good luck.
BP~

My vet retired, so I just asked my neighbor where they take their cat.
I'm defiantly going to be checking out other vets.



"Happy Trailz Fr0m_WEEniE" wrote in
message ...
Seems to me that if you were a cow instead of human u be dry as can be.
In other words.You're getting milked. How long have you had this vet?






Chicopee,Mass. Thomas J O'Connor Regional Dog Pound
Breed Specific Legislation..
Dog Bite Law

My vet retired, so I just asked my neighbor where they take their cat.
I'm defiantly going to be checking out other vets.



"Happy Trailz Fr0m_WEEniE" wrote in
message ...
Seems to me that if you were a cow instead of human u be dry as can be.
In other words.You're getting milked. How long have you had this vet?






Chicopee,Mass. Thomas J O'Connor Regional Dog Pound
Breed Specific Legislation..
Dog Bite Law

I would definitely suggest another opinion. From my experience, vets vary
hugely in their charges.

You have every reason to query the tests and costs. I don't think you need
worry about a wart, if that's all it is. Try some home cures, from the net,
just as we humans would do.Raw potato, for example, there are a million
ideas.

Re Cushings, I would think there would be strong symptoms of this disease,
if it exists.

How bad are your little dog's teeth? I have had my dog's teeth cleaned, and
it cost an arm and a leg - it's the anaesthetic that is so costly. He may
need the cleaning at this stage, but for the future I'd suggest if you don't
already do it give him plenty of raw meaty bones, and raw chicken wings to
gnaw on. I have a chihuahah too, and he just LOVES these bones, and his
teeth are great.

Kate



"Sg" wrote in message
news:2VU2b.269569$o%2.123122@sccrnsc02...
Hello all
I'm new to this newsgroup but I need everyone's input.
I have a 9 yr old female ( spayed ) Chihuahua that is just smaller than a
cat.
I recently took her to the vet to have her teeth cleaned and her shots
updated. The vet wanted to run a chem. profile ( blood ) and I agreed.
The vet updated her shots and then took the dog for her blood test. He
didn't want to clean the teeth until the test were complete. He then gave
me a estimate for the cleaning, blood test and to have a small ( pea
size )
wart thing removed from behind one ear. Cost.. $577. Okay I thought this
a little high but what are you going to do. Later that day he called and
said
her liver enzymes were "off the chart" and he mentioned several things it
could
be.. Cushing's disease or syndrome, cancer, chemical. I had no idea what
Cushing's was but soon found out through the internet at www.lbah.com.
The dog has absolutely no sign of Cushing's, has a normal temp. no
jaundice
vomiting or other symptoms, she just needs her teeth cleaned. But he won't
clean the teeth until I have these tests run at a cost of another $1034.60
so
the total of everything is $ 1,611.60 !
Am I out of place here to think this is just too high a cost? I'm 64 and
on
S.S.
so this is a lot of money to me.
Thanks to all,
You can respond personally or through the newsgroup

I would definitely suggest another opinion. From my experience, vets vary
hugely in their charges.

You have every reason to query the tests and costs. I don't think you need
worry about a wart, if that's all it is. Try some home cures, from the net,
just as we humans would do.Raw potato, for example, there are a million
ideas.

Re Cushings, I would think there would be strong symptoms of this disease,
if it exists.

How bad are your little dog's teeth? I have had my dog's teeth cleaned, and
it cost an arm and a leg - it's the anaesthetic that is so costly. He may
need the cleaning at this stage, but for the future I'd suggest if you don't
already do it give him plenty of raw meaty bones, and raw chicken wings to
gnaw on. I have a chihuahah too, and he just LOVES these bones, and his
teeth are great.

Kate



"Sg" wrote in message
news:2VU2b.269569$o%2.123122@sccrnsc02...
Hello all
I'm new to this newsgroup but I need everyone's input.
I have a 9 yr old female ( spayed ) Chihuahua that is just smaller than a
cat.
I recently took her to the vet to have her teeth cleaned and her shots
updated. The vet wanted to run a chem. profile ( blood ) and I agreed.
The vet updated her shots and then took the dog for her blood test. He
didn't want to clean the teeth until the test were complete. He then gave
me a estimate for the cleaning, blood test and to have a small ( pea
size )
wart thing removed from behind one ear. Cost.. $577. Okay I thought this
a little high but what are you going to do. Later that day he called and
said
her liver enzymes were "off the chart" and he mentioned several things it
could
be.. Cushing's disease or syndrome, cancer, chemical. I had no idea what
Cushing's was but soon found out through the internet at www.lbah.com.
The dog has absolutely no sign of Cushing's, has a normal temp. no
jaundice
vomiting or other symptoms, she just needs her teeth cleaned. But he won't
clean the teeth until I have these tests run at a cost of another $1034.60
so
the total of everything is $ 1,611.60 !
Am I out of place here to think this is just too high a cost? I'm 64 and
on
S.S.
so this is a lot of money to me.
Thanks to all,
You can respond personally or through the newsgroup

it has been my understanding that one should NEVER give a dog chicken bones,
they are harmful as they splinter...

"seagull" wrote in message
...
| I would definitely suggest another opinion. From my experience, vets vary
| hugely in their charges.
|
| You have every reason to query the tests and costs. I don't think you
need
| worry about a wart, if that's all it is. Try some home cures, from the
net,
| just as we humans would do.Raw potato, for example, there are a million
| ideas.
|
| Re Cushings, I would think there would be strong symptoms of this disease,
| if it exists.
|
| How bad are your little dog's teeth? I have had my dog's teeth cleaned,
and
| it cost an arm and a leg - it's the anaesthetic that is so costly. He may
| need the cleaning at this stage, but for the future I'd suggest if you
don't
| already do it give him plenty of raw meaty bones, and raw chicken wings to
| gnaw on. I have a chihuahah too, and he just LOVES these bones, and his
| teeth are great.
|
| Kate
|
|
|
| "Sg" wrote in message
| news:2VU2b.269569$o%2.123122@sccrnsc02...
| Hello all
| I'm new to this newsgroup but I need everyone's input.
| I have a 9 yr old female ( spayed ) Chihuahua that is just smaller than
a
| cat.
| I recently took her to the vet to have her teeth cleaned and her shots
| updated. The vet wanted to run a chem. profile ( blood ) and I agreed.
| The vet updated her shots and then took the dog for her blood test. He
| didn't want to clean the teeth until the test were complete. He then
gave
| me a estimate for the cleaning, blood test and to have a small ( pea
| size )
| wart thing removed from behind one ear. Cost.. $577. Okay I thought this
| a little high but what are you going to do. Later that day he called and
| said
| her liver enzymes were "off the chart" and he mentioned several things
it
| could
| be.. Cushing's disease or syndrome, cancer, chemical. I had no idea what
| Cushing's was but soon found out through the internet at www.lbah.com.
| The dog has absolutely no sign of Cushing's, has a normal temp. no
| jaundice
| vomiting or other symptoms, she just needs her teeth cleaned. But he
won't
| clean the teeth until I have these tests run at a cost of another
$1034.60
| so
| the total of everything is $ 1,611.60 !
| Am I out of place here to think this is just too high a cost? I'm 64 and
| on
| S.S.
| so this is a lot of money to me.
| Thanks to all,
| You can respond personally or through the newsgroup
|
|
|
|