Vet bill today....

**frugalmel** · 01-12-2005, 05:50 PM

Ok Had to take Butterscotch for his annual appontment for shots, etc. He has had a place on his chin that he keeps scratching and the hair is comming off, so I had to have that looked at as well. Turns out he has earmites so we needed some meds for that. For the itchy face he got a cortizone shot.

In addition to that, the manufatcurer of the 6mo heartworm shot that King gets has pulled that from the shelves. So we have to get the monthly pills again. He also gets frontline to prevent fleas/ticks.

Plus the cats need frontline. 2 cats, meds in pack of 3. I got the 6 pack and got one free.

All this to the tune of..................

$230.66

Thank goodness I have an emergency fund. While this is not an "emergency", it is something that needs done (I am all about prevention rather than treatment when it comes to my pets) so I got to use that account.

I am trying to figure out who costs more... the kids or the pets!

**DaisyLady** · 01-12-2005, 05:55 PM

Wow, that is an expensive vet!

But, I'm sure it's worth it to have Butterscotch healthy.

BTW I love the name!!

**QuilterMom** · 01-12-2005, 06:11 PM

Our vet prices are outrageous as well. Just the yearly exam (shots, checking for heartworm, kennel cough vaccine, etc.) is $12x.xx (can't remember the exact amount) per dog - two of our dogs go at the same time!

I now put money aside from each paycheck for that, but am either going to have to start doing that for their heartworm pills and Frontline as well or find a cheaper source (Frontline price at our vet's office has gone up yet again).

**gkp1031** · 01-12-2005, 07:00 PM

At least you had the emergency fund to pay for it

I have to take Homer on Saturday, so I'm sure I'll have a huge bill too-yuck!

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 01-12-2005, 07:46 PM

You are VERY glad that the Proheart was pulled. It killed many dogs, so this is why it was taken off the shelves.

**halo475** · 01-12-2005, 08:29 PM

Wow...My vet is so cheap by comparison!!! If I take 2 cats at the same time, they only charge for one office visit...$15.00 and shots are like 6 and 7 and 15 (I think) So most of my vet bills are very reasonable.

I am amazed by the prices you pay!!

**Darlene** · 01-12-2005, 08:52 PM

Wow Arlene you've found yourself a great vet.
Ours is expensive and we are in the market for a new one.
These fur babies are high maintainance. Love'em to pieces though.

**frugalmel** · 01-12-2005, 09:17 PM

Well I actually didn't have to pay for the visit. They deducted the appointment (exam fee $10.) What kills the most is the frontline and the interceptor (heartworm, etc pill). But I won't do without it. Frontline comes in packs of 3. (Our vet charges $38 for the 3pks.I give it once a month and have 2 cats. So I either get the 6pk or I go every month. ($63 for a 6pk plus you get a free one if you get the 6pk)

The dog's 3mo supply of frontline is $44. His interceptor (heartworm and other worm pill) is $39.

Just looked at the invoice. The feline lukemia/etc shot was $50!!!!!!!!! His rabies was only $13.

**frugalmel** · 01-12-2005, 09:19 PM

Oh, Lori our vet didn't say why it was pulled, just that it was and all the dogs had to go back on the monthly pills. If they were dangerous I am VERY glad they pulled 'em.

**kimmee** · 01-12-2005, 09:42 PM

Miss Mel - In the future - you can buy over the counter Cortaid for Butterscotch's face - about $5.00 - and treat earmites with Mineral oil - they drown and you swab their ears out after wards - also kills eggs. Fleas are repelled by Garlic - slip allittle in their fod every other week - I just feed mine spaghetti sauce. Unfortunately they haven't come up with a natural alternative to heartworm that I know of but Lynn (COUNTRYBUMPKIN) probably knows of something.

**frugalmel** · 01-12-2005, 10:45 PM

Thanks Kimmee, I wasn't sure what was going on with his face, so I wanted to ask the vet anyway during the shot visit. They said it prob was from fleas or mites. They didn't find any fleas on him but they did see flea dirt . In my mind where there's fea dirt, theres gotta be fleas....

I had lapsed on the frontline to save $ over the winter. Guess I shouldn't have.

I will keep the cortaid thing in mind if he has the same probs. I dunno if I could get him to eat garlic. He actually turns down people food. (wierd I know) I can keep it in mind though

**COUNTRYBUMPKIN** · 01-13-2005, 04:46 AM

Heartworms? No problem!

http://www.theherbsplace.com/heartwormss.html

Hotspots and Mites etc? Heres something to think about.

http://www.naturespet.com/groom.html

Heres some more food for thought

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/avictim.htm

I don't take my cats to a conventional vet, but have a terriffic Holistic vet in Grand Rapids, Mi for their annual checkups. I have been very pleased with her.

**COUNTRYBUMPKIN** · 01-13-2005, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by Lori Biever-Launder
You are VERY glad that the Proheart was pulled. It killed many dogs, so this is why it was taken off the shelves.

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.co...m.htm#proheart