Vet bills...

[Glacier]

Kind of a pointless thread, but I was amazed this afternoon at how much money I can spend at the vet clinic without ever seeing a vet! This afternoon, I dropped close to two hundred bucks, never saw a doctor! I renew two prescriptions and bought a bag of Pete's cat food. I never even actually talked to a doctor, except to say Hi when he walked through the lobby!

They also gave me a print-out of what I've spent there all year. (I need it for my tax return). No wonder my vet could afford to build his own clinic!

[Jessika]

Yes I know, vet fees anymore are more like highway robbery! That's why for their shots and stuff I bring mine to the clinic that PetCo has once a month where a vet and some nurses come once a month and do shots. The shots are at reduced prices and there is NO office or visit fee! All you pay for are shots! The last time I was in I got Charlie his 3-year rabies and Jamie her 1-year rabies and with tags, and it only cost me $37 as opposed to well over $70 if I would have gone to an actual clinic and scheduled an appointment!

[Glacier]

Yes I know, vet fees anymore are more like highway robbery! That's why for their shots and stuff I bring mine to the clinic that PetCo has once a month where a vet and some nurses come once a month and do shots.

There's no option here. There's one other clinic in town and I wouldn't trust them with a goldfish! Dr. Rick and his staff are actually very good to me and my critters. I get a discount for my sled dogs' care and things often disappear from my bill. They are more expensive than the other clinic, but in the end I'd rather pay more and have a vet I trust!

[G535]

Whatever the cost they are worth every cent!

We have only one small clinic in town and the vets are very good.

[catnapper]

Oooo... since when is a vet visit something we can use on tax returns? I gotta know how this one works!

Seriously, I know what ya mean about the vet. I need to reorder another 20 pound bag of the Hills Prescription diet. Didn't I just open that bag?

[Jessika]

Oooo... since when is a vet visit something we can use on tax returns? I gotta know how this one works!

Seriously, I know what ya mean about the vet. I need to reorder another 20 pound bag of the Hills Prescription diet. Didn't I just open that bag?

I *think* because you can claim them as dependants on your tax returns? Correct me if I'm wrong!

[Glacier]

Oooo... since when is a vet visit something we can use on tax returns? I gotta know how this one works!

I can write some of the dogs' expenses off because I'm a lisenced kennel and dog sled tour operator. Not that I give alot of tours, but they do happen. I can't write off anything for the cats or the non-working dogs.

[cyber-sibes]

Well Glacier, HOW many dogs do you have? You must be a gold-card vet customer! Not many people have that many animals to take care of. I've often wondered how you do it. I could barely keep up to my 3, now 2. Plus, seems like some your pups have ongoing problems, not to mention those little spats that ended up with major stitches! You do such an outstanding job caring for them all -- and now Stuart's all banged up- *sigh* I'll bet his will cost a bit more than a trip to the vets, too!

[caseysmom]

Having insurance has helped spread it over the months. I don't know how much I am saving but I am paying 40 a month for both dogs intstead of a few hundred here and there. Bubba's last appointment with blood work and everything cost me 0. It was nice.

[Glacier]

Well Glacier, HOW many dogs do you have?

23

:You must be a gold-card vet customer! Plus, seems like some your pups have ongoing problems, not to mention those little spats that ended up with major stitches!

I am well known at the clinic. You do get great service when you have lots of critters! Four of the dogs need medication daily(Goldie's pain pills, Earle & Preacher's thyroid meds, Muskwa gets zinc)

:and now Stuart's all banged up- *sigh* I'll bet his will cost a bit more than a trip to the vets, too!

Nah, Stuart's cheap(except for the lost wages)--All covered by the Territorial health care program, except for his medications, which are covered by my work benefit plan. I wish I could get the dogs on my work insurance! I've looked into insurance for them, but a plan to cover all of them for the emergency issues is a ridiculous price! I have a vet savings account and a credit card that is reserved for vet expenses instead.

[cyber-sibes]

Nah, Stuart's cheap(except for the lost wages)--All covered by the Territorial health care program, except for his medications, which are covered by my work benefit plan. I wish I could get the dogs on my work insurance! I've looked into insurance for them, but a plan to cover all of them for the emergency issues is a ridiculous price! I have a vet savings account and a credit card that is reserved for vet expenses instead.

Wow, that's really nice! my husband almost cut his thumb off (lawnmower blade got him) last year, it ended being a bundle, even with his health benefits!

[Glacier]

Wow, that's really nice! my husband almost cut his thumb off (lawnmower blade got him) last year, it ended being a bundle, even with his health benefits!

Tis one of the benefits of being Canadian--national health care. Sometimes wait lists are a problem and up here distance can be an issue(hard to get to a specialist in a hurry), but at least paying a huge bill is never a worry.