Lynne Jayzee
Garden State Exit 0
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Bird Freak wrote:NO MORE. I think this is my last pet. Sadly...I'm feeling the same way, unless I can find a vet that I can trust. There doesn't seem to be any compassion and it appears to be all about the money. It's unfortunate, though, because there are so many dogs and cats in shelters that could really use a loving home.
- LJZ
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dualgwp
New Hope PA
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Joined: 10/15/2003
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After 30 some years "in" dogs, I've learned that there are things to take them to the vets for, and things that I can treat myself.
I'm lucky that I co-own a couple of dogs with my vet, but they still don't get there unless I really can't fix it. Too many of us take our dogs in for every little thing. Most times, a little patience, a little TLC, and some common sense and they will be just fine.
Dog limping? Check it's feet to see if it's anything obvious.. if not, give them a day or two of down time, and usually they recover nicely. If not, time to see the Doc.
Off their food? Unless very old, or very young, give them a day off without food, maybe a bit of Pepto....save yourself a ton of money at the Vets. If it continues, time to see the Doc.
Small cut? Unless it's spurting blood, put some pressure on it, clean it out well and let it heal. No need to spend hundreds of dollars having a vet tech do what you can do at home.
I'd bet the vast majority of vet visits are a waste of money for you and a waste of time for the vet.
Dual
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HIDEOUT
San Francisco Bay Area
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Happytraveler wrote:Today I took Charlie to the Vet. for an ear infection.
OMG ......The cost .... $295.33
Office visit $63.00
1 ear Swab & Microscopic Exam $60.00
1 ear cleaning $ 18.40
1 junior Early Detection Plan includes blood test $65.00 which I opt for because the blood test was $40.00 This didn't have anything to do with the ears, but needed it.
Mometomax Ointment 30 gm $72.19
Triz-Edta Ear Drops $16.74
Tomorrow our puppy Katie goes in for shots and a checkup. What an expensive week.
Hi Happytraveler,
Here is a link to Otomax. I don't know if it is the same or similar to the Mometomax Ointment 30gm that you mentioned above, but this is the product that I use on my Cocker Spaniel's. Cocker's are notorious for ear infections due to their droopy long ears.
This web site also sells a generic version of Otomax and I purchased some recently. I have not tried it out as yet because I still have the remaining Otomax on hand.
Sure seems to me that you should track right back into that Vet's office, with a copy of this web page, and ask for a refund (or at least a discount from their price). Good Luck...
http://www.discountpetdrugs.com/ot30gmsoin.html
Regards,
Dawn
PS: You will have to ask your Vet to give you a prescription, of course. My Vet was reluctant at first, but after a few years they do so very willingly...
Kevin & Dawn
Doggies:
Persalina, We love you & miss you so very much!
Moonbeam
Chloie Pearl
'07 Itasca Suncruiser 35L
Workhorse 24-8.1 Vortec w/6 sp. Allison
05 Jeep Wrangler Toad
Roadmaster Even Brake
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dturm
Munster, IN
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I've debated how to reply to this thread .
I think much of what you all are seeing is a function of more recent veterinary education. Back in the dark ages when I graduated, it was pretty common to not have diagnostic test for many things (thyroid disease was one). It was pretty common to use "response to treatment" to diagnose diseases. This is pretty much frowned upon.
With "standard of practice" being the level necessary to avoid malpractice and the expectations of many clients, some veterinarian have adopted an attitude that their way and procedures are the ONLY way. A big part of caring for your pets is developing treatment plan cooperatively between owner and vet.
I don't think the vets are doing anything wrong from a medical stand point. The recommended tests are the very best, top of the line way to care for your animals. IMO, it isn't the only way.
Your minimum level of care obviously does not match your vet's. There are minimum levels I won't sacrifice (in the animal's best interest), but many things are negotiable. I think annual heartworm tests are the standard. Once regulated, thyroid test annually are OK to me as long as there are no other issues.
BTW, you should not be able to get Heartworm meds without prescription anytime anywhere. It isn't safe otherwise. The Mometamax and otomax are prescription and should only be prescription and used under the supervision of a veterinarian (did you know they are potentially ototoxic - can cause hearing loss - these are things your vet knows and considers before prescribing)
My $.02
Doug, DVM
Doug & Sandy
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HIDEOUT
San Francisco Bay Area
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Hi Dr. Doug,
Thanks for your reply. And, as usual your response is very enlightening. 
My Vet does meet that happy medium that you speak of. However, I was not aware that the prescription ear medications could cause deafness. Or, I don’t think that I knew that!  My Vet did prescribe both the generic Otomax and the brand Otomax, but I think that I should have been told about the possible side effects.
Thanks again and you are IMHO our Hero!
Regards,
Dawn
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Happytraveler
Capistrano Beach, Ca. USA
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Joined: 07/16/2003
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HIDEOUT wrote:Happytraveler wrote:Today I took Charlie to the Vet. for an ear infection.
OMG ......The cost .... $295.33
Office visit $63.00
1 ear Swab & Microscopic Exam $60.00
1 ear cleaning $ 18.40
1 junior Early Detection Plan includes blood test $65.00 which I opt for because the blood test was $40.00 This didn't have anything to do with the ears, but needed it.
Mometomax Ointment 30 gm $72.19
Triz-Edta Ear Drops $16.74
Tomorrow our puppy Katie goes in for shots and a checkup. What an expensive week.
Hi Happytraveler,
Here is a link to Otomax. I don't know if it is the same or similar to the Mometomax Ointment 30gm that you mentioned above, but this is the product that I use on my Cocker Spaniel's. Cocker's are notorious for ear infections due to their droopy long ears.
This web site also sells a generic version of Otomax and I purchased some recently. I have not tried it out as yet because I still have the remaining Otomax on hand.
Sure seems to me that you should track right back into that Vet's office, with a copy of this web page, and ask for a refund (or at least a discount from their price). Good Luck...
http://www.discountpetdrugs.com/ot30gmsoin.html
Regards,
Dawn
PS: You will have to ask your Vet to give you a prescription, of course. My Vet was reluctant at first, but after a few years they do so very willingly...
The thing is if you need the medication right away, you have no choice and If it was a on going medication I probably would try to get it cheaper. I know Charlie wasn't feeling very well and as always he tries to put on a good front. He has a yeast infection. Do you need prescription for Otomax and does it cover yeast infections, but then you really don't know what kind of infection unless it's tested.
Charlie- a Male Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
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HIDEOUT
San Francisco Bay Area
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Happytraveler wrote:HIDEOUT wrote:Happytraveler wrote:Today I took Charlie to the Vet. for an ear infection.
OMG ......The cost .... $295.33
Office visit $63.00
1 ear Swab & Microscopic Exam $60.00
1 ear cleaning $ 18.40
1 junior Early Detection Plan includes blood test $65.00 which I opt for because the blood test was $40.00 This didn't have anything to do with the ears, but needed it.
Mometomax Ointment 30 gm $72.19
Triz-Edta Ear Drops $16.74
Tomorrow our puppy Katie goes in for shots and a checkup. What an expensive week.
Hi Happytraveler,
Here is a link to Otomax. I don't know if it is the same or similar to the Mometomax Ointment 30gm that you mentioned above, but this is the product that I use on my Cocker Spaniel's. Cocker's are notorious for ear infections due to their droopy long ears.
This web site also sells a generic version of Otomax and I purchased some recently. I have not tried it out as yet because I still have the remaining Otomax on hand.
Sure seems to me that you should track right back into that Vet's office, with a copy of this web page, and ask for a refund (or at least a discount from their price). Good Luck...
http://www.discountpetdrugs.com/ot30gmsoin.html
Regards,
Dawn
PS: You will have to ask your Vet to give you a prescription, of course. My Vet was reluctant at first, but after a few years they do so very willingly...
The thing is if you need the medication right away, you have no choice and If it was a on going medication I probably would try to get it cheaper. I know Charlie wasn't feeling very well and as always he tries to put on a good front. He has a yeast infection. Do you need prescription for Otomax and does it cover yeast infections, but then you really don't know what kind of infection unless it's tested.
To my knowledge Otomax is for ear infections only and yes my Vet did prescribe it. I keep this medication on hand due to ongoing ear problems with my Cocker's. After Dr. Doug's comments, I will be more careful using this product.
I totally agree with you that, in an urgent situation, you are at the mercy of your Vet and their pricing standards. But, I do ask my Vet to prescribe a temporary amount of the medication. Then I ask him give me a prescription for the medication so I can get it on line. My Vet is very understanding in that way. As I stated before, some of the Vet’s in my Vet Clinic, are not so pleased with me for asking, but it is my prerogative if I want to save some bucks! If they would not comply, I would consider moving on....
Regards,
Dawn
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dturm
Munster, IN
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Actually Otomax/generic formulations are my favorite ear medications (even with the potential ototoxicity). It has gentamycin (the potential ototoxin) a steriod and an antifungal, so it gets just about anything that grows in the ear. Don't let the ototoxicity scare you, it tends to be very rare and almost always reversible when the meds are stopped. It does cover side effects in the insert. (I just about have to get out a magnifying glass to read it though.)
Doug, DVM
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Code2High
Ridgecrest, CA
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Joined: 12/21/2004
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Depending on what the weather and the activity levels of mosquitos... as well as the heartworm infection rates... actually are in the off-season (say Oct-March) in your area, if you're going to have to test anyway to put the dogs on the meds for the summer months, I'd consider not giving them for the winter months. There's a new theory that that stuff should be given all the time, and that is true in some places, but in many it isn't. And the only reason someone would give it year 'round in those areas would be to avoid retesting.
One blood test per year, and one package of heartworm meds per year per dog, vs two and two, not to mention the dog getting half the poison (and it IS poison, however necessary it may be)... seems to me something worth considering at least.
As for the thyroid test, the standard with a human is one test per year. Now, dogs age faster and metabolism will thus shift faster, so... twice a year is probably not a bad idea. More than most vets require, but still probably not a bad idea. But if you cut your hearworm expenses in half, that should help some.
Of course if you've ended up with a vet you don't really trust or feel comfortable with, that's an issue all its own.
* This post was
edited 11/09/09 09:55pm by Code2High *
susan
They didn't call her "Plain Gravy" for nothing.
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HIDEOUT
San Francisco Bay Area
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Hi Dr. Doug,
Thanks, that eases my mind a lot. In fact I was considering whether or not I was going to give Chloie her evening dose tonight. As for the inserts and actually reading them.....
Regards,
Dawn
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