My dog is suffering from a tick bite

[Cowgirl]

I just got an appointment with a vet and the estimate for the Distemper, Lyme, etc with Heartworm check and prevention is around $200. That's a lot less than I expected and well within my budget. Probably will be around the same for the hot spots.

Not as bad as I thought.

Good luck to your pooch.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Should I take her to the vet? Its been a few years since she's been to one and I won't go back to the previous one because of poor customer service. I also can't afford a hefty bill either because I know she will probably need heartworm meds and probably a shot or two.

Suggestions?

A heartworm test would be good, especially if your pup hasn't gone to the vet in a few years. It could save her life if she's ill.

My vet is very, very affordable (St. Mary's Vet). I can take either dog for a check-up, their annual shots, fecal sample/float & heartworm test for around $100. All the doctors have been nothing but friendly and have treated my animals very good.

 

[mAlice]

I realize that, that wasn't the point of my question.

Whatever the point was, it doesn't really matter. The insurance company reimburses you, not the vet.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I think it happens because people don't realize how expensive yearly preventative is per dog. Last well baby visit for both of my pooches left me with a $800 bill.

Where are you taking them? The most I've paid is when big boy needed surgery last year. That was $250.

 

[Cowgirl]

What did you get done?

 

[Zguy28]

Where are you taking them? The most I've paid is when big boy needed surgery last year. That was $250.

I think if more people heard about experiences like yours more would go to the vet.

Unfortunately they hear and remember the $800 story.

 

[kwillia]

Where are you taking them? The most I've paid is when big boy needed surgery last year. That was $250.

The 6 months worth of heartworm preventative and 6 months worth of tick preventative (2 seperate products) for each dog was $200 apiece... the blood work, stool tests, and shots and such was the other $200 apiece... $400 per dog.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I would not get pet insurance. Waste of money in my opinion. .

That's pretty much my belief, too. Does pet insurance cover accidents (hit by a car, wounds from fighting, etc)? If so, I could understand the insurance. But neither of my dogs is ever outside w/out their leash if I'm walking them and the yard is fenced.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

The 6 months worth of heartworm preventative and 6 months worth of tick preventative (2 seperate products) for each dog was $200 apiece... the blood work, stool tests, and shots and such was the other $200 apiece... $400 per dog.

Aaah, gotcha! I don't do heartworm or flea/tick prevention for either dog or the cat. I do, however; get them tested yearly. Our house backs to the woods and very rarely will the dogs come inside with a tick.

 

[mAlice]

That's pretty much my belief, too. Does pet insurance cover accidents (hit by a car, wounds from fighting, etc)? If so, I could understand the insurance. But neither of my dogs is ever outside w/out their leash if I'm walking them and the yard is fenced.

Manny's exploratory was $2000, so you can rack up some pretty steep bills without having an outdoor accident.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

What did you get done?

Their shots (less kennel cough), tests, fecal float and that's probably it. Basically whatever the normal yearly stuff is.

 

[kwillia]

Aaah, gotcha! I don't do heartworm or flea/tick prevention for either dog or the cat. I do, however; get them tested yearly. Our house backs to the woods and very rarely will the dogs come inside with a tick.

We have never had fleas in our area but because we are surrounded by woods and fields we have a HUGE mosquito and tick problem.

 

[luckystar]

OK, how many participating vets have you found in the area?

I don't need them to participate directly with the insurance company. I take my bill from whatever vet I may have to use (even specialists I'm referred to), and make the claim. They verify the authenticity of the entire bill with the vet, and they reimburse me (minus the deductible if I haven't paid it yet for that year).

"Participating" vets work directly with the insurance company, so that you only have to pay so much at the vet. The insurance company covers the rest. With most pet insurance companies at this point in time, you have to pay the full bill first, and then make a claim to be reimbursed.

 

[millertc]

Hey Zguy...just an idea for future shots/heartworm tests..LuvMyPet is a mobile vet that goes to Petco in California and Waldorf at least once a month. You can get vaccinations/heartworm test/heartworm meds/flea and tick preventative. You arrive at the designated time and wait in line. We get there early and usually do not have to wait long. The prices are very afforable. We also have a local vet for emergencies or services not provided by LuvMyPet. We just make sure to give our local vet copies of the shot records from LuvMyPet so that they know the dogs are current on everything. Check out the website because they have their price list for vaccinations.

Pet Vaccinations: Dog Vaccines, Cat Vaccines at Luv My Pet - Petco

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Manny's exploratory was $2000, so you can rack up some pretty steep bills without having an outdoor accident.

And how often is an indoor accident likely? I've had several cats and dogs and never had an indoor injury. So far I like my odds.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

We have never had fleas in our area but because we are surrounded by woods and fields we have a HUGE mosquito and tick problem.

Mosquitos creep me out.

 

[mAlice]

And how often is an indoor accident likely? I've had several cats and dogs and never had an indoor injury. So far I like my odds.

Depends on the pet, I guess. Manny liked to eat things he wasn't supposed to eat. The boiz like to jump from high places, they could break a bone. They could slip outside (as pets will do) and get injured. They could get sick and need surgery. In some cases of cancer, treatment would be beneficial and pricey. Unfortunately, Manny's cancer was so invasive that there was nothing that could be done.

Also, I think the insurance covers the regular stuff, too. You'll have to ask LS. She's the one that did all the research. They're her kitties.

 

[luckystar]

That's pretty much my belief, too. Does pet insurance cover accidents (hit by a car, wounds from fighting, etc)? If so, I could understand the insurance. But neither of my dogs is ever outside w/out their leash if I'm walking them and the yard is fenced.

Totally. You just have to find the right company, like I posted earlier in the thread mine (PetPlan) covers dental, illness, injury, and some other things for $100 year. Pretty worth it if you ask me, especially after what I've personally spent and heard of other people spending w/o being reimbursed. I'm glad I have it now. God forbid one of the babies needs serious medical care in the future, but at least I'll be prepared.

 

[Cowgirl]

The 6 months worth of heartworm preventative and 6 months worth of tick preventative (2 seperate products) for each dog was $200 apiece... the blood work, stool tests, and shots and such was the other $200 apiece... $400 per dog.

That sounds pretty high for the HW and tick stuff. I just got a year's worth of Interceptor for Scooter and it was only $68. I got a 4 month supply of Advantage that will treat the dog and 3 cats for all 4 months, and it was $38. Have you tried looking online to see if you can get it cheaper? Sounds like your vet is too expensive. :shrug:

 

[luckystar]

Depends on the pet, I guess. Manny liked to eat things he wasn't supposed to eat. The boiz like to jump from high places, they could break a bone. They could slip outside (as pets will do) and get injured. They could get sick and need surgery. In some cases of cancer, treatment would be beneficial and pricey. Unfortunately, Manny's cancer was so invasive that there was nothing that could be done.

Also, I think the insurance covers the regular stuff, too. You'll have to ask LS. She's the one that did all the research. They're her kitties.

Just some examples of what is covered and may need to be done:

- Vaccines
- Annual dental cleaning
- Ear mites (visit, cleaning, treatment)
- Getting a fever checked out
- Specialty treatment up to annual cap (mine is around 10k, and I have silver as opposed to gold, it goes up)
- Emergency visit to find out why he's lethargic, his stool is loose, and he's vomiting everywhere
- Antibiotics cause he has kitty/doggy flu
- Upper respiratory infection
- Severe allergic reaction to WTF? -- Allergy panel -- daily meds

The list goes on. So many things can happen that you'll be happier you can take care of with insurance, to help your pet have a more comfortable and awesome quality of life. Sometimes you won't have to use it at all. But isn't it comforting to know that you can manage the unexpected?