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Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2

 
Stumpy McDougal
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07/08/2012 04:33 PM
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Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
... So my older rescue cat is ill. I rescued him 2 years ago and he is approximately 10 years old now.

He got into a scuffle with another cat a week or so ago (in our fenced backyard) and I noticed he hasn't been acting himself the last few days.

Last night I found him in a box and thinking how cute he was I petted him and he lifted his head and the worst smell hit me.

I thought it was an abscess or a bad tooth and took him to the clinic this morning.

Seems it's a bad tooth and had nothing to do with the other cat.

The first thing she offered was, of course, dental service at 1400 bucks! Really? Oh, she explained, other vets do cheaper dental work, but it's simply not as good as theirs. Oh yeah, and 500 bucks for all the tests that had to be done before the dental work.

Then she suggested IV fluid - 500 bucks for the hours he'd spend in the clinic. He is drinking on his own.

Finally, after going back and forth and wrangling on my part - I got her to prescribe antibiotics figuring we needed to knock down the infection anyway before major dental work.

I'm grateful there are pet docs when you need them, but it totally sucks that they offer the most expensive course of action first. It sucks that we have to make decisions about our pet's health based on a dollar sign, but that is the reality of life.

If I had asked no questions and had not wrangled with her, we'd be looking at basically a 2500.00 bill. As it worked out, it was 150.00 and he's home with antibiotics and pain meds and eating his softened food and drinking water.

Yes, I still need to find a dentist to extract a tooth, but damn!!

I remember vets 20+ years ago that actually cared about the pet's health and not the money, but I guess those days are gone :(

Rant off/

Last Edited by Turtle Flower on 07/09/2012 06:57 PM
"In order to arrive at what you are not,
You must go through the way in which you are not."

-TS Eliot

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Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 04:36 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Oh lord won't ya get me a mercedes benz, my friends all drive porches...

Next the vets are gonna get Obamapet care.
Stumpy McDougal  (OP)

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07/08/2012 04:41 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Oh lord won't ya get me a mercedes benz, my friends all drive porches...

Next the vets are gonna get Obamapet care.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 19335102


chuckle Probably.
"In order to arrive at what you are not,
You must go through the way in which you are not."

-TS Eliot

[link to www.turtlesvoice.com]

Momma Said Write A Book About It - New novel [link to www.amazon.com (secure)]

[link to www.facebook.com (secure)]
Tuff~Kooky

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07/08/2012 04:44 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Dental work? Why don't they just pull the offending tooth?

Give your Cat a few drops of colloidal silver in water to help get rid of the infection.
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 04:45 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Shop around a little bit. I know when I compared my vet with others they ran about 1/3 of everyone else. Seems like a cleaning for my dog not too long ago was somewhere under $400-500. I can't recall. She has significant dental work needed. I'm in California here.
Stumpy McDougal  (OP)

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07/08/2012 04:47 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Dental work? Why don't they just pull the offending tooth?

Give your Cat a few drops of colloidal silver in water to help get rid of the infection.
 Quoting: Tuff~Kooky


Evidently that would be too simple and not enough profit.

Have been putting silver in the water, maybe not enough, so I thought he may need the antibiotics.
"In order to arrive at what you are not,
You must go through the way in which you are not."

-TS Eliot

[link to www.turtlesvoice.com]

Momma Said Write A Book About It - New novel [link to www.amazon.com (secure)]

[link to www.facebook.com (secure)]
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 04:48 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Our vet runs a low-cost clinic, real nice and knows all, but he also owns real estate. As of 10 years ago it was 53 rental houses, a lot more now, folks come in to the clinic to get rental papers to fill out!
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 04:48 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
I would go to a college campus and buy a vetmed text book on dental treatment for cats, and read up, do the work myself.
CHL2T

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07/08/2012 04:49 PM

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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
A vet told my buddy his dog needed surgery to remove an obstruction to the tune of 2400, he took his dog to another vet and they gave him laxatives, the dog shat and now is all good and healthy......
Stumpy McDougal  (OP)

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07/08/2012 04:51 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Shop around a little bit. I know when I compared my vet with others they ran about 1/3 of everyone else. Seems like a cleaning for my dog not too long ago was somewhere under $400-500. I can't recall. She has significant dental work needed. I'm in California here.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1178007


Yeah, I will be shopping around. And yeah, I think he needs major work and several teeth out.

I know little of his history since he was older when I adopted him. I do know that he had spent months in the shelter in a small cage with 2 other cats and his hips had atrophied (he's a big cat, thin, but tall).
"In order to arrive at what you are not,
You must go through the way in which you are not."

-TS Eliot

[link to www.turtlesvoice.com]

Momma Said Write A Book About It - New novel [link to www.amazon.com (secure)]

[link to www.facebook.com (secure)]
Stumpy McDougal  (OP)

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07/08/2012 04:53 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Our vet runs a low-cost clinic, real nice and knows all, but he also owns real estate. As of 10 years ago it was 53 rental houses, a lot more now, folks come in to the clinic to get rental papers to fill out!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 6414988


LOL. I'll see if there is such a thing in my area. We just moved from a couple states over so I don't have my finger on the pulse of things here yet.
"In order to arrive at what you are not,
You must go through the way in which you are not."

-TS Eliot

[link to www.turtlesvoice.com]

Momma Said Write A Book About It - New novel [link to www.amazon.com (secure)]

[link to www.facebook.com (secure)]
Stumpy McDougal  (OP)

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07/08/2012 04:57 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
I would go to a college campus and buy a vetmed text book on dental treatment for cats, and read up, do the work myself.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 12539348


I don't know. The cat really doesn't like anyone touching his mouth and I don't need an additional medical bill for stitches, lol.

Hell and the book itself would probably cost about the same as I paid the vet today.
"In order to arrive at what you are not,
You must go through the way in which you are not."

-TS Eliot

[link to www.turtlesvoice.com]

Momma Said Write A Book About It - New novel [link to www.amazon.com (secure)]

[link to www.facebook.com (secure)]
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 04:57 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Dental work? Why don't they just pull the offending tooth?

Give your Cat a few drops of colloidal silver in water to help get rid of the infection.
 Quoting: Tuff~Kooky


Evidently that would be too simple and not enough profit.

Have been putting silver in the water, maybe not enough, so I thought he may need the antibiotics.
 Quoting: Stumpy McDougal


Sorry to hear about your kitty

What US state do you live in?

I know a great vet in Texas, bc my hubby works there sometimes.

McKinney Animal Clinic outside of Dallas.

I was there, with a very sick cat, they took care of me and with meds the visit was about $100

In NS the same would have been over $300, I think

I'll find the number, if you give me a sec

Hope he gets better

Take people's advice and shop around: not all vets are in it for the money
Stumpy McDougal  (OP)

User ID: 15791612
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07/08/2012 04:57 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
A vet told my buddy his dog needed surgery to remove an obstruction to the tune of 2400, he took his dog to another vet and they gave him laxatives, the dog shat and now is all good and healthy......
 Quoting: CHL2T


laugh That's hysterical!

Buyer beware, I guess.

I'll be on the phone in the morning.
"In order to arrive at what you are not,
You must go through the way in which you are not."

-TS Eliot

[link to www.turtlesvoice.com]

Momma Said Write A Book About It - New novel [link to www.amazon.com (secure)]

[link to www.facebook.com (secure)]
Stumpy McDougal  (OP)

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07/08/2012 05:00 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Dental work? Why don't they just pull the offending tooth?

Give your Cat a few drops of colloidal silver in water to help get rid of the infection.
 Quoting: Tuff~Kooky


Evidently that would be too simple and not enough profit.

Have been putting silver in the water, maybe not enough, so I thought he may need the antibiotics.
 Quoting: Stumpy McDougal


Sorry to hear about your kitty

What US state do you live in?

I know a great vet in Texas, bc my hubby works there sometimes.

McKinney Animal Clinic outside of Dallas.

I was there, with a very sick cat, they took care of me and with meds the visit was about $100

In NS the same would have been over $300, I think

I'll find the number, if you give me a sec

Hope he gets better

Take people's advice and shop around: not all vets are in it for the money
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 19326537



I'm in Georgia - just moved here.

Yep, I'm going to be making a lot of calls in the morning, but I do think it's important to knock down the infection before they start pulling teeth.

I know not all vets are in it for the bucks, but damn if they aren't hard to find. hf
"In order to arrive at what you are not,
You must go through the way in which you are not."

-TS Eliot

[link to www.turtlesvoice.com]

Momma Said Write A Book About It - New novel [link to www.amazon.com (secure)]

[link to www.facebook.com (secure)]
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:08 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Shop around a little bit. I know when I compared my vet with others they ran about 1/3 of everyone else. Seems like a cleaning for my dog not too long ago was somewhere under $400-500. I can't recall. She has significant dental work needed. I'm in California here.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1178007


Yes, shop around. The small clinics are usually cheaper but the trick is to find a good blend of price and care quality. If the clinic has a granite top on the reception desk, that's probably not the one you want.

When I move to a new place, I google "veterinarians yourtown yourstate" and look for reviews from clients. That helps and then you can visit and interview them too. Friends can also help, although the worst vet I ever experienced was recommended by a friend. Good luck to you and your cat, and good job advocating for yourself!

P.S. There's credit, called CareCredit, offered by some vets, and people doctors and dentists too. It's relatively easy to get and has good interest rates for those real emergencies.
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:10 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
I used this generic vet as I call them.
They are the least expensive around.
It's just basic care and they will work with you if you can't afford to pay.
It's vets from surrounding clinics.

Years ago this clinic used to charge $5 for almost everything. The doc was close to 100 he just wanted to help animals.
He did get in trouble for tax issues.
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:13 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Apple Cider Vinegar the one with the mother, mix it with water, it helps cats with UTI's. I have an older cat 13 years old he gets UTI's a few times a year, I mix it in with wet food and few days later he's pissing like a fountain again.

I know it has nothing to do with an infected tooth, but is a tip. I do think it helps with other infections too.
MarkinAZ

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07/08/2012 05:13 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
As a self-employed person, I cannot get dental insurance that's worth a shit at any price.

However, I do have health and dental insurance on my cats. (All three of them. Costs me about $120/mo for the three and anything beyond a routine office call is covered. Any procedure over 2000 is covered at 100% and they have contract deals for discounts and direct payment at the best vet hospitals in the USA. I only wish I could buy as good an insurance policy on myself or my family and at such a reasonable cost.

Dental work on pets is MORE costly than on humans for the simple reason that the cat/dog has to be put under a general anesthesia to allow even an extraction to be done. It's dangerous and time consuming and not for beginners to attempt. That alone doubles the cost of a given procedures on a pet, usually.
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:15 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Dental work? Why don't they just pull the offending tooth?

Give your Cat a few drops of colloidal silver in water to help get rid of the infection.
 Quoting: Tuff~Kooky


Evidently that would be too simple and not enough profit.

Have been putting silver in the water, maybe not enough, so I thought he may need the antibiotics.
 Quoting: Stumpy McDougal


Sorry to hear about your kitty

What US state do you live in?

I know a great vet in Texas, bc my hubby works there sometimes.

McKinney Animal Clinic outside of Dallas.

I was there, with a very sick cat, they took care of me and with meds the visit was about $100

In NS the same would have been over $300, I think

I'll find the number, if you give me a sec

Hope he gets better

Take people's advice and shop around: not all vets are in it for the money
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 19326537



I'm in Georgia - just moved here.

Yep, I'm going to be making a lot of calls in the morning, but I do think it's important to knock down the infection before they start pulling teeth.

I know not all vets are in it for the bucks, but damn if they aren't hard to find. hf
 Quoting: Stumpy McDougal


I'll check with a friend of mine who is stationed in Georgia

You know, my great vet in Dallas is in a poorer neighborhood, if that matters

I have found that sometimes its the smaller clinics in humble neighborhoods which have the vets who actually care for animals, not the boutique doctors

just an observation
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:18 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
... So my older rescue cat is ill. I rescued him 2 years ago and he is approximately 10 years old now.

He got into a scuffle with another cat a week or so ago (in our fenced backyard) and I noticed he hasn't been acting himself the last few days.

Last night I found him in a box and thinking how cute he was I petted him and he lifted his head and the worst smell hit me.

I thought it was an abscess or a bad tooth and took him to the clinic this morning.

Seems it's a bad tooth and had nothing to do with the other cat.

The first thing she offered was, of course, dental service at 1400 bucks! Really? Oh, she explained, other vets do cheaper dental work, but it's simply not as good as theirs. Oh yeah, and 500 bucks for all the tests that had to be done before the dental work.

Then she suggested IV fluid - 500 bucks for the hours he'd spend in the clinic. He is drinking on his own.

Finally, after going back and forth and wrangling on my part - I got her to prescribe antibiotics figuring we needed to knock down the infection anyway before major dental work.

I'm grateful there are pet docs when you need them, but it totally sucks that they offer the most expensive course of action first. It sucks that we have to make decisions about our pet's health based on a dollar sign, but that is the reality of life.

If I had asked no questions and had not wrangled with her, we'd be looking at basically a 2500.00 bill. As it worked out, it was 150.00 and he's home with antibiotics and pain meds and eating his softened food and drinking water.

Yes, I still need to find a dentist to extract a tooth, but damn!!

I remember vets 20+ years ago that actually cared about the pet's health and not the money, but I guess those days are gone :(

Rant off/
 Quoting: Stumpy McDougal



Wrap that cat like a burrito and pull. Amoxicillion and Wellah.(sp)

I Could tell you a story that would make your pocket book hurt and a sore tooth feel soothing.

trust me.
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:24 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Vets 20+ years ago were less expensive like everything else. Pets are more important to people now as well, so to have the BEST for our pets, of course it's going to cost money. Not to mention: location, rent, employees salaries, etc. I think pet owners are the ones "ALL ABOUT THE MONEY." Everyone has a choice to not have a pet, or if they do, not get pet care, like they used to in the "good old days" when the old farmer would shoot the animal instead. Anyhow, everyone has a choice when at the vet.. THINK for yourself and ASK what other options there are. (Which you did, but still bitch about it anyway.)
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:26 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
My advice is look for a vet who will come to the home. Cattle vet? I live in the back wood south now too and well..
If all fails, find a local, old school. Wish you the best.
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:30 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
And yes, people are smart around here.. as mentioned, it is more expensive to have a pet's dental care for the fact alone that they need to be put under and you want a professional doing this, don't you? Or is the "cheapest" vet the one you want doing a risky procedure, including anesthetics? And care credit is good, too. It even has an interest free period, better than a credit card.
Please take into consideration that vets have to be: general practitioner, surgeon, dentist, radiographer, ETC and make probably less than HALF what human doctors make. Now please, respect the veterinarian. :)
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:31 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Vets 20+ years ago were less expensive like everything else. Pets are more important to people now as well, so to have the BEST for our pets, of course it's going to cost money. Not to mention: location, rent, employees salaries, etc. I think pet owners are the ones "ALL ABOUT THE MONEY." Everyone has a choice to not have a pet, or if they do, not get pet care, like they used to in the "good old days" when the old farmer would shoot the animal instead. Anyhow, everyone has a choice when at the vet.. THINK for yourself and ASK what other options there are. (Which you did, but still bitch about it anyway.)
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7273918


Yes and I opt out of paying your rent. My Vet, HA. He is in the business because he loves animals.Generation to generation! He doesn't prescribe claximox and answers questions on the phone! When I actually have to take my animals in to see him I gladly pay him. EXTRA
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:34 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
They are all in the business because they love animals, don't fool yourself. Who in their right mind would go thru that schooling and student loans, AS LONG AS A HUMAN DOCTOR, to be paid 1/2? It's not a "business" decision, it's a career and passion that people choose because they LOVE ANIMALS. SORRY TO BURST YOUR BUBBLE.
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:41 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
They are all in the business because they love animals, don't fool yourself. Who in their right mind would go thru that schooling and student loans, AS LONG AS A HUMAN DOCTOR, to be paid 1/2? It's not a "business" decision, it's a career and passion that people choose because they LOVE ANIMALS. SORRY TO BURST YOUR BUBBLE.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 7273918


No bubble to burst. I know the heart wrenching pain to find a vet when you move around. I got caught up with a vet from Hollywood that actually recommended root canals for my cat. Seriously. Anyhow this isn't a debate but a recommendation. Find a vet who is old school.
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:44 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
I don't think there will be an Obamacare for pets ... I hear Obama eats dogs.
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:47 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
I don't think there will be an Obamacare for pets ... I hear Obama eats dogs.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 842983


Brains! I need Brains!
Anonymous Coward
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07/08/2012 05:49 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
Find a vet that works on horses and other livestock. They are the ones who are more likely to treat your animal at the lowest cost possible. They are the ones who will often take a basket of peaches as payment if you can't afford to pay.
Stumpy McDougal  (OP)

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07/08/2012 05:50 PM
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Re: Sick Cat ... Damned Vets ... *Updated* Page 2
I had a vet in 1988 when my Golden Retriever developed a tumor on his side. The vet charged me nothing for the visit because he knew it was heart breaking information he had to deliver.

He charged me nothing for the meds he taught me to inject or the several visits after that. I guess he knew the dog stood little chance, but he was hoping.

He opened his office on a Sunday evening and put my dog down, with all my family gathered, and his comment was "It's so hard to lose a good friend."

He then charged me like 30 bucks to close out the account on my good old dog.

Yes, I know folks spend years going to school, this guy was old school, tiny little office and a genuine care for animals - haven't seen that in a long time.

RIP Dr. Gradus.

Hard to go to vets these days, after dealing with such an awesome man.
"In order to arrive at what you are not,
You must go through the way in which you are not."

-TS Eliot

[link to www.turtlesvoice.com]

Momma Said Write A Book About It - New novel [link to www.amazon.com (secure)]

[link to www.facebook.com (secure)]





GLP