vet prices

We use Banfield vet offices that are in PetSmart locations. This makes it convenient when traveling. They has Dog Wellness Plans and they run about 325.00 a year. This includes:

Comprehensive Physical Exams twice a year

Vaccinations - Distempter/Parvo, Bordetella, Leptospirosis,Lyme disease,Rabies

Diagnostic Testing - Blood work, internal organ screens, heart room/lyme/Ehrlichia and ear swab and microscopic exam

10% off all medications and unlimited office visits.

We just took our Aussie in for her 2nd exam and she got the blood work, Bordetella and heart room test and we didn't have to pay anything.

She got a hot spot once while camping and we took her into the local Banfield and she was able to been seen and the only thing we had to pay for was the medication.

This is the second dog we have used Banfield and have not had any issues and love their wellness plans.

When I had my akita, he tried to eat a box of styrofoam squiggles. He actually tried to pull the box out of my arms to get to them.

When his doctor told him to lose weight a while later, I started giving him rice cakes as a treat. I figured since he liked the taste of styrofoam... :)

I'll add that Moose-dog is also polite and a slow eater. Bat-dog is an inhaler and will steel his dribbles and crumbs. And the more treats she gets, the more aggressive she is about stealing from him. So, normally, the only treat they get is their cookie when I leave the house without them. Moose-dog makes a run to another room as soon as I give him his putting distance between them. This keeps her tendencies to a minimum.

When camping, they get more treats if others are with us. I use the treats as encouragement for her to overcome her people fears. It works, her best camping buddy is a friend, Joe. He brings over any leftover meat after every meal for the dogs (and he ALWAYS makes more than he needs). I've actually had to forbid him from sharing with the dogs so much because Bat-dog starts getting territorial with him (as in trying to keep Moose-dog away from Joe the food source). Poor Moose-dog, he puts up with so much having Bat-dog as a sister...

toedtoes wrote:
Moose-dog is pretty picky about food. Bat-dog will eat ANYTHING. They do seem to prefer the stuff they shouldn't eat - so I always come across as a meanie for not sharing.

I have a similar situation. Mikko is a picky about what he eats and won't touch vegetables. Cooper will eat just about anything and loves frozen broccoli for a snack.

Spent $847.47 last week. One urine test to rule out diabetes. Two blood works and an ultrasound to rule out cushings. One visit to see the vet due to sick dog. And then 4 packets for flea and tick meds. I was at the vets 4 days last week and they were only open 4 days.

Moose-dog is pretty picky about food. Bat-dog will eat ANYTHING. They do seem to prefer the stuff they shouldn't eat - so I always come across as a meanie for not sharing.

Bizmark loves lettuce, too. Especially romaine ribs. Maggie likes the occasional carrot, but really isn't a veggie fan.

Good to know about lettuce. Cooper loves salad, Mikko not so much.

dturm wrote:
Erythromycin has a short half life in dogs, so it's usually given IV or orally three times a day. It has a little higher incidence of side effects (not so serious ones) so it's not used often any more as there are other choices better suited. Back in my early years of practice, it was a pretty effective antibiotic to use in some situations. Not a placebo at all.

The lettuce being toxic is a internet perpetuated false statement (FAKE NEWS :B)

The only peanut butters that cause a problem are ones with xylitol added as BizmarksMom stated.

Doug, DVM

Thanks! I think it's important to have statements like this vetted (no pun intended) quickly by a legitimate source rather than turn into a back and forth series of accusations. Someone looking on the Internet can come across these discussions and get very confused very quickly.

Erythromycin has a short half life in dogs, so it's usually given IV or orally three times a day. It has a little higher incidence of side effects (not so serious ones) so it's not used often any more as there are other choices better suited. Back in my early years of practice, it was a pretty effective antibiotic to use in some situations. Not a placebo at all.

The lettuce being toxic is a internet perpetuated false statement (FAKE NEWS :B)

The only peanut butters that cause a problem are ones with xylitol added as BizmarksMom stated.

Doug, DVM

rockhillmanor wrote:

amena wrote:
... if a Dr gives you erythromycin for your dog its a placebo for you. it does nothing for the dog its a blank pill.

Can you explain further what you mean by this statement?

Perhaps Dr. Doug can verify if vets are giving us sugar pills instead of antibiotics.