[CheyDee]

Originally Posted by AnonChick

I did answer it. And you did too in your last sentence here. Apples and oranges. Buying handbags in a boutique has -nothing- to do with buying prescription medicines for your pet OR for yourself, anywhere.

Discussion of buying handbags is a derailment, off topic, and irrelevent.

You missed the point. The point was: In a non emergent situation, why would anyone spend $40 more for the EXACT same item which could be purchased for that much less just a few minutes later at another place? The question was: Would you? It really makes no nevermind what the item is we're referencing.

[CheyDee]

Originally Posted by Oleg Bach

I have two dogs in my care...One has this weird growth on his front leg at the joint....it's ugly - but held on by a thread...It has taken on it's own blood supply...To take it off would take ten minutes....but they want 350 bucks. I love my dogs..but I guess I will have to put up with this defect..that seems to be getting larger...In reality the surgery could be done for 100 bucks and the vet would still turn a profit....but no- they ransom you.

There are multiple potential issues here.

Firstly, if it is increasing in size it will probably continue to increase in size, meaning, at some point it is going to inhibit the dog's ability to bend his leg and walk, sit, etc. It could also put pressure on the circulation in his leg, which may cause permanent harm.

Secondly, if it's only holding on by a thread, there is a likelihood that your dog will bump it against something inadvertently (or scratch beside it, or lick or chew at it), which could then cause it to hemorrhage.

Thirdly, often benign growths become cancerous over time.

In other words, it's more than aesthetics; the growth will have to be removed, whether sooner or later. It is far safer and better for your dog to have it removed sooner, before any negative sequela occurs.

[AnonChick]

As far as I know, my doctor can't write up a prescription for my pet, give it to me, and me bring it to Rite-Aid to get filled.

If my vet could do this, and I could get it cheaper at Rite-Aid, then I'd get it at Rite-Aid. And I wouldn't whine about the price of prescription medicine for my cat at the vet's office.

On the other hand, I don't mind forking over a few extra bucks to the vet, who is -not- a pharmacist, for providing pharmacy services that she doesn't have to provide at all. She gives excellent care to my pets and everyone else's pets, and if my extra $10 for a prescription will cover the cost of her latte and scone, then I'm more than happy to dole it out.

[Pammyd]

Originally Posted by SuperSparkle928

Well, my last dog had a stage-6 heart murmur (I know, in people it only goes to 4). Been in the medical community for 17 years, so I know my way around a hospital.
Took the dog to a local specialist veterinary clinic, where they assigned a cardiologist, neurologist, hematologist and GP.
The first thing they wanted to do was a cardiac MRI, for $3,000. When I stated I could get one on myself, a human, (worked on designing MRI's for a few years) for about $1,200, that sort of ended it for me.
Money making machines are what a lot of vet facilities are.
Took my dog into work (had to do it on a weekend, so people wouldn't freak out), and did a cardiac ultrasound on him, myself. Awful mitral regurg. Only a couple of solutions to that problem, and I was not about to have my little dog's chest cracked...
So to summarize, the dog lasted another 5 years, I gave him good meds (Lisinopril, Furosemide, etc) and it cost, based on my estimates, about $8,000 less than using the 'specialists'.
I understand that becoming a vet is really hard (potentially harder than an MD for people), but I fail to see why I can't get out of the vet's office for less than $250.

My husband and I just took our pit to have her heartworm test and her Lepto vaccination plus had her toenails cut and a general checkup and it was 175.00 which I didn't think was all that bad. There is another vet facility in Cheshire Ct, an emergency hospital for animals and the pricing there is outrageous. I think they get away with it because people are pretty desperate by the time they get there. We have had to use this facility several times in the past and at one time our bill was close to 5,000..the dog died anyhow, she was old and was sick when we adopted her. Insurance for pets is not something that is cheap or covered by employers as human insurance is so the vets have to get what they get at times. If you love your pets, somehow you will find a way to pay for their care or like you..work it out yourself.

[catsmom21]

Originally Posted by AnonChick

As far as I know, my doctor can't write up a prescription for my pet, give it to me, and me bring it to Rite-Aid to get filled.

If my vet could do this, and I could get it cheaper at Rite-Aid, then I'd get it at Rite-Aid. And I wouldn't whine about the price of prescription medicine for my cat at the vet's office.

On the other hand, I don't mind forking over a few extra bucks to the vet, who is -not- a pharmacist, for providing pharmacy services that she doesn't have to provide at all. She gives excellent care to my pets and everyone else's pets, and if my extra $10 for a prescription will cover the cost of her latte and scone, then I'm more than happy to dole it out.

Why not? I've always gotten all my pets maintenance medicines at my local human pharmacy. Phenobarbital, norvasc, lactated ringers....the only one I really saved money on was the lactated ringers solution (and needles), and that saved me about $100 a month. The others were more for convenience sake, the cost wasn't more than a dollar or two difference. Vet writes the precription, I bring it to my pharmacy, they fill it. The cats' meds come under the pharmacies "Healthy Saver" plan, even!

Antibiotics, those I get at the time needed, at the vet.

[subject2change]

Originally Posted by AnonChick

As far as I know, my doctor can't write up a prescription for my pet, give it to me, and me bring it to Rite-Aid to get filled.

If my vet could do this, and I could get it cheaper at Rite-Aid, then I'd get it at Rite-Aid. And I wouldn't whine about the price of prescription medicine for my cat at the vet's office.

On the other hand, I don't mind forking over a few extra bucks to the vet, who is -not- a pharmacist, for providing pharmacy services that she doesn't have to provide at all. She gives excellent care to my pets and everyone else's pets, and if my extra $10 for a prescription will cover the cost of her latte and scone, then I'm more than happy to dole it out.

Pharmacies, including Rite Aid and Walgreens, do fill prescriptions for pets when there is a human equivalent for that medicine, at substantially lower cost than the vet. I'm not aware of any human pharmacies that fill prescriptions used only for animals, but you can get them online. Look for the seal VIPPS for online pharmacies that are approved, to avoid counterfeit products.

[CheyDee]

Originally Posted by AnonChick

If my vet could do this, and I could get it cheaper at Rite-Aid, then I'd get it at Rite-Aid. [Bingo!] And I wouldn't whine about the price of prescription medicine for my cat at the vet's office.

I agree. It's inappropriate to whine about the price. IMO it's okay to ask if they could do any better on the price, but that's it. You either accept it or don't.

On the other hand, I don't mind forking over a few extra bucks to the vet, who is -not- a pharmacist, for providing pharmacy services that she doesn't have to provide at all. I have never, ever visited a vet who did not dispense medication. She gives excellent care to my pets and everyone else's pets, and if my extra $10 for a prescription will cover the cost of her latte and scone, then I'm more than happy to dole it out.

I agree. For a few extra dollars I am more than happy to pay the vet's price. For much more than that, I will take my business elsewhere when I can.

[Pawporri]

My vet writes scrips for Heartworm meds, Novox for arthritis and others that are not urgent. I then go to Dr.s Foster/Smith and mail scrip for a very substantial savings. Usually save 50% or more going this route.
In most places, I know, vets do not have a monopoly on pet business so I shop around for quality as well as common sense. I then tell the one I choose what my budget limitations are and ask them if they can work with me. As owner of 3 dogs they usually find it is worth compromising to get my business.
I would never think of not questioning my vet bills and asking for alternatives to reduce prices. Reasonable pay for professional work - and with the economy the way it is many vets are looking to make ends meet just like everyone else.

[AnonChick]

Any prescription meds I've needed for my pets have been compound and/or liquids that need to be mixed on site and refrigerated immediately, and dosed specifically for pets.

My vet has set rates for certain services, including vaccinations, yearly checkups, and prescription medicines. I accept the fees, because I value my veterinarian as much (if not more) than she values her business in the community. I could get the same stuff cheaper somewhere else, but I can't get -her- somewhere else. And so I'm happy to pay the premium for what I consider superior service.

[Pawporri]

Originally Posted by AnonChick

Any prescription meds I've needed for my pets have been compound and/or liquids that need to be mixed on site and refrigerated immediately, and dosed specifically for pets.

My vet has set rates for certain services, including vaccinations, yearly checkups, and prescription medicines. I accept the fees, because I value my veterinarian as much (if not more) than she values her business in the community. I could get the same stuff cheaper somewhere else, but I can't get -her- somewhere else. And so I'm happy to pay the premium for what I consider superior service.

I agree and I get both top notch vet (had her for 8 years) and a person who puts the animals first and prices second. My dogs are all seniors and in great health due to her great services and good care on my part. But B4 I selected her I screened 6 others, in depth.