Vet's bills
#16
Re: Vet's bills
I think I'll just get dentures sometime.
#17
Banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: the GTA
Posts: 3,824
Re: Vet's bills
In the twenty years since I returned to Canada, I've been to a dentist exactly once. He stuck a needle several times into my gums, so as to do something he called "deep cleaning". What he didn't mention is that the shot included epinephrine, to which I have an intolerance. I took me more than a month to get my blood pressure back under control.
I think I'll just get dentures sometime.
I think I'll just get dentures sometime.
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,746
Re: Vet's bills
Vet clinics (especially the corporate/chain ones) realise that people will shop around for the best price on vaccines and routine surgeries and will sometimes even make a loss on these to get people in the door. However, the lost income will be compensated by higher charges for other services. I would suggest not picking your vet by what seems like the cheapest at the beginning.
As far as regular vet clinics calling themselves hospitals. There are strict guidelines for what the practice can be called e.g. clinic vs hospital and they are inspected to make sure they fulfil the criteria. It is based on the facilities they have. The criteria is very different to the UK however so you may well be surprised as to what constitutes a vet hospital here.
As far as regular vet clinics calling themselves hospitals. There are strict guidelines for what the practice can be called e.g. clinic vs hospital and they are inspected to make sure they fulfil the criteria. It is based on the facilities they have. The criteria is very different to the UK however so you may well be surprised as to what constitutes a vet hospital here.
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Formally Scotland. Now Bay of Quinte...Ontario
Posts: 2,466
Re: Vet's bills
I to have a Border Collie (my third), he is eight years old now and starting show signs of arthritis ....initial examination followed by X-rays came to almost $350. He has been a costly little guy by reason of one or two health problems in his short life and when his time comes, I doubt I will get another, as much I would dearly love to, cost being the primary reason. I will be living off my pension by then and potential vet bills will be a big consideration to be sure. Pet Health Insurance may make it possible, however will have to wait and see when the time comes.
Last edited by macadian; Oct 14th 2012 at 1:38 pm.
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Posts: 744
Re: Vet's bills
I to have a Border Collie (my third), he is eight years old now and starting show signs of arthritis ....initial examination followed by X-rays came to almost $350. He has been a costly little guy by reason of one or two health problems in his short life and when his time comes, I doubt I will get another, as much I would dearly love to, cost being the primary reason. I will be living off my pension by then and potential vet bills will be a big consideration to be sure. Pet Health Insurance may make it possible, however will have to wait and see when the time comes.
ok, it's not the same but there are a few ways to have a furry companion at home without worrying about the next expensive bill that might arise and there are opportunities to make a big difference.
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Formally Scotland. Now Bay of Quinte...Ontario
Posts: 2,466
Re: Vet's bills
No need to completely forgo the opportunity to have dogs in the future. Ever thought of fostering from the local humane society? or get involved with looking after the puppies that are trained to be autism dogs/guide dogs?
ok, it's not the same but there are a few ways to have a furry companion at home without worrying about the next expensive bill that might arise and there are opportunities to make a big difference.
ok, it's not the same but there are a few ways to have a furry companion at home without worrying about the next expensive bill that might arise and there are opportunities to make a big difference.
#24
Banned
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Canada
Posts: 314
Re: Vet's bills
Mate of mine in West Van had a dog that got hit by a car. Vets had him for four days. Buddy got a bill for $4500. 00
He said it would have been cheaper to have put the dog in the Wedgewood Hotel for four days
He said it would have been cheaper to have put the dog in the Wedgewood Hotel for four days
#25
Re: Vet's bills
Ah vet bills. Our furry companions can be rather expensive. I seem to recall ACL surgery for our lab was something like $3000. Surgery to remove some lumps was about $1600.
We did have pet insurance, but the old "pre-existing condition" clause came up and so didn't cover these (ironically if we'd taken our poor limping hound to the vet one day later the ACL might have been covered, as there is some 21 day waiting period, and we took her in at 20 days - she was fine before that, seemed to come on quickly, labs being labs, they hide pain well, usually until it's very very painful for them)
Alas we had to say goodbye to our friend and the insurance, as to be expected had a lovely deductible, which meant the final expenses they would have paid to us were gobbled up by this, not exactly what you want when you've said goodbye to a faithful friend after 10 years.
Wife has said that she'll never, ever get pet insurance again, said she'd put the monthly payment into a savings account and draw on that if required. Myself, I'm not so sure, if the next hound was to have an expensive injury, it could wipe out that account quickly, and what if there was another following injury, before the account could be topped up, which insurance would cover. Would it not be better just to get coverage from the start. If the next dog is a puppy, then pre-existing conditions should not, hopefully, be an issue.
It has made me wonder if there would be value to an OHIP (or your provincial equivalent) for pets. Many people don't use OHIP and seemingly have no issue with tax dollars going towards others who do, so why not do the same for pets? I'm guessing the majority would, unfortunately, baulk at paying for furry pals, as opposed to humans. I'm no lover of small yappy dogs, or cats, but I'd still be happy for my tax dollars go to OPHIP (Ontario Pet Health Insurance Plan - see, I've got a name for it now ) as I know it would be there if my pet needed.
We did have pet insurance, but the old "pre-existing condition" clause came up and so didn't cover these (ironically if we'd taken our poor limping hound to the vet one day later the ACL might have been covered, as there is some 21 day waiting period, and we took her in at 20 days - she was fine before that, seemed to come on quickly, labs being labs, they hide pain well, usually until it's very very painful for them)
Alas we had to say goodbye to our friend and the insurance, as to be expected had a lovely deductible, which meant the final expenses they would have paid to us were gobbled up by this, not exactly what you want when you've said goodbye to a faithful friend after 10 years.
Wife has said that she'll never, ever get pet insurance again, said she'd put the monthly payment into a savings account and draw on that if required. Myself, I'm not so sure, if the next hound was to have an expensive injury, it could wipe out that account quickly, and what if there was another following injury, before the account could be topped up, which insurance would cover. Would it not be better just to get coverage from the start. If the next dog is a puppy, then pre-existing conditions should not, hopefully, be an issue.
It has made me wonder if there would be value to an OHIP (or your provincial equivalent) for pets. Many people don't use OHIP and seemingly have no issue with tax dollars going towards others who do, so why not do the same for pets? I'm guessing the majority would, unfortunately, baulk at paying for furry pals, as opposed to humans. I'm no lover of small yappy dogs, or cats, but I'd still be happy for my tax dollars go to OPHIP (Ontario Pet Health Insurance Plan - see, I've got a name for it now ) as I know it would be there if my pet needed.
#26
Re: Vet's bills
We seem to have struck lucky with the vet we registered with when we first arrived. Any time our dogs have had medication that can be got from the regular pharmacist, our vet has sent us there with a prescription.
Sadly, we have lost both of ours this year - one to prostate cancer, and the other to a combination of things. Both were put to sleep, one outwith regular hours, the other after a 4am phone call, was taken in the next morning. We were not charged a penny for either one.
With regards to insurance - we just have a transfer set aside every two weeks and the money goes into a separate account. It then goes towards vet bills/kennels, etc. So far, it has worked out well and our new puppy's fund is building up nicely. The only problem - my hubby reckons that the dog should use it to buy him a birthday pressie!
Sadly, we have lost both of ours this year - one to prostate cancer, and the other to a combination of things. Both were put to sleep, one outwith regular hours, the other after a 4am phone call, was taken in the next morning. We were not charged a penny for either one.
With regards to insurance - we just have a transfer set aside every two weeks and the money goes into a separate account. It then goes towards vet bills/kennels, etc. So far, it has worked out well and our new puppy's fund is building up nicely. The only problem - my hubby reckons that the dog should use it to buy him a birthday pressie!
#27
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 300
Re: Vet's bills
We're raising our own Vet from scratch! Just started first year (after taking a year off after school), and by the time she qualifies, she'll owe me BIG TIME!
#28
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,404
Re: Vet's bills
My dog, my best mate, was sick last week. He'd eaten a bone and had a blockage in his bowel. They gave him an x-ray and 2 enemas, which cost almost $500. He got worse over night, and I took him back in first thing in the morning. They said surgery was needed asap, so I agreed.
A few hours later I got a call to say he'd died following a complication, but they handed me another bill for $1200.
A few hours later I got a call to say he'd died following a complication, but they handed me another bill for $1200.
Last edited by jericho; Oct 19th 2012 at 1:54 pm.
#29
Re: Vet's bills
My dog, my best mate, was sick last week. He'd eaten a bone and had a blockage in his bowel. They gave him an x-ray and 2 enemas, which cost almost $500. He got worse over night, and I took him back in first thing in the morning. They said surgery was needed asap, so I agreed.
A few hours later I got a call to say he'd died following a complication, but they handed me another bill for $1200.
A few hours later I got a call to say he'd died following a complication, but they handed me another bill for $1200.