N1cky

When we moved to LA 18 months ago our dog was 12 years old and hated the warm weather even in the UK. So we made the heartbreaking decision to leave her with some very good friends at home. She is very happy and healthy and I know we made the right decision, but i'm still very sad about it

We have talked and talked about getting another dog, and stupidly I keep looking, and have seem a puppy that is adorable and I really want.

We had pet insurance in the UK (well still do in fact), and other than shots have never had to pay out much for vets fees.

Can anyone tell me the cost of vets fees out here, (the puppy has had all first vaccinations), how much pet insurance is and recommend any insurance companies?

Bob

Well are well expensive...had some nuts knocked out of a rat for $150...a mate spent around $300 on a couple of tumours being removed and these were discounted rates because the vets hadn't had much work on small animals.

Insurance, no idea, not exactly cheap, but there's quite a lot of good info at petsmart, well our local one at least for local vets etc.

Juswus

You can compare pet insurance rates for dogs here:

http://www.petinsurancereview.com/dog.asp


Beware of policies that exclude too much ...they'll never pay out for anything.
If you can be strict about doing it, you are better off putting a certain amount of money away in an account each month, the same amount you would be paying for insurance, then you'll probably have the full amount needed should anything happen.

Also check on not only your state laws for dogs, but different counties can have different laws on things like whether you need a dog license or whether they need to wear their rabies tags at all times...tons of little things

Also, check the breed you want isnt banned/restricted....you'd be suprised at how many breeds/mixes are covered.


Our last dog, we were pretty much ready to put our house on the market to pay for extensive vets bills for him. Eventually a specialist told us he had too much wrong to live a healthy life, so we decided not to put him through all the operations involved. But that probably gives you an idea of the costs if there is something serious wrong

Other than that, bills vary greatly from area to area......so my bills here in Maine are probalby going to be totally different from in LA.



After all that serious stuff.....good luck on the puppy!!!!

JayBowyer

I have something positive to share

We have two dogs, Jupiter and Cecelia, and three cats, Gabriel, Smoky and Angel.

We go to an older, almost retired farm vet and he charged us about $20 for shots, and $30 to "knock the nuts" off each cat (). He charges $60 to spay a female cat and slightly more a female dog.

The other month, in Feb, our basset, Cecelia, stepped on a piece of glass and almost cut her paw off. For an emergency trip to the vet at 11pm - it lasted until about 12.30pm, stitches, tranquilizer, anti nausea meds, antibiotics by injection and then by mouth, gauze, labor, more gauze for changing the bandage and everything involved, he charged us $86. I helped him with the stitches.

He's clean, proper, knows what he's doing and has been in practice at least 40 years. Perhaps in your area, you might have someone like him as well? I have never had a problem with anything he's ever done, from the point of view of infection or anything going wrong. He's a class A guy!

Good luck

Juswus

^^ travelling to Minnesota for my next vets trip!!!

JayBowyer

He operates our of Bricelyn, MN, and actually, has a lot of clients who will travel a whole state to see him!

lisa67

I have a similar vet here. Really nice guy, works out of a small hut (scupulously clean) and charges very little (not too many overheads)...great guy

Sue

Hi N1cky,

We have a wellness plan with Banfield vets who are in many PetSmart's. It's a monthly fee that covers all vets visits, vaccinations, wellness exams, tests, labs etc. We've have had it for almost 6 years and it's worked well for us. I don't know if they have one near you but in case your interested here is a link.

N1cky

Thanks everyone for your advice. Not sure how realistic finding a vet in a barn will be in central LA, but you never know.

I will look further at the pet insurance links and things tonight.

Sue, how much does the monthly plan cost? I had a quick look at the link but couldn't see a price, I'm sure its on there somewhere.

N1cky

Sorry, more questions.

In the UK, I can take my dog to the park and play ball in most places. Here there are dog parks and off-leash dog parks.

Does this mean I can only walk my dog in a dog park (not a regular park) and only let my dog off the leash in an off-leash park??

Thanks guys

Sue

It's $21.99. We started it when he was a 5 month old pup, and as well as the stuff I mentioned above its also covered the cost of his neutering.

N1cky

Great Sue, thanks for the quick reply. The adoption place covers the spaying cost so that won't be an issue.

I still pay pet insurance for my dog in the UK, and that sets me back 35 pounds a month, way expensive but I kept it on as I worried that if she needed anything I would feel bad about her new owners having to pay out, and they would have felt bad asking for help. Awkward all round

Juswus

Most parks will have a sign to say if you cant take a dog there. Or will say if there are any regulations, like dogs have to be on a lead there.

Around my way, I think the general rule is they can be off leash so long as you have "strong recall command" in other words they actually listen to you when you call...not like mine

If you google, you should be able to find a list of parks/beaches that are dog friendly near you.

Juswus

btw, I think it;s amazing that you made the best decision for your old girl......I can imagine that must have been such a difficult thing to do. You must be glad that she is happy at home

jumping doris

Where I live, in PA, there is only one off leash area. Everywhere else dogs have to be leashed or are just not allowed.
It came as a real shock when we moved here because we came from a smallish town in the UK where you could take your dog anywhere...even into a few non food shops.

Across the road from my house we have a huge wood with meadows etc and because it is a township park dogs are not allowed.


I have been told that where I am is particularly unfriendly to dogs so it might be different for you.