My vet is bleeding me dry!!!

Don't know if it was said or not. They have pet insurance. I know a lady who has it she takes her dogs to the vet all the time. Most vets that I have had the pleasure of knowing care about the animal. Had one tell me "If I didn't care about animals. I would be driving a Mercedes, golf at the drop of a hat and be a human Doctor" I've also had them work something out. I remember one time I mowed his lawn for the summer when a dog got parvo and almost died. I was in the 8th grade and had no money.

Pet insurance is expensive... >$50 per month, and doesn't generally cover routine things like vaccines and heartworms. They do have plans that cover stuff like that but they are in the range of a couple hundred per month, and go up as the animal gets older.

In my opinion, not worth it.

Start going to the Veterinary conventions if you don't believe me. As our pets are getting "more rights", medical costs will continue to rise. I'm not saying some practices aren't greedy, but the regulations will end up costing us. Old timey vets didn't have to give your pet pain killers after a surgery. They didn't have so many tests available to have to give in order NOT to end up in litigation for malpractice (sounds like a people doctor, eh?). People didn't expect them to do a heart transplant on a hamster (exaggeration). The new diagnostic equipment is wayyyy expensive, I can remember when vets obtained used equipment from the medical profession, like a used incubator or centrifuge. Now it's a new hypocrit, digital x-ray and state of the art laser surgical instruments. It's going to get worse before it gets better! Some vets are having the pets all dropped off in the morning, using Dormitor to knock them down (less wear and tear on the employees) then reverse it shortly before they are to be released. I know this for a fact, the company who owns Dormitor has being using this as sales promotion. Many of the vet periodicals aren't on care, they are to teach vets how to bill and price their services and how to market themselves. I have these in my hands, so you naysayers need to do some information gathering.
I've learned to do my own progesterone testing on my dogs, as well as Relaxin testing (to confirm pregnancy). I vaccinate my dogs and cats (except for rabies) do my own Heartworm, FeLuke, Giardia and Fecal testing. My pets are trained to allow me to clean teeth without a tranquilizer, I groom them, trim nails and do picky glands. Any of you can do this as well, the products are out there with instructions. Mexico allows you to buy antibiotics without a prescription, some like Amoxi, Tetracycline, Cephalexin and Ampicillin are available without a prescription. These are human grade as well. If anyone is interested to know where, just PM me.
Slinky

Agreed Slinky. I do most of those myself too.

I understand!!!! I have been through the mill with my little pack of dogs this past few weeks. One had a hurt paw, and at the tune of 500.00, was placed in a splint. I was very careful, kept it clean and dry, but the vet kept insisting it needed to be taken off and replaced once a week. When I asked the cost, she wouldn't say. I switched vets over this. I now drive 30 extra minutes, and it is worth it! Instead of the extra tests, x-rays, sedation, etc. that the former vet prescribed, my new vet used common sense. Eighty dollars later, my dog is free of all the bandages, and his paw is back to normal.
The new vet "retired" from his big city office, moved to the country, has a one-man operation with a delightful staff ... People who act as though they actually care! Now all three dogs go to him. If they didn't, I don't have a clue how I would pay for their little ailments. I do not appreciate the bells and whistles. I am not Donald Trump!