My vet is bleeding me dry!!!

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I'm pretty sure it's the law they have to give you a written script so you can get your meds where you want.

 

[Rozzie]

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Probably varies from state to state. This would not be a federal issue.

 

[BlackBart]

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I agree. Good question.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

To the above post.

I don't know if it's different elsewhere, but here in Cali becoming a vet BARELY pays for the schooling. I have met SO many vets that said if they could have done it differently they wouldn't have become one. I know one vet that is almost 45 and STILL paying off her school debt from her 20's.

It's really sad for them.

 

[Rozzie]

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I'll be paying my school debt until AFTER I retire. Literally. I expect it to take 30 years to pay off. Wish I had a vet's income to pay it with, though.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

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Up here in Julian it's pretty common. My friend down the road brought her dogs to the vet for other issues and both were found to have heart worms. I've always had mine on preventive meds. I also live in a wind tunnel with few trees while her home is sheltered from the wind and thick with trees so more mosquitoes in her neck of the woods.

 

[PineappleMama]

Well we're set to take Janie in tomorrow night... or I guess TOnight... for a checkup on her back and possibly some more drugs.

Wish us luck. As it is I've diverted roughly 40% of the light bill to pay for her last visit, who knows what this one will run. And all those funds are coming out of our already meager Christmas spending.

Please think happy healing and inexpensive thoughts if you could.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Well, today I stopped at my regular vets office to get a prescription for heart worm meds written by the specialist that the vet referred me to, filled. My vet said that they cannot dispense the meds because THEY didn't see the dog. THEY have to do the exam. I explained that the specialist just did the exam but doesn't carry these meds. I paid $100 for the specialist to do the exam, now my vet says I have to pay $48 for another exam before refilling a simple heart worm medication??
They said it's the law. How come I can get a human doctor to write a prescription and can walk into any pharmacy and have it filled? Next time I guess I'll tell them it's for me!

edited for spelling errors.

 

[PoultryPedia]

I echo others' recommendations to take your cats and dogs to a quality large animal vet clinic--especially for routine stuff. Generally MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE. Do try to check word-of-mouth if others have had good experiences with the vet's small animal care, if you can.

And if you give a vet a significant amount of regular business, they certainly should give you a discount. If they don't, they probably have more than enough clients & demand for services. In that case, switch to a new vet who appreciates added business & works to create strong relationships with clients.

My favorite vet practice specializes in livestock, but lots of people bring their cats & dogs there to have them neutered & spayed especially. Because I've talked with them about animal health treatments based on my internet research and experience, and am an ongoing client, they have given me meds that are clearly appropriate, without my having to always bring in the animal. And they give very good care for dogs and cats. I stayed there one time and watched a toe amputation they did on a kitten of mine. They did the operation expertly, and the staff has always handled my animals knowledgeably and with caring.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

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That's a load of poo. It IS against federal law for a clinic to dispense medication without seeing an animal recently, BUT if they referred you to a specialist, they have seen your pet recently, AND if they have a relationship with the specialist, and are worth a darn, they'd just do it as a courtesy to the specialist's office. Maybe have the specialist call them directly?? It might also just be a receptionist that doesn't know what she's talking about telling you no without asking a doc...