It was one of those days I wished I had stayed in bed!
I took Kobi for his checkup today. While I was waiting a lady was busy at the reception desk having her charges calculated. When she was handed her bill, she paused, looked at the receptionist and said, "Is that $575!!!!!!" The receptionist said "yes" and proceeded to show her the different charges. The lady just kept shaking her head. Then the receptionist said, "Well just think of it over a year. It's less than $20 a month." At that point the receptionist glanced my way (maybe my jaw had dropped?). I sort of grinned and said "Good try!" The lady just rolled her eyes, paid the bill and left.
So then it was our turn. The vet was very nice, complimented Kobi's coat, teeth and calm demeanor. She checked his chart, said he was due for another rabies shot. I said I also wanted the vaccine for Lepto as Kobi does wade and drink in the local creeks. She asked me if I use any heartworm prevention which I had decided this year I would. Although I hate the idea of presticides and had not treated him last year, I had decided to kind of hold my nose and do it this year. She recommended Revolution, as it also prevented fleas (never a problem), mange and ear mites. She explained the tick prevention was not for the variety common in this area and I should be checking him just in case. Because he was now having 2 vaccines the vet said she would hold off on the parvo, distemper shot for another year. So that covered his vaccinations. On to his general health.
I explained that Kobi had been rubbing his rear on the carpet lately and was concerned either he had worms (no evidence) or his glands needed to be emptied. She checked him over and said he seemed a little over weight and asked about his diet. I told her what he was fed and admitted he consumed too many treats. She then stated how herding breeds tend to have thyroid problems and although the test was a little expensive a positive thyroid test was actually good because a simple pill would result in a weight reduction and just putting a dog on a diet takes a long time to get results. She then walked off with the dog to weigh him and do the heartworm test. While I waited I pondered the thyroid test and decided I would try being more careful with his treats and cut back on his marrow bones. If that didn't work then I would do a thyroid panel.
So finally she returned with Kobi and said he weighed 85lbs (10 lbs over ideal weight). I asked her what he had weighed last year. She looked at his chart and he was actually down 3lbs. She then said she had done the thyroid panel, heartworm test, given him his vaccines and emptied his anal glands. He was good to go and I could pick up the Revolution at the front desk. I was a little annoyed with the thyroid bit, but it was done, couldn't hurt. So I made my way to the desk. The receptionist handed me the Revolution and a bill for $559.30! She obviously saw the shock on my face and just like the lady before me she started to explain how the thyroid test and Revolution was expensive. I asked her how much Revolution she had prescribed.
"7 MONTH!"
"Why?", I asked "I thought it was only for the mosquito season?"
"We are trying to encourage year round treatment and we actually saw a tick last year in November."
"But the vet said it was not effective for tick!?" Dazed and confused! "What is the expiry date on this?"
" It's good until Oct.2009"
"So if I decide not to use it for 7 months, I can use it next season? I'm really not comfortable with long term use. It's too toxic."
"Oh, it's actually the least toxic treatment available. Don't worry!"
I had used Revolution before (from the same clinic) and had only been prescribed enough doses to last until the end of September. Now they say I should use it until December? I was upset and taken aback and tired of the discussion. I took my prescription, paid my bill and left. I just felt fleeced by the whole ordeal. Do you guys think a thyroid test was necessary before trying to restrict his diet first? Do you think 7 heartworm is too much?
Here is a breakdown of my bill. Are these charges reasonable to you?
$ 65 Anual Examination/Consultation
$36 Ova & Parasite (not even sure what that is - Stool exam?)
$30+ Blood Collection
$32 Heartworm Antigen Screen
$136 Thyroid Panel 2
$42+ Anal Gland Expression
$17 Rabies Vaccine
$10+ Lepto Vaccine
$163+ Revolution
To add insult to injury I had a $60 parking ticket on my car!