A Walking Veterinary Bill


Yes, our "little" Drake is a walking veterinary bill. Actually, make that a running, jumping, leaping, crashing, swimming, licking veterinary bill...and that would describe Drake to a "T." Within the first weeks of bringing Drake home, right up until this very week, Drake has had many, many healthcare needs. We thought that our previous Lab, Blackberry --who had epilepsy, had serious health concerns. But, Blackberry couldn't hold a candle to Drake's constant healthcare needs. Here is the current tally:
  1. Kennel cough
  2. Giardia - a parasite that dogs often get; Drake has had it about 10 times
  3. Elbow dysplasia
  4. Torn "third" eye lid
  5. Irritable bowel disease - which means that he eats a bland and expensive dog food
  6. And, on a related note, bloody stools
  7. Chronic ear infections - probably from so much swimming
  8. Strained ligament to right front elbow
  9. Split toenail to back left paw
  10. Environmental allergies - which leads to chronic itchiness and scratching, to the point where he routinely gets full body bacteria and yeast infections from so much scratching
  11. Fleas - only 1 round so far and that was enough
We were lucky to buy pet health insurance for Drake when he was a small puppy. We use insurance through the American Kennel Club (which Kathy recommended to us) and it has been worth. In the first year of Drake's life, we got one-third of what we spent on Drake -- a small fortune, mind you -- back from the insurance company.

Our vet also has a wonderful care plan. The human client pays $100 upfront and for the next two years, every visit and every type of visit (well-being, scheduled, tech appointment, emergency visit) is only $10. I'm not sure how she manages to make money this way, but it is a big savings for us. I guess that it just keeps people coming back for pet health care, which is good for pets, owners' stress levels, and the veterinary practice. We visit our vet, about 2 times a month, on average. Thank goodness he loves going to the vet and that they treat us well. In fact, I can't imagine a veterinary practice that is more concerned about the well-being of their clients. I love it when they call to see if Drake's ear infection has improved. I know that there is a dollar value in it for them, but there is also a comfort level in it for me. 

Drake's medications this morning. This doesn't show the allergy shots that we have started giving Drake, too!

Comments

  1. Kathy in MDJanuary 12, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    I wish Dr. Seddon had a plan like that. He is really expensive.

    ReplyDelete
  2. DearNoahandDylanJanuary 12, 2013 at 10:43 PM

    The health insurance company would have gone under between Drake and Cuddles had we been on the plan, too! Yousers!

    ReplyDelete

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