I have one vet office that charges me to write a perscription, so I can order cheaper on line! When Maggie started phenolbarbital, I had my local vet call a script into Walgreens, just more convienent for me to pick up and 1/2 the price! You gotta shop around to keep your vet honest!

I think we just paid about $135 for Browning's annual exam, shots and heart worm test.  Our vet started her own practice about 8 years ago.   I'm sure there are cheaper vets around, but we've used our vet since 1989 and followed her when she started her practice.  We get a lot of Virginia Tech vet school graduates in this area, and it's easy for them to keep up with the latest techniques, treatments and thinking. 

I dread looking for a new vet when we move to Alabama, although given our proximity to Auburn, I expect that most of the vets there will be just as current as the ones here.  And I don't expect it to be any cheaper. 

Here is Jackson's bill from the vet today:

Office Call                                                                                            $10.55

Exam - puppy wellness                                                                    $26.60

Rabies 1-year                                                                                    $13.37

DHPP Booster                                                                                   $19.72

Lymes Booster #2                                                                            $20.76

Frontline                                                                                             $16.28

Total today $108.50

We didn't get the heartguard today, because he won't need to take it until June 1 and I'd like him weighed then. His last dose was a free.  The vet told me that for the next year Jackson will only be getting boosters and will not have to see the vet and that should help keep costs down.

This evening we had to go see the emergency vet.  Halo was apparently (we didn't see it happen) playing the in the backyard and had a close encounter with a (we think) small limb on a bush.  Anyway she ended up with a puncture on the back webbing between her leg and  stomach on her right side.  It penetrated about 3 inches between skin and muscle and left about a 2 inch hole.  Needless to say mom and dad were freaking.  We took her to the emergency clinic as our vets office was closed.  Here is what it cost.

Exam      $45

Emergency RM Fee      $33

Clip, Clean, & Mild Med      $25 (they had to flush the wound for debris)

Skin Staples      $13

Prescription for Antibiotic      $26

Prescription for Pain Meds      $18

Total:  $160 (not bad for an emergency vet clinic)

She is now home and sleeping, and she has to go see her regular vet tomorrow afternoon.  No running, playing, jumping, etc for at least a week.  Alls well that ends well, at least until she starts feeling better and making us crazy.

Max had not been feeling well for a few days.  At first I couldn't figure it out, I thought it was just the heartworm treatment, but then he vomited and the next day with the loose stool business.  So, in to the vet we went.  I don't have the breakdown of each individual item, but this is what he ended up with:

antibiotics shot, pills to stop vomiting (3 twice a day; 3-4 days worth), pills for his GI tract malady, 1/2 pill twice a day, 10 days worth.  his iverheart max was 42 dollars i know (6 months).  He also had a test I think it was called a GI test.  He was sampled from inside and it was analyzed.  No parasites, but the doc thinks he got into some bad grass (heh, not that kind) or something.

All of that cost 92.50 which I believe was a great deal.

His heartworm treatment which was 2 shots and then 30 days later another shot cost 175.  He also got his last shot for that as well.  Poor guy won't ever let me take him out alone anymore I'm sure.  To make matters worse, I left him at home to rest while i took Bug out to play with my friend's rottweiler "Cash Money" at the park with the water and the ducks.  I had a 50 ft check cord that she got to play with.  She went out quite a ways into the water!!! No swimming, but wading.  I got quite the look from Max when he discovered she had been out with another dog!  It was priceless and I wish I had a camera.  

BTW, Bug's 'tutoring' cost 88.50.  I think that's all the vet expenses so far...  and that's only a month!  

He's one of those old timers that is in it more so for the animals than for the money I believe.  His office doesn't even have a computer!  The receptionists said they had to talk him into getting a cordless phone!  He's a really nice man and is wonderful with the pups.  Plus, he's only 1/2 mile from my house so that is just icing on the cake!!

-J