UGH!!! What's Your Rant?

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

Have you ever asked your vet if they would be willing to match prices? The hospital where I work has a policy of matching the prices found on the internet or elsewhere (provided that the price is not below our cost) and will even ship the medication if convenience is the deciding factor between purchasing it with us or elsewhere. We'd rather make less profit on an item than none at all.

That's understandable! I haven't thought about asking them to match prices though. Really, I just get the medicines and treatments.. like the Malaseb pads, oticare powder, ointments and things like that.. at the vet, and get the things I need more frequently.. shampoos, grooming supplies, food, treats, vitamins.. at the pet store.

As for the pushing of the food - if you're talking about Prescription food, there's a huge difference between what is sold at vets and what is found in the stores and a reason why it is by prescription only. Also, when it comes to the prices you pay for regular pet food, there is a huge difference in quality between brands like Science Diet, Eukanuba, and Royal Canin versus other, lower cost, brands. People have it in their heads that it's all a money making scheme, but the fact of the matter is that if you feed higher quality foods, you're less likely to encounter problems like food allergies, urinary crystal formation, pancreatitis, and other food related issues.

Oh yeah, I definitely understand about the prescription food. I'm just talking about regular Science Diet, which is available elsewhere, obviously. My little one loves Eukanuba the most. Unfortunately, I have to drive an hour to get her food, biscuits, and treats; My vet's hospital only carries Science Diet. I've looked at the Royal Canin, but haven't picked it up.. it seems like it was quite breed specific (Lily is a schnauzer/poodle mix), and I think I remember the protein being a bit lower than the Eukanuba. It is super important to feed them quality food. My sister's dog (a Westie) has the WORST allergies, and we have tried everything to help him not be so itchy. The only thing that has ever truly worked is Nutro Max dog food. Nothing else, not even medicines, special shampoos, or other treatments. He's to the point now that he doesn't give a crap about what you're eating, even if you offer it to him. He's a Nutro only guy. It's like he knows he'll start itching like crazy if he eats something else.

As for not being able to afford "exorbitant" emergency fees. Like I said, this wasn't something that just happened. She could easily have avoided those fees by simply showing up when we were open.

Yeah really, that is 100% her fault for letting her dog get to the point that she'd need to take it to the emergency clinic for emaciation. And like you said, she wasted a lot of time standing there arguing with you that she could have been using to get to the clinic. Emaciation, like you said, doesn't just happen instantaneously. She should have had the gumption to get her dog in earlier (and spare herself the emergency needs) instead of waiting until it was on the brink. People just don't have common sense about things anymore, it seems like. You gotta watch the fuzzybutts like little babies, 'cuz they are. I have a general rule: if Lily seems slightly different.. eating habits, potty time, vomit, whatever.. I start doing a little research online, then I call and ask questions to see if I should bring her in. I don't know if that annoys the vet people or not, but the fact that they answer me honestly keeps me going back to the same hospital.