Boy, this place is DEAD.

[HomerMcvie]

Boy, this place is DEAD. What am I supposed to do, when there's no activity here?....

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Boy, this place is DEAD. What am I supposed to do, when there's no activity here?....

I know- I wish I could think of a witty thread to start.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by jannieC

I know- I wish I could think of a witty thread to start.

This is the slowest I ever remember it being here.

[jannieC]

I have a few interesting things going on in my life right now, but maybe they're only interesting to me? What about you?

[HomerMcvie]

Mine's mostly depressing, so I wasn't going to go there.....

Okay, since no one's here. My dog Cash has been going through cancer treatments(oral melanoma) for the past year and a half. Radiation, back in 2/05, then chemo for most of last summer, then a few months off. Last Nov, a new tumor began in his mouth. We travelled out of state for a mandibilectomy(sp) to be done. It had spread to one lymph node, which they also removed. Since then, we've done chemo once a month. He's done very well, especially considering his initial prognosis was most likely only 6-9 months. Well, here we are heading into month NINETEEN(I'm not bragging about that, because I certainly don't want to jinx it).

Well, Friday evening, I noticed a new growth, on the side of his lower neck. We go in tomorrow at 2pm, for god only knows what. X-rays, and probably a biopsy of it, which will have to be sent off to Purdue(IN's vet school). Then, 4-5 days of waiting for the biopsy results .
So, I'm really DOWN about this. Mainly for my baby, but also for the money. I'm approaching 13K spent on treatments and surgeries. If they tell us we have to go out of state again, I now feel like I just can't swing it anymore. This 13K has left me eating mostly baloney(or similar cheap stuff). I've quit going out. I'm BARELY squeaking by.
Sorry to be so depressing. It kills me to think of him having to go through more surgeries. He's my child.
Maybe we'll get lucky, and it might just be some gelatinous mass. I sure hope so.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Mine's mostly depressing, so I wasn't going to go there.....

Okay, since no one's here. My dog Cash has been going through cancer treatments(oral melanoma) for the past year and a half. Radiation, back in 2/05, then chemo for most of last summer, then a few months off. Last Nov, a new tumor began in his mouth. We travelled out of state for a mandibilectomy(sp) to be done. It had spread to one lymph node, which they also removed. Since then, we've done chemo once a month. He's done very well, especially considering his initial prognosis was most likely only 6-9 months. Well, here we are heading into month NINETEEN(I'm not bragging about that, because I certainly don't want to jinx it).

Well, Friday evening, I noticed a new growth, on the side of his lower neck. We go in tomorrow at 2pm, for god only knows what. X-rays, and probably a biopsy of it, which will have to be sent off to Purdue(IN's vet school). Then, 4-5 days of waiting for the biopsy results .
So, I'm really DOWN about this. Mainly for my baby, but also for the money. I'm approaching 13K spent on treatments and surgeries. If they tell us we have to go out of state again, I now feel like I just can't swing it anymore. This 13K has left me eating mostly baloney(or similar cheap stuff). I've quit going out. I'm BARELY squeaking by.
Sorry to be so depressing. It kills me to think of him having to go through more surgeries. He's my child.
Maybe we'll get lucky, and it might just be some gelatinous mass. I sure hope so.

Oh I'm so sorry. Aren't animals more prone to not dangerous masses once they've been diagnosed and treated with cancerous masses? I don't know why I think that, but I feel like I've heard that somewhere. You know, I certainly don't think that vets should work for free, but damn. They (vets) seem so criminal to me. I've never had to go through that kind of long term suffering with a pet. I would never be able to afford it, so I'm grateful.

I was going to talk about my husband's open wound that I have to pack with gauze twice a day and the trauma I am going through because of THAT, but your story is way worse. My heart goes out to you. xoxoxoxoxo

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Oh I'm so sorry. Aren't animals more prone to not dangerous masses once they've been diagnosed and treated with cancerous masses? I don't know why I think that, but I feel like I've heard that somewhere. You know, I certainly don't think that vets should work for free, but damn. They (vets) seem so criminal to me. I've never had to go through that kind of long term suffering with a pet. I would never be able to afford it, so I'm grateful.

I was going to talk about my husband's open wound that I have to pack with gauze twice a day and the trauma I am going through because of THAT, but your story is way worse. My heart goes out to you. xoxoxoxoxo

Of course I'm hoping that it's nothing serious, it's just that I can feel those odds coming at him. Let's hope I'm wrong!!! Most of the money didn't go to my local vet(although the chemo treatment are still about $275/month). The radiation treatments, and surgeries were done at the U of IL. CAT scans are $600 each, and one's not enough, if that gives you any idea of how quickly it can all add up. The mandiblectomy was about $3500, for which I got a medical credit card, which has no interest if paid over 12 months. I think I still have 5/12th to pay on that.
Wish him good thoughts tomorrow, please.


How did your hubby get injured?

[Miss Vicky]

Dave, I'm really sad to hear about your dog and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that this new mass is something benign. I'll keep you and him in my thoughts.

Originally Posted by jannieC

You know, I certainly don't think that vets should work for free, but damn. They (vets) seem so criminal to me.

In defense of veterinarians, the profit margin in veterinary medicine is slim at best. Overhead is outrageous. Granted, the mark-up on most medications and services are typically at least 100%, but with the cost of employee wages, insurance, equipment, utlities, etc. many small practices are often barely squeaking by.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Wish him good thoughts tomorrow, please.

Of course I will. What kind of dog is he- (just so I can visualize)?

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

How did your hubby get injured?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilonidal_cyst SO, so gross- poor guy. And poor me.

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

In defense of veterinarians, the profit margin in veterinary medicine is slim at best. Overhead is outrageous. Granted, the mark-up on most medications and services are typically at least 100%, but with the cost of employee wages, insurance, equipment, utlities, etc. many small practices are often barely squeaking by.

My husband used to work for a vet, so he is totally cool with giving shots, etc (you can get all of them but rabies). I took my cat to the vet once and when I told him that I didn't need shots (b/c of husband), he (vet) got really angry with me and said that's how vets make money!

My cat had a messed up leg last year. She would not walk on it, so I called a vet to see if I could bring her in, and how much would it cost, etc. I called several vets actually, and it was $40-$100 just to walk in the door. One office told me after that it would probably be another $100 at least for x-rays, etc. I really had no money and asked the woman if there was any way that they could help me. She told me that if I couldn't afford a vet bill, I probably shouldn't have pets. I finally found a vet that would see her for an office vist of $25. His office was out in the country and looked like it hadn't been remodeled since the '70s. A guy with dredlocks came out to get my cat and as it turned out HE was the vet. He looked at her paw, pushed and pulled on it and determined that someone (or an animal) had stepped on her paw and that she was doing the right thing by protecting it. No x-ray. He asked me if she was up to date on her shots and I said yes. Charged me $25 for the whole thing. Not common. I have told everyone I know about this vet- I was so impressed. I've never ever walked out of a vet's office for under $100.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

Dave, I'm really sad to hear about your dog and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that this new mass is something benign. I'll keep you and him in my thoughts.

Thanks. I appreciate that. I really shouldn't have dogs. Seriously, to me, they're better than people(no offense to you humans). And I generally get more attached to them.

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

In defense of veterinarians, the profit margin in veterinary medicine is slim at best. Overhead is outrageous. Granted, the mark-up on most medications and services are typically at least 100%, but with the cost of employee wages, insurance, equipment, utlities, etc. many small practices are often barely squeaking by.

And I understand that places like U of IL have HUGE expenses, with all the radiation equipment, etc.....
It's just that, MOST people can't afford to do treatment like this, so I really feel for the people who can't(I'm not saying I can, but I made it work-I HAD to! It was supposed to be my year to trade up on vehicles, so much for that!). And I don't mind giving up all I have for him to have the treatment. He's worth every dime. I only wish I could do more.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Of course I will. What kind of dog is he- (just so I can visualize)?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilonidal_cyst SO, so gross- poor guy. And poor me.

My husband used to work for a vet, so he is totally cool with giving shots, etc (you can get all of them but rabies). I took my cat to the vet once and when I told him that I didn't need shots (b/c of husband), he (vet) got really angry with me and said that's how vets make money!

My cat had a messed up leg last year. She would not walk on it, so I called a vet to see if I could bring her in, and how much would it cost, etc. I called several vets actually, and it was $40-$100 just to walk in the door. One office told me after that it would probably be another $100 at least for x-rays, etc. I really had no money and asked the woman if there was any way that they could help me. She told me that if I couldn't afford a vet bill, I probably shouldn't have pets. I finally found a vet that would see her for an office vist of $25. His office was out in the country and looked like it hadn't been remodeled since the '70s. A guy with dredlocks came out to get my cat and as it turned out HE was the vet. He looked at her paw, pushed and pulled on it and determined that someone (or an animal) had stepped on her paw and that she was doing the right thing by protecting it. No x-ray. He asked me if she was up to date on her shots and I said yes. Charged me $25 for the whole thing. Not common. I have told everyone I know about this vet- I was so impressed. I've never ever walked out of a vet's office for under $100.

Eww, I feel sorry for your hubby!
On the cheap vet though, sometimes you do get what you pay for. Where I grew up, there was an old vet there, who worked for CHEAP. People drove for a couple of hours to come to him, because he was that cheap!
Now, for vaccinations, spaying, etc... he was fine. And a very nice guy to boot! But, if you needed something highend, like Cash is going through, forget about it. He'll tell you there's nothing he can do for him. Like I said, he's a very kind man though. He's put several animals to sleep for us, and wouldn't even take any money for doing so.

[Miss Vicky]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Charged me $25 for the whole thing. Not common. I have told everyone I know about this vet- I was so impressed. I've never ever walked out of a vet's office for under $100.

$40-100 is pretty steep for an office visit, but was that a regular exam or an emergency fee?

The office where I work charges $26.50 for an exam (or $36.50 for exotics - birds, reptiles, ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits) and x-rays start at about $80.00. However, you do have the option and the right to decline any diagnostics or treatments that you do not want or cannot afford. Our office is relatively new, immaculately clean and equipped with an in-house lab, x-ray machine, ultrasound, and the same type of surgical monitoring equipment used in human medicine.

Again, in defense of veterinarians, very few allow people to make payments because they've been screwed so many times. I'm in charge of billing at my office and you'd be amazed at how many thousands of dollars worth of unpaid accounts (many now in collections) that practice has amassed in only the 7 years it has existed. Our clinic sometimes makes exceptions to the no billing rule, but only in dire emergencies (life and death) or when it involves well-established clients with accounts in good standing. We simply can't afford to do otherwise.

As for the comment that you shouldn't have a pet if you cannot afford veterinary care for it, that was very rude of the person to say to you, but it really is the truth. I'm not expecting people to be able to afford thousands of dollars worth of chemotherapy and surgery like Homie has been doing for his dog, but I don't think it's really unfair to expect people to be able to pay for simple diagnostics like an xray.

[sara1998]

Sorry Cash is still going through hell, Homer. I'll pray for him tonight!

I just had to take Max (my cocker spaniel) to the vet last week. His right eye was suddenly cloudy, and he had lots of eye snot coming from it. So, I took him to the vet, and he ran a series of tests on it. Turns out, he has some sort of growth either in his eye or behind it, plus, the pressure in both eyes are higher then normal (start of glacuoma?) And then, he has a little infection he's trying to fight off. He received 2 shots, one a steroid, one an antibiotic, he was put on two different types of eye drops and for the week, and an antibiotic and steroid pills for the week. I was amazed that for all of that, the vet bill was only $135. I take him back Tuesday. Anyhow, just an office visit is around $35, so I was pretty impressed.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

$40-100 is pretty steep for an office visit, but was that a regular exam or an emergency fee?

I don't know the answer to that. ???

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

Again, in defense of veterinarians, very few allow people to make payments because they've been screwed so many times.

I definitely believe that. I guess it's just a scary moment when you have an animal in pain and don't have the extra $100-$200 lying around right that minute.

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

As for the comment that you shouldn't have a pet if you cannot afford veterinary care for it, that was very rude of the person to say to you, but it really is the truth. I'm not expecting people to be able to afford thousands of dollars worth of chemotherapy like Homie has been doing for his dog, but I don't think it's really unfair to expect people to be able to pay for simple diagnostics like an xray.

It *was* kind of rude, considering how panicked I was. I make sure all my animals are spayed/neutered and are up to date on all their shots. Again, I really feel that just because I didn't have the money right that minute, doesn't mean I'm an irresponsible pet owner (as SHE implied, not you). If something were to happen to my step-son, I know that I can take him to a doctor and be billed if necessary (if I didn't have insurance). Granted my kitty wasn't keeling over but still! Eh, I don't know, it seems like there should be a happy medium.

[HomerMcvie]

My vet NOW let's my pay when I like(what we do is, TRY to keep the chemo payments to one per billing cycle).
Things that do bother me about my vet? They won't sell me flea treatment for my 2 cats, without an examination(they were my Mom's- now deceased - and have never been to my vets office). And I think they said an initial exam was $80 each(that sounds high, I might be mistaken)!

My vet's office has 5 vets, and was just bought out by a CHAIN! Some company out of Louisville, that owns like 10 clinics. They fly in once a week, landing a helicopter in the field next door, and make sure things are going their way. I didn't realize vet clinics were becoming chains, too.