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Old 11-08-2012, 06:58 AM   #1
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Default Senior vet visit advice

Well, I'm sitting here feeling guilty and I just wonder what you all would do. Columbo turned 9 last month. He sees the vet yearly in April for his regular check up and shots. In May, he had surgery on one knee for LP & torn ACL. In August, he blew out the other knee and had the same surgery on the second knee. The two knee surgeries were almost $6000 together and was performed by an orthopedic surgeon. Anyway, a few weeks ago, I got a card in the mail from his regular vet saying it is time for his check up. Apparently, now that he is classified as a senior dog, they want to see him every 6 months. I ignored the card and another reminder came yesterday in the mail again. I am feeling all kinds of guilt because I don't want to spend the money to take him in again so soon. I don't think he needs to be seen again by the regular vet until the spring unless he is having some sort of issue. Maybe when he is a couple years older, I will want to do the 6 month visits. He is going back to visit the surgeon next week for a regular scheduled visit (which is included in the surgery price I already paid, but they are just concerned with his knees. I feel really guilty. I suppose I should call and see how much this visit would be, but what would you all do? Go in now or wait until April?
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Old 11-08-2012, 07:13 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by bobohyde View Post
Well, I'm sitting here feeling guilty and I just wonder what you all would do. Columbo turned 9 last month. He sees the vet yearly in April for his regular check up and shots. In May, he had surgery on one knee for LP & torn ACL. In August, he blew out the other knee and had the same surgery on the second knee. The two knee surgeries were almost $6000 together and was performed by an orthopedic surgeon. Anyway, a few weeks ago, I got a card in the mail from his regular vet saying it is time for his check up. Apparently, now that he is classified as a senior dog, they want to see him every 6 months. I ignored the card and another reminder came yesterday in the mail again. I am feeling all kinds of guilt because I don't want to spend the money to take him in again so soon. I don't think he needs to be seen again by the regular vet until the spring unless he is having some sort of issue. Maybe when he is a couple years older, I will want to do the 6 month visits. He is going back to visit the surgeon next week for a regular scheduled visit (which is included in the surgery price I already paid, but they are just concerned with his knees. I feel really guilty. I suppose I should call and see how much this visit would be, but what would you all do? Go in now or wait until April?
I never do six month visits and I have one that is 11 years old. The only time I might do frequent visits is when a dog might have an ongoing health issue I need checked because something is manifesting. My Vet doesn't usually charge much if anything unless he has to go more invasive with the dog.
I don't do regular check ups unless I am seeing a problem.
Also in chatting with my vet during a vet visit for a final puppy vacc's we discussed vac's. He said he is now recommending the 4 way vacc for puppies done 3X at one month intervals, I start mine at about 10 weeks of age. Then one more a year after the third vacc. After that 3-5 years later do a parvo only.
I have finally found a great Vet that is keeping up with the info on vaccinations and the over vaccination protocol many were following via the push from drug companies trying to sell their drugs including vaccines.
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Old 11-08-2012, 07:17 AM   #3
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I would only do the 6 month visits if there is something going on... I wouldn't feel too guilty, you did put 6k into him Just make sure to get him in if anything goes wrong, but don't feel guilty for not taking him in every 6 months.
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Old 11-08-2012, 07:21 AM   #4
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Well, since he is already under the ortho's care right now, I wouldn't worry about taking him in unless he has a problem, until his yearly visit. If he's in good health and doesn't have ongoing issues that require close monitoring and/or medication, yearly should be just fine. If it'll make you feel better, you can call your vet and let them know that he is still seeing the ortho for checkups and that you will be coming to his regular yearly in April
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Old 11-08-2012, 07:28 AM   #5
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I am an odd one out here. I take all of mine every 6 months for a check up and blood work. I guess it because of all mine that have gone to the Rainbow Bridge, I just want to make sure that all is ok with them and nothing is brewing.
But like I said I am the odd one here, I'm very OCD about thier health.
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Old 11-08-2012, 07:39 AM   #6
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I am an odd one out here. I take all of mine every 6 months for a check up and blood work. I guess it because of all mine that have gone to the Rainbow Bridge, I just want to make sure that all is ok with them and nothing is brewing.
But like I said I am the odd one here, I'm very OCD about thier health.
Well I am part of the odd club. All of my pups go yearly .. but the seniors every six months unless they have been in for another issue during that time frame. As they get older, they are more likely to develop things that you don't sometimes see until it is too late. Renal issues for example can be managed if caught early.

OP: It really is your choice...and you should not feel guilty about it. I have posted what I do to maybe help you in making your decision. Whatever decision you make is right.
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Old 11-08-2012, 07:41 AM   #7
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Our pup is just a year old. But my cat is 20 years old. Yes you read hat right 20 years old and she goes to vet yearly.
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Old 11-08-2012, 07:50 AM   #8
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I would. Different problems can begin to develop as the body ages and can no longer work as effectively to correct things as young cells can and the whole system just doesn't work the same as in a young dog. Platelets can start to do funny things, a heart valve start to leak, tumors form as the cells react differently to antagonists, things can begin to calcify that involve pumping blood properly, spurs form and cause enthesopathies, livers malfunction.

When you get old, you will need more frequent medical checks to be sure none of the above things are happening to your blood or organs and so does your dog. Catching a platelet count which it is borderline high is far better than finding out it is 5X what it should be and the dog in dire straits. Your dog is your best friend - be his and get his old body checked out. An 9+ year old dog is quite elderly in human terms and should have earned his right to have good medical care. And the better he feels, the better he can keep you in line and run your life, just as it should be!
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Old 11-08-2012, 12:29 PM   #9
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Thanks for all the replies. I talked to the vets office and they said although they like to see the seniors every 6 months, that I didn't have to. So I asked if instead of waiting until April for his regular visit, could I take him in a month or two early and they said absolutely. That way I can avoid the extra cost now, but also not wait 6 months. I'm pretty sure he will need his teeth cleaned again in the spring also, so I can plan a bit for that expense. The costs for that starts at $400. And then I may start going every 6 months after that. So, I'm sort of compromising with myself so I don't feel so guilty through the holidays. Also, that would put his second visit of the year not as close to the holidays when I start doing them 6 mos. apart. I can see why an older dog needs to go more often, I'm just a little shell shocked this year from his medical bills. He's still a "young" older dog, though.

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Old 11-08-2012, 04:53 PM   #10
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I take my Yorkies yearly for labs, dentals etc.. My seniors every 6 months.
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Old 11-08-2012, 09:56 PM   #11
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Thanks for all the replies. I talked to the vets office and they said although they like to see the seniors every 6 months, that I didn't have to. So I asked if instead of waiting until April for his regular visit, could I take him in a month or two early and they said absolutely. That way I can avoid the extra cost now, but also not wait 6 months. I'm pretty sure he will need his teeth cleaned again in the spring also, so I can plan a bit for that expense. The costs for that starts at $400. And then I may start going every 6 months after that. So, I'm sort of compromising with myself so I don't feel so guilty through the holidays. Also, that would put his second visit of the year not as close to the holidays when I start doing them 6 mos. apart. I can see why an older dog needs to go more often, I'm just a little shell shocked this year from his medical bills. He's still a "young" older dog, though.
Sounds like a great plan! Yes, those bills can really do a number on you!
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Old 11-09-2012, 07:41 AM   #12
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Our pup is just a year old. But my cat is 20 years old. Yes you read hat right 20 years old and she goes to vet yearly.
WOW 20 years old, that is AWESOME. My Avery (cat) is 14 and we get reminders for 6 month check ups but they know I am only bringing him once a year. It is not fun drving in a car with Avery, he is such a drama king and cries like we are abusing him. My Vet also knows that is if I notice something wrong with him he will be in their office immediately.

Sophie Kate only goes to the Vet yearly but she also boards there so they see her in between visits.
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Old 11-09-2012, 08:37 AM   #13
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It's very obvious that you love Colombo a great deal and that you take excellent care of him, so you should not feel guilty. I took my little girl to the vet often because I wanted to be able to catch something early should there be a health issue that I wasn't aware of. It gave us peace of mind, and I believe in being proactive. Ashley lived a month shy of seventeen. I also strongly believe in keeping our babies' teeth cleaned and that keeping on top of dentals is the best thing that we can do to keep them healthy. You are a great mom. Do what you feel comfortable with.
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Old 11-09-2012, 08:52 AM   #14
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My dogs see a vet more than once a year. My new vet is suggesting that all dogs have wellness visits with basic blood work done every 6 months (young or old) and I like this level of prevention. However, I think it's ok to go every year for the young ones unless something is going on so I have not decided whether I will keep this every 6 month schedule for the 1 and 4 year olds. I might go in the middle -- say 9 mos.

In your case, however, and I were you, I would be ok with waiting it out. The fact that there were surgeries done by a boarded surgeon with preanesthetic blood work and a vet constantly checking your dog would provide me with some level of comfort if I skipped the visit. Obviously if something was wrong, I'd bring the dog in.

Good luck!
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Old 11-09-2012, 12:32 PM   #15
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It's very obvious that you love Colombo a great deal and that you take excellent care of him, so you should not feel guilty. I took my little girl to the vet often because I wanted to be able to catch something early should there be a health issue that I wasn't aware of. It gave us peace of mind, and I believe in being proactive. Ashley lived a month shy of seventeen. I also strongly believe in keeping our babies' teeth cleaned and that keeping on top of dentals is the best thing that we can do to keep them healthy. You are a great mom. Do what you feel comfortable with.
Thank you for the kind words. I do love him dearly.
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