Banfield Wellness Plans

[ajchallenger]

Petsmarts in-house vet Banfield offers wellness packages. It seems pretty reasonable about $40 a month covers vaccines and other services. Does anyone have any experience using their plans? I've had Nina for about 2 months now and have already spent over $200 at the vet for vaccines and check-ups and shes not done yet. Im wondering if this makes sense. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

P.S. I hope everyone had a wonderful mothers day!

Puppy Wellness Plans - Optimum Wellness Plans - Banfield Pet Hospital

[Wylie's Mom]

I used it for the 1st several mths of Marcel's life, but after that is just didn't seem worth it. I do have insurance on all of mine though.

[ajchallenger]

So do you think the insurance is better than the wellness olans. The adult dog plan covers dental cleaning which in NJ costs $300-600. Just trying to figure out whats going to be the most coat effective. Thanks for the feedback!

[Magnus]

I've had both Magnus and Zoey on Banfield's plan from the start. I'm very happy with them. The only thing I would recommend is for you to do some research to see how the vets/staff is in the banfield you're planning to go to. Like with any vet you'd chose, some are more... sincere then others. If I felt the vets at my banfield were just there b/c it's a job, I'd find another vet to go to.

[Rachael1983]

I don't think it's worth it.

[yorkiemini]

I have heard from several folks who really like it and from many who have been unhappy with it. Main complaint I have heard is staff turnover and not getting to see a specific vet consistently.

I'm too picky about choosing a vet so it would not work for me.

[Magnus]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

I have heard from several folks who really like it and from many who have been unhappy with it. Main complaint I have heard is staff turnover and not getting to see a specific vet consistently.

I'm too picky about choosing a vet so it would not work for me.

I've heard that complaint alot too. But that can be easily remedied by calling and checking on the vet's schedule. There are 3 vets working at the banfield I go to and I like 2 of them. When I call to make the appointment, I call to see when that specified vet will be working.

[Lovetodream88]

I have heard massive amounts of complaints about banifield even some deaths so I would not use them at all. I would look up reviews for local vets and get regular pet insurance.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ajchallenger

So do you think the insurance is better than the wellness olans. The adult dog plan covers dental cleaning which in NJ costs $300-600. Just trying to figure out whats going to be the most coat effective. Thanks for the feedback!

You can buy some ins plans that cover everything (barring pre-existing conditions, that is) PLUS some wellness type stuff. I think it's super important to have insurance bc if something were to go wrong, it could cost thousands - easily! I never used to be a believer in insurance, but I am now. Had I gotten insurance early on my Wylie, omg, I would've saved myself thousands and thousands of dollars.

Here is an article comparing ins companies, Healthy Paws is #1 on the list, but for some reason their name isn't showing: 10 Best Pet Insurance of 2014 | Consumers Advocate

[Magnus]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

You can buy some ins plans that cover everything (barring pre-existing conditions, that is) PLUS some wellness type stuff. I think it's super important to have insurance bc if something were to go wrong, it could cost thousands - easily! I never used to be a believer in insurance, but I am now. Had I gotten insurance early on my Wylie, omg, I would've saved myself thousands and thousands of dollars.

Here is an article comparing ins companies, Healthy Paws is #1 on the list, but for some reason their name isn't showing: 10 Best Pet Insurance of 2014 | Consumers Advocate

Even though I have Banfield's wellness plan, I'm actually planning on getting the insurance as well. Some people misunderstand and think the wellness plan is the same thing as insurance but it's not.

[chachi]

I dont have banfield but have seen many threads on here with people complaining about it. So I would be cautious and read any small print

[yorkietalkjilly]

I use the wellness plan for twice yearly tests and vax's he needs, refuse those he doesn't, anals, tummy upsets and Tibbe's dentals as they've had the same two vets as long as I've had Tibbe. But when he's sick or if I thought he were hurt, off we go to the Veterinary Referral Center of East Dallas & Lake Ray Hubbard Emergency Pet Care Center.

[ajchallenger]

Thanks for the input. I guess I will look at the pet insurance. I would like a comprehensive plan that covers some wellness. Thanks again!

[kjc]

I don't trust any Banfield clinics, mainly bc they provide vaccine statistics to the government... in turn they tend to want to over vaccinate (more stats = more $$ for them)

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by kjc

I don't trust any Banfield clinics, mainly bc they provide vaccine statistics to the government... in turn they tend to want to over vaccinate (more stats = more $$ for them)

That's where an informed YT'er steps in and refuses the vax's except those absolutely critical. Until I became a member here, I knew little about the problem of over vaccinating and you all finally got through to me. My Banfield only recommends rabies every 3 years and gives you the options of the other vaccinations yearly except for Bordatella, which they insist on only if you are going to board your dog with them.

Before Banfield, when I first got Tibbe and he was a health and psychological wreck, a VCA vet gave me an estimate of $478.00 for Tibbe's ear mite treatment, the estimate to include testing with cultures and smears and this blood test and that powder and ointment of antifungal and antibiotic types and we hadn't even been on a routine ear mite treatment yet. I said that I'd prefer to just try a routine ear mite treatment first as he wasn't going nuts shaking his head or scratching a great lot, his ears weren't that red or not crusty or anything - that he wasn't having any huge complications and couldn't we just try a good basic treatment first as $500.00 seemed excessive to start out with to treat what seemed a basic early case of ear mites. He was placed on one of the well-known preparations and in 2 days was far better and in the 10 or 14 days he was to take it, he was entirely well for a cost of less than $20.00, I think it was.

Most any given vet clinic might have a willingness to over test and over vax and maybe over treat at times if the owner allows it. Vet's overcharging and running what people claim are unnecessary tests and to a lesser extent over-treating/over-vaccinating are pretty widespread complaints for years now and not just confined to Banfield or VCA. Wherever you take your dog, it pays to use some common sense and speak up.