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Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom  I wonder if any of the vets in your area have office plans - i.e., where you pay a monthly fee and in return you get free office visits and some free services as well. More and more vets are offering these plans - which are kind of similar to what Banfield offers. I know Banfield is not often the best, but maybe they would also be an option for you? But, in an emergency/after hour situation - that doesn't help, I know.
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Great point! My vet doesn't offer a plan, but what I did for quite awhile is send them a check every month when I paid the rest of my bills so I had a credit with them. I have a flexible spending account through work for uncovered medical expenses that gave me the idea.
I sent them what a monthly insurance payment would be, about $35 years ago, and let the balance build up by only using it for emergencies. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to have several hundred dollars credit when Lady had back to back illnesses or an extremely expensive vet visit.
When I started making bows I set up a special account just for veterinary expenses which is ideal, I think. I tell everyone with a young dog to start saving for those expensive senior years right away!
I have only been to the ER vet once right when I first got Lady. I have a pretty amazing first aid kit that takes up a three drawer cart
and have learned over the years to handle many of the simple things myself. For example, having imodium, pepto bismal and pedialite on hand to treat a tummy upset right away can prevent a visit, even hospitalization later on for dehydration.