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Tasha Marie · 10-29-2008, 09:23 AM

You are all so nice...thanks so much for your comments, i feel much better now. He really is a good vet, good quality care but he just seems to think folks have a bottomless bank account. I remember when I took my fox terrier in because she had an ear infection, (it was a secondary condition to a thyroid problem that we suspected). He seemed really annoyed that her ears were all inflamed and waxy flaky bad odor type things going on. Well, I had had her to our other vet, who we love, but he admitted that he is basically a large animal specialist and wasn't sure what else to try for our baby. That is when I went to this other vet who we used before when our Lab severed some tendons chasing a wayward frisbee. He was great then too with that emergency, but we paid DEARLY. I am not saying I don't appreciate what he has done, but like with my dogs' ears, he said he was going to "teach me how to properly clean them" and then asked if I had a hemostat. When I said no, he grabbed one off his shelf and said "you do now". His way is to use a piece of cotton off a roll and hold it with the hemostat and clean the ears. I thought he was giving it to me, or that it would be about a few bucks, never mentioned the price..or if I wanted to buy it. When I got the bill, he had charged me $15 for it...and I know I could go buy one for about
$3. He could have told me how much..I mean do I have to ask every time he picks up something, "how much for that Q-tip? How much for that piece of tape?" He just ran smears and things without first informing me what the costs were going to be, and then he expects I can just foot the bill right then and there with all the things he decided to do.

I have worked for a veterinary hospital in NY when I lived there and there were 3 vets in that office. Not once did I ever see them do this type of thing, they always involved the pet owners of approximate expenses prior to doing anything. They were happy to provide an estimate, too, and a comparison...the bare minimum that needed to be addressed ASAP and then the top end with everything they would like to see done. And they always talked to you about it all first. It wasn't all about the wallet.

I am very glad that I finally spoke up and told him that I couldn't afford everything that needed to be done all at one shot, but that if he would work with me on making payments I could do it. I guess he finally realized we are a good customer (after spending almost $5000 at his office in the last 5 years with our three dogs) and agreed to it. I really wanted to be able to have it all done with her going under anesthesia just once as I know that is the riskiest part of it all. Anyway, it is nice to be able to come here and get info from all of you and in such a supportive way....I wouldn't trade my babies for anything...and my little girl Tasha is just a joy too. thanks! yorkie hugs to you all!

10-29-2008, 09:23 AM	#8
Tasha Marie Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: colorado Posts: 43	thanks, I feel better now.... You are all so nice...thanks so much for your comments, i feel much better now. He really is a good vet, good quality care but he just seems to think folks have a bottomless bank account. I remember when I took my fox terrier in because she had an ear infection, (it was a secondary condition to a thyroid problem that we suspected). He seemed really annoyed that her ears were all inflamed and waxy flaky bad odor type things going on. Well, I had had her to our other vet, who we love, but he admitted that he is basically a large animal specialist and wasn't sure what else to try for our baby. That is when I went to this other vet who we used before when our Lab severed some tendons chasing a wayward frisbee. He was great then too with that emergency, but we paid DEARLY. I am not saying I don't appreciate what he has done, but like with my dogs' ears, he said he was going to "teach me how to properly clean them" and then asked if I had a hemostat. When I said no, he grabbed one off his shelf and said "you do now". His way is to use a piece of cotton off a roll and hold it with the hemostat and clean the ears. I thought he was giving it to me, or that it would be about a few bucks, never mentioned the price..or if I wanted to buy it. When I got the bill, he had charged me $15 for it...and I know I could go buy one for about $3. He could have told me how much..I mean do I have to ask every time he picks up something, "how much for that Q-tip? How much for that piece of tape?" He just ran smears and things without first informing me what the costs were going to be, and then he expects I can just foot the bill right then and there with all the things he decided to do. I have worked for a veterinary hospital in NY when I lived there and there were 3 vets in that office. Not once did I ever see them do this type of thing, they always involved the pet owners of approximate expenses prior to doing anything. They were happy to provide an estimate, too, and a comparison...the bare minimum that needed to be addressed ASAP and then the top end with everything they would like to see done. And they always talked to you about it all first. It wasn't all about the wallet. I am very glad that I finally spoke up and told him that I couldn't afford everything that needed to be done all at one shot, but that if he would work with me on making payments I could do it. I guess he finally realized we are a good customer (after spending almost $5000 at his office in the last 5 years with our three dogs) and agreed to it. I really wanted to be able to have it all done with her going under anesthesia just once as I know that is the riskiest part of it all. Anyway, it is nice to be able to come here and get info from all of you and in such a supportive way....I wouldn't trade my babies for anything...and my little girl Tasha is just a joy too. thanks! yorkie hugs to you all!