What should i expect to get and pay for my first vet visit?
 

My yorkie just turned 1. i got him when he was about 10 months. This will be our first vet visit. what should i get him for him and expect to pay? can i find the medications online and administer them myself? does anyone use Banfield? I just dont want to be sold on unnecessary treatments

Assuming that he's had all of his vaccinations, he should have a general exam, and you should get meds for heartworm and fleas. Has he already been neutered and had remaining baby teeth extracted? Banfield is probably okay, if you don't have a preferred local vet.

He really should have been to the vet when you first got him for a check up. Is he on heart worm medicine? He needs to get a full blood panel done and a fecal done maybe more. Has he had any vaccines? Buying meds online is is not really safe because there is so many people who will trick you and give you fake stuff also nothing should be done with out a vet knowing. I do not trust banfield because I have heard of many cases where they over vaccinate and do things wrong and have lost animals because of it. Callie's yearly check up was a bit over $300 but if he has not been to the vet ever and no proof of vaccines I would say maybe more.

Do your research on Banfield!! A lot of people have said they don't like it.I guess they are really keen on pushing their "plans" that they have...and that they don't always give the best vet care, outside of the routine type stuff.

I pretty much stay away from chain vet clinics like that. I just went to a VCA vet clinic and was not happy. They basically only had packages i could choose from instead of just diagnosing and treating dogs on an individual basis....and i didn't need all of the stuff in the package, yet I had to pay for it anyways. I had to pay for a Heartworm test that I didn't want. Thank goodness I needed the rest of the stuff though. I guess my dog did need the heartworm eventually, but I would have preferred to wait until April to get it instead of getting it done in January. They tried to get me to do the deluxe senior package that included x-rays and I was getting my dog checked for diabetes....Um...you don't check for diabetes with an x-ray...and I've already had chest x-rays done twice this year, along with an ultra-sound, so why suggest I do it again??!!?? Because they try to sell it to everyone!!

You'd think that a place like that would be cheaper as well, but it's not. The VCA ended up being more than most vets in the area in the long run.

You posted back in December you where taking him for his first vet visit did that not work out?

I have been using Banfield for about a year and a half and have not had any problems with them at all. In fact I like them alot. I think Banfield, like all chain vets you have to check out the reviews for the one in your area. Although the one I go to has been great, another Banfield in another area may be horrible. Go online and check out the reviews for the one you would be going to. See what THERE customers say.

That's strange, my vet is VCA, he used to be private.
He's never tried to sell me a package, never suggested an unnecessary xray, or anything else.
The only thing I ever question was checking my poodles phenobarbitol levels and its effect on her organs when she was dying anyway. He agreed the results didn't matter but said it was required.

Usually by 1 they will need there boosters. Rabies, heartworm test, flea meds, and heartworm preventative. They sell the monthly pill or the 6 months shot. I would suggest you go to the vet. I know the booster they sell at places like tractor supply, but you still need the rabies which is administered by a licensed vet. Plus you need a blood heartworm test to be able to get heartworm preventative for the next year. You should be looking at least close to $200.00. Good luck! Almost forgot a fecal test to check for internal parasites. Plus they might administer dewormer. I would suggest you get your dog to the vet ASAP as heartworms is vary expensive and life threatening to cure. Also if you have small kids and he or she has hookworms or roundworms can be passed on if they put there hands by the anal area.