Originally Posted by ajchallenger (Post 4436232)

Good & bad things to consider. I will not allow the vet to over vaccinate my pets. In fact we follow my holistic vets guide to vaccines. But his fees are high. I'm thinking that it may make sense to do Banfield for the first year and then go with health insurance thereafter. Thanks again for all the advice!

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly (Post 4436228)

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.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4436243)

I would rather have a vet who over tested then one who did not test at all. The smart thing to do is testing before treating something to make sure they are treating the right thing and that there not just taking a guess and treating for the wrong thing.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 4435579)

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

Originally Posted by ajchallenger (Post 4436250)

Yes you are correct. I'm going to just get insurance for her. I did a google search and there are waaaay too many complaints out there with Banfield. Thanks again for all the advice...searching now for the best insurance plans. I took a look at the link but which insurance plans do the folks here like and/or dislike. I love all the feedback makes me think critically and do my research!

Originally Posted by ajchallenger (Post 4436232)

Good & bad things to consider. I will not allow the vet to over vaccinate my pets. In fact we follow my holistic vets guide to vaccines. But his fees are high. I'm thinking that it may make sense to do Banfield for the first year and then go with health insurance thereafter. Thanks again for all the advice!