Though many of us are in a cold snap, Spring will be here in no time. That’s usually when the annual visit to the vet takes place to check for, well, everything. And that means another expense, not welcome in this economic environment.
First let me say that I got the idea for this blog from our friend Edie Jarolim over at Will My Dog Hate Me? who blogged about the cost of canine dental care, and asked where we draw the line on pet expenses.
Most people are trying to save money whereever they can. Some people will try to get along without some vaccinations, others will try something new, like at- home testing kits that will probably end up costing them more than they
thought.
I saw these testing kits at PetCo and then on Dr. Patti Khuly’s Dolittler blog. The tests that require blood, like the heartworm test, suggest you cut the quick on your dog’s nail(seriously?) to get the sample for the vial, and then if you need heartworm meds they give a 50% discount as an incentive. Um, where is the prescription for these meds going to come from? The lab isn’t qualified to give you one. Neither is the test kit maker. How does that work?
As far as I know, no vet is required to accept the results of the mail order test, although they may in states where it’s legal. Vets, like our own doctors, establish trusted relationships with testing labs and if they are unfamiliar with the lab used by the test kit company, they may not wish to prescribe based on those results. Besides, no vet worth her salt would prescribe without an exam. So you are back to square one, and have actually cost yourself more money if you bought the kit.
If you’ve decided to try this anyway, please call your vet and establish what the cost for a blood draw for the home test kit would be, and then ask if you could get a prescription based on the those mail order test results and the price on that. You may decide it’s not worth the bother.
The company who makes these particular test kits, Perfect Pet Products, goes so far as to suggest you’ll save the vet visit charge by using their $49.99 product. I don’t see how with a blood draw and an exam prior to giving a prescription (if there’s no sign of heartworm). And if you have a positive result, you’ll need a vet visit and a retest. About that cutting the quick to get a blood sample: They must be joking; are we really to actively decide to be cruel, inflict pain on our dogs, and earn their distrust?
For many, going to the vet is a once a year trip. The exam acts as a safeguard or (hopefully) early warning of serious disease, growths, bone and back problems, heart conditions, and breathing difficulties. It can be a real life saver. Catching a problem before it gets serious saves money too.
What do you think?
(Dr Khuly’s blog on this is here)
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8 Responses
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Maybe it's easy for me to say since I still have a "day job" paying the bills, but I'm getting the annual vet checkup and paying for a vet to run the tests. There may be cheaper options, but there's something to be said for having a blood draw done by someone who does it for a living and having the lab results interpreted by a veterinarian.
I cannot imagine cutting a dog's nail THAT close to cause bleeding so you can get a blood sample. Good luck trying to trim the dog's nails the next time. I am glad you took the time to read the fine print or, in this case, the non-existent fine pint (e.g., where is the prescription going to come from?!). We recently moved from Philadelphia. Our current vet didn't want to accept the existing prescripiton for Ty's thyroid meds without doing their own test. I can image showing up with our own blood work! Like anything else – buyer beware.
Yes, this question about how far is too far is a probing one, and if people share what they have found that's safe, it would help others make better decisions. Sometimes you just need to find another way to cut the budget.
Hi Rod, seems this product is one that should not have reached the R&D stage, although I am sure the makers would disagree with my opinion. Thanks for sharing your experience with a move to a new city, new vet, and pre-existing medical needs!
Using a mobile vet where well-reputed DVMs are available can help save costs, keeping the office visits for those who have more serious conditions. Thank you for stopping by and adding to the conversation, Jenny!
wow, this is a pretty stupid product! firstly, cutting the quick of the nail? yeah, i'll get right on that! then like what you brought up, how are you supposed to get a script to treat your dog? my vet charges $20 for the blood test for heartworm, which is a way better deal that this test. for potentially life threatening diseases, leave it to the professionals!
I'm one of those who prefers to minimize veterinarian visits (use a home visit vet for old critters) and I also utilize wholistic practitioners. However, I also would not use such a kit. Given that I try to base my own dog interaction practices and client-assistant practices on yoga principles, deliberately cutting a nail to the quick would not be practicing 'ahimsa', non-violence. I can't imagine doing that.
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