How true. And then you feel guilty asking the vet how much this or
that procedure is going to cost, like you're being cheap about your
pet's health or even their life. Many places count on that guilt, to
milk some extra $$ from you. Of course, sometimes an expensive
treatment can't be avoided, but it really angers me that some places
will try to convince you to get costly and superfluous tests.

The vet hospital I've been going to for years recently tried to talk me
into getting $160 US bloodwork on Roxy, when I knew that all she needed
was a dose of alpha interferon ($20 US), because she was having a herpes
flareup. And I'd told the vet I'd been out of work for almost 2 years,
and wanted to try the simplest treatments first. He still tried to
pressure me into getting the bloodwork. I held my ground, got the
interferon, and a week later, Roxy was feeling good as new.

There are vets and animal hospitals where they actually care about your
financial capability as much as about your pet, and will take the most
conservative approach in treating or diagnosing your pet's illness. So
I'll be going to a new vet next time!

Joyce