Rickiesmom

I insured a girl at 8, in spite of a kidney condition and a few benign lumps and bumps removed. 8 months later she was diagnosed with osteo, and was a good candidate for amputation and chemo. She came through those with flying colors, but along the way developed a very acute back problem we thought might be caused by a met. Emerg did CT scan to figure out where the problem was, and a localized MRI. Radiologist said the MRI was not good enough to diagnose, so she went to another facility for a better MRI. Long story short, with all her expenses from diagnosis to end of treatment, her costs were about $25K (including tax, which is 13% here) of which we paid $5K. My current two have insurance. One is likely making money for the company as she has had only very minor issues, which is fine because the whole idea is a pool, with some net contributors, and some net withdrawers. My other one is probably net contributing on at this point, but he has had some significant health issues (uveitis, IMHA) along the way that have been covered so not sure. I've never done the math, because I don't care. The reason I have insurance is because I don't want to have to take cost into account when considering treatment options for my dogs. I expect I will "win" on some and "lose" on others, and that is fine with me. I've paid house and car insurance for decades, with no claims for the house and two for the car, in both cases not my fault (rear-ended). Also pay for private insurance for myself, no claims to date. And I am happy in all cases to be on the losing end, because it means being problem free. But the flip side is when something happens, even if it's big, I am covered, and that peace of mind is what I pay for. This approach may not be for everyone, but it works for me.

I am so sorry Pam.

This source says in a 2018 review article, that they recently changed their formulations to include probiotics. No personal experience with the Kirkland foods or with this website, just passing it on.

With each bit of love, exasperation, and everything in between he evoked, Paddy quietly claimed another little piece of your heart, which, taken together, amounted to quite a lot. Carry on doing what you do best Paddy Alvin Mayhem, you were one of a kind, as many in Heaven has discovered in the last year. Your mom misses you

I would definitely do it. I had a dog who had bloodwork done two months before her spay, and the results were fine so the vet felt it didn't have to be repeated. She went into acute kidney failure post-op. The cause was never determined but I will always wonder if something would have changed in her bloodwork that would have alerted to a brewing issue and always want bloodwork done as close as possible to any procedure date now,

I am so very sorry.

Praying UC Davis can help your boy.

It can be helpful to have a good allopathic vet's opinion to consider in addition to a holistic one. There is room for both, and times when they can be integrated and others when one is going to be more effective than the other. I would ask my adoption group or another trusted resource for a recommendation. And / or, if you would like to share where you are located, folks here might be able to chime in as well. A persistent cracked nose is a definite concern.

Allie, now spinning and play-bowing at the Bridge. And so greatly missed by her family here. What a very special girl.

My boy can only have a topical (we use Advantix II) due his IMHA history, but my girl has been on Nexgard with no issue. She gets Interceptor for heartworm. I do not give them at the same time, so her system is processing less at once. ETA I chose Nexgard over Bravecto because I like the smaller monthly vs. three month dose.

What a relief. If the news changes, it might be worth finding out if one of the clinics involved in Dr Mason's drug trial is within striking distance.

I wonder if it is possible for the mods to split this thread in two - the Hookworm discussion might interest people (including me) independent of insurance.

I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Arlen.

I respectfully disagree, in part. No doubt dogs with genetically bad teeth have more challenges, but brushing at least delays the time between dentals, and that is a good thing in terms of risk and money. It has also been my experience, YMMV, that using multiple products is helpful. So we brush daily, use Healthy Mouth, and give also chews a few times a week, and granted my current hounds have pretty good teeth, they go many years between dentals, and even then, I don't wait until they are awful, instead try to take advantage of any other reason anaesthesia might be needed to get everything done at once. Arlie, my first greyhound, had the truly awful teeth, but I brushed religiously and although she needed a couple of dentals over the years, it worked really well. My sense is that removing the surface crud regularly slows the accumulation under the gum line a great deal.

I am so sorry.

Wow. Sending good thoughts for your girl, and for both of you - know you will worry until she is out and you get a post-op update.

This has turned out to be one of those things that looked much, much worse than it was, thankfully. Latest update is that the scab has fallen off and the tissue underneath is clean and healthy. Much better news than I was expecting, based on the photo and the situation o_rooly dealt with! Thank you all for your suggestions and experiences, this could have been, and certainly looked, much worse than it was.

I was told last evening that the lesion is shrinking, which is good, and presumably in response to the antibiotics, but no further information so far.

Thank you for this - I agree there is a resemblance. He's been put on Cephalexin but I don't know if they cultured, will ask.

That's an interesting idea. It looks higher up to me, but I will pass on the treatment suggestion, thank you.

A recently adopted hound (not mine) arrived with this concave, scab-like thing on his abdomen. It's about the size of a quarter: Has anyone seen anything like this / have any idea what it is. He will be seeing a vet, but looking for thoughts in the meantime. Thank you!

Your vet has or could have access to VIN - Veterinary Information Network. S/he could post information and photos to the dermatologists and ask for opinions.