Loraine

That is a great price. My vet is new to this too, and her charge of $118.00 she thought was reasonable. I told her that a number of folks had posted on DOL prices from $50 to $250 for the testing, she told me that Vetpath charges them $118.00 which I do not necessarily believe. As I wanted Zedley to be titered I went along with her price, but in future I will be phoning around the Perth vets for price comparisons. Good luck, I should be getting my results this week.

As I understand it - all vets can pull the blood necessary for titer testing, but not all will. The bloods are sent to a lab in Perth WA for the actual testing. I live in Perth and it has just cost me $118.00 for the testing.

Would you be complaining if it was your animal that the vet was taking an extra amount of time to examine or urgently needed attending to in its hospital cage?? I get a little bored of people bagging out vets here for charges. If people think their vet overcharges or overservices then change vets. Edited to add not aimed at OP as I don't read her post that way! To make things a little more clear - I have no problem with what the vet charges... I find with any medical procedures whether it be for animal or human that it always costs some dollars - but that is the same with anything in life. And I am also sure that if I thought my vet was over charging or over-servicing my needs that I would have already changed long before I took Fraser to the vet earlier in the week. My original message was in reply to the OP as judging by the thread title and her message - he/she was a little frustrated. Regardless of the $ amount spent on vet bills it would never bother me as the amount spent on their health pales in significance to the huge bucketloads of joy and memories that your pet(s) give you throughout years of their life. My apologies if I have offended anyone - I just threw my 2 cents in! Regards, Shaun (sticks1977) I appreciate all inputs. I guess I should be more careful with my wording and use of emoticons. I actually thought I was being factual bur light-hearted (I need a funny check ) I did not take offence at anything you have said.

I feel a bit better about my vet bills since my girlfriend told me she had a $14,000 vet bill for her horse (AND he died ) : A suggestion - clip his nails yourself, it is not too hard to do. You can buy a small pair of nail clippers at the pet shop. Will save you $10 -20 which is a rip off anyway. Buy a DAP for his "thunder horrors" and turn it on. I have found that by the time you give them a Zanax/valium and it works, the storm has passed. Heartworm tablets are much cheaper online/petshop, at the vets you will pay premium price. :D That is so horrible that your friends horse cost so much and still died Zedley's nails are really tough and the vet needs two hands to close the clippers over his nails. I have broken a couple of expensive ones and I try to use the dremel on him before they get too long. This dog walks on pavements for at least 30 mins each day, most of my yard is paved also. His nails grow at a rate of knots (like every 6 weeks they have gone from a clipped 1/2 inch to a full 1 inch long ) I've tried the DAP and it has no effect on the worry wort I usually buy his meds over the net, but I have not had h/w stuff for some years and needed to see what this dog needs. In the future I will be ordering over the web. Thanks for the input.

I already do buy some products on line, but needed a refresher today on Heartworm stuff, until now I have had Zedley have the annual shot. As I am becoming 'cleaner and greener' I decided as I was titer testing and not vaccinating that I would try and lessen the load on my boy's system by worming once a month (used to do that with my mini poodle RIP). Now I know again what I need to do I will be ordering online in the future - BUT thank you all for the suggestion.

Assuming that as it is used around kidlets there will be no poison, but I would be concerned at wood chips tearing the innards of the dog, as they do not breakdown in the tummy.

Would you be complaining if it was your animal that the vet was taking an extra amount of time to examine or urgently needed attending to in its hospital cage?? I get a little bored of people bagging out vets here for charges. If people think their vet overcharges or overservices then change vets. Edited to add not aimed at OP as I don't read her post that way! I was not bagging out my vet, merely commenting on the costs involved in keeping our furry friends healthy. I have no problem with having to pay a vet, I do have a problem having to wait way past the time I was given to attend an appointment and I can see them all chatting and messing about not caring for another sick animal

It is now $310.00 later. I took Zedley to the vet for his first titer test YAY. Also had a blood draw for his thyroid (to see if the meds are at the right level), had his nails clipped, had an ear looked at, discussed his recent bad thunder horrors. Got 6 months of heartworm chewables, some drops for his ears, some pillls (5) for the thunder horrors. My, my these dogs do keep us poor Edited for spelling ;) ETA Just got a call from the vet. Zedley's Thyroid is still too low so I have to double his Thyroxine, no wonder his skin is all greasy and smelly again

I know that my local Coles stocks 'Sensitive', not sure about the others special stuff.

The cost for my titre will be $118.00, just for parvo and distemper. If I want hep then the blood has to be send to Scotland, so I don't think we will test for that as it is not really a huge issue in dogs.

My boy had previously had C4's and this year they just wanted to do a C5 Yay we are having titre's done next week. This titre will just be for parvo, distemper (not K cough), but the receptionist mentioned that something else could be tested for if we send the bloods to Scotland. She was very vague, so I will actually check with the vet when I see her.

Wow what a difference Beau is looking a lot better than before Christmas. I hope he manages to get his coat back properly.

Thank you all for your helpful responses and PM's, very much appreciated. I am going to go the titer route even if my own vet will not do it.

When my Coco had Cushing's I belonged to a Cushpup board, and noticed that many of the pooches also had thyroid problems. Not sure if they are related, but it is certainly a possibility.

Corned means it has been 'cured' in brine, so will be salty. If I buy it for me I soak it for 24/48 hours in a number of changes of clean water to remove most of the salt.

I just posted for advice on titer testing :cool: I did a lot of reading yesterday and as I have an itcy boy I figure the less I stuff into his body the better he might be

It is time for my Zedley to have an annual C5 (I actually would go with C4). I have this morning enquired of the vet if they do titer testing. The receptionist is going to check with the people who do their blood testing (sorry having a brain dead moment). Does any Perth person know of a vet who does titer testing? I know that many kennels will not take a dog in without the vaccinations, but it is highly unlikely that Zedley will be in kennels. TIA

Maria of Click go the Shears lives on Green Street, Mount Hawthorn. Sorry can't find the phone number, but she does groom from home and has a mobile service. She used to do my mini poodle (RIP) and does my mates SWF.

so sorry for the titchy Pom. I do hope he pulls through.

My Zedley loves 'em

I am so sorry. Run free dear Maly.

I have absolutely no experience of what you describe, but I wanted you to know I am sending healing thoughts and prayers to your Maly .

My neighbour's dog had a fatty lump removed on Tuesday. It was on her leg and growing so that it rubbed on the other leg. Vet did not think it was anything nasty, but should be removed as it was uncomfy for the dog. Dog is now home and well. (BTW she is 12 yrs old, a kelpie, cattle X dog.)

My darling boy today is the fourth anniversary of your leaving for the Rainbow Bridge, but I don't think you needed me to remind you of that I miss you constantly and think of you every day (you are also my screen saver, so I see you too). I bought a pair of black mini poodle slippers, and they so look like you walking at my feet. I loved you whilst I was with you here my darling, and I love you still. There is no re-placing you sweetheart, but I do have a new doggie side kick who I know you would really like. Until we meet again my darling boy, take care and enjoy your games with the other Cushpups that have joined you.

My last little mini poodle was on chewable monthly things (RIP). My current lad is on the annual shot (another vet talked me into it), BUT I have decided that given his skin problems we will move over to the monthly chewables.