[Magdalen] Veterinary Update.

[Grace Cangialosi]

The place where I board my cats is near the Charlottesville SPCA shelter, and they bathe and groom the shelter dogs for free.
It's such a mixed bag for me, because the place is quite run down and not super clean, but the people are so nice, and my cats have this huge floor to ceiling enclosure with a tree and all kind of perches. They don't board dogs. Plus, it's about $5/night cheaper than anyplace else. I've boarded them there several times over the years, and they seem to like it. Last time I was away for a week I tried a different place at a vet's. Not only was the boarding more expensive...$17/day per cat, but I had inadvertently checked a box for TLC that gave them 15 min/day of individual petting, etc., and that added $5/day per cat. I decided it wasn't worth it just for a nicer-looking facility.
But I have great respect for the vets and other animal places that are willing to aid shelter pets.

> On Jul 14, 2016, at 9:41 AM, Jay Weigel <jay.weigel at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> My grandkitten (now cat) Opie came from a shelter, and the cost of his
> neutering was subsidized. When he was adopted, Betsy was given a list of
> vets who work with that shelter and who will do the procedure at a reduced
> price. I can remember when it cost $20 to have it done...un-subsidized.
> Yikes!
> 
> On Wed, Jul 13, 2016 at 11:13 PM, James Oppenheimer-Crawford <
> oppenheimerjw at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> If the procedure you had before was several years ago, then a good part of
>> the increase is just plain old inflation.
>> 
>> We have always done whatever needed to be done, and our vet at the time was
>> saying at one time he knew that if they asked us to bring a cat out there
>> every day for a procedure, we would do it. That got him talking about
>> others who balked at basic care for their animals such as worm
>> prophylactics. He said he had taken over a practice from a doctor in
>> another location, and people sometimes griped about expenses. He finally
>> told one customer, "You know old Doc Phillips, who used to run this
>> practice? Well, he's now living in a trailer. And it's YOUR fault."
>> Expenses have to be paid. It's just not negotiable.
>> People complain they can't afford x y and z for their companion animal.
>> When you know if it were their kid, or their spouse, they sure would find a
>> way.  Vets generally offer ways to pay big bills in installments. In some
>> cases, they will refer to another vet they know is charging less.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
>> *“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved,
>> except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy
>> 
>> On Wed, Jul 13, 2016 at 2:10 PM, Cantor03--- via Magdalen <
>> magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:
>> 
>>> 
>>> Our nine month old chihuahua black and tan puppy is now home
>>> safe and sound from her spaying.  I have used what has been a  very
>>> reasonable
>>> vet for over 30 years, but I do note a rather steep increase in prices
>>> since
>>> his son came into the practice with the father, the latter now in his
>>> sixties.
>>> 
>>> The cost for admission to the animal hospital in the AM shortly  before
>>> the surgery, the procedure, and then overnight for observation with
>>> a couple feedings was nearly $600.  I'm sure for some areas of  the
>>> USA, this is a bargain.  Still, the last time we went through this, if
>>> memory
>>> serves, the cost was about $400.
>>> 
>>> I read yesterday something about veterinary insurance.  I think I'll
>> look
>>> into it.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> David S.
>>