Good morning.
Mayze wasn't very well so yesterday I rang the vet and made an appointment. You can book online but there is no guarantee that you will get an appointment for the same day, or with the vet of your choice. I think vet practices are following the same format as human doctors surgery's. I booked an emergency appointment which incurs an extra cost. I thought it was important that she be seen sooner rather than later.
After the consultation I left her there with the instruction that she has an ultrasound scan. Later in the day I received a phone call that I could go and collect her. Janet came with me, as my support backup. With my hearing not being too good I find it helpful that if I miss anything that the vet says, Janet will pick up on it and we can discuss what was said.
So here is the bill which I paid promptly. I made a guess about how much it might be, and I was almost spot on. No problem, it's accounted for in my budget. This last minute cost before the end of the month bumps my January expenses up to over £1,300.
One must budget over the long term when taking on a puppy or kitten. Soft and cuddly they might be, but if you add up the costs over the whole life of the animal, think twice whether you can afford it. Pet insurance is available, but you can guarantee that the monthly payments will become more expensive the older it becomes.
My first cat, Bugsy, was insured. I paid the monthly payments for 15 years, and never needed to claim. After that I have always put money aside, and will pay as and when a vet visit is needed.
I feel sad that the cost of visiting a vet has shot up so much it means that the rescues are going to be full to bursting, and animals will be abandoned. For some people, especially those who live alone, their pets are their best friends. A cat or a dog in the home is a comfort. It's a shame that people are denied that.
Mayze at this moment in time is sitting on the back windowsill basking in the sunshine. She has eaten well overnight, and seems a whole lot better than she did a couple of days ago. They didn't find anything untoward on the scan, so maybe the two jabs will do the trick.
Enjoy your weekend. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip. ilona
I hope lovely Mayze is on the mend and back to her normal self soon.
ReplyDeleteYou’re absolutely right pet ownership is a big responsibility and people need to budget accordingly. Pet insurance is expensive and it increases if you make a claim. I’ve always had it for my dogs but have only claimed when it’s been for something really expensive. I’ve never had more than two dogs and only have one now because of the expense.
I have four cats, and two are elderly. I am about to take Alfie to the vet as it looks like he may have kidney problems as he is drinking more. I don't insure as when I had horses and insured them, recurring problems are not covered.
ReplyDeleteOops, pressed send too soon. I hope that Mayze is better soon.
ReplyDeleteYou are a great pet owner. Too many people enter into pet ownership without thinking about the associated cost. Many acquired pets during Covid and afterwards, have left them at shelters when realizing they were not prepared for the responsibility. Shelters are overloaded. Vets costs have been getting higher and higher. I know people who have spent thousands for surgeries and diagnostics. Pets become family members so having to surrender them is tragic for the pet and the owner. I have owned dogs all my adult life but now that I am retired I feel I no longer can take on the physical and financial responsibility. I could never surrender a pet.
ReplyDelete