My Pet's Dental Bill

Today was a little stressful and it's going to be very costly. I'm not saying my dog isn't worth it, but when I got the new estimate from the Vet I was shocked.

I took my dog in for a general checkup and the Vet suggested a dental cleaning was in order.

I agreed because it had been a year since his last cleaning and his breath was really beginning to smell foul. I give him dog treats that is supposed to help, plus he gets dental chews, and we keep his water bowl washed and filled with clean water. But his breath is really stinky......

I was afraid that because he licks his feet often that maybe like the last cleaning he had a fur ball trapped again and that might be the problem.

Well I went in to pick up his dog food and I decided to get an estimate from them for the dental cleaning. I was told I also would get a 20% discount if I did the cleaning before the end of February. So I got the estimate... Wow $$$$$ over $400 dollars for my dogs cleaning.

I remember last year I checked around and I didn't get his teeth cleaned where I get all of his other work done because they were about $150.00 over what the others charge. I found a Vet that could do it last year at a better price.

But this year I decided to stay with his normal Vet. They have really been good to my guy, but they are expensive. He goes there when he needs to be boarded, and he gets all of his other work done there, so I decided to stay with them for the cleaning.

I was nervous already when I took him in and a little anxious because of the cost already being what I felt was high for just getting a cleaning. But they are good to him, so I go with them and stick to the original plan knowing it should be just over $400.00.

I drop him off this morning at 8:00 and he is shaking and trembling, he knew exactly where he was at, and when we got up this morning he knew his routine was different. He ran from me when I tried to pick him up. He knew he was going somewhere he didn't want to go. I felt bad for him but knew it was for his own good, and ours, so he would have fresh breath again.

Well three hours had passed after dropping him off. They said they would call if there were any problems or if they needed to talk with me. The phone rings, it's just my husband to see if there is any word about Bogey. I tell him no, nothing. I guess it's going to be just a simple cleaning and nothing more or we would have heard hopefully by now I tell him.

Not so fast, because I get a call soon as I hang up with my hubby. It's the doctor. Bogey needs two extractions and he lost one tooth while they were cleaning. Now I love my dog, and I was feeling bad knowing he was going to be in pain from not, not two, but three teeth. How would he be able to eat?

I take a deep breath and begin to ask questions. I wanted to know how his teeth could be so bad, especially since we take such good care of him. But Bogey is a biting dog, so we don't get to brush his teeth, that is why we can only give him the dental chews and bones. He has been a biter since day one. But we love him anyway. That's a whole other story, let's get back on track here.

Now as she is explaining all the extra stuff that they are having to do, stuff we had not talked about in the previous estimate, my head is spinning with worry about my dog, worry about the $$$$$$$$ COST.........

And when the doctor reassures you that they are doing everything in their power to try and keep the cost down you know it's not going to be good.

I took a deep breath in and a silence fell over the conversation. I then mustered up enough courage to dare ask what the new estimate would be. She announced she would check, putting me on hold. I could only imagine. She did say something about a build up, or build ups, she did mention several things, so I was afraid of the answer. I heard a clicking sound and a new voice was now on the phone. It was the front desk person and she was tallying up Bogey's new bill............ DRUM ROLL PLEASE..........!!!!!

Miss Hudgins here is the new estimate for Bogey......... Over $700 dollars.....OMG... But we are giving you a discount ..... We did trim Bogey's Nails, no extra charge, we cleaned the hair between his pads on the bottom of his paws, No extra charge... and we cleaned out the extra hair in his ears, no extra charge while he was still under they said. So the final bill $629.90....again OMG!!!!

Pets can be very expensive to take care of....... But we love them and if we have them we have to take good care of them....

I just have one question, why can't we claim them on our taxes as a dependent? lol.......

He is going to be in some kind of pain tonight poor little fellow....

Oh well, Gotta get off here and go pick him up, they just called and said he is ready to come home......

Mommy and Daddy love little Bogey even though he is expensive to care for.......