Tell me I am not a bad pet parent

mamaZbo

I took my cats to the vet yesterday for their annual check-up, which truthfully they only get because they are registered with the county and have to have an exam to get their required rabies vaccine. Otherwise, they probably would only get a check-up every couple of years. The doctor lectured me on getting them their feline leukemia vaccine, heart-worm meds, and getting blood and stool work done to make sure they are ok. She also looked at their teeth and remarked that they have a little tarter and I should think about getting their teeth cleaned.

Just the exam is $70 and even though they share an appointment slot, I still have to pay full price for both cats which is fine, the vet examines both, so I get it. Each rabies vaccine was $35, so I was already paying $210. If I had opted for the other vaccine and the blood and stool work it would have been another $110. I asked how much tooth cleaning was and they said $400-$600 each.

Both cats are indoor only and are only 2 years old.  I declined all the additional treatment and left feeling guilty about denying my cats medical care. Today though I am a little miffed that so much pressure was put on me to buy medical care that I don't think is truly necessary for indoor only cats.

Any other cat owners doing yearly stool and blood testing on their cats? Teeth cleaning? I've had cats all my life and all of them have lived well into their late teens and twenties and I have never had their teeth cleaned or treated them for heartworm, and they have all been indoor/outdoor cats. I would think that maybe she would have recommended some kind of tarter control food or treats before putting them under anesthesia to clean their teeth.

nicki731

I don't have cats but I don't think you are a bad pet parent at all. I think that sometimes vets push extra things not only because it may be ideal, but also because it means more $$ for them. You know your situation, and if you feel it isn't necessary don't let anyone else make you feel bad. It's tough, but we have declined some additional offered services for our dog too. Our dog lives inside with us and is never boarded, etc. so that's the call we make, especially since money is tight.

cantalopes24

Unless they were having issues with their teeth I wouldn't get them cleaned. You can do it yourself.

Elsa1984

I would get them treats that help with scraping the tarter off. We don't har cats but we have a dog and the only reason she gets her teeth cleaned once a year is because we have pet insurance.

Fianschneid

You're not a bad pet parent. I would have done the same.

LCass

A "little tartar" so she thinks you should spend $400-600 and put them under to clean them?  Um, no.  Not unless there's a heck of a lot of tartar would that be reasonable.  I've had 3 indoor/outdoor cats growing up and currently have 2 indoor only cats, none of whom have ever required their teeth to be cleaned.  I also volunteer for an animal rescue working on cat care, and none of our cats in the rescue have ever required it, either.  I've also never heard of doing blood and stool work for a healthy cat, only if there's a concern.

At our cats' last vet visit, the vet actually suggested that we could skip the leukemia vaccine in future because it's basically a non-issue for indoor cats, and the vaccine has its own risks.  The funny thing is, he said that it wouldn't actually save us any money - the fee for the visits would be the same.  I thought that was really weird.

Do you really like your vet?  'Cause it sounds to me like they're gauging you for money, quite honestly.  I'd maybe ask around in your area and see if you can find a different vet who you can trust.

anasazi17

You aren't a bad pet parent at all.  It sounds to me like the vet is trying to make some money on you.  We have 2 indoor and 1 barn/outdoor cat which we only take once a year to get their scheudled vaccinations/check-up. Our vet is a cat owner himself, and very realistic about what they need.  I have never been told to give our cats teeth cleaning..and the outdoor cat's teeth are a hot mess.  There are plenty of things you can do to help their tooth heath on the cheap...snacks, food etc. 

Our vet is pretty old school compared to others.  He's pretty much a farm animal vet who also does house pets.  I appreciate his realism & honesty.  Maybe you should try out another place...unless you love them. 

PurpleDrewbie5

LCass:

A "little tartar" so she thinks you should spend $400-600 and put them under to clean them?  Um, no.  Not unless there's a heck of a lot of tartar would that be reasonable.  I've had 3 indoor/outdoor cats growing up and currently have 2 indoor only cats, none of whom have ever required their teeth to be cleaned.  I also volunteer for an animal rescue working on cat care, and none of our cats in the rescue have ever required it, either.  I've also never heard of doing blood and stool work for a healthy cat, only if there's a concern.

At our cats' last vet visit, the vet actually suggested that we could skip the leukemia vaccine in future because it's basically a non-issue for indoor cats, and the vaccine has its own risks.  The funny thing is, he said that it wouldn't actually save us any money - the fee for the visits would be the same.  I thought that was really weird.

Do you really like your vet?  'Cause it sounds to me like they're gauging you for money, quite honestly.  I'd maybe ask around in your area and see if you can find a different vet who you can trust.

The last paragraph is my exact thought. I would find another vet. The fact that you are already taking them to yearly exams is more than the majority of pet owners do. Heck a lot of people don't even go to the doctor once a year...Don't feel guilty and start looking for a new vet.

Gipper0809

I've done the same.  Our cat is 11 years old and is indoor only.  She rarely goes to the vet, even for check ups because she's not exposed to anything outdoors and she's healthy.

I think that sometimes Veterinary practices take advantage of our emotional attachment to our animals and try to get us to fork over a bunch of money.  It's frustrating for sure.

mamaZbo

Thanks All! That is what I was thinking. I am going to look for a new vet. I pretty much felt like they were trying to dupe me into spending a lot of money.