Does anyone on the board use Banfield Pet Hospital as their primary vet?
I was anxious for a long time over which vet to choose for the kittens. I asked for opinions on facebook, called people I knew had cats, etc., and eventually I went with Banfield because of the Wellness Care plans that cover a lot of the routine dewormings, vaccinations, etc.
I'm just not sure it's the right choice for me anymore. So far out of pocket I've had to pay over $200 on ear mite treatment, ear cleaning, a benadryl-type shot prior to their vaccinations "in case" they were allergic, etc. Plus the $150 start-up fee and $35 per month (for both cats, not each). I'm looking at almost $400 after 1.5 months of ownership and I feel like if I had gone to the SPCA or an independent vet for shots I could have gotten it for cheaper even though what I'm getting with Banfield is supposed to be "deeply discounted." Do you think that's right or is my estimation of care costs incorrect?
Also, Banfield has a $250 treatment minimum for CareCredit so with what's going on in my life money-wise since April, it's been difficult to come up with the money since I can't use my CareCredit account. I'm not sure if other vets would have a similar restriction, or what.
I also think once I'm done with my year-long contract (
) I'll choose a feline-only vet or at least dig around for one with particular training with cats because it seems like 98% of the literature and verbiage is for dogs. ALL the pictures on the walls in their exam rooms are of dogs, the brochures all default to dog language, just mentioning cats if there's a cat-specific issue. I also like to ask "What's normal?" (for myself as well, lol!) and there's been a few times the pet nurses couldn't really give me an answer. There should be a range of "normal" for their temperatures, right????
I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is overreacting because I've never cared for kittens before (all my previous cats were found cats who came to us already of age) and am not familiar with vets, or if it's a sign that I should move, or what. I'm sure they're getting standard care as far as administering vaccinations, physical exams, etc. I'm not worried they're being mistreated or that the doctors are incompetent. Just maybe not as familiar with cats as with dogs...?
I also got ticked off at their first appointment because the doctor made some remarks about the SPCA I didn't like. Banfield has two plan options: a basic plan, and a basic+spay/neuter plan. It's $6 more per cat per month. $6x2 cats = $12 x 12 months = $144!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To be neutered!!!!!!!! No way. The Richmond SPCA, a great organization who does work with trap & release, free spay/neuter for needy families, etc., will neuter them for $25 each. Easy choice in my mind. But when I told him that, he made this shocked face and was like, "Oh really??? Are you sure they use pain medication??" .......... uhhh....... No, doc. They operate without anesthesia.
Either he was trying to manipulate me into getting the more expensive package or he's not familiar with the biggest pet advocacy organization in our city (which is the CAPITOL of Virginia for crying out loud!) and in either case that's troubling.
If I back out now, I'll either have to pay retail value for what they've done so far, or the cost of the rest of the monthly payments, whichever's less. I can't afford that, so I'm stuck until next May.
I'm sorry for the long-winded, multi-faceted post! After 7 weeks of having them and 3 vet's appointments, plus voraciously devouring these boards and other online info, you'd think I'd be more educated. Any advice or insight you could provide would be VERY appreciated!!
I was anxious for a long time over which vet to choose for the kittens. I asked for opinions on facebook, called people I knew had cats, etc., and eventually I went with Banfield because of the Wellness Care plans that cover a lot of the routine dewormings, vaccinations, etc.
I'm just not sure it's the right choice for me anymore. So far out of pocket I've had to pay over $200 on ear mite treatment, ear cleaning, a benadryl-type shot prior to their vaccinations "in case" they were allergic, etc. Plus the $150 start-up fee and $35 per month (for both cats, not each). I'm looking at almost $400 after 1.5 months of ownership and I feel like if I had gone to the SPCA or an independent vet for shots I could have gotten it for cheaper even though what I'm getting with Banfield is supposed to be "deeply discounted." Do you think that's right or is my estimation of care costs incorrect?
Also, Banfield has a $250 treatment minimum for CareCredit so with what's going on in my life money-wise since April, it's been difficult to come up with the money since I can't use my CareCredit account. I'm not sure if other vets would have a similar restriction, or what.
I also think once I'm done with my year-long contract (
I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is overreacting because I've never cared for kittens before (all my previous cats were found cats who came to us already of age) and am not familiar with vets, or if it's a sign that I should move, or what. I'm sure they're getting standard care as far as administering vaccinations, physical exams, etc. I'm not worried they're being mistreated or that the doctors are incompetent. Just maybe not as familiar with cats as with dogs...?
I also got ticked off at their first appointment because the doctor made some remarks about the SPCA I didn't like. Banfield has two plan options: a basic plan, and a basic+spay/neuter plan. It's $6 more per cat per month. $6x2 cats = $12 x 12 months = $144!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To be neutered!!!!!!!! No way. The Richmond SPCA, a great organization who does work with trap & release, free spay/neuter for needy families, etc., will neuter them for $25 each. Easy choice in my mind. But when I told him that, he made this shocked face and was like, "Oh really??? Are you sure they use pain medication??" .......... uhhh....... No, doc. They operate without anesthesia.
If I back out now, I'll either have to pay retail value for what they've done so far, or the cost of the rest of the monthly payments, whichever's less. I can't afford that, so I'm stuck until next May.
I'm sorry for the long-winded, multi-faceted post! After 7 weeks of having them and 3 vet's appointments, plus voraciously devouring these boards and other online info, you'd think I'd be more educated. Any advice or insight you could provide would be VERY appreciated!!