• You should always ONLY use a Vet you are comfortable with… both your dog and the human. If one seems to pushy, then you need to find one that you are happier with. Vet's should not be bullies, sure they should give their opinion... but certainly not to bully you on what to feed. I think that maybe you might have been cleaning the ears too often... and for nails, at least every two weeks, however until they become used to the tool you are using should be every week IMO... of course you are not taking much off the nail.. it becomes a training thing.
    As far as puppy food, I have not looked, but is the Merrick adult the same as far as protein, fat, etc as EUK?
    And as far as Vet prices, I can tell you I go to one of the most expensive ones in my area, BUT in this case I get what I pay for.... and they respect my thoughts and wishes also... means much when your Vet "listens" to what you tell him/her and not just ignore you totally.
    Spay/Neuter is about 300.00 here...


  • @tanza:

    You should always ONLY use a Vet you are comfortable with… both your dog and the human. If one seems to pushy, then you need to find one that you are happier with. Vet's should not be bullies, sure they should give their opinion... but certainly not to bully you on what to feed. I think that maybe you might have been cleaning the ears too often... and for nails, at least every two weeks, however until they become used to the tool you are using should be every week IMO... of course you are not taking much off the nail.. it becomes a training thing.
    As far as puppy food, I have not looked, but is the Merrick adult the same as far as protein, fat, etc as EUK?
    And as far as Vet prices, I can tell you I go to one of the most expensive ones in my area, BUT in this case I get what I pay for.... and they respect my thoughts and wishes also... means much when your Vet "listens" to what you tell him/her and not just ignore you totally.
    Spay/Neuter is about 300.00 here...

    Well I just looked & the Euk puppy kibble is this:
    Crude Protein (minimum) 29%
    Crude Fat (minimum) 18%
    Moisture (maximum) 10%
    Crude Fiber (maximum) 4%

    vs. Merrick's Adult Wildnerness Blend:
    Crude Protein (Not Less Than) 24.0%
    Crude Fat (Not Less Than) 15.0%
    Crude Fiber (Not More Than) 2.5%
    Moisture (Not More Than) 10.0%

    So there is a bit of a difference.

    The Merrick's puppy plate is this:
    Crude Protein (Not Less Than) 28.0%
    Crude Fat (Not Less Than) 14.0%
    Crude Fiber (Not More Than) 3.5%
    Moisture (Not More Than) 10.0%

    It just figures that when I finally decide on a food, switch Dallas over & am pleased so far I get told by my vet that it isn't good. Grrr!

    And yea Pat, I was cleaning his ears too often. I will not do it as frequently now but I wish the vet would have at least humored me about my concerns regarding his ears smelling. He said the smell was because I was cleaning them too much…when I asked how that is logical he didn't really give me an answer just repeated, stop cleaning them weekly.

    And he was pushing science diet & Euk because that's what he feeds his dogs & they sell at this place. He even said he feeds his dog science diet because he gets it "free from work"! He was just a bit too pushy for me so I do think after Dallas' next & finaly puppy shot [in 2 weeks] I'll try finding another vet…

    By the way, is it still typical for dogs to get vaccines yearly? For some reason I thought I had heard that rabies now is only every 3 years not annually...


  • IMO, and this is just My Opinion, it is good to have pups on puppy food (and for sure use the Merrick puppy and NOT EUK or SD, again IMO).. till they are at least 6 to 8 months. I usually would change my pups to adult sometime around six months.
    Vaccines, they need the first series of shots as pups, then a boster at 1yr (same with rabies), then it would go to every 3 yrs.
    What does the Vet you are going to now say about shots?

    And last but not least, based on what you have already said, I would be out looking for a new Vet…


  • @tanza:

    IMO, and this is just My Opinion, it is good to have pups on puppy food (and for sure use the Merrick puppy and NOT EUK or SD, again IMO).. till they are at least 6 to 8 months. I usually would change my pups to adult sometime around six months.
    Vaccines, they need the first series of shots as pups, then a boster at 1yr (same with rabies), then it would go to every 3 yrs.
    What does the Vet you are going to now say about shots?

    And last but not least, based on what you have already said, I would be out looking for a new Vet…

    Yea I think I am starting to agree about the pup food now that I need there is at least more protein in it vs. adult. I'm going to buy some Merrick's puppy plate today [since the store I buy his food from now doesn't carry the puppy plate only all the other flavors!]

    As for shots, he says after this last shot he gets in two weeks he won't have another until boosters after a year then says that it would be a yearly appointment for boosters, checkup, etc.

    And I'm way ahead of you, looking for a new vet currently. Problem is, I can't decide whether to find one now before his next shot appointment at the end of March or just wait & find one after the fact but by then the first time they would see him would be to neuter him!


  • @Ninabeana26:

    Yea I think I am starting to agree about the pup food now that I need there is at least more protein in it vs. adult. I'm going to buy some Merrick's puppy plate today [since the store I buy his food from now doesn't carry the puppy plate only all the other flavors!]

    As for shots, he says after this last shot he gets in two weeks he won't have another until boosters after a year then says that it would be a yearly appointment for boosters, checkup, etc.

    And I'm way ahead of you, looking for a new vet currently. Problem is, I can't decide whether to find one now before his next shot appointment at the end of March or just wait & find one after the fact but by then the first time they would see him would be to neuter him!

    Nope after the first year, then should be every 3 yrs… however that said, I highly recommend a yearly check up regardless if they need anything or not...

    Is your current Vet giving "whopper" shots... like all at the same time? That is not good... IMO, rabies should never be given with other shots, should be separate by at least 3 or 4 wks.

    And you should make appointments to "interview" new Vets.. go and talk to them.. and you know it would be worth the cost of the appointment, IMO, just to take the pup for a general visit....


  • @tanza:

    Nope after the first year, then should be every 3 yrs… however that said, I highly recommend a yearly check up regardless if they need anything or not...

    Is your current Vet giving "whopper" shots... like all at the same time? That is not good... IMO, rabies should never be given with other shots, should be separate by at least 3 or 4 wks.

    And you should make appointments to "interview" new Vets.. go and talk to them.. and you know it would be worth the cost of the appointment, IMO, just to take the pup for a general visit....

    Yea since this past Thursday he gave him a rabies vac & one other, I think perhaps bordetello? His first appointment he only got one shot but this time two. His next appointment will only be one shot as well, I think his final temprement shot.

    Yea I'm going to see how much just a quick visit with a vet at this other place up the street would cost. They did send us a $30 off coupon when we first moved into the area…although maybe that isn't a good sign. LOL


  • I would look for another vet now to make sure you're happy with the new one before he needs to be neutered. When I got Apache I decided to try another vet in the area. I went to one that other people swore by. I took Apache in for a check-up, no shots were due. With his next puppy shots, this vet wanted to give him the Lepto shot and wanted to do surgery on his umbilical hernia because I was going to show him. He also insisted on annual boosters. I left there never to return. My regular vet has at least changed with the times and doesn't require yearly boosters. He has also learned to listen to me where my dogs are concerned. He didn't think Chey had a thyroid problem as weight gain was her only symptom. I insisted on a full panel being done and I turned out to be right. Our relationship has changed since then for the better.


  • wow that filled up pretty fast. There is a lot of helpful info here. Thanks guys


  • My wife said it was around $388.00


  • @Barklessdog:

    My wife said it was around $388.00

    For vaccinations????? :eek:

    I couldn't own dogs if I had to pay that!!


  • Basing a lot of this off memory…

    Dog - $600
    Cage/Crate - $80
    Vaccinations - $150 I think.
    Microchipping (came with the dog)
    Toys - $200 - we spoil the hell out of her
    Food - $10-20 monthly plus treats (throw in about $15 for those)
    Stuff she's destroyed - $1000+ 🙂

    Kisses late at night before going to bed - priceless. 😉


  • @torchsong:

    Basing a lot of this off memory…

    Dog - $600
    Cage/Crate - $80
    Vaccinations - $150 I think.
    Microchipping (came with the dog)
    Toys - $200 - we spoil the hell out of her
    Food - $10-20 monthly plus treats (throw in about $15 for those)
    Stuff she's destroyed - $1000+ 🙂

    Kisses late at night before going to bed - priceless. 😉

    Every living thing costs money - certainly. I honestly don't remember shelling out huge amounts. Yes - a vet visit here and there is an abnormal non-monthly fee. But - whenever me, husband or son gets ill - a co-pay here and trips to the drug-store all add up too. My wire crate was fortunately on sale at Pet Supplies Plus - around $40-$45. After a year, I bought another one for Daisy - same sale price. But I like the "kisses-priceless" comment. I forgive all the expensive items ruined by my two chewers. My material girl days have diminished since Duke entered my world 2 years ago. I long for nice things again - but am leaning on buying smarter and more durable lately. My bad for leaving open my undies drawer - and anyone elses bad for leaving their things vulnerable to the dogs.


  • @Barklessdog:

    My wife said it was around $388.00

    Wow! That's still high. I'm looking at the print out of the bill for Cory's last shots: It breaks down to: 17.50 Bordetella
    17.35 Rabies 1 year booster
    25.42 Brief Exam
    41.20 Heartworm Snap Test
    40.89 6 mo supply of Heartgard Plus

    I went to a different Vet for Jayden and I can't tell you how his bill breaks down because Jayden ate that part of it. Jayden didn't need any shots anyway.

    I just can't imagine why there is such a difference. Even the difference between the cost of living up there and down here (and Savannah is more expensive to live than a lot of places in Georgia) shouldn't account for that kind of price gap.

    Pat


  • annual visits cost us 60.. but mias first check up was only 14 dollars.. last month she got the DHLPP shot and that was only like 12 dollars and the worms test was like 10.


  • I would for sure check around for a vet – mine has low prices but he also doesn't have a super fancy office like the one within walking distance from my house. I liked his attitude and his ability to explain things and the way he listens to my concerns. And though he doesn't always jump on the latest research right away (he still gives 2 yr rabies for example) he doesn't poo-poo anything.


  • When we got our dogs several vets said they would not take Basenji's.


  • This thread makes me cringe.
    To actually sit here and figure out how much money we have spent on our 2 basenji's. Oah My God!!!!

    Chance cost 800.00
    Kiya cost 850.00

    Their shots cost anywhere between 50.00 to 75.00 per shot.
    Chance will be getting "snipped" this weekend and that will cost approx $498.00
    Yes the vet bills are a little high but we will not settle for a vet who does not know the breed. We drive 45 min out of our way just to see our vet. He is great with our fur kids and we know that they are safe in his care.

    Crates:
    First crate was 70.00 (puppy crate)
    second crate was 100.00 (a little bigger)
    Third Crate 140.00 (condo crate)

    Baby gates:
    (this is due to trial and error…basenji's are sneaky little ones)
    We have gone through 4 or 5 gates with an estimated cost of 400.00 for the gates.
    One gate was too large and they just squeezed right through. Another was too short and Chance jumped right over it.

    Toys: I have not a clue in the world anymore...now they just chew old socks and odds and ends. 🙂


  • @Vanessa:

    This thread makes me cringe.
    To actually sit here and figure out how much money we have spent on our 2 basenji's. Oah My God!!!!

    Chance cost 800.00
    Kiya cost 850.00

    Their shots cost anywhere between 50.00 to 75.00 per shot.
    Chance will be getting "snipped" this weekend and that will cost approx $498.00
    Yes the vet bills are a little high but we will not settle for a vet who does not know the breed. We drive 45 min out of our way just to see our vet. He is great with our fur kids and we know that they are safe in his care.

    Crates:
    First crate was 70.00 (puppy crate)
    second crate was 100.00 (a little bigger)
    Third Crate 140.00 (condo crate)

    Baby gates:
    (this is due to trial and error…basenji's are sneaky little ones)
    We have gone through 4 or 5 gates with an estimated cost of 400.00 for the gates.
    One gate was too large and they just squeezed right through. Another was too short and Chance jumped right over it.

    Toys: I have not a clue in the world anymore...now they just chew old socks and odds and ends. 🙂

    Small price to pay for all that JOY!:D 😃 😃


  • The vaccinations themselves aren't that much ($15-$20 per), but everything else that is done, i.e., the office visit ($15), the wellness exam ($20), the heartworm/lymes blood test ($ I forget), the six-panel thyroid ($80), the heartworm medication ($ I forget again), the fecal ($ more forgetfulness). So yearly, even though I don't vaccinate yearly, it comes to $150-$200 for the vet. Fingers crossed, Magnum's a healthy boy who hasn't had to visit the vet more than yearly.


  • Hold on a second – a vet that said s/he wouldn't examine basenjis?
    I'd report that vet to the state board!!!

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