My Vet Reference/Pet Insurance...

[Protege79]

When we got our puppy a few months back I discovered Banfield Pet Hospital, which is located in most PetSmart stores. I paid like $120 upfront and am paying $20/month for all of my puppy's vet needs. I saved hundreds on all the vaccinations and spay. Plus, they're open on weekends so it's not an inconvenience keeping appointments. It's cool cause you're only locked in for a year, so once you get through the puppy stage you can cancel w/out penalty. Here's the link to find one near you...

Banfield Pet Hospital



I'm only speaking from my experience, so if anyone's had a bad experience with them feel free to speak up.

[The Golden Child]

i just went there the other day to get my dog checked up ..
cause he fought with his older brother and got his arm sliced ..
not deep but it was still bad and the bill was like $500 something ..
got it knocked down to like $300 something ..
but they didnt even stitch him up or anything just gave me medicine so he can take it and some band aids ..
$300 something for just band aid and medicine what a rip off ..

[The Ren]

I'd becareful with Banfield.. I used to work at the one in Kennesaw.. they are corporate medicine.. and they have lots of rules... they wont be nearly as good as a privately owned vet.. the plan you are paying for is fairly decent for a puppy but it will automatically renue every year and after the first year unless your going to be bringing your dog in every week for the hell of it.. the plan isnt worth it anymore.. you can get a full yearly for $117 at my vet I work for now... less then an adult banfield plan...

[LQQKITZME]

yeah some vets are reasonable.. just beware of offices with more then one doctor they get paid commision

[The Golden Child]

I'd becareful with Banfield.. I used to work at the one in Kennesaw.. they are corporate medicine.. and they have lots of rules... they wont be nearly as good as a privately owned vet.. the plan you are paying for is fairly decent for a puppy but it will automatically renue every year and after the first year unless your going to be bringing your dog in every week for the hell of it.. the plan isnt worth it anymore.. you can get a full yearly for $117 at my vet I work for now... less then an adult banfield plan...

http://forums.importatlanta.com/showthread.php?t=80726

read this Ren ..

[The Ren]

yeah some vets are reasonable.. just beware of offices with more then one doctor they get paid commision

That is complete and total bullshit.. I have worked at around 6-7 vets and all of them had between 3 and 8 doctors.. and they dont get paid on comission.. well banfied does.. but anyways.. If your really looking for a good vet.. do research.. try and get some feed back from people who go there.. you want to know what other clients think.. big clinics arnt bad.. but you wanna make sure you get personal attention... The oath that all of us take (vets and registered tech) is to do whats best for the pet and client... its not to make money.. and if that is what the vet is about.. you dont want to be a client there.. I could recommend some great vets around the atl, conyers, kennesaw, and gwinnett area..

[Protege79]

Thanks for the input.

Personally, had I not signed up for the puppy wellness plan, I would've had to fork out over $600 for her vaccinations every 3 weeks and her spay, plus she's fragile and fell off the couch and hurt herself and it was free to get her checked out. Paying $20/month gives me the peace of mind to know that if something more serious ever happens or she takes another tumble, I don't have to have hundreds stashed away for an emergency office visit. That's not to say I won't have to fork out money for x-rays or major surgery, but it does include free office visits, regular exams, vaccinations, spay/neuter, dental care, lab work and discounts on other services.

As far as it being "corporate medicine", my husband and I are on an HMO ourselves, so although I love my baby girl dearly I'm fine with taking her to Banfield over a private veterinary practice, it's just proved to be the more convenient and affordable alternative for us thus far. Plus, they are really nice and Minnie likes going to PetSmart...it means she gets treats!

[The Ren]

It may work for you.. and if it does.. great.. Im just saying after working at Banfield for two years.. I learned alot of the problems with the plan... like i said its decent for a puppy.. but after that its a crock of shit.. and it will automatically renue every year now unless you call and cancel it...

[SpoolBus]

yeah great advice ren considering the other advice/ad in your Sig...

[TIGERJC]

I HAD nothing but good experiences with Banfield Pet Hospital. I had a cocker spaniel that was 13 years old and he went to same doctor since he was a puppy. The vet had his own private pet hospital, but when my dog turned 10, he closed up his private practice and he transferred to petsmart where he was the main vet. Only he looked at my cocker spaniel and He cared more about my dog b/c he new my dog since he was a puppy. Well around my dogs 11th birthday, my mom decided to get the top dollar health insurance plan for my dog since he was getting older. Well as soon as my dog turned 13, he went through the final steps of death. He had over 20 x rays done and over $300 worth of medicine, and also about 10 hospital visits before he died. Also stuff went to labs to get tested and also other things like putting my boy to sleep, and the insurance plan covered a good percentage of the total cost. I think our expenses could have came in at over 3k if we didn’t have insurance, but we only paid $500 to cover the expenses.

I wouldnt get the insurance for a puppy, unless the puppy is always at the vet getting stuff done. I think the insurance is perfect for older dogs

[The Golden Child]

my Vet reminds me when Joy needs to get her shots and stuff ..