Doggie Demotologists and Pet Insurance
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Doggie Demotologists and Pet Insurance
Submitted by wautoma54982 on April 20, 2010 - 11:57pmI have an almost 4 year old female Bullie. Two years ago, she kept getting hot spots, etc. Our vet had her tested for allergies. We found out she was allergic to almost EVERYTHING! We give her an allergy shot once a month. Everything had been going well up until about 3 months ago. She started getting an ear infection, her eyes have started to water causing the wrinkes on her face to become very red and irritated and she has also developed issues with her tail pocket. Enough said...to make a long story short...we had her retested for allergies and are currently waiting for the NEW "formula" to arrive at the vet so we can get back to giving her the shots.
Here are my questions:
A) I was on this site a couple of weeks ago reading up on what everyone had to say about ear infections. Some poor man had written in and estimated that he had already spent $25,000.00 on his bulldog's medical issues. Someone suggested a Pet Insurance. It was not VPI because we had that before but dropped it due to the "pre-existing" limitations. Does anyone know what that insurance is called and if it is reputible?
B) Many of you have suggested a "doggie dematologist" and had lots of luck going this route. One of Maddie's ears are just about shut right now and I was going to call her vet on Monday (assuming and fearing that surgery would be inevitable), but now I am wondering "How do I find a doggie demotologist"? We live in central Wisconsin, in the boonies, so if anyone is from Wisconsin and knows of a doggie demotogist in the state OR the best way to go about finding one, I would appreciate the information.
C) Finally, is a doggie demotologist REALLY less expensive than a vet? I find that so hard to believe but am willing to give it a try especially if it works. The poor thing is just so miserable, it breaks my heart!
a suggestion
Heather
not sure if you are aware, but there is a program out there called Care Credit. You can use it to pay for costly veterinary bills. We had a bulldog with lymphoma and was undergoing chemo and we used it to pay for his care. They have plans out there where you can have a year to pay, interest free. You need to ask your vet if they accept the plan. If it turns out that there is a lot of initial cost in getting the allergies under control, this may be a way to help defer the cost a little. It sure helped us. Anyway, it is just a suggestion.
I wish you much success. Just remember, the changes in your dogs condition will not occur over night. I wish you good luck with this.
a suggestion
Heather
not sure if you are aware, but there is a program out there called Care Credit. You can use it to pay for costly veterinary bills. We had a bulldog with lymphoma and was undergoing chemo and we used it to pay for his care. They have plans out there where you can have a year to pay, interest free. You need to ask your vet if they accept the plan. If it turns out that there is a lot of initial cost in getting the allergies under control, this may be a way to help defer the cost a little. It sure helped us. Anyway, it is just a suggestion.
I wish you much success. Just remember, the changes in your dogs condition will not occur over night. I wish you good luck with this.
Animal Dermatologist
I have been a client of an animal dermatologist for years....over 10 years now. I would HIGHLY recommend using one. We had a bulldog that had lots of skin issues, did the testing, gave the allergy shots, changed the food. He also had an ear issue where the ear canal was almost closed. My regular vet told me that he would need surgery. We went back to the dermatologist who changed our meds and within a few weeks that ear started to open up, and long story short, he never needed the surgery. Our bulldog vet, who is very respected, could not believe the difference in that ear. So with that said, a veterinary dermatologist is a life saver if you have an allergic dog. They are NOT cheap, but that is what they treat all day, every day, and so they are more experienced in dealing with different skin issues, cysts, lumps and bumps. I probably spent the majority of my time there rather then my regular vet.
Now, where to find one. If you do not have one listed in your area, contact the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and ask for a referral in your area. I got my referral from my regular vet. I had to drive a half hour each time but it was well worth it in my opinion.
I have friends that drive down 3 hours to see my dermatologist because he has helped their bulldogs as well and there is not one closer to them.
Animal Dermatologist
I have been a client of an animal dermatologist for years....over 10 years now. I would HIGHLY recommend using one. We had a bulldog that had lots of skin issues, did the testing, gave the allergy shots, changed the food. He also had an ear issue where the ear canal was almost closed. My regular vet told me that he would need surgery. We went back to the dermatologist who changed our meds and within a few weeks that ear started to open up, and long story short, he never needed the surgery. Our bulldog vet, who is very respected, could not believe the difference in that ear. So with that said, a veterinary dermatologist is a life saver if you have an allergic dog. They are NOT cheap, but that is what they treat all day, every day, and so they are more experienced in dealing with different skin issues, cysts, lumps and bumps. I probably spent the majority of my time there rather then my regular vet.
Now, where to find one. If you do not have one listed in your area, contact the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and ask for a referral in your area. I got my referral from my regular vet. I had to drive a half hour each time but it was well worth it in my opinion.
I have friends that drive down 3 hours to see my dermatologist because he has helped their bulldogs as well and there is not one closer to them.
Thank You
THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Your bulldog sounds EXACTLY like what our Maddie is going through. Our vet is telling us the same thing...surgery. I was able to come up with a couple of demotologists in WI and they are both approx. 1 hour from us, which isn't bad since we are literally in the middle of the state! I didn't think that they would be cheap, but from experience, many, many times, I know that putting a bulldog under for any surgery is never cheap! And if it works, that is more $ saved in the future. She is only 4 so hopefully we have AT LEAST 6 more good years left. If she could be comfortable for the rest of her lazy, spoiled life, than we are willing to try just about anything. THANK YOU again!
Thank You
THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Your bulldog sounds EXACTLY like what our Maddie is going through. Our vet is telling us the same thing...surgery. I was able to come up with a couple of demotologists in WI and they are both approx. 1 hour from us, which isn't bad since we are literally in the middle of the state! I didn't think that they would be cheap, but from experience, many, many times, I know that putting a bulldog under for any surgery is never cheap! And if it works, that is more $ saved in the future. She is only 4 so hopefully we have AT LEAST 6 more good years left. If she could be comfortable for the rest of her lazy, spoiled life, than we are willing to try just about anything. THANK YOU again!