Our new vet has really taken advantage of us.

[bamawife]

I called around to local vets a couple of days ago to see how much allergy testing and serum was. Here are the results:

1) Allergy Test cost $180
Serum cost $165 (approx)

2) Allergy Test $191
Serum $172

3) Allergy Test $202
Serum $168

What we paid: Allergy Test $350
Serum $500 (2 bottles)

We have seriously been taken advantage of!!!!!!!!! We are absolutely sick over this.

[kjc]

Wow! That's quite a difference!

Did you ask him about it? And ask him if it's worth losing a client for a lifetime to make that extra money?

[bamawife]

I am seeing them on Wednesday. I did tell them on the phone that I felt that was exceptionally high. They proceeded to tell me they were giving me a $100 discount!!! Really??!! I plan to let them know what I think when I see them face to face. My husband and I are pissed. I understand some vets cost more than others. However, this is ridiculous.

[Perrella]

Good for you for comfronting your vet and letting him know. So sorry this happened to you...it's just wrong.

[bamawife]

We felt like we were doing the right thing by going to this vet. He came highly recommended. However, he is no more educated than the other vets around here and they all went to the exact same veterinary school--Auburn University. His clinic is not any nicer than the other clinics in this area. He does have more staff, though. When I questioned the $500 over the phone, the little vet tech told me, "well, we're giving you a $100 discount and you will receive syringes, a tote bag, a little cooler for traveling with the serum, a chart to keep up with alternating the serum, etc...." I'm sorry but just give me the serum and keep all of your swag!!! Grrr. The more I think about it the more angry I get.

[bchgirl]

What are your dog's symptoms?
for years I worked for a human allergist...the only people who had true benefits were asthmatics. The others had to continue taking otc meds or prescriptions to control the symptoms. The shots did not "cure" them.

[bamawife]

Itching, gnawing, rubbing his head and ears on carpet and furniture, severe hot spots that turn into bacterial infections. He has also had yeast infections.

[bchgirl]

What do you feed?

[bchgirl]

Hot spots are cause from the scratching.

[bamawife]

I feed Blue Buffalo and Wellness. For treats he gets all homemade, natural food....sweet potatoes, bananas, apples, watermelon, peanut butter, cheerios, etc...

[bchgirl]

Switch to grain free foods. Both blue buffalo and wellness contain grains. Number one reasons for allergies is grain.

The shots aren't going to help if what he's allergic to is the grain in his food.

[my2boyz]

I agree...switch to a good grain free and possibly potato free food. That's what I had to do for Megan and almost all of her allergy issues are gone after just a few weeks. We are now feeding raw for some meals and grain free/potato free kibble for others to keep her weight up. She's like a new dog!

Also, the prices you quoted sound like our vet...I think we paid $380.00 for allergy tests. Other vets in our area are cheaper but the one I go to is traditional vet medicine and holistic so that 'may' have something to do with the pricing...I don't know.

We still use our old vet for dentals because he is a certified canine dentist and there are only about 100 of them world wide so I expect to pay a little more to see him but I feel the drive (86 miles one way) and the cost are worth it.

It is frustrating though when similar vets have such different pricing for the same services.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Switch to grain free foods. Both blue buffalo and wellness contain grains. Number one reasons for allergies is grain.

The shots aren't going to help if what he's allergic to is the grain in his food.

Not necessarily true. While I prefer grain-free (I like it for it's lower carb options), the most common allergens are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, and fish... beef, dairy and wheat account for 68% of all dog food allergies.

I've determined just through trial & error, that Jax is a bit sensitive (morelike an intolerance than an allergy) to chicken and barley. Usually foods with them cause larger softer poos and he gets a bit itchy. But food allergies only actually affect 10% of dogs.

[bamawife]

Originally Posted by Britster

Not necessarily true. While I prefer grain-free (I like it for it's lower carb options), the most common allergens are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, and fish... beef, dairy and wheat account for 68% of all dog food allergies.

I've determined just through trial & error, that Jax is a bit sensitive (morelike an intolerance than an allergy) to chicken and barley. Usually foods with them cause larger softer poos and he gets a bit itchy. But food allergies only actually affect 10% of dogs.

The vet also told us there was no need to change his food. I will get a copy of the results this week and see exactly what his allergies are. I do know that his list of allergies is so long that they could not make just one serum for him...he will have 2 different serums and I will give him shots on alternating days.

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by bamawife

I called around to local vets a couple of days ago to see how much allergy testing and serum was. Here are the results:

1) Allergy Test cost $180
Serum cost $165 (approx)

2) Allergy Test $191
Serum $172

3) Allergy Test $202
Serum $168

What we paid: Allergy Test $350
Serum $500 (2 bottles)

We have seriously been taken advantage of!!!!!!!!! We are absolutely sick over this.

Are these prices the exact test you had? What test was it?