I was wondering who you pet lovers take your animals to when they need "doctoring" -- everything from preventive shots to illness. Do you like your pet's vet? Why?

I have 2 dogs, and every visit for preventive stuff comes to about $130 each. That's alot of money -- at least to me. Plus they are constantly on us about getting them dental cleanings (which we have done once -- but that's another $120 or so, each), "screening" blood work because they are now "seniors", etc.

I think the quality of care is okay, but the cost and prodding for more and more things to have done has me wondering if there's not someone else out there I should give a try. Is the grass greener somewhere else?

Mid-Atlantic is good, out on Professional Court. Some of the doctors are better than the boss out there. Probably a little expensive, but comparatively, who knows. The one out on Virginia Av, Cumberland Valley, I've heard is a little less expensive. But the old time doc's have left, leaving a new team. Dental cleanings are important, but very well may be the cash cow for vets.

My 5 kitties go to Mid-Atlantic.

There is a vet in Funkstown I use to take my cats to. She was very nice and very reasonable. I have friends that use the vet office in Inwood. It is very reasonable.

I live in Cascade but take my dogs to Wayne Heights animal hopsital in Waynesboro. I LOVE my vet, Dr. Kerfoot. She is so great with the dogs.

I know what you mean about expenses though. I took my two dogs there this week and it came to $380.00! That was for regular checkups, heartworm tests, heartworm pills, frontline, and one got a rabies shot. They want to do a dental cleaning on my older dog. My husband and I can't even afford to go to the Dentist, Geez!

My husky tested positive for lyme disease! She has to be on antibiotics for a month

Dr Kerfoot formerly of Park Circle?
Saw her on a weekend emergency some time back. She was VERY impressive.

I use Animal Health Clinic of Funkstown. Decent prices and friendly service. They do always offer the extra tests, teeth cleaning, flea stuff, etc. but they don't push hard. At this point, I think nearly all vets are offering the extras.

A few months back, I had to use the weekend, on call vet for a minor "emergency" and it was the guy at Mid-Atlantic on Professional Court. I was very impressed with him and would consider changing (but I'm much too lazy for that).

I think Kerfoot was at Park Circle at some time. I used to go there. I really only had basic services done for my two cats and can't complain about the prices. My parents use Cumberland Valley. They always seem so busy. We've had several emergencies with the dogs and cats at my parents and they were always very willing to take them right away or even rush to the vet hospital after hours. I swear I think my parents need pet insurance. That's what you get with outside pets though.



I read somewhere that it couldn't be detected in animals. We use frontline on the outside critters and it pretty much keeps all ticks and fleas off. Poor doggy. I had lyme disease two years ago. It's not fun at all. I felt like I was 200 years old with a fever.

The dog goes to Mercersburg Veterinary Clinic, goats don't anymore. He charged me an office visit for each of the 3 goats when I took them for a rabies shot (yes, they get rabies shots - who knows whats wandering around in the field with them), and they stayed in the back of the truck the whole time.

Now we have Judy Jaxtheimer come to the house for the goats. She doesn't have any bedside manners with humans, but she has them with the animals and she's cheap. Besides, she smokes, so I don't want her hanging around being friendly, anyhow!

Of course. She must be a horrible person if she smokes.

Don'tcha hate that Heather?

Yes, but it's so typical, Christopher. Ah well...

My cheap ass takes the cats to the rabies clinics offered by the health dept. $5 each. Otherwise, I take them to Longmeadow. Service is ok, but I'm not much of a judge since I'm a novice pet owner.

QUOTE
Besides, she smokes, so I don't want her hanging around being friendly, anyhow!



Of course. She must be a horrible person if she smokes. [QUOTE]



Well, cigarette smoke bothers my allergies and asthma, so I don't like to be around it. Additionally, my mother had lung cancer and then died of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), which was not a very pleasant way to die, so yes, I have a biased viewpoint.

Also, since she doctors the animals in their barn, which is filled with hay, I have an aversion to lit cigarettes being in there. She's doctoring goats who are only used to my husband and I. They get defensive when strangers are there, much less when that stranger sticks them with a needle. The male has been known to knock people down when he's afraid or mad - that's what I need; a lawsuit from her family for her death in a fire that was caused by her cigarette.

But nobody read the statement before that - she's NOT a pleasant person and DOESN'T have a pleasant personality. That's the most important reason I don't care that she doesn't stick around to visit.

Sorry, Sheash. I wasn't exactly picturing her smoking while performing on the job duties. Thanks for taking the time to clarify. I understand your comment now.

My goodness sheash, Why don't you tell us how you really feel? Hope she doesn't read these forums.

Frankly, Iron Horse, I don't care if she does read the boards. I pay her to take care of my goats, not be my friend.

And if she does read the boards, I don't think she'd be offended. Several of our friends and some of the farmers around here have had the same experiences. 5 years ago or so our friends had a horse who was sick and had to be put down, but he was too attached to the horse and couldn't do it, so he called her. She was very rude to him, shot the horse in a manner that upset him very much, demanded her money, and left.

She's just not a nice person.

I think PetSmart offers vaccines for a relatively affordable fee...

I take my animals to Cumberland Valley. I found the doctors to be competent and the fees were less than Park Circle.

I have also taken pets in the past to Waynesboro Veterinary Clinic. They were very good and really affordable, just not convenient for me.

Best vet in the area is at Waynesboro Vet Clinic. Very reasonable with the costs.

Cumberland Valley is nice and reasonably priced. I've been taking one cat there regularly for an allergy shot every six weeks. It sometimes looks like a zoo there, because they have so many dog grooming customers. But when one of my other kitties seemed to have a urinary tract problem. I took him right in, without an appointment, and they took him right away, admitted him to the kitty hospital, and fixed him up. Very nice people.

Just took the crazy dog to the Funkstown vet office...

Very clean facility.
Up to date technology.
Friendly staff (all women).



Ok Funkstown, since i gave you a plug, how about a discount on my dog's teeth cleaning?

Whenever I take my pooch to Funkstown for being ill (vs. general maintenance), I like how they give you a followup call to check on him a day or two later. Do all vets do that?

I take my pets to Longmeadow... I think the vet is top-notch... she seems to really care about animals.

They give us a follow-up call if my animal is sick... but no call if it's just a checkup or vaccination.

From what I understand, Virginia Scriniver is a local success story. She started her career at Hagerstown Junior College and completed vet school at Ohio State. She is a wonderful veterinarian, loves animals, and has lots of educational programs for the public at her clinic. Glad you like her, because she deserves it.

What is the average price of a pooch teeth cleaning around here?

I think it was in the $100-$150 range for my 75lbs. lab at Funkstown.

Depends on the size of the dog.

Avg. size dog about a hundred or so plus another thirty for pre-operative screening (necessary to rule out any heart problems and such, that might occur under anesthesia) plus extra for extractions if necessary.

ok.

my dog has anxiety and chews his steel cage when trying to get out while i am gone from time to time... so, he broke all of his canines in the past year or so. I am thinking he will need a few extractions. cha-chinggggggggg........

Have you talked with your vet about your dog's seperation anxiety? They can prescribe "doggy-Prozac" type meds to calm your dog down a little.

This reminds me of a bit I saw on 20/20 years ago about dogs with seperation anxiety. They set up hidden cameras in the house and recorded the dog's behavior after the owners left for the day. The dog was chewing everything and generally bouncing off the walls. The funniest part was when the mail was dropped through the door slot, the dog immediately set upon it and shredded the mail to pieces.

My dog had severe separation anxiety for a few years... from about 6 months to 2 years. We couldn't crate him at all. The moment we stepped out of his sight he FREAKED out. It took a lot of training, love and patience, but now he's basically over it.

Okay, any updates on the "good vets" subject? I'm pissed at the Funkstown place -- for several reasons. For one, this is the 3rd time out of the last 4 that we had to wait from 45 minutes to 2 hours after our appointment time to be graced with the presence of the vet, even on "non-surgery" days and with only 1 other non-emergency person in the place. And the fees are getting outlandish.

Anyone specifically good for older dogs?

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Mid Atlantic Vet out on Professional Ct off Eastern Bl. Dan Franklin is the greatest surgeon in the area. His associate vets, Hanna, Turfel, and the other guy, can't remember his name, Schmidt maybe. Maury just left the practice to move out of the area.

They all truly care about your furry companion. They've cried right along with me when I've had to put some of my guys down for inoperable health problems.

Feel free to PM me for "special" consideration.

Now, I'm not saying you may not have to wait, but all the vets there are exceptional.

I'll cast my vote again for Long Meadow.

The vet there is on the Board for the Humane Society, and she volunteers a lot of time and money to the cause (including providing spay/neuter services). She's definitely an animal lover.

Even though we moved out of H-town, I still take my German Pinscher to her. (And there's another vet only 2 miles from me in G-castle.) I've never waited longer than 15 minutes for an appointment. She's definitely an animal lover. Sympathetic, compassionate, and she knows her stuff, too.