clifto wrote:

If anyone has any suggestions for finding inexpensive chemotherapy for him,
please let me know. My own cancer last year, and Linus' $600 in tests, have
left us with little financial headroom. (No, this is not an appeal for money,
unless you can light your Cuban cigars with fifties instead of hundreds for
a few weeks.)


Sorry to hear such bad news. Are there any universities with vet
training within driving distance? They will give cheaper rates if they
can use the treatment as a training tool.

Many years ago, my sheltie went blind. We thought it was cataracts, and
the vet school was willing to do the surgery. We were willing to drive
the 600 miles, but they insisted on a specialist referral to make sure
the drive was worth it. Good thing. It was a genetic defect and not
something that can be fixed. They saved us the trip, but it would have
been well worth it if they could have fixed it.

You might also call around to see what vet pricing is in your area. If
you have a local craigslist, ask for recommendations.

I live in the Seattle area, right on the edge of Seatacm between two
cities -
Des Moines and Tukwila. Des Moines is a higher income area with
coastal property. The vet there is good, but very expensive. The vet in
Tukwila is cheaper, but pushy about adding on extra tests and stuff. I
don't really trust them.

My old vet is in West Seattle, over half an hour away. It's been over
20 years since we lived over there, but it's the same guy, and we trust
him. It's worth the drive. Standard stuff is about the same as teh
Tukwila vet - vaccinations, etc. Office calls are a tad more exensive,
but they give a discount for multiple, so we try to do standard exams
together. They don't push for extra stuff. And things like bloodwork
and surgery are a little cheaper than the Tukwila vet and a lot cheaper
than the Des Moines vet. And they are listed as a low coast spay/neuter
clinic.

So, sometimes, you will find a different in pricing simply because of
different neighborhoods. And just because it is cheaper doesn't mean it
is not as good. I tried the closer vet several times. I was willing to
pay more as it seemed like it would be less stressful to have it
closer, but I just didn't care for the multiple vet thing. I never got
the same vet, so I felt like I was starting over every time.

If you can ask around, you can get recommendations for vets, and they
can tell you if they are reasonably priced, pushy or not about
unneccesary things, competent, and trustworthy.