What You Need to Know About Paying Your Vet: Bone up on how much it will cost to keep Fido frisky

摘要

PREPARE FOR STICKER SHOCK. Americans spent $10.1 billion on veterinary care last year. If your cat comes down with pneumonia, the bill could run $1,900. Cancer therapy for a dog averages nearly $3,600, and patching up a pooch hurt in a car accident could cost you almost $4,900. James Busby, author of How to Afford Veterinary Care Without Mortgaging the Kids, suggests that modern vets push "the most expensive and intense testing and treatment." Busby, himself a 68-year-old veterinarian, recommends that pet owners ask upfront about all treatment options and costs, including for routine care. For example, many vets vaccinate dogs every year. But according to an American Animal Hospital Association study, adult dogs need most shots only once every three years.