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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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The cost of pet ownership
As someone who will be looking at shelters, breeders, vets, etc. within this year for a dog, I wanted to know from you what should be expected.
Barring unexpected medical issues (which we would plan for and look into pet insurance for), there are also:
Shots / vaccinations
Food / bowl
Collar / leash
Pet shampoo
Brushes
Toys
Dog bed / blanket
Cleaning products for accidents
Proper fencing for yard
Crate for transportation
and I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting.
If you could give me a general idea of the finances involved in caring for a dog - especially a dog the size of a Labrador Retreiver - I would appreciate it! 
ALSO, if someone knows of a reputable Vet in the Smithtown area, I would greatly appreciate that too.
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Posted 1/13/08 2:39 PM  |
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meghanmetz
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/05 525 total posts
Name:
Meghan
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
on top of shots/vaccinations, I also give my dog heartworm preventative ($13/mo), dont know if you need it on long island, would assume so, and frontline (flea/tick prevenative another $10 or so a month). We didnt use frontline at first till he started getting ticks on him, and then, well frontline it was. Some are anti frontline, do whats best for you and your dog.
also, while you need a crate for transport, if you plan to crate train, Id make sure the crate works for both (transport and training), the crate for our dog is a little too big for transport, even when its collapsed down.
I know you mentioned grooming products, if you are going to do it yourself, you'll need clippers, and if its a long haired dog, grooming sheers. Cutting my dogs nails is TORTURE, he HATES it, so we bring him to the groomers once a month for a shampoo/nailcut/ear cleaning (he's shorthaired so no need for any other grooming). It's $20/mo.
Prices of foods also varywidely. I've generally heard to shy away from foods you can buy at a supermarket, but its a personal decision and what works best for you and your dog. I spend about $30 ~$35 ona 40lb bag of dog food. Lasts a little over a month.
Also, if you get a puppy, consider cost of training classes.
We;ve been through at least 3 collars and 4 leashes after our dog got to them and chewed them. Things we didnt include at first (and learned our lesson about).
Microchipping is also important.
And the most important thing of all - PATIENCE, which unfortunately, youcan't buy (and im always in short supply of).
Good luck in your search!
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| Posted 1/13/08 2:55 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Dental care is important too - we brush our dogs' teeth about 3 times a week. We also give them a daily vitamin.
As for a vet, I highly recommend Dr. Star at St. James Animal Hospital
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| Posted 1/13/08 3:03 PM |
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luckysmom
Yes it is! Going as planned:)
Member since 6/07 5339 total posts
Name:
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by meghanmetz
on top of shots/vaccinations, I also give my dog heartworm preventative ($13/mo), dont know if you need it on long island, would assume so, and frontline (flea/tick prevenative another $10 or so a month). We didnt use frontline at first till he started getting ticks on him, and then, well frontline it was. Some are anti frontline, do whats best for you and your dog.
also, while you need a crate for transport, if you plan to crate train, Id make sure the crate works for both (transport and training), the crate for our dog is a little too big for transport, even when its collapsed down.
I know you mentioned grooming products, if you are going to do it yourself, you'll need clippers, and if its a long haired dog, grooming sheers. Cutting my dogs nails is TORTURE, he HATES it, so we bring him to the groomers once a month for a shampoo/nailcut/ear cleaning (he's shorthaired so no need for any other grooming). It's $20/mo.
Prices of foods also varywidely. I've generally heard to shy away from foods you can buy at a supermarket, but its a personal decision and what works best for you and your dog. I spend about $30 ~$35 ona 40lb bag of dog food. Lasts a little over a month.
Also, if you get a puppy, consider cost of training classes.
We;ve been through at least 3 collars and 4 leashes after our dog got to them and chewed them. Things we didnt include at first (and learned our lesson about).
Microchipping is also important.
And the most important thing of all - PATIENCE, which unfortunately, youcan't buy (and im always in short supply of).
Good luck in your search!
I agree with all of this. There are the puppy shots so in the beginning it can be very costly, then there are the shots that lots of vet recommend getting like the leptosperosis shot which i believe is yearly. Also the yearly vet visit, rabies shot. Heartworm they usually give you a 1 year supply when you buy it and frontline for a 3 month or a 6 month supply can be very costly throught the vet. There are other places you can get frontile from.
Having a new puppy can be very costly but if you have the time and are willing to put in the effort and devotion, it's so worth it.
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| Posted 1/13/08 3:36 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Thanks so much ladies... Keep 'em coming if you can! Can someone give me an idea of the cost of shots?
Also something VERY important - spaying/neutering! Just wanted to know if we're talking hundreds, over a thousand for Vet bills - chipping, fixing, shots...?
Posted by Shanti
As for a vet, I highly recommend Dr. Star at St. James Animal Hospital
That's wild. We could walk to appointments, that is exactly a half a mile from my house! 
Message edited 1/13/2008 4:06:39 PM.
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| Posted 1/13/08 4:06 PM |
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by greenfreak
Thanks so much ladies... Keep 'em coming if you can! Can someone give me an idea of the cost of shots?
We just paid a little over $400 for Lilly to be spayed on Friday - She's a little 10 pound nothing. It might be more for a larger dog.
I knew having a dog would be expensive, but it's totally worth it! 
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| Posted 1/13/08 4:15 PM |
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luckysmom
Yes it is! Going as planned:)
Member since 6/07 5339 total posts
Name:
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
My dogs shots cost about $36 a shot. But like you said earlier you have to be prepaired for emergency situations. We had a dog that was diagnosed with diabetes when he was about 9. For 4 years we had to give him insulin shots twice a day. Without food he cost us about $200 a month and that is without the vet visits. At one point he cost us $4000 in a course of 2 days. So u have to be prepared for stuff like that as well.  that you don't have to deal with stuff like that but it can happen. We looked into pet insurance for my other dogs after our diabetic was diagnosed but i would not have covered what we went through with him and some other things i was more concerned about. The vet visit for us is about $30 to walk in the door. Spaying or neutering price depends on the sex. one of them tend to have to stay overnight for some reason, i forget if it is males or females. It can run a couple of hundred dollars. But it is healthier in the long run. There is a site, i think it is friendsofanimals.org, that will find a vet and do it at low cost.
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| Posted 1/13/08 4:16 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Thanks so much for all the information. We had been planning to put up a new fence around our whole backyard. We just found out today that the longest section of fence will be replaced by our neighbors soon enough!
So that will save us a lot of dough. It sounds like we should put a few thousand away, earmarked for our first dog.
We would like to adopt an older dog first, possibly from LI Labrador Retriever Rescue, that normally wouldn't get adopted as fast because of age. In that case, the earlier Vet costs would be taken care of.
Thanks again, we just want to make sure we're prepared financially for such a big decision!
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| Posted 1/13/08 4:47 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by luckysmom
Posted by meghanmetz
on top of shots/vaccinations, I also give my dog heartworm preventative ($13/mo), dont know if you need it on long island, would assume so, and frontline (flea/tick prevenative another $10 or so a month). We didnt use frontline at first till he started getting ticks on him, and then, well frontline it was. Some are anti frontline, do whats best for you and your dog.
also, while you need a crate for transport, if you plan to crate train, Id make sure the crate works for both (transport and training), the crate for our dog is a little too big for transport, even when its collapsed down.
I know you mentioned grooming products, if you are going to do it yourself, you'll need clippers, and if its a long haired dog, grooming sheers. Cutting my dogs nails is TORTURE, he HATES it, so we bring him to the groomers once a month for a shampoo/nailcut/ear cleaning (he's shorthaired so no need for any other grooming). It's $20/mo.
Prices of foods also varywidely. I've generally heard to shy away from foods you can buy at a supermarket, but its a personal decision and what works best for you and your dog. I spend about $30 ~$35 ona 40lb bag of dog food. Lasts a little over a month.
Also, if you get a puppy, consider cost of training classes.
We;ve been through at least 3 collars and 4 leashes after our dog got to them and chewed them. Things we didnt include at first (and learned our lesson about).
Microchipping is also important.
And the most important thing of all - PATIENCE, which unfortunately, youcan't buy (and im always in short supply of).
Good luck in your search!
I agree with all of this. There are the puppy shots so in the beginning it can be very costly, then there are the shots that lots of vet recommend getting like the leptosperosis shot which i believe is yearly. Also the yearly vet visit, rabies shot. Heartworm they usually give you a 1 year supply when you buy it and frontline for a 3 month or a 6 month supply can be very costly throught the vet. There are other places you can get frontile from.
Having a new puppy can be very costly but if you have the time and are willing to put in the effort and devotion, it's so worth it.
ITA with all of this. Regarding the insurance, the ASPCA now offers insurance, and any profits go back to the ASPCA. Check out their website for more info.
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| Posted 1/14/08 11:11 AM |
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
Name:
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
I highly recommend Sentinel. It's a Heartworm/Flea preventive in one pill. It would be around $90 for a 6 month supply for a large dog. Katie has never had a flea.
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| Posted 1/14/08 12:53 PM |
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TheLorax
LOVE
Member since 2/06 5581 total posts
Name:
Suzanne / SuzBride
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
I use Dr. Pete at Hauppauge Animal Hospital. He actually travels some days and is in the office some days, which works out well cause my older cat HATES the car so he comes to my house! 
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| Posted 1/14/08 5:27 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by greenfreak
Thanks so much ladies... Keep 'em coming if you can! Can someone give me an idea of the cost of shots?
Also something VERY important - spaying/neutering! Just wanted to know if we're talking hundreds, over a thousand for Vet bills - chipping, fixing, shots...?
Posted by Shanti
As for a vet, I highly recommend Dr. Star at St. James Animal Hospital
That's wild. We could walk to appointments, that is exactly a half a mile from my house!
Very cool! Let me know if you go to him. We love them there
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| Posted 1/14/08 5:42 PM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by greenfreak
ALSO, if someone knows of a reputable Vet in the Smithtown area, I would greatly appreciate that too.
Charlotte, our angel, ADORES her Vet - and so do we! He is a wonderful man - and nice on the eyes  but his name is Dr. Marc Gurtman and he is at Commack Animal Hospital right across from Best Buy on Jericho - I would drive an hour to take her to him! He is just great with her, VERY personable and knowledgable - wonderful.
My sister also loves her Vet - in Nesconset - Dr. Lorraine Peterson on Terry Road - she is a great Vet.
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| Posted 1/14/08 6:17 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by DaniRella
Posted by greenfreak
ALSO, if someone knows of a reputable Vet in the Smithtown area, I would greatly appreciate that too.
Charlotte, our angel, ADORES her Vet - and so do we! He is a wonderful man - and nice on the eyes but his name is Dr. Marc Gurtman and he is at Commack Animal Hospital right across from Best Buy on Jericho - I would drive an hour to take her to him! He is just great with her, VERY personable and knowledgable - wonderful.
My sister also loves her Vet - in Nesconset - Dr. Lorraine Peterson on Terry Road - she is a great Vet.
Isn't it great to love your vet
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| Posted 1/17/08 9:36 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by dita
I highly recommend Sentinel. It's a Heartworm/Flea preventive in one pill. It would be around $90 for a 6 month supply for a large dog. Katie has never had a flea.
I never knew it was both!
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| Posted 1/17/08 9:54 PM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by Shanti
Posted by dita
I highly recommend Sentinel. It's a Heartworm/Flea preventive in one pill. It would be around $90 for a 6 month supply for a large dog. Katie has never had a flea.
I never knew it was both!
Actually, Frontline protects from both also...Misty is in the woods every day with deer and we never get fleas. Even the occasional tick is generally dead by the time we get to it.
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| Posted 1/17/08 9:56 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by Gertyrae
Posted by Shanti
Posted by dita
I highly recommend Sentinel. It's a Heartworm/Flea preventive in one pill. It would be around $90 for a 6 month supply for a large dog. Katie has never had a flea.
I never knew it was both!
Actually, Frontline protects from both also...Misty is in the woods every day with deer and we never get fleas. Even the occasional tick is generally dead by the time we get to it.
Good to know, thanks!
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| Posted 1/17/08 9:56 PM |
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Bowzie214
LIF Infant
Member since 7/07 138 total posts
Name:
valerie
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
We use Interceptor for heart worm medication. There is no need to use a heartworm AND flea-tick preventative if you're going to be using FrontLine. You can buy Interceptor from Center Moriches Animal Hospital for $50 for a year Rx. They've got the cheapest price on the island for that.(Plus Dr. Burka is AMAZING, I know it's a bit of a drive for you North Shore-ians JK!!!)
Also check out www.drsfostersmith.com for cheaper prices on Frontline then in any store. Your vet can also put your prescriptions through that site so you can get them at a better price.
STAY AWAY FROM PETCO (they're a rip off) 
Groomers should cost you no more then $35-$40 MAX. My girlfriend has two 80lb dogs and they cost her $35 each.
Vet office visits cost me $44 for an 'office visit'.
Shots are between $30-35 depending on what it's for.
(And if you end up going to your vet frequent enough you might be able to get a discount  ) LOL
GOOD LUCK!
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| Posted 1/17/08 10:45 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Bowzie, your dog is adorable! 
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| Posted 1/17/08 10:57 PM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by Bowzie214
We use Interceptor for heart worm medication. There is no need to use a heartworm AND flea-tick preventative if you're going to be using FrontLine.
Actually, from what I've read and spoken to my vet about you need both.
Frontline protects against fleas and ticks which will try to live on the body of the dog. The medication in Frontline kills the flea/tick when it is feeding.
Hearworm is a parasite passed by mosquito bites. The mosquito bites and flies away, so even if the Frontline killed the mosquito it could still have passed the heartworm into the dog.
Plus, you don't use Frontline in the cold weather (January, February, March) and the occasional warm spell can bring out mosquitos carrying the parasite.
I found this on the "Dog Owners Guide"
Once considered a parasite of southern climates, the heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is now recognized as a major, global pest affecting dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, and some other animals. From its discovery in dogs more than a century ago and the documentation in cats in the 1920s, researchers have devised diagnostic tests, preventives and treatments, but the disease has spread to all 50 states. According to the Heartworm Society, the highest infection rates occur in dogs (not maintained on heartworm preventive) within 150 miles of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries. Other areas with large mosquitoe populations also have a high rate of infestation.
To jog the concern of clients, veterinary clinics may display a preserved heart infected with heartworm in a jar and hang posters about heartworm life cycles in examining rooms, but seeing is not necessarily believing; although clients can view the infested heart loaded with long, spaghetti-like worms every time they visit, many gamble that their dogs will never be bitten by an infected mosquito.
Heartworm prevention is simple. It involves a blood draw to determine whether the parasite is present and regular dosing with preventive medication. Heartworm infestation is dangerous; untreated dogs die and treated dogs go through weeks of discomfort while the worms are killed and expelled from their bodies.
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The parasite
Parasites go through several life stages before emergence as adults and often need at least two hosts to complete the cycle. In heartworms, a mosquito serves as the intermediate host for the larval stage of the worm, also known as the microfilariae. The mosquito ingests the larva when it bites an infected dog and deposits its cargo in an uninfected dog when seeking another blood meal. The microfilariae burrow into the dog and undergo several changes to reach adult form, then travel to the right side of the heart through a vein and await the opportunity to reproduce. Adult heartworms can reach 12 inches in length and can remain in the dog’s heart for several years.
Dogs can have some microfilariae in their blood and worms in their lungs without manifesting the disease. Once the number of worms exceeds a certain number based on the size and activity level of the dog, however, the adult worms move to the heart and symptoms begin to occur. Very active dogs may experience symptoms with lower numbers of worms than couch-potato dogs.
The time lag between the initial infestation of microfilariae and reproduction by adult worms living in the heart is six-to-seven months in dogs.
Female heartworms bear live young – thousands of them in a day. These young – the microfilariae – circulate in the bloodstream for as long as three years, waiting to hitch a ride in a bloodsucking mosquito. They undergo changes in the mosquito that prepare them to infect a dog, and they transfer back to the original host species the next time the mosquito bites. The process of change in the mosquito takes about 10 days in warm climates, but can take six weeks in colder temperatures.
The worms grow and multiply, infesting the chambers on the right side of the heart and the arteries in the lungs. They can also lodge in the veins of the liver and the veins entering the heart. The first sign of heartworm infestation may not manifest for a year after infection, and even then the soft cough that increases with exercise may be dismissed as unimportant by the owner. But the cough worsens and the dog may actually faint from exertion; he tires easily, is weak and listless, loses weight and condition, and may cough up blood. Breathing becomes more difficult as the disease progresses. The progression is traumatic: the dog’s quality of life diminishes drastically and he can no longer retrieve a Frisbee or take a long walk in the park without respiratory distress. Congestive heart failure ensues, and the once-active, outgoing pet is in grave danger.
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| Posted 1/17/08 10:57 PM |
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Bowzie214
LIF Infant
Member since 7/07 138 total posts
Name:
valerie
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by Goobster
Bowzie, your dog is adorable!
THANKS!!!!
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| Posted 1/18/08 9:02 AM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
But a cold wet lick when you get home......priceless!!
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| Posted 1/18/08 11:13 AM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
And PS - Scout has been on Frontline since Day 1. AND heartworm med. I missed a month of the heartworm meds.(baby being born and all that stuff) and he got roundworm.
So I would recommend you do BOTH. But speak to your vet of course. They know best.
Message edited 1/18/2008 11:14:59 AM.
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| Posted 1/18/08 11:14 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Don't forget clothes, if you want your dog to be fashionable!!! haha
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| Posted 1/18/08 2:02 PM |
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Bowzie214
LIF Infant
Member since 7/07 138 total posts
Name:
valerie
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Re: The cost of pet ownership
Posted by Goobster
Don't forget clothes, if you want your dog to be fashionable!!! haha
MUST have the clothes!!!!!
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| Posted 1/18/08 3:50 PM |
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