Well now I know personally why our insurance is so high

[MADem]

70. I have a dog that needs denamarin for liver issues.

The stuff is expensive, the dog doesn't like taking the regular pills (small dog/huge pill), so I get the chewables (also pricey) when I have to leave her with someone else so it's just one pill a day for her.

Otherwise, what I do is use 'human grade' ingredients that make up the medication--milk thistle and SAM-E. I give the dog the SAM-E on an empty stomach and the milk thistle with meals, and her bloodwork is coming along just fine. It's also much, MUCH cheaper to use these ingredients.

I got the dog as a rescue, knowing she had this issue and needed the meds, but she came without any and ordering takes a few days so I started her in on the human stuff rather than have her do without for several days. When I took her for her first check up with my vet I told him what I was doing; he is a very cool guy and isn't terribly proprietary about prescriptions (in fact, I told HIM they made Denamarin in a chewable--he was only stocking the regular stuff) and he said "Keep on doing what you're doing" because it's working fine.

If your vet is overcharging you for prescriptions, you might want to find another vet. And he shouldn't charge you for the prescription shift, either--if he does, that's a real red flag. Point out you wouldn't need to change if he didn't OVERCHARGE. Maybe ask around your area and see if you can't find someone who is a bit more simpatico?

The dog I got as a rescue was going to a vet who ripped off the old lady who owned the dog (she died and the poor dog was headed to the "needle" because the relatives didn't want her) with a lot of unnecessary testing and procedures; the lady loved the dog and would do ANYTHING for the little fart. My vet isn't going to fuck with a little old, somewhat frail, dog with medical issues unless there's no other way of handling it. I'm lucky to have found a guy who doesn't rip people off--I know a lot of these places charge a fortune and try to guilt people into buying this or having that done.

Good luck to you; I hope you find an affordable source for those meds!