I was up early this morning to get Millie to the vet for her teeth cleaning. I was shocked when they told me that extractions were an additional fee! I assumed / understood that if the tooth was bad after cleaning it would be pulled. $$$$$. She was scheduled to come home later this afternoon but I won’t be at all surprised if I get a call that she’s being held overnight – more $$$$. I was quoted the price of $349 for the teeth cleaning. A blood panel was another $100 which I passed on. They wanted to know what my financial limit was!!!! Stammering I said $500. I am not going to sign a blank check for them. To say I’m shaky is about right. Anybody want to make a bet in final price?
I didn’t get a post written last night – my shoulders are really bothering me as well as my hips. I forgot to take my pills before going to church yesterday and I was a mess. I couldn’t even put the cover on the piano!
It’s too cold to take my quilt outside to take a picture – maybe this afternoon. This is the block I’m working on for all of us:
I’ve saved this Japanese fabric forever and wanted to feature it. I also have a large floral here that I’d like to try. Oh, my, there are so many possibilities!
What shall we call this so you know what to order?
Reader photos
Time to brave the elements between house and barn. Gotta make sure everybody down there is ok!
What a nice block, I like a few of the suggestions for the name. I think my favorite would be Wilderness Trail. Reading what vets are charging for teeth cleaning/extractions makes my blood boil! Mary in CA is right, this could be the reason there are so many pets being abandoned or given up for adoption. It’s very sad. I’m sore from shoveling, we got a good 20″ of snow and now another storm predicted for this weekend. My next house is going to have a short driveway! My hens haven’t been outside their coop for 3 days now! It’s so cold – 19 today but the nights are down in the single digits. We’re not used to this here in MA! Jan in MA
Jan – oh my goodness, no, you’re not used to cold like that!! And so much snow! Iowa lucked out this time – no storm but it’s been very cold for quite awhile now. My geese have been locked in the barn now for a couple weeks – they’re not happy but they’re alive.
I can’t believe people would give up their beloved pet for the price of teeth cleaning! But they give them up for far lesser reasons.
What to name the block? “Picture This” or “Framed” or (what Framed brings to mind) “I Shot the Sheriff.”
Poor Millie, hope she is safe and warm and home. Any vet visit is usually traumatic for everyone concerned and it is not just the money.
Hammie has quite the personality and our son has taught her to sit and to spin. I didn’t know that trick. In the morning when it’s nice and she’s let out of the barn she likes to run up the barn road to the gate and then turn around and run back. She’s quite funny.
I think Wilderness Trail is a great name for your block.
Mary, I hope you feel better after taking your meds.
I took Loretta to the vet for cleaning and some extractions. It was sky high here too. She was on an antibiotic for a week. I doubt she, and my pocketbook will go through that again. Adopting a mutt is the cheapest part.
That pix of Hazel made me sigh…so exhausted!!!
The creator with white socks, you are busy. Fun quilts.
Jo, your pillow cases are great! You will brighten many lives.
I also think Wilderness Trail is a perfect name for Mary’s block!
I forgot to give you a name for your quilt your designing. How about “The Sky’s The Limit”, because everyone’s will be different
Lots of beautiful quilts, I especially like the neutral quilt!
Our vets prices have gone up considerably in the past 20 years, I think they gave me a quote for teeth cleaning of $800 last year when I took my dog in for shots. Of course they charge for an exam, blood panel etc besides the cleaning. It doesn’t cost that much for a human dentist!
Don’t forget your medicine and don’t over do it Mary so that you start healing.
Connie,
Thank you. The blocks were easy to make. If you like the pattern let me know and I’ll get it for you.
This quilt has quite a story behind it. After getting about 75% done with the blocks I discovered I didn’t have enough of the off-white fabric that is used in each block. I contacted a couple different fabric stores where I thought I purchased it but to no avail. I was down to about 10 blocks to make so felt it was too late to mix in another fabric. I googled the fabric and the only place I found it was a store in Canada. I ordered the fabric but paid extra shipping from Canada. After I received the add’l yardage Mary called me. She had stopped by our local fabric store that day and found what I needed 10 miles away. Now, I drive by that store each evening on my way home from work and many times thought about stopping in but never did. So, I paid that shipping for nothing. Lesson learned 🙂
Next problem: When sewing the blocks into rows there were some that were a little hard to match up. I couldn’t figure out why. When checking the pattern to cut the new material into strips I discovered some of the earlier strips I had cut 1″ and others 1.25″. AUGH! That would explain why the blocks were hard to match up. It took a lot more pinning to get things looking good.
In the end I’m happy with the quilt and affectionally call this my Quilt from Hell. Lots of lessons learned on this one. The quilt is being gifted to our grandson and his wife this weekend. I have no doubt they will love it and will be no wiser to all the mistakes made. I’m certainly not going to point them out. HA!
Mary, I truly think that while dental care is needed, it has become the cash cow for the vets. I took my 15 year old dog in for a cleaning and probable extractions in December of 2024. I had asked what the fees were and the receptionist gave me totally wrong information (citing $0 if the teeth fall out and 25-50 per tooth for others) . Imagine my shock when I was told it was $1800 for a procedure of less than an hour!!!
No one called me and said anything. I had been using this vet for 23 years. His new vet did the procedure. I complained to the owner vet in writing as he would not return my call or text. He replied he would look into it and his office manager called me and said the amount remained the same but I could take longer to pay. I called other vet offices in the community and none of them had charged such high fees.
They charged $75-250 per tooth!!!
I passed that information on to the vet and said it was totally unreasonable. I paid them about $1100 and then quit that vet and I have never gotten another bill from them.
My nephew is a vet and I won’t name where but when we visited twice I asked why so many dogs were in the road just lingering around and I cared for. He said people abandon their dogs rather than pay a vet bill. Such stupidity and I know I’m being harsh but rather than surrender them to animal services or a shelter, they do what we saw. He himself has 4 dogs that were sick or injured left on their own on his street in a track! I confirmed with my own vet that this made us not want to return to that state after what we saw. I’d like to think most people care about their pets. My vet said to use an old white crew sock and with my finger in it, rub it on their teeth to remove food particles.
Jo I love your pillowcases for Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Some child will feel special laying their head on one of your beautiful cases.
Thanks Kathy.
I just had my cat Jack’s teeth cleaned on 11-26. Of course this is Ca. Cleaning with four extractions $660.00. He had to take antibiotics for a week after.
I don’t even spend this on two of my cleaning per year or even two years!
Owing pets can be expensive!❤️
My cat had a dental done in 2021. He had 2 teeth pulled and came home the same day. I also passed on the bloodwork because he had it done within a few weeks of the dental Grand total was $872.37!!! I asked them if the dental tools were hand carved from gold! I keep the bill on the fridge as a reminder that the next time they say one of my cats needs a dental I know I need to take out a loan!
We now have just one cat as the other 5 have gone over the bridge. I brought him to the vet when we arrived in Colorado so we could establish care. They took his vitals, looked at his eyes, ears and mouth, and pressed on his belly. They charged me just shy of $700.00. I told them to go back in the room and rework those numbers because there’s no way on God’s green Earth that any of those things can come close to $700. They thought I was joking until I sat down and demanded a reworked bill. The new total was just shy of $200. I doubt we will ever have any more pets after he goes because we just can’t afford the vet.
Jessica – they actually lowered the price??? I doubt that’s going to happen here – I’m so glad I put a monetary limit – we’ll see if they listened!!
Hi Mary,
Sorry to hear you are still having so much pain – in your arm and your wallet! The prices you and some of the commenters are mentioning sound like daylight robbery to me – it cost way less than that to get my own teeth cleaned at the dentist! Of course I don’t bite! But it does make me wonder is some vets are 3xploiting peoples love for their pets – they should certainly have a standard price list, asking how much you are prepared to pay is an outraway to determine the cost of a procedure! Hope all is well in the barn in your extreme cold weather!
Fiona – I thought it was preposterous to ask me what I was willing to spend. Yes, they’re taking advantage of people’s love for their pets. Yes, way less at my dentist and no I don’t bite but Millie was under anesthesia during the procedure!!! She wasn’t going to bit either. Oh, I am just disgusted.
Mary
I only have one dog, because of the costs you are talking about and more…
Casey was going to a cardiologist too…..
Anyway I used to get Casey the nonanesthetic dental cleaning
Last year here in Boca Raton it was only 230$
No anesthesia but clean teeth when he came home no blood work necessary
He let them clean his teeth, he was layed back.
Anyway I have a friend who is a vet and she knows I have a poodle
She said they are notorious for bad teeth, she told me to brush her At 4-5 times per week, she said it really makes a difference
Her clients who brush there dogs teeth do way less cleanings
I know you can’t brush all your animals teeth but maybe just the dogs…
Praying for your pain to go away🙏🏻
Bea boca raton fl
Wilderness Trail!
A farm name for your quilt block would be nice. As much as I have going on right now, I’m still tempted to join in on this!
Colleen – well, I guarantee you this is simple if you wanted to make even one block for your table and quit there.
Mary, sorry to hear you are still in pain at times. Praying for relief and healing. We do not have pets but shocked at prices for vet.
Love all the quilts, especially the Celebrate Winter! Is that a Country Threads pattern or whoever shared it could you share information?
Also love the block you are designing Mary – you are so creative!!! Thank you!!
Joy – yes, both snowmen quilts are by Country Threads
Oh, Mary, so sorry you are in pain. The sun is out today, but bitter cold!!
The championship games were great yesterday. The Seattle game was a nailbiter!!! So close! And I could hardly see anything in the second half of the Broncos game. Their backup quarterback did his best. Crazy!!! New England couldn’t move the ball against the Broncos defense.
Hope your pets are okay in the barn. Hope Tim is there, too.
Carolyn – I’ll give you a Tim update in tonight’s post.
I hope you feel better quickly.
I feel sad not to have pets anymore, but the vet care is so expensive!
What a great block you are working on!
Stay safe and warm.
Mary, I can’t believe they asked you what your limit was! That’s ridiculous!
All the photo’s of quilts & outs are great. Hammy is just precious!
Stay safe & warm everyone. It’s single digits here with about a foot of snow.
My daughter was told at her last vet visit with her cat that she needed an extraction and cleaning. They told her it would be $1,000. That is just ridiculous!! She is in Northern Virginia where things are more expensive, but that’s a big expense for a young girl just starting out. She hasn’t had it done yet. We had to have an extraction for our beagle a few years ago, but I don’t remember it being anywhere near that much. I’ve told her to shop around!
The quilt block you’ve designed for us is lovely!
Mary sorry Millie cost for the Vet are so high. But I’m sure their cost only go up also. Even just having reliable help means you have to pay them more. Take care of yourself and don’t do too much. Small jobs can wait while you heal. Made pear and carrot muffins this morning a good way to add some heat while the temp outside is 0 and wind chill -11. Cleaned house this morning and washed sheets and cat towels. Now time for more pineapple blocks.
Stay warm and safe everyone!
Teeth cleaning prices for dogs & cats is just terrible! I’ve had dogs all my life & Bentley was the first dog I ever had his teeth cleaned. None of the others ever needed theirs cleaned. Makes me wonder why…is it something in their food? I’ve recently bought something to add to Boots’s water that’s supposed to help with the tartar. Bentley’s cleaning cost me $650, then had to have him put down due to a cancer diagnosis & having 6 teeth extracted. Then I paid to have him cremated. I declined the blood work also as I had just had him in 1 mo prior & had that done. I wasn’t happy with the outcome. So trying to keep Boots’s teeth in good shape!
Growing up our dogs never had dental work done. I’m not saying it’s unnecessary, but the cost associated with it is ridiculous! It causes me a little stress and it makes me feel a little distrust towards my vets. I always wonder if they created these dog dental procedures to make more money. Don’t get me wrong they have their place, I don’t want my dog to suffer, but really…the prices!! Oh, but don’t forget they’ll sell you an insurance policy for your dog! Can you tell you hit a nerve?
On another dog topic, do you make your dog food, Mary? I thought I read that once. I have a senior dog who had pancreatitis. He’s doing much better and his numbers are good. I fed him chicken and kibble quite a while, but he acts like he’s getting tired of it and has become a bit finicky. I think I need to give him a little variety!
Linda, yes, there is pet insurance. My good friend had this and still paid a lot out of pocket. The name of the dog food recipe was Bruce’s Favorites, and wow! I found it in my photos. I will send to Mary via email. I am getting ready to sash my 12 blocks to get my quilt assembled…the end of January deadline is fast approaching! I am going to the Y today to walk and also go to my fitness after 55 class. It is important to get exercise! Too easy to sit all day. It is a robust 14* right now, having the sun shining brightly helps keep the winter doldrums away. Be well everyone. Mary take it easy with your pain issues. And how much do I think your vet bill will be? Probably your max you gave them.
Linda – yes, I did make my own food a few years ago with ground up chicken – but now I alternate between Fresh Pet at the grocery store and Farmer Dog that comes by FED Ex. They tired of the same food all the time.
I think the homemade food was called Satin Balls or I used a base mix that I could look up. Satin Balls was good for a dog who was trying to put on weight or recover.
Here in No. California a teeth cleaning at the vet last cost us $1300, plus fees for any extractions. The blood panel is $150-$200, plus the pain medication (they give a choice – which is wrong! NO ONE should put their fur baby through a teeth cleaning & extractions without pain meds). All extra costs. That is why we didn’t replace our last dog when she passed this year – we’ve had dogs for over 50 years, and mostly 2 at a time. We could no longer afford the cost to clean their teeth….and if we can’t afford it, we won’t adopt as we’ve always taken excellent care of our dogs. Now we just spoil the grandpups when they are here — one is here nearly every day as he can’t be left alone.
Hi Mary,
I love that even though you are aching all over and have so much to do… you can sit down with a quilt and get lost in the creativity of it all. So good for our souls. Hi to sweet Hazel. Stay warm.
So happy to see your message, I’ve been worrying about all of you ever since you discovered the frozen water! Do you have generators? I hate to think of you without power.
Love all the photos, good to see the Hankster again.
It’s crazy how much they charge for pet dental work. When I first went into assisted living my dog was being boarded at my vets. They told my sister he needed his teeth cleaned, and it could be anywhere from $500 -$3,000. I called and told them not to do it, that I would find somewhere cheaper. Supposedly they “didn’t” get my message and pulled several teeth, $2,500! I called and gave them hell, the best they would do is split the cost. Grrrr! I’d been using that vet for over 30 years!
How about “Treasure Box” for the new beautiful new quilt block made from precious fabric?
I’m shocked at the cost of teeth cleaning for Millie. You can be sure your total bill will reach your $500 limit.
The group block you’re working on looks interesting and will offer a lot of fabric options. The quilt show was great, as usual.
Hope you’re feeling better today. Your chores are waiting. Take care.
Mary, so sorry you are in pain. You also have much stress about Millie and the cold. Hope you can relax and rest some today.
The snowman quilts are great and so perfect for the weather many are having. Your design for the group quilt will be great for those special fabrics we all are saving!
Seattle is celebrating the Seahawks win yesterday. Lots of blue. green and fireworks happening! Go Hawks!💙🏈💙
Vicki – I meant to say we watched the game and it was a good one! So exciting!!! I’d love to be part of all the city-wide fun today!!!
Last fall I got an estimate for cat teeth cleaning plus extractions. It could be as much as $1500 and he could not be scheduled before 3 months. I decided to go elsewhere—a bit longer drive, but still manageable. It ended up costing $998 and included the necessary extractions, but not the pre-op blood work which was another $120. That vet could do it the next week instead of waiting months. He recovered quickly and without incident. I now give him and my other cats treats that clean their teeth. Once the weather gets more predictable and less threatening I need to schedule my dog. The estimate for that was between $700 and $1000. I’m thinking of planting a money tree in my backyard in the spring…..Anybody have extra seeds?
Ha ha…I also need some of those seeds!
I’m in Ca. Our shelters are full. This has gotten me to think, maybe that is why so many pets have been abandoned? They always say “furever homes”. You can always give ❤️LOVE❤️ but the vet bills can kill you.
I adopted a senior cat because I am a senior. Since July I have spent over $3000.00 on Jack. He is now on Thyroid meds full time. Thank God, I can afford it, but new owners should think twice before adopting.
My cat, Willow, needed extractions in 2018 that cost over $1600. A few years ago, another cat needed some teeth out, less this time, different vet, but still around $750. I had quotes ahead of time so they couldn’t just spring a huge bill on me. I don’t want my cats in pain, but vets really soak you for dental work. It’s insane what they charge. And I don’t live in a big metropolitan area where you might expect higher prices. Good luck!
Around the Garden Path? Path to the BARN?? So much fun! Easy, but with lots of possibilities! Can’t wait to see what you do next! Gorgeous fabric!
Hope that your barn trip is quick and warm! It’s still freezing, 28, here. But, we have power and water so all is well.
Tanya – I”m. so glad your power is still on!!!
Ideas for block name, window framed or window sashed.
Thanks for the update!