What is typical schedule of healthy vet visits? And insurance question...

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Rippley is our first family dog obviously, and I am realizing that now that since he is done with shots, we won't see the vet unless he is sick? Is that typical? Do we only return for his one year birthday visit, and then again annually? I will have to rely on my DK friends for general info/advice/knowledge about Rippley's routine care even more so, if this is the case!
Plus, I have been delaying getting insurance for him, trying to decide the risk/benefit numbers annually. But, I just heard that I should not wait because after six months of age, the prices per month go up! Is this accurate? Not sure if I want to commit for years and years of a monthly payment. But, if he regularly gets expensively sick, then I will kick myself ;) what to do?
TIA!

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Yearly check ups are just fine.

As far as the insurance goes, I think every insurance company is different. That being said, I would highly recommend it… especially if he is a standard. Later in life, big dogs typically get arthritis and cost more money to take care of properly. There may be big costs involved and my family wishes we had my previous dog on insurance. Her last week cost us $3,000. We have a friend who had a dog whose last days cost $10,000. With any dog, expect big costs at some point in his/her life. 

[Kerry L]

We got pet insurance because my husband's company offered it and it was reasonably priced. Our pup is about 10 months old and we're already ahead with what they've covered. Honestly, we just never wanted to be faced with having to choose between putting ourselves into debt due to a pet injury. I, personally, think pet insurance is a great investment.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Sounds like good company benefits! I wish... Thx for lmk!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

If you have no reason to see the vet, then there is no reason!  BUT....Bordetella Vac is only good for 6 months.  If you plan on being out and about, daycare, boarding, Bordetella is almost a must ( It actually is required for daycare/boarding).  This is for Canine/Kennel  Cough which is very contagious.  Most Vets do not charge an office visit for just a Tech giving a vaccine...you will only pay for the vac.  Also....your yearly check-up is not so much on his birthday, but a year from when he got his last Vac.  After this year, they will got to every 3 years.  (For the exception of Bordetella).  I have a puppy plan with Enzo with the Vet.Hosp. and it covers 2 fecals and wormings a year.  Again...not a vet visit.  Just as a FYI, a Vet Tech can not give a Rabies Vac., it must be by law, administered by a Vet....so at that point you would pay a Vet visit...which is why you would want to schedule it as the same time as his well check-up.

Insurance....I would disagree on the cost of a small dog vs large dog.  That is just too general of an assumption.  Small dogs get arthritis too, although, I don't know why that was brought up, unless the poster meant hip dysplasia.  Insurance is a good idea, although quite frankly, I raised and bred Golden Retrievers for 30 yrs and never had a reason for it.  But, when something big hits, it is nice to have.  I currently do NOT have it for Enzo, as she is covered by most things in our Vet puppy plan.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Ooh Ro, this is great info, thx! I had no idea the bordetella was only good for 6 mos! See, I hate not knowing these things! And he goes again a year from his last vacc, got it. ..
About the insurance, I want to make a practical (not emotional) decision. Of course it would hurt to have to shell out three grand for something, but thankfully we could afford it if we had to!
And, per bronze 200/90% Pet-plan quote, if I am paying $360/yr plus deductible of $200 for each issue ($560 I spent before they pay) and this is annually for his life - I would have to spend at least an average of $1200 worth of vet bills annually to get my money back, if my math is correct!
Does this amt. seem realistic? Is it reasonable to expect health bills like this? I spent $ for a healthy ALD to start (or so I think...)

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

You are very welcome! The good news is, your Vet will most likely send you reminders of any Vac that are due.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I've never gotten Bordetella every six months.  I just checked their shot records cause they just got them and it has them due in a year.  Are there different types?

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I know my guys have gotten both the injection and nasal spray.  Regardless tho, they have always gotten the dose every 6 months. This has been on recommendation of our last 2 Vets.  LOL...I can't say that it is a money maker for them, because, this is covered under the plan we are on with them.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

In doing a on line search.....this from my Vet and Boarding Facility question and ans. page:

A bordetella shot is considered current within 6 months of being boarded

Most places require the shot within 6 months of boarding, but this will vary.

Is There A Vaccination For Bordetella?
Yes. An intranasal vaccination (meaning to squirt some up each nostril) is used to protect against Bordetella or your veterinarian may prefer the injectable vaccine. The vaccine also usually includes protection against Parainfluenza.

What Is The Recommended ended Protocol For The Bordetella Vaccination?
This will vary from region to region so what I'm describing here is simply an example of a Bordetella vaccination program and may not be what your veterinarian recommends. You can usually give an intranasal dose at least one week prior to boarding or exposure to Canine Cough situations (exposure to other dogs). Boosters are recommended yearly if the dog is not being boarded or to be current within the last 6 months prior to boarding.

Most veterinarians are very good about keeping your dog up to date on yearly boosters - after all that is where they make a lot of their money. The exception is the BORDITELLA Vaccination; many veterinarians are in the habit of either not vaccinating for Bordetella unless you request it, or they vaccinate for Bordetella on an annual basis. Our requirement is that the Bordetella vaccinations be done within a six-month period.

Because the Bordetella vaccination is usually an intranasal spray instead of an actual subcutaneous injection, the vaccine is live. When a vaccine is a live, it means that the dog is getting a very small amount of the actual virus. Subsequently we have a 48-hour moratorium on dogs after they have been vaccinated. So please be proactive regarding the Bordetella vaccination. We would have no choice but to refuse your dog if they are not vaccinated according to our protocol.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

We have insurance for both our doodles. I've already had a scare with Maci's hip and Yogi had a mass that was biopsied.
Both are okay, but I was glad that no matter what it was we were covered. I know I'll do whatever it takes to take of my doodles, but this gives me more peace of mind.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

So glad both the "pups" are ok!  I did not know about Yogi's mass.  There is no doubt, Ins. brings peace of mind and yes, a good idea.  We just haven't made the leap yet with our coverage at our Vet.  Although, basically, it is the Vet. Hospital own Ins. Plan.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Ro,
Yes, he had a mass on his mouth, in fact it's still there. We were so worried while we waited for the biopsy results.