XPost: rec.pets.dogs.health, rec.pets.dogs.breeds   
   From: Toni@nada.noway   
      
   "Suja"  wrote in message   
   news:i9ZGg.5791$SZ3.850@dukeread04...   
   >   
   > Well bred dogs in general turn out to be less expensive in the long run   
   > than   
   > poorly bred dogs.  What Diane and Paula said are spot on.  I will only add   
   > that all other things being equal, larger dogs are more expensive than   
   > smaller dogs.  They tend to eat more, preventative medicines cost more,   
   > prescription medicines cost more, etc.  And no matter what dog you end up   
   > getting, it is good to have emergency funds set aside.   
      
      
      
   Large and giant breeds cost substantially more.   
   The point about prescription medications being more for larger dogs is spot   
   on- antibiotics for a resistant urinary tract infection requiring Cipro for   
   three weeks for a 200 Lb. dog is not cheap. Ditto heartworm preventative and   
   topical flea preparations. Surgeries are more, and often two veterinarians   
   must be in attendance for a surgery in order to close properly- a long   
   incision is daunting for many "small animal" vets. Dentals w/anesthesia are   
   more- anything which is dosed by the pound can be exhorbitant in a giant   
   breed. And it takes more individual xrays to cover any given area on a big   
   dog, too.   
      
   Many large/giant breeds are more prone to bloat and pneumonia which is also   
   a large bite out of your wallet. And as they enter old age heart meds and   
   arthritis meds can really eat up a paycheck.   
      
   It is a real consideration.   
      
      
   --   
   Toni   
   http://www.irish-wolfhounds.com   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)