How to Cut Veterinary Bills!

A new homesteader's most unexpected-and most tragic-expense is too often the cost of a veterinarian's services. In the first year that I kept animals, I spent more money having my livestock "doctored" than I've spent on my own medical needs in a lifetime.

As you might expect, much of this expense came as a result of my inexperience, but fortunately there are ways that a first-time farmer can cut such costs.

VETS AREN'T ALL ALIKE

While you shouldn't arbitrarily carry your critters to the area's most inexpensive vet, there can be considerable discrepancy in the fees that various animal doctors charge. If this is the case where you live, your neighbors have learned "who's worth it and who ain't" . . . so, before you do anything else, ask them for advice.

Many times, a vet won't be esteemed so much for his or her general veterinary practice as for some specialty. I've come to rely on a local man for most of my livestock's medical needs, but-when my horse needs attention-I use a doctor in the next town who's known to be excellent with such critters. On top of that, if one of my Airedales gets sick, I take it to a small animal clinic in the city, which has better facilities . . . easy access to a lab . . . and the kind of expertise that comes only from daily work with pets.

So look around. If your animals' health problems can be solved by one vet . . . good! But the most important thing is for you to feel sure that all your beasts are getting the best care you can provide.

BEFORE THE VET ARRIVES

Veterinarians may not charge by the hour . . . but you can bet that the more of their time you take, the more money the visit will cost you. You should, above all, know what you've called the doctor for. And be ready to describe-over the telephone-what appears to be wrong.

Save time, too, by having the patient ready before the vet gets there. Don't wait until he or she arrives to chase down the animal. Of course, it's not always possible to pen a sick brute in a well-lit barn, but if you can put the animal indoors, make sure a good light is available. Have a halter ready, too . . . or a hog snub, or a twitch for a horse. And remember to provide warm water, because-if nothing else-the vet will need to wash his or her hands. In other words, try to be prepared with whatever equipment might be needed for any medical development.