MaryAnn, I'm sending you tons of prayers and warm healing thoughts. And you are right, this is what Alice had done for her brain tumor. She's right as rain today! As you will be very very soon. We'll be looking for a post from you soon! ~Betsy

Well, since Bo has not had blood work since 2003 and is getting the dental work done, I decided I will go ahead and do the blood work. I did ask the vet for a quote for in-house and it was WAY more expensive and also fewer tests done (In house we can do 13 blood chemistries, i.e. BUN, creatnine, ALT, etc. as opposed to 17 that Marshfield can do.) They also mentioned that the T4 has to be sent out anyways. The vet indicated that the blood pressure ($25.70), eye pressure ($18.69) and T4 ($43.05) are not required for the dental work but recommended. Regarding the bacteria culture, that is only done if there are issues with the urine. If I subract the blood pressure and eye pressure from the quote, the total for blood, urine and T4 is $181.25. That compares to the $150 meghane has below. If I subract out the urine test, then it is $119.95 and Tess mentions $125. So, sounds as if my cat only vet is probably a little on the high side, but not too far off. Tess - you get a good price on the whole package!! Some of the others are hard to compare to since I don't know if they are comparing apples to apples. I.e. what exactly is included in the blood test. Since Bo is 7 and gettng dental work, will go ahead and do it. And then, if he doesn't get dental work again next year, will probably go a couple of years before doing the full blood work again. Regarding doing it every 6 months, that sounds like too much unless there is a known health issue. I only go in for a physical once a year myself, and DH never does. We may look into a closer, less expensive vet next time we have to take a cat in. I just worry since Cougar has specific health issues (IBD) - would like to find a vet that offers the same food. I do keep a copy of all the vet records so that is good at least. Thanks everyone for your responses!!

((Audrey)) I can't believe how many young people here have had shingles. My friends brother had them and I remember he said they were so painful. I can't remember if he had chicken pox or not, but I know it's in that family. A different friend takes L-Lysine because she gets cold sores all the time. I had a BAD reaction to strep throat around Easter and broke out in a rash literally from head to toe! It was horrible, and they only itched real bad (and made me feel like a Leper). My immune system has definitely declined since I've stayed home with my DD. Now I'm too scared to get really stressed! Do you remember David Letterman had them a few years back and had to have friends guest host for a few weeks? I hope you are feeling better ASAP!!

Summer - my sympathy to you and your pets as you deal with the sad situation you mention. Of course you know that pets also pick up on their humans' emotions and anxiety is manifested in all sorts of ways. Is it possible that being confined to one room exacerbates his stress? Or has he always been confined as such? If the former, is there a possibility that he could be let out into the rest of the house? I completely understand that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to monitor his habits that way, but it might make him happier and more willing to "go". I'm sure you're giving him lots of extra love and calming attention. Isn't it amazing how these little ones pick up emotions from us.