Perhaps this is off topic, perhaps not. I can understand your trepidation about the vet... if you don't know a good vet. Years ago, my ex and I took one of our cats to a vet for the first time (me, that is). The vet gave the cat a shot and wanted to keep her for a few days for observation as the swollen lip could be an indication of something very serious. I was puzzled about his choice of treatment if he really didn't know what it might be. I asked about the charges... $30 consultation, $28 for the shot, $20 per day. I said I would return with the cat in her own travel cage with her own blanket and food so that her stay would be more comfortable.

I went directly to another clinic, knowing that a buddy of mine had praised it in the past. That vet took one look, said it was a common viral infection, easily treated and that it may recur in about a year. $18 for the shot and $12 for a one week supply of one-a-day pills. The shot was exactly the same as the other vet had given. Skip the shot, $12, out the door, cat was fine in three days. The infection came back in eleven months and was treated again successfully. One of our other cats went through two years of diabetes shots and care through the same clinic and they were wonderful. Same good service with the dog.

The first vet never saw me or his money again... and I have have been bad-mouthing him ever since while praising the Elmwood Veterinary Hospital in Moncton, New Brunswick.

If you've got a good vet, go.