Article written by Nancy Keates:
For Mary Cotter, the first sign of concern came when her 7-year-old, Logan, appeared dizzy. His regular doctor said everything was fine, but Cotter insisted Logan be seen by a neurologist, who after an MRI found a tumor in his inner ear. An operation followed, and for the next month Cotter took Logan on a four-hour round-trip trek every day from her home in Ledyard, Conn., to a specialty hospital in Boston for radiation therapy. The total bill for the tests, blood work, surgery and radiation came to $14,000 -- not surprising in this age of sky-high medical costs. Except for one thing. Logan is a golden retriever. After another surgery for an unrelated illness, the total cost of Logan's care is approaching $20,000. Today Logan is healthy, but he has a new nickname: "20K."
It's no secret that Americans love their pets. But these days, all that love is leading to an unprecedented level of expense for millions of owners, who are only beginning to understand the pet-world concept of sticker shock. Caught up in a wave of new medical options and lured by an increasingly sophisticated cadre of veterinarians, pet owners across the country are forking over thousands -- and even tens of thousands -- of dollars to treat illnesses that would have gone undiagnosed or untreated just a few years ago. And then doing it again if they have to. Of course, pet owners and most vets have the animals' best interest in mind. But that doesn't make it any easier: With health insurance covering the humans in many families, it's not unusual for pet owners to spend far more money on health care for their cats and dogs than for their sons and daughters. Even the Great Recession failed to take a bite out of Fido's health care tab. According to a report by market-research company Packaged Facts, Americans spent $20 billion on veterinary bills in 2010 -- an 8.5% increase from a year earlier and more than double the amount spent just a decade ago. Much of that money is being spent on new medical technology. With some of the advances in human health care spreading to the animal kingdom, pet owners have many more options for treatment -- and many more chances to fork over money to cure their pets or at least prolong their pets' lives. Dogs and cats can have pacemakers implanted at a cost of $1,000 to $1,500, while pets with kidney failure can get a kidney-clearing procedure that runs $20,000 to $25,000 for just the first few weeks. Not long ago a vet would most likely have recommended euthanasia for a cat or dog diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness. Today high-tech procedures and equipment, such as chemotherapy and MRIs -- and yes, CAT scans -- allow for better diagnosis and more-advanced treatment.
They also require highly trained specialists. In the past three years, the percentage of veterinarians who are board certified for small-animal surgery has more than doubled, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Until the late 1980s, there were no board-certified veterinary oncologists, for a simple reason: There was no program for certification. Now vet schools offer oncology-specialization programs and have full-fledged cancer centers, while dozens of private centers have opened across the country with board-certified staff. At the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University, 14 veterinarians specialize in medical, surgical and radiation oncology. They're supported by a full nursing staff, residents and even a clinical-trials team focusing on diseases from canine lymphoma to feline sarcoma. Add it all up and "it's a revolution," says Stephen Withrow, the center's associate director.
Of course, expensive technology wouldn't be of much use if no one wanted to take advantage of it. That's where an equally powerful trend comes in: the increasing tendency of Americans to humanize their pets. All those people paying for pet massages and buying designer doggie clothes find it all but impossible to say no when the health -- or life -- of their pet is at stake. And like anxious parents with a sick child, these pet owners aren't about to argue when a vet recommends treatment for a beloved pet. Indeed, in a recent survey by the Associated Press and Petside.com , 35% of pet owners said they were very likely to pick up $2,000 in vet costs to treat a sick dog or cat, while 22% said they'd pick up $5,000 in vet costs.
Empty nesters, who make up a growing percentage of dog owners, are particularly vulnerable. As a former "helicopter parent," Vicki Parker, 55, of Scotch Plains, N.J., admits that she's turned her hovering tendencies toward her dog. "It gives me something to worry about," she says of her chocolate lab, Bear, who has become her constant companion since her son moved out three years ago. More than a year ago, when Bear received a diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma, a type of soft-tissue tumor, Parker paid $1,800 for the surgery. Since then, Bear has had chemotherapy, blood work and oncology visits, for a total cost of about $4,000. "It was really scary," says Parker. "But I felt like I couldn't say no." That's small change compared with what some pet owners end up shelling out.
Gary Nice, president of the National Canine Cancer Foundation, says he spent progressively more to care for three golden retrievers, each of whom developed cancer. First, Nice spent about $3,000 on tests for Bailey before finding out that cancer had spread to his lungs and there was nothing more to do. After that, Ashby developed a brain tumor. At the time, there was no treatment (there is now), and shortly after MRIs and tests that totaled about $3,500, Ashby died. Fast-forward to 2008, when an X-ray revealed Duncan also had a tumor. "By this time we were watching our dogs like a hawk," says Nice, of Longview, Texas. Duncan had his spleen removed and underwent a host of other procedures, for a total cost of $5,000. Although Duncan died 45 days later, Nice, 57, would do it again. "What would a parent of a child say if someone asked them how much they'd be willing to spend on a cancer cure?" he asks. "They'd probably hit you."
(This is just a small portion of the article. To read the article in full length, please visit the link below:
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/111673/the-$20,000-pet)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Auto repairs.....being ripped off or needed repairs?
Written by Jessica L. Anderson
Victoria Rumsey felt as if she was being taken for a ride. The brake warning light on her 2000 Volkswagen Jetta was on, so when she was getting her oil changed at the dealership, she asked the shop to look into it. She was told she needed a new suspension, brake pads and rotors. Rumsey didn't want to put a lot of money into the car, so she told the shop to skip the suspension. Then she got a call from the dealership's used-car division telling her that the service department mentioned she might be in the market for a car because hers was not drivable. Rumsey called the shop and found out that a broken knuckle (part of the steering assembly) would add $2,000 to the tab, and she couldn't drive the car without the fix. She decided to have the car towed from the dealership and ask a friend to do the repairs. The cost of parts: less than $150. "I felt as though I was being misled because I was a woman and didn't know too much about cars," she says.
Nine in ten women believe they are treated differently at auto-repair shops than men are, according to a national study by the Car Care Council, an association that encourages consumer education. Even I, the car writer at Kiplinger's, have been the target of repair-shop gender politics. Take our advice on taking control -- but keep in mind, anyone can get ripped off. These rules aren't just for ladies.
Get a clue.
You can diagnose what's wrong before you hit the shop by using the CarMD tool ($99; www.carmd.com). Just plug the hand-held device into your car (every model after 1996 has a standard connection port) and it reads the car's computer codes. You can then plug it into your computer for a full report of what problem the codes indicate, the most likely fix, and what labor and parts for the repair cost in your area. The report also lists recalls for your vehicle and summaries of technical service bulletins (recall notices are also available at www.nhtsa.gov). You can also use the car-care guide at www.carcare.org to learn about typical repairs and questions to ask the mechanic.
Show them you know.
Familiarize yourself with the owner's manual -- you'll avoid unnecessary maintenance if you know what needs to be done at every service interval. When choosing a repair shop, make sure the technicians are ASE certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Use all your senses to describe a problem, says auto expert Lauren Fix, author of Lauren Fix's Guide to Loving Your Car (St. Martin's Griffin, $17.99). If you say you feel the car pulling to the left, particularly at speeds faster than 40 miles per hour, or you hear a knocking sound only when you turn right, it shows that you've been paying attention and may help the technician diagnose the problem faster.
Don't overpay for repairs.
If you're getting the car repaired by an independent shop, call the service department at your dealership after you get the diagnosis to see whether it's covered by the warranty, a recall or a technical service bulletin; having the car fixed at an independent shop won't void the warranty, but you may have to pay for the repair. RepairPal.com can help you find out whether your mechanic is quoting a fair price. Enter your car's make, model and year, plus your zip code. You'll see a price range for dozens of fixes at dealerships and shops in your area.
Get a second opinion.
If you're unsure about what you're being told, go somewhere else. Don't repeat what the other shop said; just provide the same information about the problem and see what the mechanic finds and what the shop will charge to fix it. Before a repair, ask to see the part, where it goes and why it needs to be replaced, and then ask to see the old part after the repair is made. If you feel pressured to make a repair, walk away.
To read or view the article by it's link, please click below:
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1646/How-to-Avoid-Getting-Ripped-Off-for-Auto-Repairs
Victoria Rumsey felt as if she was being taken for a ride. The brake warning light on her 2000 Volkswagen Jetta was on, so when she was getting her oil changed at the dealership, she asked the shop to look into it. She was told she needed a new suspension, brake pads and rotors. Rumsey didn't want to put a lot of money into the car, so she told the shop to skip the suspension. Then she got a call from the dealership's used-car division telling her that the service department mentioned she might be in the market for a car because hers was not drivable. Rumsey called the shop and found out that a broken knuckle (part of the steering assembly) would add $2,000 to the tab, and she couldn't drive the car without the fix. She decided to have the car towed from the dealership and ask a friend to do the repairs. The cost of parts: less than $150. "I felt as though I was being misled because I was a woman and didn't know too much about cars," she says.
Nine in ten women believe they are treated differently at auto-repair shops than men are, according to a national study by the Car Care Council, an association that encourages consumer education. Even I, the car writer at Kiplinger's, have been the target of repair-shop gender politics. Take our advice on taking control -- but keep in mind, anyone can get ripped off. These rules aren't just for ladies.
Get a clue.
You can diagnose what's wrong before you hit the shop by using the CarMD tool ($99; www.carmd.com). Just plug the hand-held device into your car (every model after 1996 has a standard connection port) and it reads the car's computer codes. You can then plug it into your computer for a full report of what problem the codes indicate, the most likely fix, and what labor and parts for the repair cost in your area. The report also lists recalls for your vehicle and summaries of technical service bulletins (recall notices are also available at www.nhtsa.gov). You can also use the car-care guide at www.carcare.org to learn about typical repairs and questions to ask the mechanic.
Show them you know.
Familiarize yourself with the owner's manual -- you'll avoid unnecessary maintenance if you know what needs to be done at every service interval. When choosing a repair shop, make sure the technicians are ASE certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Use all your senses to describe a problem, says auto expert Lauren Fix, author of Lauren Fix's Guide to Loving Your Car (St. Martin's Griffin, $17.99). If you say you feel the car pulling to the left, particularly at speeds faster than 40 miles per hour, or you hear a knocking sound only when you turn right, it shows that you've been paying attention and may help the technician diagnose the problem faster.
Don't overpay for repairs.
If you're getting the car repaired by an independent shop, call the service department at your dealership after you get the diagnosis to see whether it's covered by the warranty, a recall or a technical service bulletin; having the car fixed at an independent shop won't void the warranty, but you may have to pay for the repair. RepairPal.com can help you find out whether your mechanic is quoting a fair price. Enter your car's make, model and year, plus your zip code. You'll see a price range for dozens of fixes at dealerships and shops in your area.
Get a second opinion.
If you're unsure about what you're being told, go somewhere else. Don't repeat what the other shop said; just provide the same information about the problem and see what the mechanic finds and what the shop will charge to fix it. Before a repair, ask to see the part, where it goes and why it needs to be replaced, and then ask to see the old part after the repair is made. If you feel pressured to make a repair, walk away.
To read or view the article by it's link, please click below:
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1646/How-to-Avoid-Getting-Ripped-Off-for-Auto-Repairs
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Super foods to help fight cancer and keep you healthy.
Here is an article I came across written by Leslie Barrie. Today, so many people are much more 'heart' conscious and into exercise routines and watching their diets. It's long been said to incorporate fruits and veggies into your daily routine of meals. Enjoy the article, it's worth the read.
Six cancer fighting superfoods - by Leslie Barrie
To reduce your risk of cancer, look no further than your fridge. "All the studies on cancer and nutrition point to eating plant-based foods for their phytonutrients and other special compounds," says Richard Béliveau, PhD, chair in the prevention and treatment of cancer at the University of Québec at Montreal and author of Foods to Fight Cancer.
Aim for five to nine daily servings of all kinds of fruits and vegetables—especially these six superstars.
Broccoli
All cruciferous veggies (think cauliflower, cabbage, kale) contain cancer-fighting properties, but broccoli is the only one with a sizable amount of sulforaphane, a particularly potent compound that boosts the body's protective enzymes and flushes out cancer-causing chemicals, says Jed Fahey, ScD. A recent University of Michigan study on mice found that sulforaphane also targets cancer stem cells—those that aid in tumor growth. The more broccoli, the better, research suggests—so add it wherever you can, from salads to omelets to the top of your pizza.
Helps fight: breast, liver, lung, prostate, skin, stomach, and bladder cancers
Berries
All berries are packed with cancer-fighting phytonutrients. But black raspberries, in particular, contain very high concentrations of phytochemicals called anthocyanins, which slow down the growth of premalignant cells and keep new blood vessels from forming (and potentially feeding a cancerous tumor), according to Gary D. Stoner, PhD, a professor of internal medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. (Stoner uses a concentrated berry powder in his studies but says a half-cup serving of berries a day may help your health, too).
Helps fight: colon, esophageal, oral, and skin cancers
Tomatoes
This juicy fruit is the best dietary source of lycopene, a carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red hue, Béliveau says. And that's good news, because lycopene was found to stop endometrial cancer cell growth in a study in Nutrition and Cancer. Endometrial cancer causes nearly 8,000 deaths a year. The biggest benefits come from cooked tomatoes (think pasta sauce!), since the heating process increases the amount of lycopene your body is able to absorb.
Helps fight: endometrial, lung, prostate, and stomach cancers
To read the full article, please click on the link below: http://shine.yahoo.com/event/vitality/6-cancer-fighting-superfoods-2428408/
Six cancer fighting superfoods - by Leslie Barrie
To reduce your risk of cancer, look no further than your fridge. "All the studies on cancer and nutrition point to eating plant-based foods for their phytonutrients and other special compounds," says Richard Béliveau, PhD, chair in the prevention and treatment of cancer at the University of Québec at Montreal and author of Foods to Fight Cancer.
Aim for five to nine daily servings of all kinds of fruits and vegetables—especially these six superstars.
Broccoli
All cruciferous veggies (think cauliflower, cabbage, kale) contain cancer-fighting properties, but broccoli is the only one with a sizable amount of sulforaphane, a particularly potent compound that boosts the body's protective enzymes and flushes out cancer-causing chemicals, says Jed Fahey, ScD. A recent University of Michigan study on mice found that sulforaphane also targets cancer stem cells—those that aid in tumor growth. The more broccoli, the better, research suggests—so add it wherever you can, from salads to omelets to the top of your pizza.
Helps fight: breast, liver, lung, prostate, skin, stomach, and bladder cancers
Berries
All berries are packed with cancer-fighting phytonutrients. But black raspberries, in particular, contain very high concentrations of phytochemicals called anthocyanins, which slow down the growth of premalignant cells and keep new blood vessels from forming (and potentially feeding a cancerous tumor), according to Gary D. Stoner, PhD, a professor of internal medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. (Stoner uses a concentrated berry powder in his studies but says a half-cup serving of berries a day may help your health, too).
Helps fight: colon, esophageal, oral, and skin cancers
Tomatoes
This juicy fruit is the best dietary source of lycopene, a carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red hue, Béliveau says. And that's good news, because lycopene was found to stop endometrial cancer cell growth in a study in Nutrition and Cancer. Endometrial cancer causes nearly 8,000 deaths a year. The biggest benefits come from cooked tomatoes (think pasta sauce!), since the heating process increases the amount of lycopene your body is able to absorb.
Helps fight: endometrial, lung, prostate, and stomach cancers
To read the full article, please click on the link below: http://shine.yahoo.com/event/vitality/6-cancer-fighting-superfoods-2428408/
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Numerology
Do you like numbers? Are you fascinated by them - meaning is there a special number that you relate to or feel a significance with? In other words, do you have a lucky number?
Well, a friend of mine, Blair, is a Master Numerologist. Blair can explain how you have a life number, a predetermined number, how numbers in your birth date or name can affect health, wealth, and much more. He is the real deal. I just love him. If you are curious about how numbers affect your every day living, well, here you go. Tell him Luna recommended him on her blog. To find out more about Blair and his website, Click Here!
Brightest blessings to all!
Well, a friend of mine, Blair, is a Master Numerologist. Blair can explain how you have a life number, a predetermined number, how numbers in your birth date or name can affect health, wealth, and much more. He is the real deal. I just love him. If you are curious about how numbers affect your every day living, well, here you go. Tell him Luna recommended him on her blog. To find out more about Blair and his website, Click Here!
Brightest blessings to all!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Alright Ladies, this is for you.
I was out and about on the internet just milling about and seeing what I could get into, when I stumbled across this site. If I had a dime for everytime I heard this: If only I could captivate a man, why can't I find the right one, why didn't he call, why doesn't he love me anymore, what am I doing wrong?
Obviously, Ladies, you are not alone. There are far to many of you with the same questions-all the time. For those of you who are skeptics and do not want to be bothered with spirit, readings, life coaching, well-here you go. Perhaps this will help you. I do not know if it will, but just follow your intuition. That is never wrong.
Click Here! If you would like to be the type of woman that men adore!
Brightest blessings.
Obviously, Ladies, you are not alone. There are far to many of you with the same questions-all the time. For those of you who are skeptics and do not want to be bothered with spirit, readings, life coaching, well-here you go. Perhaps this will help you. I do not know if it will, but just follow your intuition. That is never wrong.
Click Here! If you would like to be the type of woman that men adore!
Brightest blessings.
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