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A few years back, I happened upon an older-than-dirt teacup poodle at the East Side shelter shaking so violently I thought the dog was suffering from a seizure.

The dog appeared to be blind, at least 15 or 16 years old and quite arthritic, with rotting, brown teeth and horrible breath. I knew I had found my ultimate dream dog!

Immediately after adopting her, I brought her to the vet, where she required eye ointment, antibiotics and a fluid IV, for starters - $168. A geriatric profile prior to teeth cleaning was recommended to ensure she could tolerate the anesthesia necessary for any additional dental work.

I believe in a geriatric profile at 6 or 7 years of age to make sure the kidneys, the liver and all that internal stuff is in its best running condition. Catch a problem early and you prolong your pet's life.

In the recent past, other geriatric tests for my pets cost in the vicinity of $175, so I authorized the test. I never asked how much the fee would be from this particular veterinarian. Stupid me.

This vet charged $385 for a geriatric profile. Thankfully, my little senior citizen was in great shape. Oh yes, the dental estimate was an additional $485.

In an ideal world these tests would be run, but I don't live in an ideal world. Despite the warm weather, the money tree in my backyard has not begun to bloom.

A decade ago, my 6-year-old schnauzer went blind overnight from, as was later determined, Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration. The veterinarian neurologist recommended a CAT scan. $600? No problem. Save my boy.

Yet the results from the scan didn't reveal specifics, so an MRI was recommended. I was told it was the gold standard, being more inclusive and definitive. Tab? An additional $700.

If an MRI is better than a CAT scan, and it only costs $100 more, why didn't we just opt for that in the first place? "Because it was more expensive, and I was trying to save you money," was the vet's reply. In the doc's mind it made perfect sense. He was trying to save me $100. In my mind, I just spent $1,300 when $700 would have given the him everything he needed to know. By all rights the vet should have given me the information and the option to make decisions affecting my dog and my wallet.

I realize an estimate to repair your car or your cat is not ironclad because something unforeseen might arise during the "inspection" requiring additional costs.

Recently, after being given an estimate by a veterinarian for $150 for my cat's care, I was stunned to discover the bill had doubled in a matter of three hours when I picked her up. There was no phone call to inform me of the additional charges, but I was told, firmly, that my cat would remain in the veterinary facility, accruing additional overnight charges until the bill was paid in full.

Where would we be without great veterinarians for our creatures and critters? We trust the men and women we relinquish our pets to for professional health care, but we must also understand these professionals are running businesses.

As smart pet parents, however, we must ask questions about individual veterinarians' policies and payments more judiciously, ask questions about other options prior to initial testing and determine what other tests or procedures might lie down the road for a correct diagnosis and prognosis.

By sharing these stories I hope you avoid some of the mistakes I have made by not using common "cents."