Information is power.
Your vet is your partner.
Clear answers about vet costs and care decisions, from a veterinarian with over 20 years in practice, so you can walk into the exam room ready to work as a team.
“I know I don't get to see the real dog or cat. I see them either frightened or full of adrenaline. That's why I listen to you so closely. Because they can't talk, we have to work together, as a team, to understand the real issue.”
Start with a topic
Vet Costs
Vet bills can feel like a black box. These articles explain what goes into the numbers so you can plan ahead and ask better questions.
Talking With Your Vet
You know your pet best. These articles help you get the most from every visit and feel confident in the decisions you make together with your vet.
Insurance and Saving
Insurance and savings are financial tools, not medical ones. These articles help you weigh them against each other.
Puppies and Kittens
The first year is full of firsts. These articles help you plan the visits and the costs, and ask your vet the right questions.
Senior Pets
Older pets deserve extra attention and a good partnership with their vet. These articles help you plan, and prepare for the harder conversations.
Latest articles
What a Puppy's First Year Includes (and How to Plan for the Costs)
A veterinarian walks through the parts of a puppy's first year, from vaccines to training, so you can plan your budget without being surprised.
What a Kitten's First Year Includes (and How to Plan for the Costs)
A veterinarian explains the checkups, vaccines, and everyday costs in a kitten's first year, and how to plan for them without surprises.
Senior Pet Checkups: What to Expect and How to Plan
What a senior pet exam usually includes, why dental health matters more with age, and how to plan for the costs and ask your vet the right questions.
Talking With Your Vet About Your Pet's Quality of Life
How to track good days and bad days, what to ask your vet, and how to make hard care decisions together when a pet is older or very ill.
How to Keep Your Pet's Health Records (and Why It Helps)
Simple ways to keep your pet's vaccines, medications, test results, and notes in one place so every visit is easier and tests aren't repeated.
What Common Vet Tests Are For (and Questions to Ask Before You Say Yes)
A plain-English guide to common vet tests, from blood work to x-rays, what each one looks at, and how to ask what a test will tell you or change.
Get the free Vet Visit Checklist
What to write down, what to bring, and what to ask, in one printable page from Dr. Wright.
Without pics, it didn't happen
True stories from the exam room. (But it really did.)
Overheard in the Exam Room
“No Trouble Applying the Meds”
The eye medicine wasn't working. “Any trouble applying it?” “Nope!” Then she showed me how, and the cornea had not been invited.
Overheard in the Exam Room
The Poop Lady
A client scrolled through thousands of photos of poop. Her dog's. Her daughter's. Her own. Then her phone broke.
Who writes this
I'm Dr. Kirk Wright, a veterinarian in practice for over 20 years. I write what I wish every pet owner knew before they walked into the exam room. More about me.