Q. Understanding that each case will vary, what is a reasonable range to expect to pay for the extraction of one molar for my dog, an 8-year-old border terrier? Our vet found a "slab fracture" on our dog's molar and said it needed to be extracted. I was shocked to learn the estimate was $1,200 to $1,400. I don't want to compromise my pet's care for savings, but I also don't want to be taken advantage of. Can you help me gain some perspective on reasonable cost for this kind of care?

A. Unfortunately, it's not just a matter of pulling the tooth, and the estimates for your dog's tooth extraction are within the normal range for this sort of procedure. Costs can include anesthesia, hospitalization, painkillers, cleaning and polishing, extractions, surgical supplies, monitoring, office visit, pre-op lab work, catheter and fluids, and antibiotics.

But you should feel comfortable with your veterinarian's competence as well as with his estimate of the charges. If you aren't, I would strongly recommend you seek a second opinion. Even though you'll have to pay for the initial exam, you'll probably save money by being able to compare the estimates.

Q. I have a small, 2-year-old female Chihuahua. She has had a small bald spot on her back leg for several months. I've taken her to a vet and was told it was an allergy. She was given prednisone and children's Benedryl. Is there anything to put on the spot to make the hair grow?

A. The treatment depends on whether your dog continues to lick at the spot. If she will not leave it alone, you need to treat the cause of the allergy first, and then prevent her from licking it. You can treat the spot with over-the-counter hydrocortisone or Benadryl cream as long as you distract her from licking after you put it on, such as by going for a walk.

If she can't stop licking, she may need an Elizabethan collar (an "e-collar") to prevent her from reaching the spot. These can be purchased at a pet supply store.

If she is no longer bothering the spot but the hair is not growing back, it is possible that because of scar tissue the hair will not re-grow. A skin supplement such as Lipiderm may be helpful in encouraging hair growth, and can also help the skin when allergies are present.

Q. Does my dog need a distemper vaccine? How often? My vet says she does. Please don't take offense, but I think some vets take advantage of elderly people and encourage more vet visits than necessary!

A. I would recommend she get a distemper vaccine. Your dog may not often come in contact with infected dogs, but you certainly want her protected if she does.

Many places provide shot clinics where your pet can be updated on shots inexpensively, but that is not a substitute for a checkup. Having a checkup every year will help you find any problems with her health before they become big problems, and that can save money in the long run.

Q. I have a 5-1/2-year-old cat and he always seems to have a pink or red eye that accumulates junk. What should I do for him? I have taken him to the vet and was told that this is normal and nothing to worry about, but sometimes I catch my cat rubbing his eyes.

A. While a little bit of eye discharge can be normal, redness and irritation can also be signs of either an allergy or a chronic viral infection. Both of these conditions are treatable.

Perhaps if you take your cat in while the eye is "flaring up" the veterinarian will be better able to evaluate the problem. If you still are not satisfied, you may want to try getting a second opinion.

Q. My 13-year-old ragdoll, Pixel, is a large kitty with sore joints. We've been advised to give her one baby aspirin a week, which I try to break up and put in cheese. Do you know of a better way to hide the aspirin, or is there another kind that isn't orange-flavored or liquid?

It helps her a great deal when she does get some, as then she can jump up on the couch and snuggle.

A. Aspirin is not one of my preferred treatments for kitties with arthritis. At higher doses, aspirin can affect the kidneys, the ability of the blood to clot, and also upset the stomach. The dose you are giving Pixel is quite small, however, and it sounds as if it is helping the problem.

There are other kinds of aspirin that are not orange-flavored. Bufferin low-strength is a good one. You can crush a half tablet and mix it in some canned food or in tuna oil (what you pour off your own canned tuna).

Fish oils are excellent for a kitty's joints, as are supplements that contain glucosamine/chondroitin and antioxidants. Also, I recommend pets with arthritis have a heated pet bed — you may find it really helps.