Yes I can say the same for my cat who lived to be 21. I only took her to the vet a couple times to treat minor issues. Of course they read me the riot act each time.
There is a vet in Long Beach, CA named Dr. A. He is the Master of Guilt. He knew how to say just the right things, had big brown sad eyes like a dog himself, and really could convince you if you loved your pet to spend $x. I sent in a tough, no nonsense guy who turned every nickel in because I fell for it every time. He came back $1k poorer. Best to just avoid vets as long as possible.
The recent death by poisoning of our kitty Ciel is a case in point, perhaps. She was very very sick when we first brought her in, and he gave her a 60% chance of survival. I think she didn’t have that much hope. But that did get Doc another $800. Makes you wonder. I’m glad to have had that week with her, injecting her with fluids, caring for every drop I fed her. But it may have all been evidently in vain from the start, and he didn’t say that.