ChatterBank1 min ago
What can we do about astronomical vets' fees?
13 Answers
Yesterday I took one of my dogs to the vet to have a split paw pad stitched, under general anaesthetic. He was there best part of the day and the charge was �260. Today took my other dog to have a poorly leg looked at. the examination was �40, after which it was explained he needs an X-Ray which will cost �300-�400 - and that's before the problem is even treated. Yes, my dogs are insured. But how justified are such astronomical fees and is there any way of avoiding them?
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It doesn't cost more for a pet than it would for private medical treatment. Vets don't have an NHS to cover the costs of running and practice and hiring staff.
Although I do think �300-�400 is a bit much, how many X-rays is he doing exactly?!
You can phone around various practices and ask what basic prices are e.g. the cost of a basic consultation, and common procedures like spaying and neutering, and decide where you want to take your business.
Although I do think �300-�400 is a bit much, how many X-rays is he doing exactly?!
You can phone around various practices and ask what basic prices are e.g. the cost of a basic consultation, and common procedures like spaying and neutering, and decide where you want to take your business.
It is also worth checking how your vet covers out of hours treatment.
On another forum a person had a six month old pup who started being sick in the evening. They phoned the vet (there normal vet had another practice cover out of hours) to be told unless they had 95 pounds cash the vet would not even see the dog, did not matter if they were insured, the vet wanted the money up front! Otherwise they would have to wait until the following day and see their normal vet. The dog got progressively weaker and died at 5.30am. The following day their normal vet said that even if they had paid the 95 pounds, the vet would still not have operated unless they could provide 1,000 pounds up front!
On phoning round other vets the following morning they found out that some of the other vets also put out their practice to this vet on out of hours treatment. They have now found a vet who would treat the animal first and sort out payment afterwards.
This would have been the same even if they had insurance!!
On another forum a person had a six month old pup who started being sick in the evening. They phoned the vet (there normal vet had another practice cover out of hours) to be told unless they had 95 pounds cash the vet would not even see the dog, did not matter if they were insured, the vet wanted the money up front! Otherwise they would have to wait until the following day and see their normal vet. The dog got progressively weaker and died at 5.30am. The following day their normal vet said that even if they had paid the 95 pounds, the vet would still not have operated unless they could provide 1,000 pounds up front!
On phoning round other vets the following morning they found out that some of the other vets also put out their practice to this vet on out of hours treatment. They have now found a vet who would treat the animal first and sort out payment afterwards.
This would have been the same even if they had insurance!!
Noweia, I wasn't quite being serious...I know that's the case, and it is bl**dy expensive, but I would pay anything for Jack's health.
As I have said in a prev. post, even with insurance some Vets expect you to pay upfront, much like kita1 is saying. My vets got a bit stroppy when I asked if ever anything happened, they could wait for me to make a claim before taking payment. Not many people have a spare �500+ lying around, which is why most people take the insurance option. It is quite frustrating, and you would expect that the animal's welfare was their priority. Perhaps not.
A friend was paying �35+ for consultations (before any meds etc.) whereas my old vets charged �19, and my new one around �23.
Lisa.
As I have said in a prev. post, even with insurance some Vets expect you to pay upfront, much like kita1 is saying. My vets got a bit stroppy when I asked if ever anything happened, they could wait for me to make a claim before taking payment. Not many people have a spare �500+ lying around, which is why most people take the insurance option. It is quite frustrating, and you would expect that the animal's welfare was their priority. Perhaps not.
A friend was paying �35+ for consultations (before any meds etc.) whereas my old vets charged �19, and my new one around �23.
Lisa.
we've just been told that if, as they suspect, our second dog has cruciate ligament damage, that'll cost between �3,000 - �4,000 to treat. And they say we won't get such good treatment at a better price elsewhere.
British people in particular are renown for being so potty about their pets that they'd do anything to make them happy and healthy. I sometimes wonder if vets seek to take advantage of that.
British people in particular are renown for being so potty about their pets that they'd do anything to make them happy and healthy. I sometimes wonder if vets seek to take advantage of that.
As always, there's a balance to be struck.
If you saw how many hours people spend in vet practices chasing up people who don't pay their bills, you'd maybe understand where we're coming from! You wouldn't go into a supermarket, take something, then ask to come back and pay later, would you?
It's hard to keep asking for money, especially in sensitive circumstances like euthanasia, and in cases where an animal is badly injured and in desperate need of veterinary treatment. It can seem that the vet doesn't care about the animal's welfare (and I'm sorry to say that I've seen some vets who don't - but they are in the extreme minority) but a guarantee of payment is necessary to keep the practice running.
I'd still phone other vets in the area and see what they charge for treatment - is your practice a referral one?
If you saw how many hours people spend in vet practices chasing up people who don't pay their bills, you'd maybe understand where we're coming from! You wouldn't go into a supermarket, take something, then ask to come back and pay later, would you?
It's hard to keep asking for money, especially in sensitive circumstances like euthanasia, and in cases where an animal is badly injured and in desperate need of veterinary treatment. It can seem that the vet doesn't care about the animal's welfare (and I'm sorry to say that I've seen some vets who don't - but they are in the extreme minority) but a guarantee of payment is necessary to keep the practice running.
I'd still phone other vets in the area and see what they charge for treatment - is your practice a referral one?
3 - 400 pound!!! Excuse me while i retrieve my jaw from the floor! That's ludicrous! I live in the states, California to be exact, and i had to take a kitten i rescued to to vet ,I was aided with cost by an animal rescue charity, but the xray would have to come out of my pocket. The kitten had a hip xray and it was found out he had a broken pelvis! Anyway that xray only cost $60, approx. 25 to 30 English pounds. I realize vets have to charge for procedures, but that sounds like gouging to me. Just how many xrays will your dog be getting for that amount?
Xray film does not cost that much and even their time to take the picture is not worth that much. It's tragic really as what our we supposed to do if our beloved pets need this, pay i guess. I would however call around and compare xray prices. My mother lives in Yoevil and does animal rescue and she said that unfortunately the vets stick together as far a pricing but it doesn't hurt to call around. Did you ask the vet how a whole day of treatment, anesthesia and stitches could cost less than an xray?
Xray film does not cost that much and even their time to take the picture is not worth that much. It's tragic really as what our we supposed to do if our beloved pets need this, pay i guess. I would however call around and compare xray prices. My mother lives in Yoevil and does animal rescue and she said that unfortunately the vets stick together as far a pricing but it doesn't hurt to call around. Did you ask the vet how a whole day of treatment, anesthesia and stitches could cost less than an xray?
Vets do not seem to work to any pricing benchmark - I paid �950 (West Midlands) (or the insurance did) for a bitch to be spayed after a pyo (she had two consultations, antibiotics and a scan before the operation, which were all included in the price, but no overnight stay), a friend of mine paid �450 (Wales) for an older dog that was somewhat more poorly than mine which included one overnight stay, and someone else paid �250 (Scotland) and her dog was in the vets for three days. However, I have tried 'other' vets in my area, and wouldnt trust them with a spider. If you think about it, look at hairdressers, there charges vary from one shop to another in the same town.
As Noweia said, the prices only seem ridiculous compared to human treatment because pets dont have an NHS (for what its worth). If they did (or humans didn't) the prices would be around the same like for like. I would suggest you seriously consider insurance, the cheapest (and best cover - award winning apperently) that I've found is Sainsburys. Unfortunately any insurance company wouldn't cover existing ailments but you should also remember the likes of the PDSA who only ask for proportional payments, nothing like that of private practice vets costs.
Of course I cannot name my vet here, but this is what I was charged. Dog under 20kg castrated, tooth removed, and nails clipped at the same time. Followed up with an examination two days later to check on stiches and to enquire if there had been any problems. He had tried to get at his stiches so they gave me a collar. Took him back today (1 week later) for removal of the stiches and to return the collar. Total paid �50.95 and told to keep the collar in case I needed one in the future.
they have two practices in North Birmingham and produce a leaflet giving clear prices on many proceedures.
So there are reasonable prices out there. Mine was great VALUE !
they have two practices in North Birmingham and produce a leaflet giving clear prices on many proceedures.
So there are reasonable prices out there. Mine was great VALUE !
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