The cost of vets

orlao

Reebox,

Sorry about your cat.....it's very tough when they have an undiagnosed or ongoing condition but TBH, I think it's up to us as owners to find the best options for our animals and not to rely on other people to "tell" us what to do! I don't mean that to sound harsh by the way, just that I don't expect Waitrose to point out that their food costs more than Asda for instance so it is my responsibility to research the best way forward......

However, shouldn't all vets have a notice up pointing out that you can have a prescription? Also, a price list of the 10 most commonly prescribed items?

Not sure about that,maybe someone else can clarify....

wuno

orlao wrote: »

However, shouldn't all vets have a notice up pointing out that you can have a prescription? Also, a price list of the 10 most commonly prescribed items?

Not sure about that,maybe someone else can clarify....

Yes. It's the law. Can't remember exactly how big the signs are supposed to be. I think it says "prominently displayed" or something like that. Ours are A4 and 14 point font.

Fleago

I'm a bit late, but I'll give you a hug, wuno and snowman2! We have a very long standing relationship with our vet practice and I would do whatever it takes to support them. We trust the vets implicitly and respect them and in return, they respect us. But more than that, they are pragmatic; they don't order unneccesary tests and they give honest opinions when asked. It's not the fanciest practice in the area, but I don't care. If they can't do it, then they'll know a man or woman that can!

My vet practice is a treasure beyond price and by the sounds of you two, I bet you are as well! :T

frankie55

Hi, I'm happy to say that I've an excellent vet (they hold the Petplan practise of the year 2007)
They are in my nearest county town and dreat farm animals, horses,reptiles and camelides as well as small animals. The main hospital is in the town with another satellite hospital in another small town, there are also several branches in the surrounding villages. I've just booked my cat in for his boosters at £24.50 and just had my little doggy girl speyed for £118.25 including painkillers head collar and two visits for checking stitches and removal of stiches. When the pup had sore ears when I got here(mites) it was £23 for antibiotics andfurther checks to see they had cleared. They also didn't charge me when I went in convinced my dog had worts or something worse growing on her back! they were ticks lol in many years of having dogs I'd never come across a sheep tick before! I'm now very proficient at removing ticks as my girly is a bit of a tick magnet and I'm removing 5-10 every week. We are like chimps picking through her fur every night lol. This vet's is very good and is pounds cheaper than when I lived in a city, they also have lots of trainee vets helping out.

Reebox_2

Hi, and thanks for your feedback. I still feel that the veterinary practice has been too business minded in this instant. I think that, if a pets condition needs several prescriptions, then it is right to get these from the practice. In the same way that it is right to use your local corner shop - use it or lose it. However, there is I think a tipping point, when the balance is so out of favour of the customer (and therefore the animals welfare), that the practice should make a point of giving the helpful advice that could reduce a bill (and therefore leave a bit more money for future treatment).

In terms of the food, I still don't understand why one veterinary practice (where i was not registered) had to phone my practice to get permission to sell me food, when it requires no prescription and can actually be bought over the internet.

In terms of the pills, I am a quite observant person. If I am in a waiting room, then I look round at the posters and leaflets. I did not see any information about prescriptions.

This experience has, sadly, really damaged my trust in the vets - that they have our best interests at heart (my cats and I). I think it was all business-minded in this case, and that is a horrible place to be when you know your pet has a chronic illness. I am looking at other veterinary practices, just wish we had one that felt like less of a business! Thanks again for your input folks, much appreciated. Perhaps I am being too stubborn.

wuno

Reebox wrote: »

In terms of the food, I still don't understand why one veterinary practice (where i was not registered) had to phone my practice to get permission to sell me food, when it requires no prescription and can actually be bought over the internet.

This is because there is a (all too frequently flouted nawadays) rule in the profession that one vet practice cannot take over a client from another without informing them (not asking their permission, as such, since the original practice cannot say 'no').

What you did in going to another practice just for food (rather than to register your pet) was really very unusual (it's never happened to me in 12 years, as far as I can remember), and I suspect they didn't really know how to deal with it, so they were just covering themselves by informing your existing practice.

orlao

Reebox wrote: »

This experience has, sadly, really damaged my trust in the vets - that they have our best interests at heart (my cats and I). I think it was all business-minded in this case, and that is a horrible place to be when you know your pet has a chronic illness. I am looking at other veterinary practices, just wish we had one that felt like less of a business! Thanks again for your input folks, much appreciated. Perhaps I am being too stubborn.

I don't think you are being too stubborn!;)

While I have queried all through this thread whether vets(in general!) are business like enough it's NOT "good business" if your clients don't trust you and as our pets are so precious to us it is imperative to us that we don't feel as if we are being fleeced when we get the bill which requires good communication all the way through the treatment by both parties. However, those of us who don't insure our animals for whatever reasons are taking a risk that we may have to pay out.....that's the way the cookie crumbles but IMHO there is no good reason then why I shouldn't source (legally:D ) the same meds at a vastly reduced price and I feel strongly that my vets should support that instead of trying, as they did in the past to imply that I was an uncaring, skinflint owner etc. Ok, after a few strong words that stopped but they very nearly lost a client as a result of their attitude which to me, doesn't make good business sense. I am happy to take their advice but I do expect them to able to back it up with valid reasons (not just tell me "because I say so" type of thing)

In saying that, some of the cleverest vets I have met have been ones who obviously much prefer animals to people (can't say I blame them a lot of the time) and have barely a grunt to spare to the owners but, if they have any sense they will employ a receptionist/ administrator who is a good communicator to fill in the gap in their skills IYSWIM so that the practice has someone to talk to and explain costs etc to the owners who after all are the "bill payers" whether it's through insurance or direct from their pockets.

FWIW, If you feel able to I would ask them where their prescription signs are next time you're in and also speak to the practice manager/principle vet and tell them why you are going to another vets......if enough people do that, not just vets btw but every business or service we use, maybe it'll start to make a difference

Hope your cat feels better soon