pdsa - your recent experiences?

skoop

The pdsa. People who recieve council tax benefit or housing benefit are entitled to free curative treatment for one pet. They are asked to make a donation too. I know this issue of free pet care entitlement can get people stirred up but I don't want to debate that.

I am wondering what people's experiences have been and what the limitations of the free service are .

I noticed this on their website - "We will offer a similar level of treatment to that afforded by the average fee-paying client. For treatments beyond the resources of PDSA, we will refer you to a private veterinary surgeon at your own cost."

thanks

pboae

I'm not quite sure what you are asking.

My sister's cat was seen by the PDSA a couple of years ago. He fell out of a window and got his leg impaled on a railing. This was out of hours and sis had to get a neighbour to drive her to the clinic. The PDSA were fantastic, and I don't think she would have got better service anywhere else. He was kept in for a while and then had to go back for several follow up visits as well. His leg is still a bit wonky, but it doesn't stop him doing anything.

AFAIK she didn't have to pay anything for the treatment, but she did give them a donation.

spankymonkey_2

my cat had to have emergency Caesarean and only 1 kitten survived my husband was off work due to a shattered kneecap,so i couldn't afford the £300 bill in full. i applied for help from the pdsa and they asked how much i could afford to pay towards it and i paid £118 .pdsa then contacted me a few weeks later to say they would pay a percentage which was £140.
i then had a balance of £45 to pay. i could not fault the service at all and my cat is covered under the pet-aid scheme till november as long as the cat is registered with my vet!

simontheiceman

skoop wrote: »

The pdsa. People who recieve council tax benefit or housing benefit are entitled to free curative treatment for one pet. They are asked to make a donation too. I know this issue of free pet care entitlement can get people stirred up but I don't want to debate that.

I am wondering what people's experiences have been and what the limitations of the free service are .

I noticed this on their website - "We will offer a similar level of treatment to that afforded by the average fee-paying client. For treatments beyond the resources of PDSA, we will refer you to a private veterinary surgeon at your own cost."

thanks

PDSA run 2 types of service:
a) PDSA hospitals - run by PDSA vets
b) PetAid practices - private vets who offer the PDSA services where the PDSA dont want to run a hospital. BTW the PDSA would love to sell its hospitals and turn them into PetAid practices but this aint happening.

Limitations (based on PetAid Practice experience) - generally this is:
1. No access to specialists - if your clinic cant provide it then your pet cant have it.
2. No access to every treatment under the sun: - just cos you red it on the tinternet dont meen U can ave it. You can have treatment that will treat the condition but you are not entitled to the "gold standard" by default. It is for the treatment of "illness and injury" without charge.
3. You have to pay out-of hours call-out fees but not for the treatment. There are very few genuine emergencies - most call outs are for meaningless rubbish.
4. You must keep up your pets preventative healthcare and the tacit agreement is that you source this from your PDSA Pet-aid vet. It cuts both ways - why should you get everything and they get nothing?
5. You have to pre-register - if you dont you cant just rock-up and expect free treatment.
6. Its postcode based - check your area. Not everywhere is included.
7. The scheme works really well if everyone plays by the rules but a few idiots always threaten to spoil it for the majority.
8. BREEDING related issues are not covered e.g. caesarian (see above)

skoop

Thank you all for your replies.

BYALPHAINDIA

Iv'e always said that we need 'clear' information about Pet treatment, As they seems to be alot of confusion as to payment aids.

The PDSA have been excellent so far when I have had to use them.:j

lil_me

Our area has PDSA shops, but the postcode means you can't get support, so when many of the shops supporters on benefits find themselves in need, the door is closed, which leaves them a little cross.

UKTigerlily

Had to take one of my Ratties in to the PDSA, they allow three pets to be registered. Normally i'd take her to my Vet & happily pay in full but i'd been ill & spent every penny I had. Couldn't fault a thing, they were amazing & admitted her (Always think Vets will think i'm crazy caring so much about my Rats!) I don't think they said anything about having to have the Cat's vaccinations & things done there though

Emmabeth

the catchement areas for pdsa practices/hospitals is VERY small, so do check out if you are within one BEFORE you have an emergency!