Subsidised veterinary treatment

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

OK, first of all, yes, I am a mug. I have 3 cats, none of which were intentional additions to the family. Two moggies and one pedigree, all of which were going to die horribly in one way or another had I not taken them. (yes, they can see me coming a mile off - I have also rehomed dogs in the past).

I am eligible to take the mob to the PDSA for treatment.

Luckily, they have been largely healthy and have only been seen three times - two broken teeth and one hyperthyroid. One had a severe flea allergy years ago and I took her to Celia Hammond as I had just lost my job and had no income at all - they provided treatment at cost price.

I've just moved and my previously indoor cats want to investigate the great outdoors. So they need vaccinating, chipping and being given worm and flea treatments.

As I'm sitting there with three grumpy mogs, I wonder to myself why the woman behind the counter was so apologetic that I had to pay for these things. For the cost of one cat's vaccination course privately, I am getting three cats healthy and safe.

Moreover, one is also being taken in for a dental spruce up and removal of two little annoying cysts on her neck next week. All I have to do is give them what I can afford (which isn't much, but even if I give them ten boxes of cheap washing powder, they'll be happy).

The queue was horrendous, the 90 minute wait frustrating.

But I'm in the queue so my cats get vet treatment at cost price or less.

Most people would wait in a queue if they were going to get £200 at the end of it, wouldn't they?

What baffles me is the number of people getting stroppy because they've waited for a long time and not everything is totally free. I listened to someone shouting about how useless the PDSA were because they weren't seen immediately without an appointment, proof of entitlement or a bowl of food for the dog. Others were creating because the flea treatment was £10 - a treatment that usually costs nearer £21.


If you don't like it, then stuff off to a private vet and see if they'll give it to you for free!


[Rant over, off to order a load of supplies for the petaid hospital online now... ]

925dancer

I have had to use the PDSA once and I went without for a week so I could make a donation.

Now i am back to using a private veterinary practice.

In mine and many others I know opinions, the PDSA should not be a solution to long term veterinary car for any animal and should definitely not be the plan to enable someone to deliberately bring in a new pet.

It should be used as it is intended, for those who find themselves in difficult circumstances who have no other choice but to use them. They are a charity and like all animal charities at the moment they will be struggling immensely with the overwhelming weight of so many people who have suddenly found themselves unemployed over the last couple of years.

People who see it as a right or entitlement need their heads knocked together and shouldn't be able to take on new pets.

As much as I can't imagine life without my cats I wouldn't knowingly bring them into my home if I thought at any time I couldn't pay for any and all veterinary treatment fully out of my own pocket for the majority of their lives. They are essentially a luxury and a gift to share my home with and not a right.

Sagz_2

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

If you don't like it, then stuff off to a private vet and see if they'll give it to you for free!

:T:T

I've never qualified for free Vet treatment (nor have my pets!) but if I ever do I'm damn sure I'd be thankful for whatever help I could get.

EmptyPockets

Norbertsmum wrote: »

I've never qualified for free Vet treatment (nor have my pets!) but if I ever do I'm damn sure I'd be thankful for whatever help I could get.

Ditto everything you said

purplepardalis

Norbertsmum wrote: »

:T:T

I've never qualified for free Vet treatment (nor have my pets!) but if I ever do I'm damn sure I'd be thankful for whatever help I could get.

Same here

As for the moaning minnies in the PDSA, in my heavily pregnant hormonal state I would've said something for sure!

hunnycat

my gran qualifies for PDSA but she always goes private, this was until her cat needed a £300 operation! She went to the PDSA who said they would do it for £17 as this is the cost to them. Fantastic service and staff were so friendly. My gran made a donation of £100 for this but there were people there with thier designer pets and clothes not putting anything in!