Vet Fees.. Are there regulators?

Essex32

I am writing on behalf of my friend who has a cat who is poorly. She took it to the vet on Monday who gave her cat a thorough examination and concluded needed to do a blood test to determine why cat is ill. The blood was taken there and then and my friend paid a bill of GBP 110 which was for consulation, bloods removed and bloods tested and admin fees.. the vet contacted her on Tuesday and said they had tested blood and cat may have feline lukemia of which another blood test was required, my friend said why does cat need more blood taken surely you can test for FELV with blood you have and he explained when testing for Feline Lukemia they have to send it off to a lab and bloods they took have already been tested for other things, therefore on Wed my friend went back to the vet who took more blood and also explained briefly about the results for the first test.. Thing is she was charged yet another consulation fee which is GBP 30 plus charges resulting to GBP 70 for the blood, and even sending it away to be tested down as courier fees etc.
Although she didnt say anything at the time but she and I both feel that a 2nd consulation fee should not have been charged - the vet asked her to come back for another blood sample to be taken, appreciate she was explained about results of first blood test but she said it she was in and out in minutes.
Therefore is there some kind of governing body who regulates vet charges - this vet has had in the past bad press about charges (charged OAP GBP 70 for dog spray as her dog had some hair problem and she found exact same product in her local chemist for GBP 12) and feel some of the charges levied are expensive .. why charge a 2nd consulation fee when she was told to come back for a 2nd blood test, also fees such as admin and courier fees.
Sorry this is a bit long.. but wanted to explain the whole situation.
Thanks for reading and would appreciate any help

Charlie1986

My dog has regular blood tests and we pay for the first consultation, taking the blood, sending the blood away and the lab fee. We also pay for a second consultation when we go back for the results, although our consultation fee is lower as we are a 'regular' customer

925dancer

My vet charges a slightly reduced rate for follow ups for the same condition.

I'm assuming this is the only vet in the area? Otherwise your friend must be bonkers to use one which has had bad press previously. It's like any other business, if you aren't happy with the service, take your business elsewhere.

You could contact RCVS, although I'm not sure if pricing falls under their remit.

Mrs_Z

Hi, our vet also charges lesser fee for the second consultation (for the same problem) - it's about 1/2 price if I remember correctly. Blood tests (and x-rays) are expensive, as they need to send them to a lab. You can always change vets if you're not happy - or challenge the second consultation fee? No harm in asking what their pricing policy is.

chris_n_tj

Our Vet charges for the first consultation and then at a reduced rate for any further visits. As others have said tell your friend to ask for the price list (but the price list should be pinned up in the waiting room) Other than that change Vets.

We are lucky, if our Vet knows a productis cheaper elsewhere he tells us. Not eveyone is as lucky as we are, our Vet and his staff are second to none, they are fantastic.

welshmoneylover

Does anyone know if vets have to display their prices within reception area?

My vets doesn't so I never know what I'm going to be charged until after any treatment has been given, so by then it's too late!

Just wondering thats all..

chris_n_tj

welshmoneylover wrote: »

Does anyone know if vets have to display their prices within reception area?

My vets doesn't so I never know what I'm going to be charged until after any treatment has been given, so by then it's too late!

Just wondering thats all..

I thought they did, but it might just be that our Vet practice does. Although I am sure somewhere on the notice board it says it has to be shown. I shall look when I go in next week.

I found this if it helps at all.

“The regulatory body The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons have a guide of professional conduct which states veterinary practices have to display their fees and give quotes in advance of treating animals,” says Harvey Locke, president-elect, British Veterinary Association.
Vets will also charge a higher fee if called upon outside office hours.

Tropez

welshmoneylover wrote: »

Does anyone know if vets have to display their prices within reception area?

My vets doesn't so I never know what I'm going to be charged until after any treatment has been given, so by then it's too late!

Just wondering thats all..

The RCVS requires that all vets display the prices of their top ten selling medications clearly in the reception area. However, I do not believe they are required to display the costs of consultation fees.

As stated above, they are required to be clear about the cost of treating animals before they proceed with the treatment.

snowman2_2

As Tropez said, all vets have to display the prices of their top ten medicines but that is the only requirement. We have to offer an itemised invoice afterwards and morally we should go through prices before work is done but this is not a legal requirement. The RCVS have no remit to investigate prices at all (unless they are so obscene that they bring the profession into disrepute but I don't think that has ever happened).
At the end of the day it is a free market economy and vets can charge what they like (as long as we tell you before the work is done). If you dont like the prices, go to different vets. There are a lot of good vets out there who charge fair prices.

tizerbelle

snowman2 wrote: »

There are a lot of good vets out there who charge fair prices.

Completely agree with everything you said. Unfortunately I think many people don't understand the "fair" pricing bit. I've heard people moan about consultation fees along the lines of "£25 consult fee and I was only in there for 10 minutes".

Often people forget that you are not purely paying for the vet's time (they are not on £150 per hour although I'm sure they wished they were!). You are also paying for the practice's overheads such as utilities; insurances (employers/liability/product etc); wages; rents; equipment; supplies; stationery; advertising etc etc

welshmoneylover

snowman2 wrote: »

If you dont like the prices, go to different vets.

Its not that I don't like the prices, I would actually like to know how much a consultation fee is and how much injections & tablets are before they're administered to my pet.

Same thing I suppose as going to Tesco and doing some shopping there, I like to know how much things are going to cost before putting them into my basket.

I recently took my two dogs to the vets for1 booster & 2 kennel cough vaccines and worming and frontline treatments and was expecting a bill of about £70-£80, I had a fit when I put my card in the machine, it was only then I found out how much it had all cost and it was a heck of a lot more than what I'd estimated. Now if the vets displayed their prices before hand at least it would save the embarrassment of being caught short in case I didn't have enough money in my account iyswim.

I don't mind paying vets fees cos thats part of being a pet owner, I would like to know how much it will be BEFORE anything is administered. I'm lucky I can afford fees but plenty of people can't and it could be a bit embarrassing to be caught short at the last minute.