Vet Fees.. Are there regulators?

snowman2_2

The problem with this is that we are all too BRITISH! People are too afraid to talk about money - clients should ask about costs upfront and vets should talk about these easier, rather than being scared to talk about fees. It should never be a shock to anyone and vets should not be ashamed / scared to talk about money. It is an expensive job to run a vet practice and we are running a professional service far cheaper than the NHS. Dont expect high standards of care at low, low prices but you should expect itemised bills and reasonably accurate estimates (it is impossible to be 100% accurate all the time) - just ask.

babyshoes

I generally ask the cost of any treatments which are out of the ordinary (apart from basic check ups and normal medications), haven't had any issues yet!

punky__56

Our vets doesnt charge if you go back about the same thing for them to check them over after treatment/ surgery etc. They do charge to draw blood if taken again and courier charges etc.

I always ask how much its going to be before the vet does anything. Our vet has all the prices on the computer system in the consultation room so is easy to get the information and accurate prices.

We have pet insurance so the amount doesnt matter so much but I wouldnt like to think they're ripping me off just because the insurance is paying! And I always keep an itemised invoice in the pets file so I can keep track of what they've had done. Its easy to loose track.

penguingirl

I had a freebie visit when I took my mum's cat back for a follow-up appt last year- but then I gather my mum had spent a small fortune as she (the cat, not my mum) had been in for a few days, had bloods done and an x-ray.

Recently we took our cat to the vet with an abcess on his tail and it was borderline whether the vet thought he should just have anti-biotics or he should have an anaesthetic and have it shaved and looked at properly- while we were discussing it he told us how much the choices were etc. and in the end said it if it were him he'd try the antibiotics and bring him back after a few days if there was no improvement. Luckily for us (and our finances) Harry got better quickly and was out fighting again in no time.

geoffky

The only place i visit and dont know what i am paying is the vets...when the nurse asks for my card...scandalous way of operating

jenhug

mine charges a one off initial consult fee, although he doesn't always even charge that! I'm very fortunate to have an excellent vet thats in it for the animals.

vl2588

Vets will always tell you what things cost beforehand if you just ask. If you get a bad service that is another matter but I've never heard of a vet surgery refusing to tell you the price beforehand. As far as I recall they do have to display certain pricing (e.g. consultation, spay, castration etc.) but I am not 100% sure I'm afraid.

As for things costing more from vets than chemists...that is because vets are scared sh**less they'll get sued for using 'human' preparations and so only stock the animal version (very often the same) but it will cost more simply because the pharmaceutical company will charge more. They are ones raking it in believe me! Some/most vets will be happy to give you a prescription for medication you can collect from a chemist but they can charge and by taking their profit away you are forcing them to charge more for other services unfortunately.

snowman2_2

geoffky wrote: »

The only place i visit and dont know what i am paying is the vets...when the nurse asks for my card...scandalous way of operating

Simple solution - ASK US BEFORE!!

vl2588 wrote: »

As for things costing more from vets than chemists...that is because vets are scared sh**less they'll get sued for using 'human' preparations and so only stock the animal version

It is not being sued that is the problem but it is a criminal offence to sell human drugs when there is a licensed animal alternative. Most vets think this rule is daft but I for one do not want a criminal record.

vl2588 wrote: »

(very often the same) but it will cost more simply because the pharmaceutical company will charge more. They are ones raking it in believe me!

Pharmaceutical companies and the VMD are the ones who are happy with this system and I would rather invent a new useful drug than be a vet. A human drug would be even more lucrative.

vl2588 wrote: »

Some/most vets will be happy to give you a prescription for medication you can collect from a chemist but they can charge and by taking their profit away you are forcing them to charge more for other services unfortunately.

Exactly. We still have to pay our nurses / receptionists / vets / other bills, so we have to make the money back somewhere. It is not a well paid profession compared to human medicine / dentistry / lawyers. We are slowly learning to charge for our time better and not rely on medicine sales. Our pricing structure is being forced against our will to change but it will have to change.:D