What do you think of the Vets?

bagginslover

Instead of compairing the cost of drugs at a vets to their production price, compare them to the price of the same drugs obtained privately fir humans here in the UK, I think you will find it quite interesting. Vets have to make a living, and contrary to popular belief, aren't raking it in. They have overheads like any business, staff to pay, premises to rent and pay bills for. Many drugs are VERY expensive, one that they are talking about trying my dog on next is over £200 for a weeks course, he'd need at least 6 weeks of it if it proved to work.

I'm going to be blunt, if you don't want to pay vet bills you deem to be too expensive, don't get anymore animals.

DebiT

bagginslover wrote: »

I'm going to be blunt, if you don't want to pay vet bills you deem to be too expensive, don't get anymore animals.

Excuse me, but please don't lecture me on whether I should have animals or not. Its not blunt, its just plain rude.

I started this thread so that others could give share their opinions/ experiences of their vets. You seem to be outraged that anyone would dare question either their prices or knowledge, and have become quite personal. Not everyone is as cockahoop with their vets as you appear to be, and they're perfectly entitled to say so (me included).

I have no problem in paying a vet to give my animal the correct treatment at a fair price, but I refuse to pay over inflated costs for their guess work. Its not fair on the animal either.

Sid_Wolf

i think vets charge a fair price, vets have spent a minimum of 6 years in training, and have a god damn awful job (i couldnt cope with seeing that many sick animals, especially if they didnt make it), IMO they deserve a good wage

i cant afford to pay the vets fees, so i have all 3 of my dogs insured.

bagginslover

I'm not outraged in the slightest, am I not allowed to express my opinion? I have questioned their prices in the past, but having done the research I suggested to you, have found them comparable if not cheaper than their human doctor counterparts. I have an informed opinion, which I am as free to express as you are.

Take my dog as an example. All the tests they have done over the past 3-4 weeks show a perfectly healthy dog, going by them there is nothing wring with him at all. Yet he has a raging temperature and is in constant crippling pain in his abdomen and spine, now spreading to his shoulders and hips. Should I not pay for anything they have done so far simply because he's not yet got a diagnosis? Of course I should pay, they have done the work, it's that simple. Work, get paid.

My comment was not intended to be rude, nor was it just directed at you (though I do see why you think it was). Too many people take on pets with no intention of providing for them properly, whether it be in basic care like proper feeding and exercise, or taking them to the vets when needed. It really makes me angry, no-one should take on a pet without fully understanding the potential costs involved, and being prepared to either pay for them, or insure against them. That's where I'm coming from.

3v3

DebiT wrote: »

In comparison to the actual price of the medication involved. Here is just one small example:http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1705235/Vets-can-overcharge-500-for-medicines.html

But, by that same token, haven't we all experienced the cost of an "over the counter generic drug" be less expensive than the GP "prescribed" version? Equally, the vast majority of the drugs we, as humans, are given are not available over the counter and it is the drugs companies who determine the price, not the point of prescription.

Clearly there will always be people who charge a premium price for their services, just like any other industry. Many will justify that by their outlays which need to be covered.

I suppose it's like anything: buy at Harrods, pay premium; buy at Tesco's, pay less.

If you are unhappy with the vetenary surgery you have been to, do shop around; ask people you trust for recommendations. We all want the best for our pets within our budgets. We all want the best service at the most affordable price. I would have no qualms recommending my vet, based on my personal experiences, to others. Does that make him a great vet? Maybe! Or, have I just have been fortunate, with the right ailment/right diagnosis/at the right time? So difficult to quantify!

My best friend took her dog to her local vet ( 3yrs ago ). Diagnosis: bowel cancer. My friend decided to take her dog to a vet in the next County who specialised in cancer in dogs. Cost a small fortune (which she was willing to pay!) to perform an op. His diagnosis was: it cannot be cured, she'll possibly live 6 months. My friend didn't mind the expense for 6 months longer with her beloved pet.

Despite his expertise and diagnosis, her dog lived beyond the guestimated 6 months, but, sadly passed away a couple of months ago (3yrs later!!). It wasn't all roses The cancer caused a blockage in the bowel which made passing 'motions' extremely difficult and she had a constant "dribble" and would often go to the garden and strain away with little result. But, my friend could see that, other than the straining, her dog showed no other signs of stress and she was grateful for every single day with her beloved dog. She doesn't regret or resent the money the operation (and subsequent check ups) cost. Despite the vet being "wrong" in how long the dog had left to live

thegirlintheattic

My vets have always been very good although at times patronising (i.e. I know a lot of medicine/biology I don't need things simplified to the point of a 5 year old understanding them).

It's very hard to diagnose animals as they cannot describe what they are feeling, and as with humans there are red herring.

bugslet

I know at one point there was a push from the EU to ban the use of generic drugs by vets. Does anyone know if that came into force, or was it fought successfully?

bagginslover

I remember reading on here a few weeks ago that vets can't prescribe generic medication, I can't remember who posted it or which thread though-it could have been one of our resident vets though.

Katiehound

Just thinking back I am lucky with my vet as he is open to alternative therapies.
When my lovely hound was diagnosed with lymphoma I asked around for other non invasive treatments and found one that had been registered in Hungary for pets. My vet willingly contacted one of the vets in this country using the regime and ordered the instructions/ vitamins etc withought charging me extra for organising it. Sadly it made no difference but my hound (Katie) enjoyed her new organic, fresh diet for a couple of weeks and I felt I had done evreything in my power- with my vet's assistance.

Katiehound

Hi Bagginslover, Sorry to hear about your dog, you must be getting frantic (as well as bankrupt) and still no further forward.Just wonder if you can get a referral to a vet who practises acupuncture?