Vet invoice-can they bill us an additional £10 weeks after the original appointment?

arcon5

wilkins_micawber wrote: »

I think that's the point that really sticks in my throat - the fact that they didn't even hint that additional charges would be forthcoming. Hopefully the next vet will be more open (God knows next time I'll be asking more questions).

Was you given a price before the work was undertaken?
Or was it given to you afterwards?

EDIT: sorry, don't mean to make it sound like some kind of building project rather than the care of a loved pet

wilkins_micawber

OK, let me try to clear this one up. Took the pooch in for a check-up, where we also picked up some Milbemax for the pets. We were given a recepticle to get a sample of pee (we tried taking it at the vet, but of course sir wasn't in the mood at the time). I asked on the day what was owed and was quoted a total figure, which was duly paid in full. At no point did either the vet having seen our dog or the behind the counter staff mention the likelihood of any additional future fees.

According to the invoice we received today, we paid for:

- antibiotic treatment given on the day
- a consultation fee
- a pharmaceutical fee (£7.89 - what is this?!)
- milbemax for the dog and our cat

What's not covered (and is dated 02/08, along with everything else) is "urine multistix only" for £10. While on the one hand I can see the vet considering it not billed until the sample is returned (which it duly was later the same day), surely the onus is on them to have at least informed us as to (a) the likely cost and (b) the fact that this was going to be billed separately anyway?

We went away with the kit to get the sample, obviously we were going to get the test done - why wasn't I billed for this on the day along with everything else?

Cheers for all your assistance guys, it's appreciated.

wilkins_micawber

Oh - and to be clear - no quote was given prior to our pet being seen.

pauletruth

they normally don't charge up front. it makes sense to me that you would be billed later for the test.
they are not doing anything wrong its just how it happens. with the test on the horse to see if she was in foal we had to wait a number of weeks to get that part of the bill.
when you had to take the test back you should have known that it was going to cost you something. after all its one think that is sure walk in the door of a vets and they start charging.

however we have had to have the vet out a number of times and a number of early morning trips and late at night trips and they have always been helpful and ok about waiting for there cash. it would be a shame to lose a vet over 10 quid. assuming they are any good. if not then go somewhere else.

paddyrg

Vet fees and services vary wildly. An invoice is a request for payment, you can choose whether or not to pay, they can choose whether or not to chase you for the tenner if you don't.

Maybe you can take your current invoice (anonymised if you prefer) to some other local practices and ask them what they would have charged for the same services, maybe you will find a cheaper one for the future?

texranger

wilkins_micawber wrote: »

OK, let me try to clear this one up. Took the pooch in for a check-up, where we also picked up some Milbemax for the pets. We were given a recepticle to get a sample of pee (we tried taking it at the vet, but of course sir wasn't in the mood at the time). I asked on the day what was owed and was quoted a total figure, which was duly paid in full. At no point did either the vet having seen our dog or the behind the counter staff mention the likelihood of any additional future fees.

According to the invoice we received today, we paid for:

- antibiotic treatment given on the day
- a consultation fee
- a pharmaceutical fee (£7.89 - what is this?!)
- milbemax for the dog and our cat

What's not covered (and is dated 02/08, along with everything else) is "urine multistix only" for £10. While on the one hand I can see the vet considering it not billed until the sample is returned (which it duly was later the same day), surely the onus is on them to have at least informed us as to (a) the likely cost and (b) the fact that this was going to be billed separately anyway?

We went away with the kit to get the sample, obviously we were going to get the test done - why wasn't I billed for this on the day along with everything else?

Cheers for all your assistance guys, it's appreciated.

so you had to take the urine in later that the vets appointment. if this is the case they the £10 is for the urine test after you took the urine in after the appointment.

look at this way, when you go to the supermarket for your shopping when do you pay (i guess like everyone else at the end checkout) they dont invoice you beforehand do they.

so pay the bill as the vet carried out the urine test AFTER your appointment so you would not have been charged for this at your appointment.

fluffnutter

wilkins_micawber wrote: »

OK, let me try to clear this one up. Took the pooch in for a check-up, where we also picked up some Milbemax for the pets. We were given a recepticle to get a sample of pee (we tried taking it at the vet, but of course sir wasn't in the mood at the time). I asked on the day what was owed and was quoted a total figure, which was duly paid in full. At no point did either the vet having seen our dog or the behind the counter staff mention the likelihood of any additional future fees.

According to the invoice we received today, we paid for:

- antibiotic treatment given on the day
- a consultation fee
- a pharmaceutical fee (£7.89 - what is this?!)
- milbemax for the dog and our cat

What's not covered (and is dated 02/08, along with everything else) is "urine multistix only" for £10. While on the one hand I can see the vet considering it not billed until the sample is returned (which it duly was later the same day), surely the onus is on them to have at least informed us as to (a) the likely cost and (b) the fact that this was going to be billed separately anyway?

We went away with the kit to get the sample, obviously we were going to get the test done - why wasn't I billed for this on the day along with everything else?

Cheers for all your assistance guys, it's appreciated.

I think this is a simple oversight on their part. Because the sample was yet to be returned they simply overlooked including it on the bill. It's only a tenner and I don't think they're trying to rip you off. I'd pay it. You might want to mention that you're a bit cross that all charges weren't included on the first bill, but honestly, I think this is just a mistake.