Vetinary costs. is this price fair?

Tr1pp

foggy01.1983 wrote: »

I thought that was the vetivex 1 L
That charge appears purely to insert the needle.

just thought i would google....check it here
http://www.oneclickpets.co.uk/a-to-z-plasma-substitutes-iv-fluids-vetivex-no11-v11b-isolec-p-15561.html

less than half the price you were being charged, shame you cant order the stuff in yourself (like with builders) then only pay for the vets labour, major savings to be had here

elsien

I know overnight stays are dear, because it's about the monitoring as well. When mutt had an unhealed lesion on her foot caused by a tumour, I was due to go on holiday and the vet said that as a last resort if I couldn't find a petsitter they'd take her in but that it would be very expensive.

phill99

Tr1pp wrote: »

just thought i would google....check it here
http://www.oneclickpets.co.uk/a-to-z-plasma-substitutes-iv-fluids-vetivex-no11-v11b-isolec-p-15561.html

less than half the price you were being charged, shame you cant order the stuff in yourself (like with builders) then only pay for the vets labour, major savings to be had here

But it doesn't work like that does it?

Vets always add a markup on the stuff they use to treat your animal. If they didn't, their labour charges would be even dearer. Its thsi mark up on medicines etc that pay for the things that can't be diredtly charged for such as receptionists, adminidtrators etc.

Its just the same as taking your car to a garage. If they fit a part and they charge it to you at £20, then they will only be paying £10 for it. Every service industry in christendom does it.

foggy01.1983

I did look into getting insurance but because she is a alaskan malamute it would cost 46 a month. Cheaper to save the money for how often she is in vets.

I don't have a problem in paying a fair amount of money and I know the cost of medicine costs more than you can get it on the net as they incorporate labour in to it. But I think its over the top to charge you to put the needle in. after all they don't charger you a charge for putting a needle in when you s vaccinate or have antibiotics injected.

As I also said I expected 200 its a couple of things that I think are over the top although as said I may be wrong and it may be normal

Andy_L

macman wrote: »

The charge is not so much for inserting the needle, but the training required to know where to insert it.

and for space for the dog while it happens and monitoring of the animal as the fluid runs. Plus disposal of the sharps, giving set & empty fluid bag.

Andy_L

foggy01.1983 wrote: »

Dont be perdantic :mad:

If you go the dentist and need a jab you expect to pay for the injection and time not a fee to put a needle in!

Depends how they their charging model is set up. I'd expect to pay for it but that charge may be explicit or hidden in an hourly rate for labour

ukjoel

Due to pet insurance vets can charge what they want as most is claimed back.

With cars there are approved repairers and bodyshops to keep prices low but vets can charge what they want and the insurance company pays (up to the limit of the policy).

This means big old prices and these prices are then applied to customers across the board regardless of whether they have insurance or not.

More and more vets are being bought out by the big private companies whose motto seems to be charge, charge, and charge some more. Seems to work the same way accident claims firms work so the more you can bill the more you get paid.

I would ask them to justify their fees - You may get a reduction.
I know the place my friend works at gets challenged on fees regularly and regularly discount.

£28 for a consult (based on a 10 minute consult) is almost £170 an hour.

Not bad considering some of them are only paying their nurses minimum wage and their vets 11 quid an hour.

baloo

There seems very little consistency in vet's bills too......I have been quoted £220 to have my female Lurcher spayed (she weighs 28kg). My friend has recently had her similar sized dog done and it cost £130. I have also rung another vet in the area...£175 for the same op. So, 3 vets in a similar area, same op and prices ranging from £130 - £220.
My question is, can you simply swap from one vet to another? Can you get an op done at another practice but remain registered at your original vet?

bluesnake

foggy01.1983 wrote: »

...prices are as follows

Consult £28 ....
IV fluid administration fee £38.50 (am I seriously being charged for someone to put a needle in?)...

Two money saving tips: Firstly since the vets consult time is approx 20 mins and he charges £28, perhaps you should have got him to put the drip in. Secondly, you could have had a stab at doing it yourself, and needle removal is a doddle.

Rosie_Thorn

The best way to save costs is to find a 'one man band' rather than a practice. They are few and far between but they do tend to be more interested in the animal than in making a huge profit. If a surgery is state of the art and employs students and a full team of receptionists then someone is paying for it - and it isn't the partner(s). Unfortunately, you don't know how good your vet is until you need them. Try asking other dog owners that you meet when out walking and see what they say - especially people that have a few pets as they are most likely to have used the vet for things other than basic vaccinations. Or ask in a good independent pet shop - the type where the owner is on the premises and has owned pets and lived in the area for years. Also, I'd always ask the vet if there is an alternative to any treatment they suggest. (I've known novice dog owners charged for anti inflammatory injections, anti inflammatory drugs and a follow up appointment for a simple strained muscle or bruised paw when a few days rest would suffice. I also had a locum vet try to tell me that my dog needed to stay in over night and be monitored - at great expense - because she had sickness and loss of appetite (for 36 hours). She just needed an anti sickness injection (which he gave her) and the proper vet was furious when I told him.) Vets have become used to insurance companies paying for everything and sometimes err so far on the side of caution that they are in fact over treating. Obviously vets are far more knowledgeable than we are on animal ailments and you shouldn't dismiss their advice out of hand but always ask for the least treatment possible. Say you aren't insured as then they'll have an interest in only doing what they'll get paid for. Sorry, if this sounds a little anti vet but I spent 4 years as a dog walker/pet sitter and could tell you some real horror stories (I ended up insisting that any animals that stayed with me were seen by my vet if they became ill).