Been Charged over the odds by Vet

Mrs_P_Pincher

The practice I have been with for 30 years has now been taken over by Medivet. All the staff we had got to know have now left and they seem to be running on short term contracts for vets, some of whom are not English. I am aware that it is not a happy place to work and I am watching things carefully.

Mrs P P

Oliver14

Just to say have you actually spoken to anyone about the charges or gone straight into letter mode? As that would be the sensible first step. Also sorry to say a lot of your comparisons can easily be argued against and your letter does not come across well

1. Blood Profiling – A number of the vets I spoke to told me that they rarely do blood profiles prior to sedation or even surgery as it very rarely throws up anything of use. One Vet specifically stated that it is a common way of extracting extra fees from patients.

You are basically accusing your vet of conning you this is not a good way to have a reasonable conversation about the costs.

2. Sedation – Again a number of the vets said for a small dog they would not require sedation or general anaesthetic for an xray for a dog with stomach/digestion issues.

Average across the 5 practices: £54.90

Medivet Charge: £92.42

Difference: £37.52

Sedation prices differ depending on the Dog , not just its size but age and temperament. Also how long they would need to sedate it for. Without someone examining your dog they can not say if they would need to sedate or not it would also depend on what they suspected was wrong. This would all effect the price


.

X Ray (2 Exposures)

Average across the 5 practices: £140.56

Medivet Charge: £210.41

Difference: £69.85

X ray prices can vary due to many issues. It can depend on what views they are doing and the equipment they are using if it is digital or film processing

.

Setup and administration of Intravenous Drip with Extra bag of fluids

Average across the 5 practices: £65.08

Medivet Charge: £154.81

Difference: £89.73

This as others can easily vary between practices.

Also depending on how you worked out your averages it doesn't mean any of your sample weren't near the same prices.

Threatening the RCVS is a bit silly as they have no control over pricing and will do nothing. It really doesnt help your fight as its making you look unreasonable and a bit ranty and may just make them dig their heels in.


Also this bit

I would like to make a formal complaint regarding the costs we have been charged for his treatment especially since you were unable to determine the cause of the vomiting. This means that we now have no idea how to prevent him having similar problems in the future.

This is just silly i'm afraid vets aren't always able to find the problem. Thats a fact ol life by saying this you are implying you are only happy to pay if they find the problem

I'm not saying your vet didnt overcharge but I really dont see your letter helping as it does not com across well. Especially if this is the first thing they know of your displeasure

cjmumto2

Was also about to add that medivet have been on tv for overcharging, did you tell them you werent insured? If they think you are insured then I feel that sometimes vets do take the Peepee abit. But I think your letter is harsh for a first letter, I would talk first then see what happens.

QuackQuackOops

So, if you went into a posh restaurant and ate 5 items then got a bill you thought was too much would you do the same thing?
Would you go to 5 other restaurants in the area and figure out an average?

It is your duty to check and be happy with the vet before you agree to treatment. You can't complain after the event that you didnt realise it would be so much. Thats your problem, not theirs.

Whether they have been on TV recently or not is immaterial.