Vets bill dispute!!

MrWorry

Sorry if this is in the wrong place. I took my my cat to the vets after she had chipped her front fang. On picking her up the vet informed us that they had taken out 6 of her teeth as they MAY have posed a problem in the future. Bearing in mind that our cat is 2 and a half years old and is in great health, we were not informed that the teeth were going to be taken out and we were hit with a £189 bill + added interest. Which I have not paid. They have now threatened debt recovery as it has been 3 months ( I know I should have dealt with this sooner). I have family who have gone to the same vet for a routine blood test and have been charged for all sorts of unneeded/precautionary medication and treatment all apparently 'with the animals welfare in mind'.

My pets healths are paramount to me and I am willing to pay for work needed, but taking 6 teeth away from such a young cat 'just in case' they affect her in the future is uncalled for, as is the bill they have given us. Since having the teeth out she has lost weight as she struggles to eat properly.

I am going in to pay £20 tomorrow but would like any advice on what my rights are regarding this matter. Many thanks in advance.

McKneff

Ask for everything in writing in case you have misunderstood. To be quite honest, no self respecting VET would or should do such a thing.

As for the cost, my daughter was charge over £800 for the same treatment and an extra nights stay. But the cat is 12 years old. So I would say your charge is more than reasonable.
But get reasons for the extractions in writing. And if its correct, take it further. I would be absolutely as horrified as you if it is indeed correct.

As for eating, she will bounce back within a few weeks when healing is complete. Tinker is back to her normal weight now and we notice less birds being brought home lol cos she has no fangs.
Although we have had presents of a couple of frogs.

sophiegirl_2

Not sure what your rights are but I think if the vet thought the teeth may cause a problem in the future he/she should have discussed this with you before going ahead. If my vet did that I would change to another practice, dosnt seem very professional to me.

vets know a caring owner will do anything for their pet but sadly there are a few minority ones that will play on this.

krlyr

Did you sign any paperwork before the operation? My vets have me sign something before any pet has an operation, even something as small as a pet rat. I can't remember the exact wording as it's been a while now, but you may find on yours that you signed to say they could take further teeth out if deemed medically necessary.

I would ask for a copy of that agreement before you decide to just not pay the vet bill. I would also bear in mind how you'd feel if, say, your cat went in for the dental and they'd discovered a tumour in the mouth - but left it alone and delivered the cat back to you in pain and in need of another operation, so more anaesthetic, so more risk, because all you'd agreed to was for them to look at her mouth.

Yes, some vets are a rip off, but not all of them. I would want more proof that they'd done this solely for the money than that a relative had to pay a larger bill than they'd expected and that your cat is having issues now (I hope you've at least taken it to another vet for a second opinion?)

I would also be finding a vet I could trust, since you obviously don't trust your current ones. I sign that disclaimer paperwork in full knowledge that my vets are working in the interest of me and my pet. They've literally saved several of my pets in life and death situations, so I trust their judgement on whether something was necessary even if I hadn't been quoted for the procedure.

rising_from_the_ashes

On the one hand - if she had that many teeth removed then the bill is actually very reasonable (I was quoted nearly £400 for my cats teeth to be cleaned!)

On the other hand - I would be absolutely furious that apparently healthy teeth had been removed. Were there any problems with them (ie cracks, decay etc) at all?

I'd also ask for a copy of the consent form - ours usually also say that by signing it's agreeing for other "necessary" work to be done

springer211

I agree with above, the price, from what I could see, is not too bad (I assume that the cat was put to sleep for that).
However carrying out such a major medical intervention without your permission seems highly unprofessional. Maybe they could be reported to their professional body?

From a consumer point of view I would see it as you taking your car in for servicing, and coming back to a huge bill for major repair work. I would not pay. If they had made an attempt to contact me and I wasn't available I may consider it though.

From the poor cat's point of view, you may be relieved that in most cases I've heard of, once the gums heal the cats can eat as normal. My cat only has the front teeth and can eat all wet and dry food, she doesn't do well if we give her a chicken wing or similar, but it's not a huge problem. .
On youtube you'll see videos of toothless cats eating all sorts of stuff including chicken legs
Hope she heals well and starts eating properly soon, poor thing

kellyt86

I would be extremely surprised if the vets did this for money reasons insure there was a genuine cause!

The lack of teeth shouldn't cause a problem in the long term!

My 9yo male only has front teeth, none at back and eats everything! And recovered fully in a few weeks! The day we brought him home from operation he tried to eat the other cats dry food!!

Hasn't stopped him hunting either! Had various dead thing including 3 squirrels since!!

I would advise you just ask the vet precisely what they were protecting against? And for more detail.

I'm sure I paid about double that when my cat had his teeth out, so quite reasonable really.