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Outrageous Vet charges

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I am a newbie here so, not sure of the protocols, I won't attempt to name and shame. However I do recognise that it is not just me but many people are reeling from the way the veterinary  profession has become totally concentrated on money grabbing rather than pet care. 
I live in Downham Market in Norfolk and have two similar experiences to relate. 
The first a respected local vet experienced always been happy with service in the past.
Our Standard Poodle seemed to have an irritation the groomer thought she may have an infection so we popped along to the vet. He didn't think infection but suggested wax build-up and gave us some Otoact cleaner 100ml to resolve the problem. 
we were with him for 15mins - his consultation fee was £47.50 (£190ph!!!) however he is experienced good old boy I guess this is the going rate. The Otoact was £39.47. After I got home I checked that product on Amazon £12.98 - a 300% mark-up !!! Mistake I thought, I called them and was told no mistake the charge was correct. 
So I felt outraged, and proceeded to leave the practice never to return. 
I did leave a review of this experience on their website, the Vet wrote back on the site saying 'their charges are fair and reasonable, and that they cannot buy at Amazon prices. RUBBISH. I challenged him to show his invoice for the product - my review was taken down!
So needing to find a new vet, we found another promising practice locally. Great facilities, nice people. Poodle in for booster jab and check-over this vet thought she DID have an ear infection and prescribed Canaural drops 15ml £57.16 ............you've guessed it just £11.99 on Amazon a 400% mark-up. But of course I could buy direct from Amazon - though for this product I would need a prescription --- £33
IF A VET CAN EXPLOIT YOU SO SHAMELESSLY FOR PROFIT LIKE THIS HOW CAN YOU TRUST THEM WITH YOUR PETS CARE?? FOR A SERIOUS PROBLEM WOULD THEY REALLY TRY AND KEEP IT AFFORDABLE FOR THE OWNERS MANY OF WHOM LIKE ME ARE PENSIONERS. YOU CAN BE SURE THEY THEY WILL TAKE THE MOST PROFITABLE ROUTE FORWARD.
Why is no one doing anything about this CMA were looking into some big group acquisitions to prevent monopoly situations occurring in certain areas, but really it's too late it semes they are all at it. It's just plain greed and dishonesty. I don't suppose they are too worried driving their Porsches home at the end of the day. 
  

 
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Comments

  • _Dolly_Rocker_
    _Dolly_Rocker_ Posts: 742 Forumite
    500 Posts Third Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Pretty sure I heard about this being taken to the House of Commons but haven't looked into it. 

    I've got 2 collies and the vet I take them to in Glasgow is the same. 

    Consultation £67
    Prescription £35

    Medications a fortune but what choice do we have when they need treatment. 

    Very frustrating. 

    Hope your dog is okay.
    Debt Free - 4th June 2025
  • 35har1old
    35har1old Posts: 1,904 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    I am a newbie here so, not sure of the protocols, I won't attempt to name and shame. However I do recognise that it is not just me but many people are reeling from the way the veterinary  profession has become totally concentrated on money grabbing rather than pet care. 
    I live in Downham Market in Norfolk and have two similar experiences to relate. 
    The first a respected local vet experienced always been happy with service in the past.
    Our Standard Poodle seemed to have an irritation the groomer thought she may have an infection so we popped along to the vet. He didn't think infection but suggested wax build-up and gave us some Otoact cleaner 100ml to resolve the problem. 
    we were with him for 15mins - his consultation fee was £47.50 (£190ph!!!) however he is experienced good old boy I guess this is the going rate. The Otoact was £39.47. After I got home I checked that product on Amazon £12.98 - a 300% mark-up !!! Mistake I thought, I called them and was told no mistake the charge was correct. 
    So I felt outraged, and proceeded to leave the practice never to return. 
    I did leave a review of this experience on their website, the Vet wrote back on the site saying 'their charges are fair and reasonable, and that they cannot buy at Amazon prices. RUBBISH. I challenged him to show his invoice for the product - my review was taken down!
    So needing to find a new vet, we found another promising practice locally. Great facilities, nice people. Poodle in for booster jab and check-over this vet thought she DID have an ear infection and prescribed Canaural drops 15ml £57.16 ............you've guessed it just £11.99 on Amazon a 400% mark-up. But of course I could buy direct from Amazon - though for this product I would need a prescription --- £33
    IF A VET CAN EXPLOIT YOU SO SHAMELESSLY FOR PROFIT LIKE THIS HOW CAN YOU TRUST THEM WITH YOUR PETS CARE?? FOR A SERIOUS PROBLEM WOULD THEY REALLY TRY AND KEEP IT AFFORDABLE FOR THE OWNERS MANY OF WHOM LIKE ME ARE PENSIONERS. YOU CAN BE SURE THEY THEY WILL TAKE THE MOST PROFITABLE ROUTE FORWARD.
    Why is no one doing anything about this CMA were looking into some big group acquisitions to prevent monopoly situations occurring in certain areas, but really it's too late it semes they are all at it. It's just plain greed and dishonesty. I don't suppose they are too worried driving their Porsches home at the end of the day. 
      

     
    Your forgetting numerous overheads a vet has
    Does Amazon prescribe what is required? I think not
    I assume he has numerous receptionist and nurses and someone to look after the accounts 
    Then there's the building housing the practice upkeep of all equipment and the chair you likely sat on so £190 per hr  doesn’t cover it.
    As to Amazon they may be cheaper for some goods but if they charge more for other goods are they ripping you of
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,776 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    ...........................
    we were with him for 15mins - his consultation fee was £47.50 (£190ph!!!) however he is experienced good old boy I guess this is the going rate......................
      

     
    While I there last week there was a nurse in attendance (trying to keep my feline wrapped in  a towel) and two receptionists .   No idea what his energy, insurance, building and training costs. 
    Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill
  • teaselMay
    teaselMay Posts: 665 Forumite
    500 Posts First Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 29 May at 4:41PM
    How much did you pay the groomer and the breeder?

    You had a choice, you could have not gone to the vet, not had the benefit of their years of training and experience and tried simple things first, perhaps including ear drops from Amazon or the supermarket. But you chose to seek the opinion of a professional, training and working as a vet is an expensive, highly regulated, business.
  • swingaloo
    swingaloo Posts: 3,468 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    The OP is not alone in thinking they can rip you off as they please. I know they have overheads, doesn't every business.

    My vet told me that my dog needed surgery on his leg and would need investigative work done first. I paid £780 for x-rays which he then 'lost' but told me he still had them on his phone. He then told me that the x-rays showed a problem and that he would need to bring in a 'specialist' orthopaedic surgeon which would incur extra costs 'but he would cover a percentage of those' and also told me that he 'could not guarantee that what he proposed would work'.  That was 2 years ago, we decided not to put our dog through a procedure which he sounded so doubtful would work and we had no fait in the vet.  2 years on we have moved house, got a new vet who says there are no x-rays on our dogs records and he has no problems at all.
  • comeandgo
    comeandgo Posts: 5,930 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I would never buy drugs or potions from Amazon, too many fakes.
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 35,972 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    The consultation fee is a set price regardless of how long you are there for. so your description of £190 an hour is misleading because it would never have been that.
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • Mnoee
    Mnoee Posts: 962 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 500 Posts Photogenic Homepage Hero
    The solution to avoiding large vets bills is insurance from day 1. There's an option out there already for those who would prefer to pay a smaller amount every month over larger fees as and when.

    There's also free or cheap vet care offered by some charities - pensioners income and assets vary massively, so I'm not aware of any who offer it to all pensioners, just those receiving means tested benefits. The RSPCA, PDSA, and the blue cross all have similar schemes. 
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