To not pay the whole vet's bill

Does your dog not have annual check ups? My cat certainly does.

YANBU

Veterinary practices need to start stating prices. Costs are extortionate and there’s often different treatments.
EG my dog had an ear infection, one vet wanted bloods, an MRI (£1k alone), then sedation for an ear clean - told me he could do it cheaper but would be painful for the dog…. (nice). I’d already paid £400 for an emergency appointment and they wanted more $$$$$$$
Took my dog to another practice who prescribed a course of steroids and ear cleaner- about £80 total.
Have changed practices now, where pricing is more transparent and the vet isn’t in it for the money, they care for the pet.

the vet, as a professional, needs to check the animal's weight themself rather than trust every owner to do this accurately. Most medication is prescribed according to weight.

Absolutely!!!!

Yup, this. It boils my blood to hear about people not getting tests or treatment for their pets, that are needed, because of the cost. If you can't afford to pay for the vet fee, or get insurance, you can't afford the pet.

Yabu. So he's only been to the vets 3 times in 13 years is that right? So he doesn't have his yearly check up and vaccines? As a pet owner of 13 years surely you must know things cost money and why wasn't the dog insured 13 years ago. I've 2 dogs 3 cats and they are all insured yes some months it's a struggle to find the money but I do it because it's a necessity same as rent /mortgage as far as I'm concerned.

That's not being "money grabbing" - that's doing their job, ffs.

They can't just give your pets medication without making sure they're fit and healthy, and they need to check their weight to make sure the prescribed dosage is accurate.

You weighing them yourself at home means nothing - how do they know your scales are accurate or that you're even telling the truth?

If they gave your pets medication over the phone and your pet died from an overdose, I'm sure you'd be thrilled 🙄

I really don't understand why you would expect a vet to treat your dog for free. And the fact that you were even considering refusing to pay is baffling.

Why on earth did you think blood tests would be included in the cost of the consultation? You really shouldn't need someone to spell it out for you... you could have asked about the cost if you were that worried. Pay your bill and don't be that person.

i have weighed her

Why take the dog to the vets if you don't want tests to find out what is wrong?

And more than likely your name will be passed on to other local vets as a non payer

He's had 3 trips to the vet in 13 years so his care hasn't cost you much has it (Not vaccinated or had any kind of health check, dental check, arthritis check then?). Time to cough up OP.

They have to check their weight and heart. If they given you the wrong dosage and killed your dog you'd blame them for that too.

i am annoyed at my vet
i wanted some worming/flea tablets,
not seen the vet since 2020, surprise surprise, no problems with ddog,
i have to see the vet since she has not been seen for 2 years!
crazy
money grabbing, recuperating their losses after covid like dentists

Fairly standard in my limited experience - and we only had guinea pigs!
I remember the vet casually announcing that he'd "just given piggie an antibiotic injection to be on the safe side". On the 'safe side ' added another £18 to my bill on top of what had been quoted for the surgery! And that was 20 years ago.

You are being completely unreasonable. Of course you have to pay separately for blood tests and other procedures.

You should never take on the responsibility of having a pet if you have not planned how you would pay your vet bills...

Depending on where you live there are charities like the PDSA and Celia Hammond that charge reduced fees or provide free care for the pets of people who are on benefits/low income if that is your situation.

That's pretty bang on for blood tests.

Do you think if you had private healthcare tests would be included in your appointment cost too?

YABU. Cough up.

Yes you are! I can't believe your dog got to 13 years without you knowing the general costs for things. Hope he's fully vaccinated?

Well they should have advise on the costs. Not everyone can afford it. OP, it is better if you have insurance but at his age he's probably going to be very expensive to insure so be prepared to spend money for his care.

Of course vet fees have to be paid, and I see from your update OP that you are going to pay it.

My vet always tells me what things are going to cost in advance; they know my dog is insured and they can see from my dog's history that I'm happy to pay for anything she needs anyway.

Everything costs money at the vet and the fees are high, as they would be for human private medical attention.

Nothing, apart from consultation and initial examination, is covered by the consultation fee.

That sounds pretty cheap to be honest.

Even if he's a fit and healthy dog, have you not taken him for annual check ups and booster vaccinations / worming?

If you didn't pay for the bloods they obviously won't give you the results and will kick you off their patient list.