To think vets are overcharging

Well the actual price sounds comparable to what I paid for sedation and stitching a cut paw. I was shocked at the price too. My immediate reaction was horse vets are way cheaper! Happened to bump into my equine vet the following day. He guessed £350 and was a bit shocked when I told him the amount.
so I think yes there could well be an element of overcharging.

My shepherd has injected herself with animal antibiotics in the past. 🤪

@Birchtree1 Personally I think that most vets work hard for their money. The only aspect that I don't like is if they try to pressure an owner into treatments for elderly pets. Most of the vets at our practice accept that as our dog is elderly, we just want to keep him pain-free and happy at this stage in his life - and he is. We don't want investigations and further testing; we certainly don't want him to have a knee replacement just because he walks slower than he used to. He's nearly 80 in human years, of course he's slowed down! But he shows no sign of pain.

One of them does try to push me into agreeing to all sorts and it irritates me. I prefer not to see her tbh.

My lovely (independent) vets recently mentioned that if my dog were to require painkillers for an (ongoing at the time) problem, I could buy Calpol. He told me the ratios to use for his weight, and said that he didn’t think it was necessary at the moment but if I later felt that it was, and had forgotten the dosage, to give a call and he’d tell me again. Not all vets are money-grabbing, and although fees can be high, we are paying for expertise which has taken many years to establish, as well as the years and £££ spent in training.

How much do you think an employed vet earns per year? And a vet nurse?
It's shit compared to how long, difficult and specialised the training is. And also it is a stressful job, emotionally charged through owners a lot of the time.

My dog had a check up, we were told she had an ear infection. Can’t remember the bill, but around £160. ‘Come back in a week to check all ok.’

Went back, quick Look in ears, all ok. £50 please. This is a chain.

Maybe you should spend a few days shadowing a vet. Then you might have an understanding.

I think the way veterinary work has gone is scandalous. Apparently, there's a huge module in vet training on business...hmmm. I don't buy the old 'vets care about animals' line any more. They care about money. Nothing wrong with that as long as you're up front about it.

@CoffeeCantata Unfortunately running a veterinary practice is literally a business so students do need to learn business skills to make a go of it.

I completely agree that some owners choose to put their elderly, ill pets through treatments when perhaps letting them go peacefully would be a kinder approach. I mentioned on another thread that a friend did this to her elderly dog recently - he underwent a major operation and sadly died a few days later. I couldn't understand her decision as he was already extremely ill, and it must've been a terrifying and painful ordeal for him. You can't compare it to a human who can make their own choice whether to undergo an operation as a last-ditch attempt.

Anyway, the bill will be several thousand for emergency surgery and the hospital stay.

Think the point is the tests have a fixed cost or range.

• vet £50 (includes weight, physical exam etc). After the exam the vet provides a list of diagnostic or curative options
• blood tests £100-250
• x-ray
• MRI
• prescription
• anaesthetic
• vet practitioner to trim nails/teeth/wound cleaning
• etc.

Not sure that’s so difficult.

It is perfectly possible for vets to be highly trained, with decent salaries, need expensive equipment, etc. AND overcharging to happen.

Yeah, I reckon the increasing prices and insurance go hand in hand. Last trip to the vet's cost us over 300 quid for some blood tests.

Of which i got about less than half back on the insurance as the excess is 150 quid (plus 15% costs). I have had the dog for 4 years. Have paid about 2000 quid in insurance over the years and got a grand total 150 quid back.

It's like a fucking tax for owning a dog, except the money goes to the insurance company/surgery profits. I wish it went to the actual vets, if anyone other than me gets my money.

I lived in the Netherlands - which if anyone is wondering is a BLOODY EXPENSIVE country, with a high tax rate. Vet care there was so cheap compared to here. I remember getting a full blood panel done for a cat - I was expecting well north of €100 - it was €35. We had a week of daily care for my dog before he died - he had a sudden illness. We spent 3 of those days at the vet for about an hour a day. It cost maybe €400 total including meds and the euthanasia.

UK vets are absolutely ripping us off, there is no excuse.

My dog got a grass seed in his ear. He was sedated and it was removed for £385. This is in Surrey.

Farmers will not spend more than the commercial value of an animal on treatment so treatments will be basic or its off to the abattoir.

When did you last see a sheep offered chemotherapy or extended treatment for a broken limb including physio pools? The only time I’ve seen farm animals have much spent on them was if they were prize winning breeding stock with a high stud value.

For us as farmers vet bills are big because of the cost of medicines. Next week we will inoculate 320 sheep against Bluetongue. A disease that is racing through the country. Treatment costs for our elderly cats has been extortionate.

I used to work at a vets and the vet would make up the price on the spot. He also used to brag about charging loads and his £5k a month income, whilst we struggled on minimum wage. I didn't stay for long.

This is very true. They also have easy access to the medication required and know the exact correct dosage for weight so are very very unlikely to get it wrong . Sad isn't it? They could do with more support and less financial pressure I guess is the answer. Probably why they are all selling out to corporate bimbos.

And surely the AHC, rabies vaccination and tapeworm treatment that you require to return to the UK eats into your 300 quid saving too.

They’ve always overcharged. A rip off.

Did you know veterinarians have incredibly high rates of suicide? The financial pressures they face are a huge contributing factor.

That's is complete nonsense.
If a car doesn't start its likely to be a couple of things which the mechanic can give you a price for.
If a dog is off its food, lethargic and clearly unwell then unfortunately as they can't speak its up to the vet to try and work out what is wrong with a series of tests and examinations. Blood test results might indicate something going on but US or scan might be needed to see more. Would you prefer them to pop out to give you a ring when they are wrist deep in Fluffy's abdomen to tell you what the next drug they intend to use will cost?

Small cabin sized dog is £50 for outbound flight.
Idk for accommodation, depends on number of days, family size you have and place you are staying.
Problem is there are no flights back that will allow dogs to UK think appart from NY and maaaybe Amsterdam or Paris.
We went by car after initial year.
Dog(s) included :)
Obviously it is not great for emergencies but all else works great.

ohhhh I get what you mean, sorry I misunderstood, thanks for explaining 😊👍

My cat has an allergy and needs regular medication which comes in a tiny thumb-sized bottle. My vet charges £230 for each bottle. Saw it on Amazon for £80. How do they get away with it.

Have you only just realised that vets are expensive?

I left our vet when they were taken over and the surgery turned into a swanky air conditioned, uniformed receptionist, plush sofas etc etc. The prices went up, and the up selling was ridiculous.

My cat apparently needed his teeth descaling, several hundred pounds worth.

I went to the newly opened down market local, run by a lovely vet who had left the new practice when it got taken over, he picked the tartar off Arthur's tooth with his fingernail, no charge!

I do a lot nursing myself, always have. All the day to day tick removals, wound cleaning, nail clipping. I get de-flea, and de-wormer online.

I think we over treat animals these days and apart from acute injury, much of it is probably not needed.