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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not pay the vet?

46 replies

Arachnophobic · 04/11/2011 11:09

Booked my cat into the vets today for a Program flea jab. Originally I was booked in to see the veterinary nurse who would perform the jab. A few days later vets call me and say that basically, because the cat hasn't been seen by the vets since January and the cat is getting on a bit a vet needs to see him. So I query whether I will be charged more, for seeing a vet not a nurse. I was told "no, you wouldn't be charged anymore just because the vet is doing the injection and not the nurse".

So we go to the vets, vet does an examination, couple of issues found. One is a weight problem the second is a tooth problem. Vet gives me the choice of blood test now for the weight issue or bring cat back in a month and weigh again. I opt for blood test. Done there and then. Discussions had re tooth extraction which will cost between £150-250.

Leave and get the bill for £105. For the flea jab, the blood test and a bloody consultation. when I queried it they tried to get me to pay, I refused, and said if there was an issue I would like to take it up with the Practice Manager. I paid the rest of the bill.

Awaiting a call from the vets regarding this.

WIBU to not pay?

OP posts:
MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain · 04/11/2011 11:13

YABU. For prescription stuff, they have to have examined the animal recently. They did examine the cat and found cause for concern.

Why would you not pay for a consultation that you had?

Original poster
Arachnophobic · 04/11/2011 11:15

Er, because I was told I didn't have to?

Had they said if we find a problem you will have to pay, now that's different.

OP posts:
BeerTricksPotter · 04/11/2011 11:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnonWasAWoman · 04/11/2011 11:18

I think that was cheeky of them TBH. They should have said 'the jab will cost the same but the examination will cost x amount'. Ask them if they'd have charged for the consultation if they'd found nothing?

However, you really need to be very, very clear and someone saying 'the jab will cost the same' might have misunderstood you and thought you knew an examination would cost and were checking if they had different rates for nurses and vets doing the same thing?

The other issue is, should you be getting the cat checked more regularly and expecting to pay more now it's older? Don't grudge the money for a pet (not that I think you are, it's not the same as feeling you were misinformed).

betterwhenthesunshines · 04/11/2011 11:19

If you didn't want the blood test, you should have refused it. Presumably you did realise that would be charged for.

I would guess the jab is normally £45+ ish plus the blood test a bit more as it has to be sent to lab etc so it seems about right to me.

Housewifefromheaven · 04/11/2011 11:19

I'm afraid yabu. The nurse cannot diagnose problems and recommend treatment like the vet can, and it turned out there was a problem which could have gone undetected.

However, I know how annoying it is, we don't like seeing animals suffer of course but it's all MONEY MONEY MONEY in the words of Abba. I seem to be heamoraging it at the moment :)

stayathomegardener · 04/11/2011 11:21

No in my book if they told you there was no extra charge they should stick by that,I imagine it is a mix up by the receptionist and there should be a charge but really that's not your fault

TheVermiciousKnid · 04/11/2011 11:23

There might have been no extra charge for an examination by a vet, but if further treatment is needed (which the OP agreed to), then they obviously charge for that!

Original poster
Arachnophobic · 04/11/2011 11:23

better you have the wrong end of the stick I paid for the blood test that was clearly an extra.

anon I don't mind paying more now he is older, he gets prescription pet food, is microchipped, insured, and has a senior cat health check once a year. Along with his annual jabs. And up till today, monthly flea jabs. Oh, and the worming.

I just don't like being told one thing and then getting a bill in stark contradiction to what I was told.

OP posts:
WhereTheWildThingsWere · 04/11/2011 11:26

YABTU, if the vet had simply given the injection and you had been on your merry way, then yes they should have stuck to what they said and not charged for a consult.

However other problems were identifies so it became a consultation for which you should pay.

Why do you think you are entitled to the vets time for free?

VivaLeBeaver · 04/11/2011 11:27

The check up probably was free.

The consultation was probably the bit after the free check up where treatment was discussed. Then the blood test is part of the treatment which you also need to pay for.

Sorry, but I think you need to pay. I feel your pain I've paid over £300 at the vets so far this week for dental work which ain't covered on the insurance.

BeerTricksPotter · 04/11/2011 11:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Arachnophobic · 04/11/2011 11:33

No not a large chain. When did the full examination become payable? I am not disagreeing with you all but just wonder where the line is drawn.....as I was told that the cat would need to be examined for the jab to be administered, and that there would be no payment for this.......

OP posts:
BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 04/11/2011 11:34

YABU - you were told it was no extra charge for the vet to do the injection. The consulatation is for other stuff so you should pay it. Vet bills are expensive and I think £105 sounds very reasonable to be honest!

diddl · 04/11/2011 11:38

You were told that the injection wouldn´t cost more-but that your cat needed to see the vet due to age.

Why would you think that you wouldn´t pay for that?

BeerTricksPotter · 04/11/2011 11:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnonWasAWoman · 04/11/2011 11:43

But the OP asked if she'd be charged more for seeing the vet not the nurse.

Obviously the receptionist misunderstood and thought she asked if she'd be charged more for the injection - but that isn't what she asked.

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 04/11/2011 11:45

I would think if it had just been a quick health check, where nothing untoward was found and the jab administered, no charge would have been made (for the consult) but once problems were detected it becomes a different kettle of fish.

diddl · 04/11/2011 11:48

I assume it became a consultation when issues were found?

Booboostoo · 04/11/2011 12:03

As others have said I think it was a misunderstanding. While the jab would cost the same whether performed by the nurse or the vet, you also had a vet examination because your cat had not been seen for a while. As it turns out this was probably a good idea as your cat seems to have a couple of issues that were best caught early. I am afraid you do have to pay for the consultation though.

thevetswife · 04/11/2011 12:17

I agree with you OP!!!

Consults are usually free with vaccines whoever does the exam. Just because something was found doesn't mean that they should add a consultation charge after the event.

I'd hope that the charge would be waived but bear in mind it will be somewhere in the region of £8

Original poster
Arachnophobic · 04/11/2011 13:58

And can I presume vets wife that you are indeed a vets wife? Just checking. That's very helpful thank you ....,,,

OP posts:
MintAero · 04/11/2011 14:04

£8 for a consultation? Mine charges £18.

What does everyone else get charged out of interest? btw that is a 'follow up consultation' so not sure if that is different amount to usual consulation i.e half price?

Original poster
Arachnophobic · 04/11/2011 14:21

Mine mint is about £27 Inc. VAT. I live in Essex.

OP posts:
thevetswife · 04/11/2011 14:33

Yes I am indeed a vet's wife but also a namechanger :)

Consultation charges here vary from £8 to £15. Follow up consultations are generally free.