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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU refusing to pay this vet bill?

260 replies

NicoAndTheNiners · 28/05/2019 17:53

I have an elderly, poorly cat who I took to the vet last week. Vet did a consult and said he wanted to run blood tests which I agreed to. He never said how much they were. £140 when I got to the desk which I nearly fell over at but paid. He said he would ring with the results either that evening or the next day.

I was out when he rang back and he spoke to my teenage dd. He admits he didn't clarify who he was speaking to. He told her some of the blood results and said he'd like to "do some more tests" He said he wasn't sure what was wrong and was going to speak to someone and ring back the next day.

He rang the next day to say he thinks the cat has a terminal condition, we can do more tests to confirm. I declined as when I asked how much it will be £hundreds. Cat is 15yo.

I've been back at the vet today about something not to do with the cat and they called me over and said I need to pay £48 for the extra blood tests. I asked what they're on about and they said they'd run an FIV test after the other tests. I said I hadn't agreed to this extra and wouldn't have done.

Vet came out and said he'd spoken to someone on the phone who said ok. DD said she had no idea it was another blood test, that it would cost more money. She thought when he said he wanted to do more tests that I would need to take the cat back in for these tests and that's what he was going to ring about the next day.

I haven't paid. They've said they will knock it down to £40 and give me till next month to pay. I am close to ringing them up and saying it's not happening. There is no way I would have said yes to another £48 of tests and dd had no clue he meant to charge more or that she was actually agreeing to anything.

Problem is if I fall out with them its 8 miles to the next nearest vet. So maybe I should just pay to keep the peace. But I did that 5 years ago when my dog died during a routine dental and they billed me £300 for the dead dog. Now I just feel like they're fucking useless and taking the piss.

OP posts:
Mumofone1593 · 30/05/2019 07:12

At 17 I knew that tests at the vets cost money. I would pay, chalk it up to experience and don't let your daughter answer the phone again if you don't think she is responsible for what she agrees to as she is too young.

Original poster
NicoAndTheNiners · 30/05/2019 07:22

But in her mind she didn't agree to anything.

If the vet had said I want to do another test now, it will cost money do you agree? I would pay.

He said he wanted to do another test and that he wanted to speak to me the following day. Dd quite reasonably thought I would have to take the cat back for another test.

I wouldn't expect most people never mind a 17yo would realise he could do the extra test on the blood sample he'd taken two hours previously.

OP posts:
Beeb00p · 30/05/2019 07:24

Have not read the full thread but just want to point out that FIP is feline infectious peritonitis NOT pancreatitis. Completely different disease and in no way relatable to what the previous poster experienced with her dog. You say you “have no idea what is wrong with cat” however you have refused extra testing to confirm and been given a presumed diagnosis of FIP, which you have evidently paid no attention to.

This is the trouble with trusting the word of random internet people when it comes to veterinary issues, as so many people are misinformed and just want to complain about having to pay for the pets they chose to buy.

Original poster
NicoAndTheNiners · 30/05/2019 07:46

Yeah, my mistake I keep muddling pancreatitis and peritonitis.

I have actually been doing a lot of reading of vet websites reading stuff about fip written by vets. The next test which my vet had mentioned as a possibility apparently isn't overly valid. It tests for the coronavirus which can mutate to fip. But loads of cats have the virus without fip. So if the test was positive it still wouldn't confirm fip. Last time I spoke to the vet he said that the prognosis is poor and I should just bring her to be pts when I felt the time was right.

Apparently you can only confirm fip on post mortem.

OP posts:
IStillMissBlockbuster · 30/05/2019 07:59

YANBU. My vets always gives me a breakdown of the cost and various options. How can you know what you're agreeing to otherwise?

lauramaywharton · 30/05/2019 08:17

She carnt make a contract to pay until the age of 18. Tell them to take the daughter to court as that would be who the contract is with and like I said as a 17 year old she carnt get in to a legal binding contract.

Bwekfusth · 30/05/2019 08:35

Op your animals keep dying at this particular vet practice. Leave. Don't look back. And no YANBU

Butteredghost · 30/05/2019 09:54

OP YANBU.

I completely agree with your view on what vet care you should give to sick, old animals. Money aside, I don't think it is kind at all to give painful tests and dubious treatments to animals that are old and terminally ill. And I think this should be applied to humans as well. Aged care is one example. We spend so much money giving horrible, painful tests and treatments to elderly people that are too sick and frail aged to actually be helped. I work in this area and the patients scream in pain and fright as pointless test after test is performed. Sad The tests are pointless as the results won't change their treatment. I desperately want to just tuck them back in to bed to rest, warm and with a cup of tea and their family around, to pass away in peace.

Oncology is another. Many new chemo drugs are released that extend life by a few days, and those days are spent in the most horrible pain imaginable or unconscious. Meanwhile studies on palliative care show the patients who receive this often live longer than the ones on the new "miracle drugs". Rabbits and cats pts painlessly at the right time are the lucky ones!

viccat · 30/05/2019 10:05

I think it's a bit of an impossible situation for vets in general - owners complain tests and treatments are too expensive but imagine the complaints if vets just recommended euthanasia right away?

Most vets are not making massive profits; running a vet practice is expensive and even if they do get a good salary, why shouldn't they after studying/training for years to be experts in what they do? When your pet has a blood test you are paying for the vet's skill to take the sample (not as easy as taking blood from a human patient!), the lab fee, the vet's time to analyse the results, their time to speak to you the owner about the results and so on.

Anyway, I understand some owners simply can't afford tests/treatment and haven't had the foresight to get insurance. In that case, keeping a sick pet alive beyond the point they have good quality of life is extremely cruel. Sounds like OP's cat is at the point she deserves a peaceful end to her suffering now given the prognosis.

SushiTime · 30/05/2019 10:18

YANBU

stayathomer · 30/05/2019 11:25

We spend so much money giving horrible, painful tests and treatments to elderly people that are too sick and frail aged to actually be helped. I work in this area and the patients scream in pain and fright as pointless test after test is performed.

I know you work in the area so you k ow your stuff but when my dad was dying the one thing he said was he wanted to keep fighting. He said just because you're old doesn't mean you want to give up and die and if he could pull hours or days to stay alive he would. He said he hoped and hoped he was going to come out of what he was going through and he couldn't talk and was praying he wouldnt let go ( after his coma he was 2 days not able to speak or move but then took a surprise turn for the better). This was said on coming out of this coma and at his bedside. People have different opinions but this is such a grey area. My fil had the same ( terminal cancer) and all the way through said he wanted to die if he got too bad. Just to give you another pov.

DarlingNikita · 30/05/2019 11:35

did you know Vets are allowed to treat humans but human Doctors cannot treat animals.

Really? How come?

Limpshade, it wasn't a was a 'mutual misunderstanding'. The vet's communication was misleading –I too would have taken that conversation to mean that the cat would have to come in for another test, and would never imagine that based on that phone call they were going to put more money on the bill.

ScreamingValenta · 30/05/2019 12:22

did you know Vets are allowed to treat humans but human Doctors cannot treat animals.

I'd also like to know the reason for this.

On the bright side, I know what to do the next time I can't get in at my GP surgery!

User8888888 · 30/05/2019 12:36

I can’t remember the reason for this but I’ve had a debate with some vet friends who were genuinely offended when I said I’d rather let a Dr operate on my pet than have a vet operate on me... apparently they are better because they can operate on multiple animals whereas most human doctors can only do small bits of one animal.

User8888888 · 30/05/2019 12:41

Although just found this that seems to refute that.

skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/13839/are-vets-legally-allowed-to-treat-humans

ScreamingValenta · 30/05/2019 12:53

That does make sense, User although in an emergency, I'd rather a doctor attempted to treat my pets or even a nurse or paramedic, than someone with no medical knowledge whatsoever.

To think - I could have saved Bupa a fortune on my hysterectomy if I'd popped down to the vets and booked myself in to be spayed instead!

AssangesCat · 30/05/2019 13:50

Just swaggering to say my cat is about 22 and, if anything, is better than health than she has been for years.

When she had a bout of ill health (after moving house 3 times in 6 months, cat's worst nightmare) we were getting fleeced for full blood tests, at over £200 a pop, every time we looked at the vet. Mostly the tests just confirmed that she was an elderly cat with the usual issues of an elderly female cat.

A cat sitter recommended the Cat Clinic (Blackford, Edinburgh, if you're anywhere near) and we haven't looked back. They totally understood that we will not be putting her through any operations and just want her to be comfortable.

They adjust her thyroids meds (given in liquid so we can give to her in lik-e-lix, no hassle) based on weighing her and checking heart rate. If she's losing weight, up her meds, if she's gaining too fast, lower the meds. We haven't paid more than about £30 for a visit and the cat is happier and healthier than she has been for years.

In conclusion, there are great vets that keep your bills down and keep your pets well, they're worth their weight in gold, let's spread the word when we find them.

Original poster
NicoAndTheNiners · 30/05/2019 15:19

Owner of the vet practice has rung up and spoken to dh. Offered to meet in the middle with £24. I'm contemplating paying though I think I will still move vet practice anyway.

OP posts:
bananasandwicheseveryday · 30/05/2019 15:50

From your OP, I assume that the car was at home when the vet called and spoke with your dd. If so, I would think it perfectly reasonable to assume the car would need to be taken back to the vet to have more blood taken. If, on the other hand, the car was still at the vets, I'm not sure what would have assumed as a 17 year old. In any case, I agree that the vet was wrong for not getting your permission to do the blood test or for stating the extra cost involved.

Original poster
NicoAndTheNiners · 30/05/2019 16:09

Yes, the cat was at home.

OP posts:
stacktherocks · 30/05/2019 16:15

Sorry bananasandwicheseveryday but I’m giggling at how you said ‘car’ three times in one post 😂 have images of taking the car to the vet and the cat to the garage by mistake haha

madcatladyforever · 30/05/2019 16:22

You need to go and see the practice manager or head vet asap and say you did not consent to the extra tests and they should have asked if they were talking to the cat's owner before doing the extra tests.
They do take the piss, I got a bill for £4000 for my elderly cats treatment and he didn't even survive. Luckily I was insured.
What would they have done if your builder/cleaner/guest answered the phone - they MUST confirm your identity first.
They are not allowed to talk to anyone else other than the owner without breaking the data protection act, even my own vet told me that. They would not speak to my ex husband without my permission.

DarlingNikita · 30/05/2019 18:06

I wouldn't go halves. I agree with madcat that you should go and see the practice manager or head vet and be clear that you didn't agree to the extra tests and they should have made sure they were talking to the cat's owner. And mention the Data Protection Act too –they've now spoken to your DH about it so they're still not getting it, are they?

numberoneson · 30/05/2019 18:10

If you're going to need a vet in the future, pay it. Vets disclose to others in the larger area, the names and addresses of "non-payers" so you'd have trouble getting another vet to take you on. Unfair in the circumstances you describe, but do be warned.

NC4thispost98 · 30/05/2019 18:30

I would pay the £24 and move. Your DD isn't the owner and don't see how it's any different from a non parent/guardian being allowed to make decisions? They're not and neither is your DD just because she answered the phone.

Pay the £24 then go elsewhere if this isn't the first time they've messed you about.