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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:
boobirdblue · 29/05/2019 20:43

@Ashleighc01 because insurance would've made the vet ask who he was speaking to?

NicoAndTheNiners · 29/05/2019 20:46

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gerispringer · 29/05/2019 20:49

I stopped going to my nearest vets when I noticed he had a Porsche with a personalised number plate outside and I decided I didn’t want to contribute to that, I now go to Vets 4 Pets at Pets at Home - lots cheaper.

Frittata · 29/05/2019 20:50

I swear vets have dollar signs in their eyes sometimes makes you thankful for the nhs

Do you realise how much more money these highly intelligent people would be earning as private doctors or careers of that calibre?

Veterinari · 29/05/2019 20:55

I stopped going to my nearest vets when I noticed he had a Porsche with a personalised number plate outside and I decided I didn’t want to contribute to that, I now go to Vets 4 Pets at Pets at Home - lots cheaper.
Oh yes - why would you support a small business when there’s a large corporate paying it’s staff terribly nearby - and i’m Sure the CEO of a massive corporate chain will be on peanuts Confused
Great logic!

Ashleighc01 · 29/05/2019 21:03

@boobirdblue no, nothing to do with the extra bloods without having confirmation from her. I agree that the vet should have asked to speak to her directly before proceeding with anything. But more about the fact that it's even an issue to run extra bloods. She says she can afford it, just clearly doesn't wanna pay it - If he was insured there would be no issue and he could have all the tests he needs. I can't ever imagine not letting my pet have all the tests possible to help them survive. (Comes from experience of loosing my cat on Saturday after 10 days of bloods, operations and scans and a 5K bill later.. luckily it was all through my insurance)

FIV testing is pretty standard procedure if the cat has never been tested for it before and they are ill by the way OP 😊

Original poster
NicoAndTheNiners · 29/05/2019 21:04

I do worry that part of the reason vets charge so much is because a lot of the time animals are insured so they know they can charge whatever and the insurance pays? Which puts uninsured animals at a disadvantage I guess.

But I also accept they do 7 years of training and resulting debt so deserve a good wage. Equipment and meds are expensive.

If something is worthwhile/of benefit to the animal and has been agreed with me in advance I will pay.

OP posts:
Ashleighc01 · 29/05/2019 21:05

@NicoAndTheNiners cancer treatment is very very successful in cats by the way 😊 but totally get the decision based on the age.

Hope he isn't suffering for too long x

Crazybunnylady123 · 29/05/2019 21:05

@cordeliavorkosigan
I can say I have never in my life sat down for a lamb roast. I actually do not eat animals, I do not have any leather in my house, I only use cruelty free skincare/make-up and I certainly dislike the use of animals for entertainment.
I do my best to have a clear conscience. I also do give money to animal charities. Shock
So yeh I will carry on being me and stay on my high horse thanks very much!

Original poster
NicoAndTheNiners · 29/05/2019 21:08

FIV testing is pretty standard procedure if the cat has never been tested for it before and they are ill by the way OP 😊

Why? What difference would it make to my cat? Afaik there's no treatment. Plus my cat doesn't have most of the symptoms of FIV. Cat has other symptoms which you don't get with FIV. So it seems unlikely it would be FIV and even if it was it would make no difference to treatment,

OP posts:
VampireSlayer19 · 29/05/2019 21:13

Just as a Fun Fact - did you know Vets are allowed to treat humans but human Doctors cannot treat animals.

Vets deserve a high wage and in the main genuinely care for animals.

If you look at what medical care looks and costs in America you realise just how amazing our NHS is and how lucky we are.

Let’s not slate highly trained professionals due to one that does seem incompetent. At the same time the OP has taken at least 2 animals to the SAME vet even though she was not happy before!

boobirdblue · 29/05/2019 21:17

@Ashleighc01 putting animals through needless tests is cruel, it becomes about the owner not the pet.

Up post some PP was boasting how long she kept paying for painkillers for her pet that was essentially dying...... that was for her benefit not the pets. How do you actually know if an animal is pain free? It can't call you at work and say I've had enough I need more pain relief, or administer drugs itself can it?

But no it's always the ones that pay out the most that profess themselves as the best pet owners ever.

They're not, many are doing it for selfish reasons not the animals.

OP has been clear that she doesn't want the cat to suffer more.

So no, insurance would've made fuck all difference!

cordeliavorkosigan · 29/05/2019 21:27

@Crazybunnylady123 I have never had lamb either. I don't want to spend £500 on a pet, so I don't have pets.
If everyone were like you we would have much better animal welfare overall, which was the point I was making - not that it's right to kill them and eat them, just that it seems so odd to me that so many people say they care so deeply for their rabbits and hamsters and whatnot, but happily financially support animals being treated appallingly (then killed and eaten)! And most are not active against those practices.

Crazybunnylady123 · 29/05/2019 21:43

@boobirdblue
Highly offensive comment. I always put the needs of the animals first. I looked after her until she was unhappy. Then she went to the vets and I had her put to sleep. I followed the advise of my lovely rabbit specialist vet. I loved her and did what was best for her. I would never let an animal suffer. It is my job to ensure they have the best life possible and I believe she told me when she had enough. She was irreplaceable my gorgeous little Dutch rabbit that was so unwanted and given away for free.
I rescue rabbits by the way I’m the bunny whisperer to people that know me. I have qualifications regarding animal care and worked for animal charities and you insinuate I hurt my rabbit. Just fuck off! Seriously

boobirdblue · 29/05/2019 21:49

@Crazybunnylady123 not highly offensive it's true, how did you know she wasn't in pain? How did you know she could not relay it to you. I've no doubt you loved her but just because someone doesn't want to extend a pets misery doesn't mean they are unkind.

So she may have needed pain meds 10 mins before you gave them, she didn't know that in 20 mins you'd sort it. A person knows and understands what's happening, knows that meds are on the way when in pain etc.

It's highly offensive you saying it is.

So you just seriously fuck off, it's nothing to do with rescuing and whatever it's about thinking of the animal and not yourself.

Crazybunnylady123 · 29/05/2019 21:58

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VampireSlayer19 · 29/05/2019 22:05

@boobirdblue wow chill out!

Why can’t you just let someone be in the knowledge that from their standpoint and advice they did all they could for their darling animal?

Why is that so unbelievable to you? Why does it have to be cruel?

Would you not a child to go through every test if required? Some see animals this way.

She had a diagnosis, she paid for the treatment, she did what she thought was right for that animal that had given her joy.

Get off your high horse!

This completely distracts from the OPs question anyway 🙄

boobirdblue · 29/05/2019 22:08

@VampireSlayer19 as @Crazybunnylady123 was happy to give her considered opinions to others why would she not accept how others feel? I'm entitled to my opinion and voiced it, it's an Internet forum.

@Crazybunnylady123 yes done VETs are excellent, some not so...

boobirdblue · 29/05/2019 22:10

I will keep on treating my animals correctly thank you very much

Correctly in your opinion!

VampireSlayer19 · 29/05/2019 22:17

So how is @Crazybunnylady123 to know her choice was against the way animal wanted to be treated?

If a child is screaming out in pain and refusing treatment you knew would be helpful would you stop the treatment?

How is any of this relevant to the question???

Crazybunnylady123 · 29/05/2019 22:20

@VampireSlayer19
Thank you. It’s very hurtful to contemplate my bunny suffering at all.

@bluebirdblue
And my vets, partners opinion also

VampireSlayer19 · 29/05/2019 22:24

Unfortunately we can only guess what would be best with the support of experts out jobs is to make sure the best for the person or child need.

The one thing animals have although it costs is the ones making the decision can opt for a different opinion if needed.

boobirdblue · 29/05/2019 22:25

@VampireSlayer19 I will not enter into a conversation comparing a rabbit with a child... no fucking way!

VampireSlayer19 · 29/05/2019 22:26

*sorry animal or person needed!

Catsinthecupboard · 29/05/2019 22:28

Some vets are money grubbing hucksters.
They seem to be the vets who do many tests and your pet doesn't get better.

I wouldn't pay him bc he didn't talk to you.

I would also change vets.

I grew up on a farm and I wouldn't allow an animal to stumble about in pain. I would wrap it in a towel and take it to be put down. Humanely. Animals calm down and respond to love in their last moments.

Frankly, i doubt that a good smack with a brick would kill a cat. It would take a few whacks. It makes me vomit to think about.

My father and grandfather killed things when needed on our farm. I never heard of them hitting something to kill it except a flies and fly swatters.

That's disgusting.