To still be angry 3 days later…

[Somethingintheheavens]

I’m not even sure if I’m angry or if I’m still upset tbh.

I Have a golden retriever who is 2, they have a very rare medical disorder that took us nearly a year and nearly 10k to be diagnosed (thankfully they have very very good insurance).

Anyway after several different interventions we finally have a diagnosis (sort of, as it’s rare they don’t have a name for it but we know what the condition is and therefore now how to treat it, as a result she now has the medication and treatment - practically healthy - if she doesn’t have her medication she loses control of her back legs and is in significant pain.

her insurance has now ran out so I’m paying for the meds out of pocket for 3 months (most of the money was used up on MRI’s etc) - I went to her vets on Monday and got her new meds for the month - £390!! I had no idea they were that expensive as previously it had all been on insurance.

I paid and then got into the car and burst into tears - I don’t have £400 a month! And I sat there realising that after everything she’s been through, despite now being a ‘normal’ healthy dog, I might have to put her to sleep because I won’t have her back in the pain she was in before.

I then googled the prices of her meds - the medication that they had charged me £300 for a month is 15p a tablet (she is on 3 different types of mediation)

£15 for 100 tablets which is what she needed.

I went back into the vets (looking like an absolute wreck at this point) and demanded a refund, arranged a private prescription and the meds were delivered yesterday.

But I’m still seething. I have spent an absolute fortune (well the insurance company has) with these vets - I feel so let down and angry over it.

i knew meds were more expensive via the vets but that is insane - and now I am left with all those emotions (despite the situation being resolved) and I don’t know how to let go of it.

so AIBU to still be so so angry? And if so, what do I do to get rid of it?

To help dissipate your anger, you could channel your thoughts into thanking the gods that we don't (yet) in this country apply this health model to people.
Wishing your pooch well.

I completely understand your anger op, I’ve been there. It’s dreadful the way SOME vets charge such massively inflated margins and it feels worse because of your emotional involvement - it’s not like being over changed for your car!
To overcome your anger, I’d look at what you actually did. You did not accept that you couldn’t afford this and your dog would have to suffer or be PTS. Even in the middle of all the stress, you got your shit together, went back in, and sorted it. You should be massively proud of yourself for advocating for you and your dog.
And, it goes without saying, but change vet. Is it a chain? I do find them to be far, far more expensive than independents.

It’s always worth looking at a private prescription if paying out of pocket. I can get my dogs glaucoma meds from the pharmacy, as they are human grade, cheaper to pay the vet to write the prescription. Thankfully my dog is insured as he’s had so many health issues over the years. It’s such a worry but glad he is doing well. Hope your pooch remains healthy.

the vets might not have the choice. They can be tied into contacts and HAVE to charge that price. They should, however, have advised you of this and told you how to get a private prescription.

I’d focus on the positives. You got a refund and can now pay for it each month. You’ve got the diagnosis. I appreciate the stress you’ve been through though. Hopefully you can relax soon.

My vet is great in that although working for one of these chains he will always tell me how to get the drugs much cheaper, especially if it is something long term.

I think your anger stems from the amount you have already spent on your dog, the worry and then thinking it would be out of your price range to continue. I know the feeling when you realise that the 'pain medication' at £64 a month is the same as the over the counter paracetamol at £1 a month!

I hope your dog continues to be well!

This is a fair point, it’s been incredibly stressful getting her to this point and I suspect my brain has been waiting for the next catastrophe

Can you change vets?

Yes I can change vets, she’s under a specialist vet for the health condition but they tend to just tell my vet what she needs etc - I’m going to have a look around.
it’s just sad because I’ve been there since she was 8 weeks old and (to me!) it feels like we have had a journey together to get her to where she is now.

I maybe lost the fact it’s a business along the way….

Thank you so much for this

Try to reframe it as victory for your own determination and problem solving skills. I confess I would have dumbly accepted what the vet told me was the price (I expect this is what they bank on).

But you had the brains and tenacity to do your own independent research, get the meds, save your dog from pain, get a refund and outsmart the greedy vet. Well done!

It may be a business but they are price gouging twats.
Its not ok for the vets to charge 2400 % as much as the meds cost. Thats criminal imho and is why vets are being investigated by the government.
My ddog was born with a heart valve issue (they cant operate to fix it) and is on meds for it, on a private prescription they cost me £18 for 3 months plus £50 for the vet to write it or £285 per month at the vets. To say im pissed off that I have to pay £50 just for the vet to write it is a massive understatement and if any of the local vets charged less I'd move her to them.
Speaking to my local pharmacist (who fills her prescription) quite a few local pet owners do the same in particular when it involves inhalers etc as the vets charge over £150 for each.
I had 1 vet try to charge me £75 for a bottle of fucking corsodole (sp) mouthwash (after a hedgehog incident) I could buy it at the supermarket for £2.50 at the time.
A good rule of thumb is always check the meds online and if you can get them off prescription or with a private prescription online or at your local pharmacy before you pay the hyper inflated vets charges

the vets might not have the choice. They can be tied into contacts and HAVE to charge that price. They should, however, have advised you of this and told you how to get a private prescription
What is infuriating is the excuses they gone up with when it is just excuses. They do have a choice of which pharmaceutical company they contract with.

It's outrageous when the costs of treatment or drug is higher than what it is for a human. Unacceptable!

Vets are expensive and yes, I wouldn't be amused. However, you have found a solution you can afford and you don't have to make the awful decision to put your dog down. Just remember that prescriptions that you buy from your vet expire after 6 months. If one prescription covers a years meds, make sure you get them online in good time.

Enjoy your time with your dog and put this behind you.

Fortunately not all vets are so unscrupulous. My vet gives me piece of paper & I go to the chemist..,

Ask your vet for a private prescription and then order online, pet drugs online are good. I had the same issue with my dog, he had a long term condition and insurance ran out after multiple scans etc.

It’s v easy to do, you send them photo of prescription and they post medication.

Also got vet to prescribe three months at a time to save on private prescription charge

Op. That's so stressful. I'm really glad your dog is ok though. Can I ask , is that a progressive rare condition if not controlled. We lost our beautiful dog aged 7
years ago to a similar sounding condition but it there was no mention of treatment, he was very advanced. His back legs just went and they said it was neurological, he would keep collapsing. We had to pts as he was in pain and detoriating. I was heartbroken. I always wondered if he had been diagnosed earlier. It was Degenerative Myelopathy I think. I felt so let down by our vets as apparently they should have recognised it and we had pushed for investigation

From a complete stranger, I am so proud of how you've taken care of your dog, and being able to think outside the box with regards to the medication to keep your dog free from pain. Fantastic dog owner. Hope ur dog has a long and healthy life ❤

Completely understand your distress. It's so painful dealing with unwell dogs and then the vets take the piss on top of that.

I changed to an independent vet last year. Most now are part of big conglomerates. They're cheaper and I am utterly pissed off with the monetisation of vet services.

I’d be raging too. Absolute piss take.

I thought I heard the other day that a government agency is looking into vet charging because so many independent vets have been taken over. It might be worth writing to your MP about your experience to add to the fact finding they do. At least you will get it off your chest.
Shame on the Veterinary Practice.

100% this @Somethingintheheavens And, if you feel like it, you could take this up with your MP/insurer to try and push for change. Some people would say so what, the insurer’s problem, but I agree you’re right to be angry!

Thats a ridiculous charge. Our vets charge £15 for a prescription. £50 is a joke. Honestly I hope there is a cap bought in as that is excessive, I would recommend looking around and changing vets if you can and perhaps ask in advance what their charges are for prescriptions as it may indicate who is taking the piss.

OP I get it, I had a pet only half insured (he had a lot of issues and they had some as pre existing so not covered) we found some things were so over charged. And then when we got our own prescription, it then had to be posted to the company as they didnt do electronic versions so it was all an annoyance. But I stay with them as they are a great vet, I just always check meds prices now.

Unfortunately all the local vets (within a 15mile radius)are 1 chain or another and £50 per prescription is the cheapest i can get but they do put her fle and worm treatment on the same prescription rather than charge again for each item on a separate prescription like one of the other vets tried to do with a separate charge for each🤬🤬🤬