vet bill

[ilovesushi]

I have just received a vet bill for our cat's treatment for a UTI and it is £400+. I am completely shocked. She gets them fairly regularly (once or twice a year) and the vet usually gives her a dose of metacam and an antibiotic and it clears. We had a different vet and he recommended some tests so I agreed. I am sure the prices were quoted at around £100. Tests came back that she had a UTI and she got the usual treatment - although it was delayed because of the tests - which I could have told them. I wish DH had taken her, he would just have said no give her the usual. I feel sick at the cost and she also needs to go in for some dental work. She is not insured as she is a very robust feral/ farm cat. I feel like I've been fleeced.

Our vet was a small family run one, but they sold out to a large chain (Linnaeus) about 3 years ago. Since then, prices have gone through the roof and they really push lab tests for everything. My one dog had a persistent ear infection so they suggested sampling from each ear (only one was infected) and that cost me £300. She was on the right antibiotics but just needed a longer course. Add in metacam, 3 visits, a telephone call to discuss the results and 2 courses of antibiotics - £550.

I can't find a local non franchised surgery for love nor money.