Are the cost of vets bills becoming a welfare issue?

[setterlover]

Approached by someone who lives local to me ( not particularly a friend just know her,)Would I look at one of her elderly ponies as it is very skinny (you can see spine and ribs points of hips clearly she says) as she is concerned about how skinny it is.
I asked how old 26 small pony shettie type.apparently eating high calorie mash but leaving half and not gaining weight after the winter.
I didn't particularly want to look at it as
It is so easy to get pulled in but said I would do a worm count and worm as appropriate get the teeth checked and reduce the amount of feed fed in one bucket if not eating it but add something like linseed to it and split into 3 feeds through the day.If all that doesn't improve the situation then involve the vet.
She doesn't want to involve the vet as that would be far too costly.
I then said if she doesn't want to involve the vet and the pony doesn't improve then make the decision to PTS 26 is not a bad age.
She said the mother lived to ,31 so was expecting this one to do the same.
I said that I felt ages of parents has only minimal influence on how long anything will live .
I just begin to worry that the cost of vets bills is start to have an effect on peoples willingness to involve the vet in this sort of none emergency situation.
Found out that I am not the only one approached it seems we all gave similar recommendations.

 

[webble]

Yes definitely for some, too many that can't/ won't pts too

 

[Irish-Only]

That with the combination of refusal to face up to your responsibilities.

 

[Bellaboo18]

Her attitude is the welfare issue imo.

 

[SEL]

I know my small animal vets think so.

They are trying to persuade people to take out insurance but that's got pretty eye watering as well now.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If she thinks an equine call out is expensive, I hope she doesn't have any small animals!

 

[Sandstone1]

I think it is getting to be major problem. Partly due to cost of living but also partly due to the big chains taking over so many vets. Hopefully the inquiry going on about vets fees at the moment will improve things.

 

[Ceifer]

The vets round here are all pretty rubbish.
The local vets has a phenomenally high turnover of vets. It’s a running joke you never see the same one twice.
There are two ‘slightly better’ equine vets. One only has one decent vet so the chances of getting him are slim.
The other has one good vet but she always pushes multiple visits and almost always refers you to the local equine hospital for anything she is unsure of - which seems to be a lot.

The cost is out of control and I’ve fallen out with vets about their conduct and pricing.

 

[suestowford]

I read a news story recently about the inquiry into vet provision. One of the recommendations is a cap on prescription fees - these are probably one of the cheapest things on any vet bill so what good that will do I'm not sure.

 

[Redders]

This case isn’t about spending lots of money on tests and running up big bills for diagnostics and advanced treatments. This is an owner refusing to pay even just a consult fee, or to PTS which can be done via routes not involving the vets.
An owner needs to be have enough funds for a consult fee and PTS at a bare minimum

 

[slimjim86]

I can't think of a worse position to be put in than to have to pts my elderly horse because on top of a £400 a month mortgage rise, another £100 a month on food, I now can't afford the cushings and arthritis meds that she needs to keep her happy and comfortable. This is a hypothetical situation for me but sadly for some it won't be

 

[Fluffypiglet]

I was discussing this with my OH at the last cat appointment. The cat has solensia to keep him comfortable but the cost has increased a lot over the last few months and at the last appointment was £122 for the vet nurse to administer it. Not that long ago it was £70ish pounds. I can’t help worrying that people are going to have to stop paying, or at least not have it as regularly. We pushed his next appointment to 5 weeks instead of 4 but more because he’s feeling well. We’re lucky enough to be able to afford it, although it is getting a bit uncomfortable at that price. It’s going to make it that people are going to have to make some tough choices about what vet care their animals get.

 

[paddy555]

If she thinks an equine call out is expensive, I hope she doesn't have any small animals!

I agree, the costs between equine/farm and small animals is totally out of proportion.

 

[suestowford]

Yes, it's the cost of medicines from the vet that's really shot up. It's OK if it's regular meds and you can administer it yourself, you can get it online which is much cheaper. But in an emergency, or for vet administered drugs, you have to pay vet prices. I do realise that vets are limited in where they can source their meds and that's why the prices are so high.

 

[ester]

This is just plain old neglect, you can’t expect to have any animal and never have to pay any vet fees, and be negligent over even an exam, we’re not talking mri scans…

It prob needs a cushings test too.

 

[paddy555]

Approached by someone who lives local to me ( not particularly a friend just know her,)Would I look at one of her elderly ponies as it is very skinny (you can see spine and ribs points of hips clearly she says) as she is concerned about how skinny it is.
I asked how old 26 small pony shettie type.apparently eating high calorie mash but leaving half and not gaining weight after the winter.
I didn't particularly want to look at it as
It is so easy to get pulled in but said I would do a worm count and worm as appropriate get the teeth checked and reduce the amount of feed fed in one bucket if not eating it but add something like linseed to it and split into 3 feeds through the day.If all that doesn't improve the situation then involve the vet.
She doesn't want to involve the vet as that would be far too costly.
I then said if she doesn't want to involve the vet and the pony doesn't improve then make the decision to PTS 26 is not a bad age.
She said the mother lived to ,31 so was expecting this one to do the same.
I said that I felt ages of parents has only minimal influence on how long anything will live .
I just begin to worry that the cost of vets bills is start to have an effect on peoples willingness to involve the vet in this sort of none emergency situation.
Found out that I am not the only one approached it seems we all gave similar recommendations.

when I had an old rescue pony that came in this state I had to worm and test a lot but that was relatively cheap and didn't need a vet but the thing that sorted it was a dentist. That really made a difference longterm.
For me it wasn't money but at the time the pony was very difficult to deal with and the dentist (whilst not brilliant) was very very good at handing difficult/terrified equines.

Leaving feed and skinny a dentist seems a good first step.

(that doesn't answer the question of responsibility it's just an attempt to start to solve the problem)

 

[honetpot]

The owner made the first step, they asked your opinion, and if you appear not too judgemental they may eventually take your advice.
I would imagine when she last had a vet it didn't cost a lot, so what ever they charge now will seem like a huge amount.
I used to have an elderly neighbour who would spare no expense on her animals, but was often blinkered about certain things, it was a matter of getting everyone to give her the same advice.

 

[Gloi]

Besides the worm count suggesting the dentist is next and needs not cost a fortune.

 

[dorsetladette]

Isn't it short sighted to not call the vet in this case?

I mean a dentist check up is generally classed as routine and can be booked with one of our local vets as a 'zone' visit at a reduced rate. On these visits they usually give the pony a check over anyway (especially if sedating) so a bit of a bogof. Then while the vet is there pick their brains - I do (I usually have a list of things to 'drop into conversation' while talking to the vet at jab and teeth visits.) So for less than £100 you could get teeth sorted and some feeding advise which would potentially reduce your feed bill so saving money in the long run.

I think sometimes these things are more about experience.

 

[maya2008]

This links with the thread about trying to buy.

I looked, recently. Many had something wrong, owners were selling because they couldn’t afford the vet (and were hoping no one would notice). I saw an ad this morning about a horse that had started to buck in the school so they were selling as a hack only. One came to me a few weeks ago having it hurt its back, owners could not manage field rest and just wanted it gone. Needed some weeks of rest, vaccinations doing and was grand after that.

In the last few years I have hardly met anything that was vaccinated, or had ever had hooves trimmed or seen the dentist. It’s not just vets people are reluctant to call now. £75 per horse for one to see the dentist now, was £45 five years ago.

 

[blitznbobs]

Nothing is anyone’s responsibility any more or that’s how it feels. I get times are hard but if you can’t afford a couple of hundred quid to get an animal even looked at by a professional you can’t afford any pet … If hard decisions have to be made due to cost that I understand but not getting them looked at in the first place is just neglect. Have a credit card or put a fiver away a week til you have a visit and exam. And if you can’t afford a fiver a week then you really can’t afford your animal

 

[paddy555]

Isn't it short sighted to not call the vet in this case?

I mean a dentist check up is generally classed as routine and can be booked with one of our local vets as a 'zone' visit at a reduced rate. On these visits they usually give the pony a check over anyway (especially if sedating) so a bit of a bogof. Then while the vet is there pick their brains - I do (I usually have a list of things to 'drop into conversation' while talking to the vet at jab and teeth visits.) So for less than £100 you could get teeth sorted and some feeding advise which would potentially reduce your feed bill so saving money in the long run.

I think sometimes these things are more about experience.

of course it is and a vet dental visit may well work out cheaper as they can sedate and probably extract if needed at the same time. However sometimes this (HP's advice) may work better to improve the outcome for the pony. Sometimes it is not the equine that is the problem, that can be easily resolved, it is the owner that needs the careful handling.

The owner made the first step, they asked your opinion, and if you appear not too judgemental they may eventually take your advice.
I would imagine when she last had a vet it didn't cost a lot, so what ever they charge now will seem like a huge amount.
I used to have an elderly neighbour who would spare no expense on her animals, but was often blinkered about certain things, it was a matter of getting everyone to give her the same advice.

 

[Kaylum]

Absolutely yes it is so many can't be helped and are pts that should have been before they enter our care. It's like we have a magic wand and masses of money to save them. Big equine charities have their own vets but the small ones have to pay for call outs, usually emergency ones, like everyone else. Last year our vets bill was over £100k.

 

[setterlover]

There is an excellent equine dentist locally who charges £35 a horse however he has been ill lately and given his age ( late 60's ) he is cutting down on what he does so in huge demand .He generally tries to book horses in one area together to save on petrol costs I usually give him a heads up about a month before they are due so I have said to ring him and stress VERY urgent.
I know my farrier trims for her (she also asked his advice which I am pleased to say was the same as mine)
I will ask next time I see him if anything has been done.
I must admit the vets do seem to push for every test possible and do push for treating everything just because there is a treatment doesn't always mean it's the right thing to do.
I think if it were me if teeth and worming don't sort it out I would be pushing for PTS certainly before the winter and a lot sooner than that in my opinion.

 

[ester]

They might want to (why wouldn’t they want decent diagnostics) but that isn’t an excuse for not having them out at all/having the conversation with them.

 

[Prancerpoos]

Her attitude is the welfare issue imo.

This.

Keeping an expensive animal like a horse and then saying you are not looking after it properly because you can’t afford to is irresponsible. Having a horse PTS is not cheap either, so that will possibly be the next problem, but that is a better option than having a horse suffer because you will not pay for maintenance. Saying she expects it to live to 31 because its mother did, well!

 

[lynz88]

this is one reason why I only have a horse as my "pet". I would absolutely love to have a cat - I grew up with them and a home isn't a home without an animal. But equally, I am not so sure I can afford the upkeep to have a cat and I have a very, very well paying job (maybe when I finally get the house sorted in the next god knows how many years, I will be able to afford a cat!)

 

[asmp]

Trouble is that she possibly has owned this pony for 20+ years and it probably was cheap to keep many years ago. Everything is going up. I’m lucky that I can afford it at present but I’ve just seen our dentist has put his prices up to £72 if one horse or £60 per horse if two or more, farrier costs me £50 a trim, etc, etc.

ETA daughter has just stopped insuring her horse as not much was covered anymore anyway and the catastrophe insurance shot up (mine’s too old to insure)

 

[setterlover]

She a bit of a hoarder and collects ponies ! which she 'rescues' and currently has 6 all small ones she has had up to 9 but fortunately hasn't replaced ones lost over the last few years.
Vets bill increases x 6 will have certainly impacted her costs she does do vaccinations etc as they are kept on her own property so other costs are minimal .

 

[scats]

I’m finding this with dogs. People are putting off taking dogs for vet appointments because of the cost.
As a groomer, I often advise people see the vet about issues I find. A lot of people would rather just ‘watch it and see’ because of the rising costs.