How soon do you worry about Vet costs?

[hollyzippo]

Just wondering as there was a horse in our yard I was asked to look at last night which was completely non- weightbearing on its right hind. Told her to get vet straight away as clearly very uncomfortable. ( I couldnt see anything btw, a bit warm over hoack and fetlock but hard to assess swelling as was holding it above hock height).

The owner was obviously worried and opted to get the local small animal practice out rather that large equine practice we all use normally. This was due to cheaper call out.

Just intrests me as I wouldnt even think of this- I just panic when I get my bill, but dont worry about costs (unless major colic op or something awful- god forbid!) until after.

Now she may have to get equine practice out next week anyway as vet she had cant do large animal scans/ x ray and thinks it might be tendon but doesnt really know- just given bute anyway!!

Now I work at an equine practice, just wondered if I am immune to the costs of treatment or if others dont see £ signs until they know horse is ok??

 

[Alibear]

I'm pretty much the same as you, the other owner will now have to pay for another call out to get a prognosis which seems a waste of money to me.

I wouldn't say our way is good though either!

 

[ihatework]

Good god, calling the local small animal clinic out has never even crossed my mind !!!
TBH if it was something serious enough for me to call a vet it would be my regular equine vet every time, might grumble about the cost but it wouldn't be the deciding factor!

 

[TheresaW]

If one of my horses needs a vet, they will see a vet. They are both insured, which obviously eases the worry a bit, but at the end of the day, it is down to me to do what is best for them and worry about money later.

 

[AmyMay]

Same as you - never give it a thought.

To be honest, I'm always more worried about my small animal vet bills - by comparison they are astrinomical (sp).

Intersting though - surely small animal vet should have queried why the vet the horse was registered with wasn't called. And will another vet now look at it if it has been 'treated' by another???

 

[annaellie]

I do not worry what the vets bill will be while my horse is needing the treatment its always afterwards I begin to think whats it going to cost. I had one mare that was very ill with colic the vet said she needed to go in for an op but looking at how bad she was she did not think she would make it through the op so I would be better to have her pts and use my insurance money to buy a new horse rather than on an op and still have no horse at the end of it, my thoughts were not on money just on getting the mare out of pain and hopefully well again as it happens she did have to be pts 12 months later through the same thing which I have put a post on here about. So no I do not think you are imune to the bills its just a sighn of good ownership for your horse.

 

[Sparklet]

My regular equine specialist vet is 50+ miles away so I have rung the local small animal vet before not because of cost but because they could get to me quicker.

Each time I do this I resolve never to do the same because they are completely useless.

Cost wise - I actually set up a standing order with my vet so the bills are never as painful. I do need to increase the amount slightly because my daughers pony has had quite a bit of dental work but I can highly recommend paying monthly if your vet can administrate at their end.

 

[vicijp]

If one of my horses was in serious pain the last person id call would be a budgie vet.
In this case, with no obvious sign of where injury is, the farrier would have been my first stop.

 

[hollyzippo]

Well she has accounts with both and uses s.a. vet for routine things like jabs. They are theoretically a mixed practice so will do horse calls but have no facilities, and as far as I know not really any horse clients. Same pony had bad lami. last year and she ended up having to use equine practice as s.a. vet didnt have any facilities.

Just worried should be scanned now, not after 1 week of bute. Not insured tho so I guess money is a worry. Glad both of mine as insured as they are very accident prone!

 

[filly190]

I dont think she was mad going for the cheaper option, sometimes horses look far worse than what they are and in a couple of days improve no end.

I use the best horse vet in the area, however I do ring and speak before a visit and it usually saves me a lot of money. For instance my mare had a cut on her leg, which became infected and my vet advised me over the phone what to do, I followed the instructions and did'nt need a visit.

My vet also gives me a bundle of injections for the future and helps save me money.

 

[MissDeMeena]

I can't remember the last time we called the vet out!!
Vets are generally only called out for colic and flu jabs.. everything else is delt with by either my mum/farrier/physio..
Not a great fan of vets.. they know how to milk peoples love for their animals for all its worth!!

And before anyone starts worrying about the comfort/safety of my horses, they are all fine! and full of the joys of spring (even tho it's not spring yet).

 

[Tempi]

if i think the vet is needed then i call them! however we have a vet at our yard, so last night when my big monster thought he was dying just because he'd lost a shoe she very kindly checked him over for me just so i had peace of mind that hes fine!! (i help her with her dressage a lot, so she didnt mind me asking her!)

And luckily our vets is 5mins down the road so callout fees are never very large, plus like i said we've got a vet at the yard and she will do it for no callout fee if you can wait until the evening when she is at the yard anyways which is really good of her.

 

[TequilaMist]

Much the same as yourself,call vet will worry about it later but do have insurance and a small standing order monthly to vets to help with routine stuff.
There are only really 2 vets(one is major practice has about 3 vets that deal with horses) in our area that deal with horses anyway so probably the need to call s a vet would probably never happen.
Must admit tho if horse was completely non weight bearing and holding leg up would go for equine vet first.

 

[luane1]

I dont have mine insured for vets fees as it is too expensive. I save a monthly sum to go towards unexpected costs with them but if they need a vet then they get one. I know I have one recovering with spavin and another one leaving today to retire with the blood bank in Scotland but the vets fees have been manageable, the vet has costed the treatment for me in each case and given me different options but in the end I have always followed his advice. In saying that I have actually moved vets due to bad diagnosis with the horse I have retired.

 

[the watcher]

the vet I use at Hook Norton are mixed large/small animal..and i always have one of the team that deal with large animals so I am happy I get the right person the first time around.

Is cost an option? Well I am pragmatic, I will of course pay for the first visit and an assessment and any pain relief, after that I will take a view on the long term implications..might sound hard hearted but I don't have land, I have to pay for each horse so don't have room for passengers and my decision will be based on a long term prognosis. i cannot understand anybody who would virtually bankrupt themselves for a horse, much as I love mine.

 

[Oaksflight]

If I was to worry about vet bills.. I wouldn't be with the vets I am! With the best specialist equine vets round here, quite far away so call out alone is £35.

 

[nomini]

My Dad pays for my vet bills but he doesn't worry about costs until the bill arrives. He says he would rather the horse was checked out asap rather than worrying about how much it is going to cost him.

 

[Tia]

Interesting replies.

What is wrong with speaking to a small animal vet and asking their advice? Don't people do this pretty frequently on HHO and no-one says "don't listen to them - they're only small animal vets".

Personally, I would never mix the two. The SAV are for the small animals and the EV are for the horses....end of. Oh and none of my horses are insured for vet fees, but if they need a vet they get him right away.

 

[hollyzippo]

I must admit as i work at a vets unless its major I ask them first for advise (for free) and then if still worried/no improvement I get my vet out. Think non-weight bearing is attention asap tho. And definately wasnt it foot, no heat or response to hoof testers. Hope she is ok tonight. Wasnt nice to watch

 

[GTs]

If the horse is completely non-weight bearing it is either - abscess, infected joint, broken bone.

One thing I know is it is more expensive to try and avoid vet fees than just sucking it up but maybe I am unique in the fact that I believe you should not have horses if you can not afford vet bills.

 

[hollyzippo]

Well they are most common but can be other things. I should have said she will stand on her toe to crib, but only for about 2 times then pulls it up again.

We have had ones at work that have slipped tendon off hock- non weightbearing definately! Was worried incase vet had missed something like this as no pain when tendons are palpated.

And my grey was definately non -weightbearing when did his SDFT- holding it out in front like it was brokn- very scared!!

 

[Clodagh]

I had my bestest horse PTS last year rather than the 9 months of box rest to recuperate her as a potential lawnmower last year. She wouldn't be stabled anyway! I still know deep down I did the right thing, but always wonder.

I have used local small animal vets for jabs and such, but now take the SA to the EV, as they are much cheaper and more pragmatic!!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

From the moment I decide I need a vet called out I begin thinking of the bill. Ever since a mammoth bill I had a couple of years ago I've built up a comprehensive first aid kit at the stables & very often I give the vet cotton wool, gamgee, vetrap, hibiscrub, gloves etc to use on my horse. That way the surgery can't charge me the extortionate amounts they normally do for the stuff they use. This keeps my bills down considerably. Very often though it's the turnout fee that kills you, 3 visits & it adds over £100 onto your bill.

I do have insurance however the companies are only too keen to withdraw cover for certain injuries/illnesses when you come to renew the cover if you've had a claim.