Never Ending Fees

[proctorclaire]

Just looking for a moan and to know I'm not alone. Vet fees are getting out of control.

Lost my old mare in January to impaction colic which didn't correct itself and cost me nearly £6K trying to save her and then PTS etc.
Then the next week another one got eye ulcer and out of hours calls etc end up being quite a few hundred quid.
Then this month one gave herself a leg injury and 2 vet visits a week for 3/4 weeks for bandages etc and then after that the one with the eye ulcer got colic and into equine hospital and whilst there got infection at catheter site and had to stay a week longer.

Literally thousands and thousands of pounds and mounting with insurance not paying out for large chunk of it. Never ending just now.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I often find it comes in waves. I had an 8k colic surgery and 3 week hospital stay only for his blood to stop clotting and sadly pts. And the following friday my dog died. You are most definitely not alone in the unlucky stakes.
Fingers crossed things will improve for you soon

 

[proctorclaire]

I often find it comes in waves. I had an 8k colic surgery and 3 week hospital stay only for his blood to stop clotting and sadly pts. And the following friday my dog died. You are most definitely not alone in the unlucky stakes.
Fingers crossed things will improve for you soon

Oh god that's awful. So sorry for your losses.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Around 6 months ago our 25 year old 16h1" retired showjumper got colic. we walked him around waiting for the vet. |vet came. gave him an injection & he seemed to pick up. Vet left but we needed her back as he deteriorated. We'd had a discussion a couple of years earlier regarding colic & decided that we would not put our horses through it. |This time the vet's examination showed that his colic was caused by everything inside him moving out of place. As he wasn't going to have anything removed, just put back where it should be we decided for him to go to the vets for treatment. He underwent a 3.5 hour operation until around 10.30pm. We spoke to the vet & she said that it went well & we could come & see him the next day around 1.00pm. We had a very long night, tears |& worry kept us awake most of the night. Anyway we went to vets 1.00pm the next day & gingerly walked up to his stable. He was standing in the middle of his stable, heavily bandaged around his middle. He had heard us walking across the yard, his ears were pricked, his eyes sparkled and all he wanted was fuss. He looked great. He came home a few days later & after 6 months convalescence he is back to his own self, he hacks out, he gets lunged & he's absolutely wonderful. We send little bits of video of him to the vet as she loves seeing when things work out. At 25 years of age there is no insurance for colic & vet's bill was around £7000. That's plenty of money but he's family & now you would never know he'd had surgery, he's back to his wonderful self. We were lucky with the outcome but so many times things don't go right. To those who have lost their horses to colic I am sorry, but sometimes it goes well as it did with our boy.

 

[proctorclaire]

Around 6 months ago our 25 year old 16h1" retired showjumper got colic. we walked him around waiting for the vet. |vet came. gave him an injection & he seemed to pick up. Vet left but we needed her back as he deteriorated. We'd had a discussion a couple of years earlier regarding colic & decided that we would not put our horses through it. |This time the vet's examination showed that his colic was caused by everything inside him moving out of place. As he wasn't going to have anything removed, just put back where it should be we decided for him to go to the vets for treatment. He underwent a 3.5 hour operation until around 10.30pm. We spoke to the vet & she said that it went well & we could come & see him the next day around 1.00pm. We had a very long night, tears |& worry kept us awake most of the night. Anyway we went to vets 1.00pm the next day & gingerly walked up to his stable. He was standing in the middle of his stable, heavily bandaged around his middle. He had heard us walking across the yard, his ears were pricked, his eyes sparkled and all he wanted was fuss. He looked great. He came home a few days later & after 6 months convalescence he is back to his own self, he hacks out, he gets lunged & he's absolutely wonderful. We send little bits of video of him to the vet as she loves seeing when things work out. At 25 years of age there is no insurance for colic & vet's bill was around £7000. That's plenty of money but he's family & now you would never know he'd had surgery, he's back to his wonderful self. We were lucky with the outcome but so many times things don't go right. To those who have lost their horses to colic I am sorry, but sometimes it goes well as it did with our boy.

That's so lovely to hear. You are right they are family. Glad your boy is back home.

 

[Upthecreek]

The cost of almost everything has increased dramatically and vet fees are no exception. I think we’re nearly at the point where owning horses and caring for them properly will not be affordable for most people. Lots of my horsey friends have sold their horses or chosen not to buy another once their old ones have died as they can no longer afford to own a horse and other luxuries like family holidays, so choices have to be made.

 

[hock]

It tends to go through phases. Although this month we will have spent £1300 just on unavoidable day to day stuff, jabs and passports and geldings etc.

I won’t ever operate not even for the bestest boy. Plenty come through the ops but not enough for me to go through it and all the rehab.

The biggest potential bill we had was for a horse that was put down at New Market. Luckily for us and the horse we had the right vet that suspected on the first visit and then off we went to NM. Still £1500 but I dread to think what it could have been.

But yer prices have rocketed and we don’t insure but I try to keep a lump sum in savings for emergencies for vets etc. I’m just scared what would happen if we didn’t have the money? I’ve noticed as well the vets terms aren’t as generous as they once were.

 

[blood_magik]

Know the feeling well. In 14 days we’ve had 5 vet visits for the following:

Performance work up
Suspensories medicated
Colic (OOH call-out)
Cellulitis
Lameness + shockwave treatment

All different horses of course. Vet is back out today to scan as lameness hasn’t improved and suspect he’ll likely have to go into the clinic as well.

ETA- mine are not insured other than 3rd party liability as there’s really no point due to exclusions.

 

[scats]

Compared to small animal vet fees, I still think equine fees are pretty decent value.

 

[lme]

We have too many horses who would have multiple exclusions, so I just accept that I need to put aside a decent amount for vets bills. This year started with an emergency call out on a bank holiday and has not got much cheaper.

 

[HopOnTrot]

Nearly £300 for teeth and vaccinations last month (for two!) lameness work up next week too which will be fun

 

[clairebearfur1]

I feel it goes in waves too. Ive spent all my savings trying to save horses

 

[proctorclaire]

The cost of almost everything has increased dramatically and vet fees are no exception. I think we’re nearly at the point where owning horses and caring for them properly will not be affordable for most people. Lots of my horsey friends have sold their horses or chosen not to buy another once their old ones have died as they can no longer afford to own a horse and other luxuries like family holidays, so choices have to be made.

Yeah I've noticed over the years the prices going up and up and up and very quickly becoming unaffordable and I'm on a good wage with no holidays and luxeries. I swear insurance companies are getting worse to.

 

[proctorclaire]

It tends to go through phases. Although this month we will have spent £1300 just on unavoidable day to day stuff, jabs and passports and geldings etc.

I won’t ever operate not even for the bestest boy. Plenty come through the ops but not enough for me to go through it and all the rehab.

The biggest potential bill we had was for a horse that was put down at New Market. Luckily for us and the horse we had the right vet that suspected on the first visit and then off we went to NM. Still £1500 but I dread to think what it could have been.

But yer prices have rocketed and we don’t insure but I try to keep a lump sum in savings for emergencies for vets etc. I’m just scared what would happen if we didn’t have the money? I’ve noticed as well the vets terms aren’t as generous as they once were.

I contemplated cancelling my insurance a while back for my lot and never did them my husband left so glad I kept it but I do wonder why I bother sometimes because they just exclude so many things. I'm currently about to appeal decisions on my insurance as they are excluding body parts rather than the actual illness or injury. Won't have a part of the horse covered soon it's ridiculous

 

[proctorclaire]

Know the feeling well. In 14 days we’ve had 5 vet visits for the following:

Performance work up
Suspensories medicated
Colic (OOH call-out)
Cellulitis
Lameness + shockwave treatment

All different horses of course. Vet is back out today to scan as lameness hasn’t improved and suspect he’ll likely have to go into the clinic as well.

Hope it goes OK. Never ending isn't it

 

[proctorclaire]

We have too many horses who would have multiple exclusions, so I just accept that I need to put aside a decent amount for vets bills. This year started with an emergency call out on a bank holiday and has not got much cheaper.

Yeah the call outs are a killer. This month I've had approximately £500-£600 just for them driving here over the course of the month

 

[proctorclaire]

I feel it goes in waves too. Ive spent all my savings trying to save horses

I'm hoping no more for some time

 

[hock]

Compared to small animal vet fees, I still think equine fees are pretty decent value.

But surely small animal costs are the problem rather than raising large practise costs inline?

 

[suestowford]

Increased vet fees are the main reason I've not bought another pony yet. It's been about 18 months since I lost my boy.
Mine was also lost to colic. He'd had a long history of colic and given his age I didn't feel he would be a good risk for surgery. Apparently 85% get through the operation but I couldn't find any figures for how many survive the recovery period. I suspect happy endings are in the minority.

I had thought that with him gone I might be able to start saving again, but I have other animals and they have taken up the slack and are going through money like water at the vet.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I’ve spent nothing on vets fees apart from the usual inoculations and wormers for two years but this month I’ve had a £400 bill for X-rays, antibiotics and Bute which I’ve already paid and next week there will be another £1500+ to have the offending tooth out. Sometimes things happen and as I only insure for accident/injury I take the hit when they need anything else easily treatable. They are pets, live very well and do very little so if it’s catastrophic they will be PTS.

 

[blood_magik]

Know the feeling well. In 14 days we’ve had 5 vet visits for the following:

Performance work up
Suspensories medicated
Colic (OOH call-out)
Cellulitis
Lameness + shockwave treatment

All different horses of course. Vet is back out today to scan as lameness hasn’t improved and suspect he’ll likely have to go into the clinic as well.

ETA- mine are not insured other than 3rd party liability as there’s really no point due to exclusions.

jack decided to go for a two-for-one deal - suspensory AND DDFT

 

[Floofball]

I don’t insure Floof due to everything being excluded. In the last 18 months he’s wracked up +£3K in vet fees with various injuries and illness - which would,ve been covered by catastrophe insurance! didn’t think of that would definitely have been worth the £450 pa premium. New boy is insured and has a tendency to self harm on a Friday night requiring OOH visits over the weekend. The bills have only just been over the excess so not claimed - probably should just get catastrophe cover for both!

 

[proctorclaire]

Increased vet fees are the main reason I've not bought another pony yet. It's been about 18 months since I lost my boy.
Mine was also lost to colic. He'd had a long history of colic and given his age I didn't feel he would be a good risk for surgery. Apparently 85% get through the operation but I couldn't find any figures for how many survive the recovery period. I suspect happy endings are in the minority.

I had thought that with him gone I might be able to start saving again, but I have other animals and they have taken up the slack and are going through money like water at the vet.

Yeah they really are getting out of control. Don't get me wrong I would never deprive my horses of vet care when they need it but it is becoming unaffordable when things happen.

 

[proctorclaire]

I’ve spent nothing on vets fees apart from the usual inoculations and wormers for two years but this month I’ve had a £400 bill for X-rays, antibiotics and Bute which I’ve already paid and next week there will be another £1500+ to have the offending tooth out. Sometimes things happen and as I only insure for accident/injury I take the hit when they need anything else easily treatable. They are pets, live very well and do very little so if it’s catastrophic they will be PTS.

One of mine needs a tooth out to. Never mind the never ending story.... It's the never ending vet bills haha

 

[proctorclaire]

I don’t insure Floof due to everything being excluded. In the last 18 months he’s wracked up +£3K in vet fees with various injuries and illness - which would,ve been covered by catastrophe insurance! didn’t think of that would definitely have been worth the £450 pa premium. New boy is insured and has a tendency to self harm on a Friday night requiring OOH visits over the weekend. The bills have only just been over the excess so not claimed - probably should just get catastrophe cover for both!

I've never heard of catastrophe cover

 

[Goldenstar]

It does come in waves I had a bad August / September with just shy of 4K in August and a stress inducing 9k in September.

 

[Time for Tea]

The cost of almost everything has increased dramatically and vet fees are no exception. I think we’re nearly at the point where owning horses and caring for them properly will not be affordable for most people. Lots of my horsey friends have sold their horses or chosen not to buy another once their old ones have died as they can no longer afford to own a horse and other luxuries like family holidays, so choices have to be made.

I am also struck by this. Every time you see a vet it costs about £300 just for routine stuff and travel fee. What with shoes £100 a set and saddle checking £160 today for 4 saddles, and astronomical feed costs even for 3 native ponies, I am grateful I don’t have livery fees on top. I am addicted I suppose. But it’s off putting for anyone doing budgets, thinking about horse ownership

 

[McGrools]

I think vets are taking the p now. Captive market. I know of a dog owner that was charged £500 for a couple of staples in a minor wound cos it was a bank holiday. That was daylight robbery I imo!
I am not insured for horse vet fees. My vet knows that and treats accordingly which I appreciate

 

[expanding_horizon]

I am also struck by this. Every time you see a vet it costs about £300 just for routine stuff and travel fee. What with shoes £100 a set and saddle checking £160 today for 4 saddles, and astronomical feed costs even for 3 native ponies, I am grateful I don’t have livery fees on top. I am addicted I suppose. But it’s off putting for anyone doing budgets, thinking about horse ownership

It definitely is. I have one horse, on DIY with groom service to feed one end of the day (I dont live close to yard). Dentist, trimmer, hoof boots, saddler, physio, training, equipment, feed, petrol, transport, servicing, memberships, competing. It is never ending! I have a decent job, no children and no mortgage but still seem to spend more than I earn.

 

[Time for Tea]

It definitely is. I have one horse, on DIY with groom service to feed one end of the day (I dont live close to yard). Dentist, trimmer, hoof boots, saddler, physio, training, equipment, feed, petrol, transport, servicing, memberships, competing. It is never ending! I have a decent job, no children and no mortgage but still seem to spend more than I earn.

Well that is worrying isn’t it, it really shows that it is becoming unaffordable.