Should I pay my vet?!

[Azola]

Hi all,

I recently had to have my horse put down, due to him having seizures and collapsing. He'd become a danger to himself and anyone handling him (we had tried everything!).

Anyway I had a nightmare claiming on the insurance because my vet had filled the claim forms in saying that the euthanasia didn't comply with BEVA regulations. I had to research myself and then advise my vet that euthanasia was approved by BEVA if the horse was deemed a risk to the safety of himself or the handler - a danger that could not be treated!

My vet apologised once I'd pointed this out and re-did the forms. Luckily my insurance (Petplan Equine) were then happy to pay up.

I still owe the vet the costs to put my boy to sleep - £250 and a big part of me thinks why should I pay!? If I'd charged them their hourly rate for the time it took me to sort out my vet's ignorance of BEVA regulations it would probably be more than £250??

Where do I stand on this - does anyone know??

Cheers all :0)

 

[numptynoelle]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry for your loss and for the inconvenience you've been through. Given that your vet did euthanise the horse (and so provided that service), and has apologised for initial mistake, redid the forms and that the insurance has now been sorted out, then yes, of course you should pay them for the service they provided. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear.

 

[madlady]

I think I'd be tempted to negotiate the bill on the basis of what has happened but I'd expect to pay something.

 

[PorkChop]

Why wouldn't you pay? Your Vet sorted the problem and your insurance company paid out - your Vet carried out the proceedure you have been billed for.

 

[9tails]

Of course you have to pay your vet! Did you have a big syringe of lethal injection and the years of training required to administer the dose?

Oh, and welcome to the forum. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Azola]

True 9tails - though with all those years of training I would have expected the basic BEVA regulations to also be known? ;0)

 

[Erin]

Why isn't your insurance company paying these costs?

 

[Azola]

Apparently I wasn't covered for the euthanasia or disposal costs - just vets' treatment bills & his value :0(

 

[alainax]

I would pay the vet and move on. It is a sad situation and your frustration is very reasonable.

However they did provide the service, and you may end up in small claims court about an unpaid bill. You would have to argue about getting payment for inconvenience, but I doubt this would be an easy thing to argue.

 

[jrp204]

The vet did what you asked and although they made an initial mistake they rectified the it so yes you have to pay them.

 

[Dry Rot]

You absolutely must pay your vet!

But that would not stop me sending him my bill for my wasted time.

"Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander".

Why is it some professionals do not think the law of contract applies to them? The vet gave professional advice that proved to be incorrect. It was not an opinion but advice on a matter of fact. If he didn't know, he either should have said he'd find out or evaded the question. The wrong advice cost the OP time and money. Vets have professional indemnity insurance to cover such incidents. That is why you engage a professional and not some self appointed horse doctor off the Internet.