Vet Bashing

[LEC]

I am not a vet, but I have several friends who are vets.

What I do not understand is why the constant vet bashing? Horse owners are among the worst. I am the tightest person you can imagine when it comes to horses, and I hate paying out on vet stuff but if it needs to be done, then it needs to be done and its the cost of owning animals. I don't see plumbers or electricians getting this grief for a part being replaced and it costing £90 for 2 minutes work.

Every vet thread I read pretty much bashes vets. Is it because in the UK we have socialised medicine? I always think every time someone use the NHS they should be given a copy of how much their treatment has cost to make people far more aware and to stop abusing the system.

I do think we are going to end up with serious issues in a few years where the profession stops being attractive to people because the pay vs misery they get from people is just not worth it.

I love my vet, they get decent bottles of champagne from me because they are so wonderful. I want them to know that I appreciate their skill and their professionalism in the care of my horses.

 

[milliepops]

i'm not sure that people complaining about the cost of things is confined to vets. you see it in all kinds of areas - why does the farrier charge so much, why do instructors charge so much, and so on. Horse owning is no longer the preserve of the rich, so it's kind of inevitable that people will try and do stuff on the cheap and complain about the prices charged.

i think it's heightened when it comes to vets because you tend to call them when you can't do without it and there's no way to mitigate the costs (vs stop having lessons or take the shoes off your horse).

I don't have an issue with the cost of veterinary work, I have a great practice who I trust 100% and with 6 horses I see quite a lot of them but I do still find it the most painful out of all the horse bills, because it's totally out of my control.

 

[ihatework]

I don’t get it either. But there is a general theme of entitlement to many horsey people, at the end of the day it is a non-essential and fairly elite hobby, even for the lower end of the market.

It must be soul destroying to have studied so hard for a dream profession, in general only have your clients best interests at heart, and on a daily basis get pulled in 10 different directions. Of course plenty of other careers have those sorts of pressures too but on the whole don’t get called money grabbers etc.

I deal with the cost of medical care on a daily basis for people. I’m constantly amazed how cheap horse medicine is in comparison.

It’s a tough old profession thats for sure!

 

[milliepops]

I deal with the cost of medical care on a daily basis for people. I’m constantly amazed how cheap horse medicine is in comparison.

yes I think because many people only use NHS care the true cost of human medicine is a complete mystery to them.

 

[AmyMay]

It’s because most horse owners know more than the vet.... ?

 

[ester]

I see quite a lot of people complaining about plumber charges?

 

[WandaMare]

Just out of interest how do you know that horse owners are the worst.....I hear a lot of my friends complaining about the cost of small animal vets, in fact probably more than horse owners....

 

[ester]

IME my small animal vet needs cost more than my horse vet needs have ever done. I definitely got more xrays for the same cost for the horse than the guinea pig

 

[ihatework]

Just out of interest how do you know that horse owners are the worst.....I hear a lot of my friends complaining about the cost of small animal vets, in fact probably more than horse owners....

Very true!
And proportionally small animal charges are much steeper than equine charges.

Im good friends with a clinical director of a large NHS trust. She was giving out over dinner about the obscene charges vets were charging for her cat. I pulled her up pronto on it, she if all people should appreciate how much routine medical care costs!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Because when you had the vets I had and have just got rid of them you will understand just how money centralised they were ?????

 

[shamrock2021]

Most people complain because they can’t afford their horses. people want big fancy investigating done but aren’t willing to pay the vet when the bills comes out . Then they bad mouth the vet when they ask for the money.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Just out of interest how do you know that horse owners are the worst.....I hear a lot of my friends complaining about the cost of small animal vets, in fact probably more than horse owners....

I think small animal vets probably do have it worse.

My mare had enough sedation to knock out an elephant, a nerve block, 3 x rays, 3 vet call out fees, antibiotics and bute for 2 weeks, and a dental surgeon, vet and dentist with her whilst she had her cracked molar removed. Total cost £1,600, £750 of which was the actual surgery, the rest was the aftercare/xrays etc.

Then a few weeks later cat got hit by a car, 2 days in "intensive care" where he was monitored, on a drip, had an ultrasound to check for internal bleeding and an xray on his jaw to make sure the tooth that had fallen out had no fragments left behind. That was also £1,600.

Dog found my prescription strength ibuprofen and ate them. Sickness drug, monitoring, blood test to check liver function and in with vets overnight - £1,200.

The three aren't really comparable in the grand scheme of things but at the time I couldn't help but compare and felt I had got a lot more for my money on the equine side of things!

 

[Gingerwitch]

I had lost a horse after 7k of vet treatment, he died of a tumor on his purity gland, his demise was triggered by a routine sedation. I don't insure so it was a direct hit. My vets were horrified I had vets at my yard for 36 hours racing between the yar and their hospital as he was too poorly to travel.
I allowed a post Mortem to be done as both senior partners were totally bemused by what happened.
It was no one's fault it was an issue waiting to happen. I paid my bill and sent them a thank you letter for everyone's care of the big lad. They wrote back to thank me for my letter as it was so nice to be thanked and not blamed.

 

[Gingerwitch]

IME my small animal vet needs cost more than my horse vet needs have ever done. I definitely got more xrays for the same cost for the horse than the guinea pig

See I would not dream of vets x raying guinea pigs - but suppose if that's your passion you would go to the ends of the earth for a guinea pig to. Not to de rail the thread but do vets PTS guinea pigs to ?

 

[Ceifer]

Having worked in the admin department of a small animal practice I found it a lot worse than equine.
We had team members threatened over payments and numerous rude clients.
The worst we used to have were the people who were clearly angry at the vet for whatever reason- money or a diagnosis they didn’t agree with, but they’d take it out on the admin and reception staff.
As a side note we also used to regularly have to lock ourselves in on late evening shifts to stop drug addicts coming in and trying to get into the dispensary.

 

[sam72431]

I have a what I deem 'normal' thought process with the vet. We have worked pretty closely through my mares rehab process phone calls texts etc. He has come out when needed but I am one to use common sense and only calling out when I need to but also not putting off calling vet. Now I get vet out he does what he needs to and I await bill then I pay it. My non horsey other half thinks this is mental and can't believe I don't ask the cost of things when it's done he is constantly saying what a good business model the vet has to come out and charge what they like and people just pay it without question. Maybe people bashing vets are just not used to the cost or expect a discount I don't know?! I always have a rough estimate of what I think it will cost and I'm normally about right ?

 

[TheHairyOne]

I love my vet practice...and with 6 we've a good relationship with them sadly!

I also agree that my small animal vets seems by comparison crazy expensive, but they have a whole team to pay to look after my one sick cat.

I complain about neither. However, there are some practices Id not use as some friends bills are bonkers on comparable things. And it can be simple stuff like the insane price difference between injectable antib's v's the stuff in sachets. We're happy to stab a horse in the arse and inject. Friend also happy too (shes a trained nurse!) but vets wont give her the cheap option. Price difference for a course is over £100. That can really start to add up.

 

[pansymouse]

People forget that a 5 minute visit is only possible because of years of expensive study, thousands of pounds of investment in specialist equipment, a comprehensive stock of drugs, running a suitable vehicle to carry the equipment and drugs to hard to access locations, back office staff and suitable premises. The cost of your visit has to cover not only the treatment but also contribute to all the fixed costs that enable that treatment to take be given. The same applies to farriers, plumbers, electricians etc. (minus the drugs!).

 

[Michen]

Yep. It's really sad.

I love my vet. I see him as the most important "partner" I have in caring for my horses, and know he will only ever do/advise what he truly thinks is best for my horses.

He makes stressful situations so much easier.

 

[Esyllt]

Having worked in the admin department of a small animal practice I found it a lot worse than equine.
We had team members threatened over payments and numerous rude clients.
The worst we used to have were the people who were clearly angry at the vet for whatever reason- money or a diagnosis they didn’t agree with, but they’d take it out on the admin and reception staff.
As a side note we also used to regularly have to lock ourselves in on late evening shifts to stop drug addicts coming in and trying to get into the dispensary.

I work in a small animal practice, as a veterinary pharmacist, but also do a lot on reception too. I absolutely hate my job now. I already have diagnosed mental health issues, which I battle with daily, but the way I get spoken to on a daily basis by members of the public because they don't want to pay for the treatment they have had etc is awful, and makes me wonder why I try so hard to keep going, if that's what I have to put up with on a daily basis. We have a policy of payment at the time of consultation, and all fees and options are explained up front before anything is done by the vets, so it's not like it's a surprise. The vets don't have the abuse, only the thanks, it's the front line staff (reception) who get the tirades, because we obviously make up the cost as we go along ?... so I wouldn't say it's confined to the equine side of things. People forget that they chose to have an animal, and that they are responsible for their care and all it entails, it is not a right. It's become worse in this lockdown period too (Wales). Sorry, that's a bit of a rant and a thread derail, but I obviously needed to get that out!!

 

[smolmaus]

See I would not dream of vets x raying guinea pigs - but suppose if that's your passion you would go to the ends of the earth for a guinea pig to. Not to de rail the thread but do vets PTS guinea pigs to ?

I'm a hamster person rather than a GP person but they should be doing PTS for piggies yes if necessary. It's a huge problem on both ends with small animals that are classed as "exotics". People (who shouldn't have small animals) don't take them to the vet because "It's just a hamster" you can get another one for a tenner etc. and also vets (more so with hams than GP/ buns) sometimes aren't confident in how to actually care for them beyond the basics, they see a lot more cats and dogs so they don't always have the experience.

I've had two lovely vets waive euth fees for me because they were just glad someone was actually bringing a hamster to the vet in the first place (and possibly sorry they couldn't do more). One I think missed a diagnosis of pyometra which could possibly have been treated but at that stage I didn't know enough myself to spot the symptoms and she may very well have needed to be PTS anyway. I don't blame them but I didn't go back and wouldn't recommend them. Second vet was much more comfortable with hamsters and came recommended from the local hamster-keeping community. She drained a hematoma and only charged me for the pain meds. Didn't charge for the PTS when the hematoma led to a stroke. I appreciated it so much, I was in bits.

 

[milliepops]

I've had two lovely vets waive euth fees for me because they were just glad someone was actually bringing a hamster to the vet in the first place

how sad I don't have small furries any more but I can't imagine not seeking proper treatment or at the very least a proper send off
I had reptiles when I was younger but had problems getting really knowledgeable vet care for them, part of the reason I gave up keeping them.

 

[SEL]

I'm half wondering if my vets think I'm 'vet bashing' at the moment. I've told them I can't proceed with any more treatment (its not urgent) until I know for certain the insurers will pay the claim because we've spent over £1000 going in the wrong direction. I'm not criticising them for not spotting the problem earlier, but equally I need to be pragmatic and not run up a huge bill.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Some vets are more money orientated than others. Private owned practices tend to be less money orientated than the big chain practices IME. I was with a vet group that was owned by the vets and the fees aware as expected. Once the practice got bought over however the prices of things I had been paying for for months/years rocketed but the online price of these items had stayed the same. I don’t find that a coincidence.

I did notice a massive difference when I took my horse for his last jab as opposed to when the vet came to me. There was £64 of a difference. That’s not just a little difference.

I didn’t bash the vet for it, I just decided that from that point on I would be spending the £10 of diesel going to them than £64 for them to come to me. I do think they get lots of unfair stick. Vast majority of it is undeserved.

 

[Ceifer]

I work in a small animal practice, as a veterinary pharmacist, but also do a lot on reception too. I absolutely hate my job now. I already have diagnosed mental health issues, which I battle with daily, but the way I get spoken to on a daily basis by members of the public because they don't want to pay for the treatment they have had etc is awful, and makes me wonder why I try so hard to keep going, if that's what I have to put up with on a daily basis. We have a policy of payment at the time of consultation, and all fees and options are explained up front before anything is done by the vets, so it's not like it's a surprise. The vets don't have the abuse, only the thanks, it's the front line staff (reception) who get the tirades, because we obviously make up the cost as we go along ?... so I wouldn't say it's confined to the equine side of things. People forget that they chose to have an animal, and that they are responsible for their care and all it entails, it is not a right. It's become worse in this lockdown period too (Wales). Sorry, that's a bit of a rant and a thread derail, but I obviously needed to get that out!!

Tbh that’s why I left. I hated every second of it. Couples with an unsupportive practice manager who used to trot out the phrase’the customer is always right’ despite not dealing with them. It was the best move I made

 

[Nasicus]

Sister worked as a small animal vet receptionist for several years, has now started as Student Vet Nurse. If you think horse people are the worst for bemoaning the vets, try small animal practice, that'll make you question humanity somewhat!

 

[smolmaus]

how sad I don't have small furries any more but I can't imagine not seeking proper treatment or at the very least a proper send off
I had reptiles when I was younger but had problems getting really knowledgeable vet care for them, part of the reason I gave up keeping them.

Yep, I know reptiles can be even harder to find good care for. I don't know many people in the reptile fancy but you do hear horror stories there as well with people just ignoring problems or trying to treat at home to save the expense of a proper exotics vet.

One good thing to come from the giant pile of garbage that is FB is the rise in small animal keeping groups. Not taking a hamster/ gerbil/ rat to the vet is just completely unacceptable and there are now no shortage of people to tell you so.

Tbh that’s why I left. I hated every second of it. Couples with an unsupportive practice manager who used to trot out the phrase’the customer is always right’ despite not dealing with them. It was the best move I made

What?! I can sometimes sometimes accept this in a retail scenario but when you're coming to a vet specifically for expert advice for a problem you absolutely do not have the expertise to treat, how can the customer possibly be right? Ahh!

 

[Mule]

I'm half wondering if my vets think I'm 'vet bashing' at the moment. I've told them I can't proceed with any more treatment (its not urgent) until I know for certain the insurers will pay the claim because we've spent over £1000 going in the wrong direction. I'm not criticising them for not spotting the problem earlier, but equally I need to be pragmatic and not run up a huge bill.

Sounds like common sense.

 

[milliepops]

I did notice a massive difference when I took my horse for his last jab as opposed to when the vet came to me. There was £64 of a difference. That’s not just a little difference.

I didn’t bash the vet for it, I just decided that from that point on I would be spending the £10 of diesel going to them than £64 for them to come to me. I do think they get lots of unfair stick. Vast majority of it is undeserved.

yup and i think that's fine, i don't expect they care either way anyway. I'm an hour away from my practice now, it's probably still cheaper for me in diesel to drive to them than have them schlep out to me, but I can't afford the time out of the day so have to suck up the costs. previously i would have whizzed a horse over for many things and saved the call out.

i think some people forget that the callout is time spent that is otherwise not earning anything. someone has to spend the time travelling, whether that's you or them, the dead time needs paying for one way or the other.
same as when people complain about other mobile businesses that charge callout or have a minimum charge.

 

[Merrymoles]

Hmmm. I'm a bit torn on this one. I have always had the greatest respect for the vets I have used in the past but that has somewhat changed now after my horse went lame last November and I spent £1,500 for a non-diagnosis. I did not feel the vet I used listened to me at all and he seemed fixated on it being a tendon issue, which it wasn't. I then got a different vet for second opinion in June, went back to my original practice as the new vet couldn't do mobile xrays but asked for a different vet to come out. The result was an almost instant diagnosis and a treatment plan which means I have just been able to start hacking out in walk for the first time in 11 months, albeit after spending another £1,000.

I have spent months kicking myself for not having been more assertive with the original vet and insisting that he investigated my concerns. It has also been extremely costly at a time when money is tight because I consider the first £1,500 wasted!

So, while I haven't resorted to "vet bashing" in any shape or form, it has certainly coloured my opinions in a negative way. That said, the vet I am now using from the same practice has been excellent, takes a down-to-earth approach and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him!