Vet Monopolies

[WrongLeg]

Vets are currently being investigated by The Competition and Markets Authority, this includes local monopolies.

3 different owners at the local yard were all separately charged £80 for a call out (vaccination) by IVC.

All the veterinary practices between Inverness and Perth are owned by IVC (112 miles) - and all the practices that cover the Cairngorms National Park (1700 sq miles).

Does anyone have the same problem? Are you going to respond to the consultation?

 

[SO1]

Thankfully not. After the collapse of Chiltern Equine following it's acquisition by IVC we now have numerous small independents to choose from.

My vet moved to a small practice there are three of them and they will split call outs if three horses vaccinated as part of one visit to the yard that would be 1/3 of a call out each person.

Vets are currently being investigated by The Competition and Markets Authority, this includes local monopolies.

3 different owners at the local yard were all separately charged £80 for a call out (vaccination) by IVC.

All the veterinary practices between Inverness and Perth are owned by IVC (112 miles) - and all the practices that cover the Cairngorms National Park (1700 sq miles).

Does anyone have the same problem? Are you going to respond to the consultation?

 

[EventingMum]

I consider myself very lucky. Our local mixed practice was sold to IVC, shortly after they stopped doing large animals and the small animal care standards fell dramatically with several very poor locum vets while prices skyrocketed and OOH meant a trip into Glasgow at a huge cost. Large animals were moved to another IVC practice and after a year they stopped covering our area. Luckily, the vet school in Glasgow started a first opinion practice and their charges are much better especially on zone days. We were very lucky to move our small animals to a local independent family practice (father and two daughters) who offer OOH too, this practice now has enormous waiting list, a friend has been on it for three years. I hear so many awful stories about corporate vet practices I am very thankful to have had these options for my animals.

 

[SEL]

When Chiltern closed I signed my horses up with another local practice not realising at the time they were owned by the same corporate.

The vets are lovely but I'm finding some of the charges steep. I'd mind less if they were organised but even on a paid call out day it's a struggle to get a timeslot in the morning.

 

[Mrs B]

IVC took over our local small animal vets and it became increasingly obvious where their priorities lay.
They used the pandemic as an excuse to stop doing callouts and they've never gone back to them.
I tried to beg them to come out to euthanise one of the little semi-ferals I cared for, as she was dying and in distress which I didn't want to compound by loading her into a cat cage and taking her into the practice, where they'd already told me they'd 'try to get one of the vets to pts in their morning coffee break, and to leave her with them'.
I said I wouldn't treat the poor little cat like that, and they said 'Then we can't help you' and put the phone down.

My lovely horse vets came out and did it.
I will never forgive the IVC practice for that.

 

[FlorrieBrown]

My formerly excellent equine vet has recently been taken over by IVC and the standards have dropped dramatically. Thankfully, a couple of their senior people have now set up independently within reasonable travelling distance, and I am planning to register with them going forward.

 

[splashgirl45]

Our local vets has been taken over and my vet has left and gone to a practice one and a half hours away so a bit far to take my dogs . I’m thinking above changing vets as they refused to come out and PTS my friends greyhound who had collapsed so she had to get her neighbour to help with getting him in the car and then out again at the vets which caused the dog and her to be very distressed, and although my dogs are smaller I want the option of a vet coming out if I have an emergency

 

[Britestar]

For home PTS check you area for a small business who only do that.

An ex vet employee from the local CVS practice had started up doing home pts. Much nicer for you and the pet, and probably cheaper too.

 

[nutjob]

The 2 nearest equine vet practices to me are IVC, the next nearest is another chain but I think I'm too far away for them. The prices at my current one haven't gone up too much but they've done away with any sort of special offers like zone visit days.

 

[TheBigPony]

VetPartners has taken over around us. There was an article in the Guardian this weekend about one VetPartners small animal practices in Wales where the support staff have gone on strike as they are not even being paid the living wage. There was also some disturbing comments from vets who are feeling charges have gone up and they are under pressure to charge for every little thing, which is impacting care.

Sad state of affairs.

 

[holeymoley]

I consider myself very lucky. Our local mixed practice was sold to IVC, shortly after they stopped doing large animals and the small animal care standards fell dramatically with several very poor locum vets while prices skyrocketed and OOH meant a trip into Glasgow at a huge cost. Large animals were moved to another IVC practice and after a year they stopped covering our area. Luckily, the vet school in Glasgow started a first opinion practice and their charges are much better especially on zone days. We were very lucky to move our small animals to a local independent family practice (father and two daughters) who offer OOH too, this practice now has enormous waiting list, a friend has been on it for three years. I hear so many awful stories about corporate vet practices I am very thankful to have had these options for my animals.

Dare I ask, are you referring to FV? I moved to them a few years ago and not long after they seemed to have been bought over by some corporate I think. I used to be with EVC but my ‘favourite’ vet left and I moved yard so it was right on the boundary of their zone. It’s very tricky to find a practice to use and trust now that won’t just add pound signs on to everything for the sake of it.

 

[EventingMum]

Yes, FV! To be fair all bar one of their vets were good but they then wouldn't come past Balloch so we were outwith their area. We moved to the vet school first opinion practice and I've been pleased with them. I few friends use Endrick and seem happy too. A few liveries have had problems with EVC and they seem very expensive.

 

[holeymoley]

Yes, FV! To be fair all bar one of their vets were good but they then wouldn't come past Balloch so we were outwith their area. We moved to the vet school first opinion practice and I've been pleased with them. I few friends use Endrick and seem happy too. A few liveries have had problems with EVC and they seem very expensive.

I think EVC were taken over too, or something happened as a lot of their vets jumped ship so to speak.

Thankfully I’ve only mostly only needed FV for routine vaccs since I’ve moved with them, bar one occasion where horse came in with an allergic reaction and I was very pleased with the call out time out of hours and detailed examination etc. Unfortunately though I’ve since then been put off. My older horse had his annual test for his insulin and it happened to fall on a week in Winter where they had no turnout or exercise due to very bad ice. I also couldn’t soak his hay. His levels came back at over 300 which was concerning given they shouldn’t be over 30. I asked the vet if they could retest in a weeks time as I was sure it was all down to the circumstances. He agreed and I managed to get him back out and exercised and hay soaked etc. His levels on the retest came back at 14. I was thrilled! But the vet didn’t seem overly here nor there about it and insisted horse should go on Metformin for the foreseeable and be tested every month. Which was another story as my last vet didn’t think Metformin was particularly proven. They were very insistent to the point of phoning back even when I said I was quite comfortable knowing that he can be managed through his diet and exercise and surely we should happy with that and leave medication as a last option. I felt very forced in to having prescription drugs which in my opinion weren’t required. After that I just wondered if the animal was really the prime concern or was it to make money?

Saying all that has just reminded me too- horse had vaccine this week and I think it’s the first time in 20years ownership they’ve offered me some Danilon along side the vaccine? I’ve never had to use that before. Another money maker?

 

[Kaylum]

Vetpartners have taken over most near us. But there still a couple of independent ones.

 

[splashgirl45]

My vet has been taken over by Kin Vet Community and all the old vets have gone and the new ones are very young, I know they have qualified but the ones I have seen don’t give me confidence, and their admin is horrendous , I’ve currently got a claim going through and they have told the insurance company the wrong amount of my bill, they have told them £40 more than it should be , seems a bit odd and I’m talking to them today about that

 

[meleeka]

There's still a couple of independents where I live. I'm with a corporate though, just because their facilities are better for small animals (they are a hospital) and my horse vet is great. If she leaves, I will go to an independent.

 

[Nonjumper]

Round me it's either VetPartners or VetsNow who have bought up every practice they can get their grubby little mitts on.

I saw the same article that @TheBigPony saw about the vets in Wales going out on strike for several weeks due to the pressure VetPartners put on them, the low wages and the massive hikes in costs to pet owners.

Prior to my vets being taken over by VP about 4 years ago, an OOH visit was £85 rising to £100 after 10pm. Now it's £280.

It's getting to the stage where animals will suffer because people can't afford the vet treatment, and already loads of treatable animals are being put down instead due to the costs. It's a scary time.

 

[EventingMum]

I think EVC were taken over too, or something happened as a lot of their vets jumped ship so to speak.

Thankfully I’ve only mostly only needed FV for routine vaccs since I’ve moved with them, bar one occasion where horse came in with an allergic reaction and I was very pleased with the call out time out of hours and detailed examination etc. Unfortunately though I’ve since then been put off. My older horse had his annual test for his insulin and it happened to fall on a week in Winter where they had no turnout or exercise due to very bad ice. I also couldn’t soak his hay. His levels came back at over 300 which was concerning given they shouldn’t be over 30. I asked the vet if they could retest in a weeks time as I was sure it was all down to the circumstances. He agreed and I managed to get him back out and exercised and hay soaked etc. His levels on the retest came back at 14. I was thrilled! But the vet didn’t seem overly here nor there about it and insisted horse should go on Metformin for the foreseeable and be tested every month. Which was another story as my last vet didn’t think Metformin was particularly proven. They were very insistent to the point of phoning back even when I said I was quite comfortable knowing that he can be managed through his diet and exercise and surely we should happy with that and leave medication as a last option. I felt very forced in to having prescription drugs which in my opinion weren’t required. After that I just wondered if the animal was really the prime concern or was it to make money?

Saying all that has just reminded me too- horse had vaccine this week and I think it’s the first time in 20years ownership they’ve offered me some Danilon along side the vaccine? I’ve never had to use that before. Another money maker?

Not sure where you are, do Clyde cover your area? One of my liveries used them at their previous yard and liked them.

 

[holeymoley]

Not sure where you are, do Clyde cover your area? One of my liveries used them at their previous yard and liked them.

I'll have a look in to them. I could probably go to Glasgow Vet. I've just had my vaccine invoice through from FV and it's payable to 'Vetcare' so there we have it.

 

[Icedance]

My equine practice is owned by VP and my small animal is still independent. I have given my equine practice an awful lot of money over the last 4 years and get on very well with my primary vet, she’s great. I’ve had others from the practice out for a couple of emergency calls and been mainly impressed except by one vet who was very non committed in her reasoning behind turnout/no turnout. I decided what was best for my horse to her face. The only charge I’ve ever had a problem with was a £30 for bandaging the tail on top of procedure fee etc, I did query it with them and they wouldn’t budge but if I needed anything like that done again, I’d be telling them I would bandage myself. Some of the receptionists aren’t fantastic but that is a training issue for them to resolve!

 

[WrongLeg]

I think EVC were taken over too, or something happened as a lot of their vets jumped ship so to speak.

Thankfully I’ve only mostly only needed FV for routine vaccs since I’ve moved with them, bar one occasion where horse came in with an allergic reaction and I was very pleased with the call out time out of hours and detailed examination etc. Unfortunately though I’ve since then been put off. My older horse had his annual test for his insulin and it happened to fall on a week in Winter where they had no turnout or exercise due to very bad ice. I also couldn’t soak his hay. His levels came back at over 300 which was concerning given they shouldn’t be over 30. I asked the vet if they could retest in a weeks time as I was sure it was all down to the circumstances. He agreed and I managed to get him back out and exercised and hay soaked etc. His levels on the retest came back at 14. I was thrilled! But the vet didn’t seem overly here nor there about it and insisted horse should go on Metformin for the foreseeable and be tested every month. Which was another story as my last vet didn’t think Metformin was particularly proven. They were very insistent to the point of phoning back even when I said I was quite comfortable knowing that he can be managed through his diet and exercise and surely we should happy with that and leave medication as a last option. I felt very forced in to having prescription drugs which in my opinion weren’t required. After that I just wondered if the animal was really the prime concern or was it to make money?

Saying all that has just reminded me too- horse had vaccine this week and I think it’s the first time in 20years ownership they’ve offered me some Danilon along side the vaccine? I’ve never had to use that before.

I think EVC were taken over too, or something happened as a lot of their vets jumped ship so to speak.

Thankfully I’ve only mostly only needed FV for routine vaccs since I’ve moved with them, bar one occasion where horse came in with an allergic reaction and I was very pleased with the call out time out of hours and detailed examination etc. Unfortunately though I’ve since then been put off. My older horse had his annual test for his insulin and it happened to fall on a week in Winter where they had no turnout or exercise due to very bad ice. I also couldn’t soak his hay. His levels came back at over 300 which was concerning given they shouldn’t be over 30. I asked the vet if they could retest in a weeks time as I was sure it was all down to the circumstances. He agreed and I managed to get him back out and exercised and hay soaked etc. His levels on the retest came back at 14. I was thrilled! But the vet didn’t seem overly here nor there about it and insisted horse should go on Metformin for the foreseeable and be tested every month. Which was another story as my last vet didn’t think Metformin was particularly proven. They were very insistent to the point of phoning back even when I said I was quite comfortable knowing that he can be managed through his diet and exercise and surely we should happy with that and leave medication as a last option. I felt very forced in to having prescription drugs which in my opinion weren’t required. After that I just wondered if the animal was really the prime concern or was it to make money?

Saying all that has just reminded me too- horse had vaccine this week and I think it’s the first time in 20years ownership they’ve offered me some Danilon along side the vaccine? I’ve never had to use that before. Another money maker?

Offering Danilon alongside a vaccination seems very odd.
The CMA reported that the corporate practices make 25% of their income on pharmaceuticals.

 

[TheBigPony]

Offering Danilon alongside a vaccination seems very odd.
The CMA reported that the corporate practices make 25% of their income on pharmaceuticals.

Currently I use a VP practice, I get a prescription for long-term drugs and then I go to VP owned online retailer to get the drugs cheaper. A rather odd situation!!

 

[MurphysMinder]

The mixed practice I had been with for over 30 years was taken over by VP and things immediately changed. I moved my dogs to a brilliant independent vets that does its own ooh after a bad experience with original vets. Then 2 of the equine vets decided to leave and set up on their own and I followed them and they are just fabulous. We have just had a long battle with our horse with infection of the pedal bone, which sadly didn't end as we wanted and he was pts. But the vets were just amazing, going way beyond what you could hope for, including phoning us at 10 pm UK time as we were on holiday in Canada, helping to move heavy stable mats so he could have the field shelter bedded down, setting up an electric fence paddock for him and not charging for several x rays, visits etc.
I feel sorry for all the vets who are with practices that have now been taken over, as one of the horse vets said to me before she left "I didn't become a vet to work how they want me to ".

 

[meleeka]

I feel sorry for all the vets who are with practices that have now been taken over, as one of the horse vets said to me before she left "I didn't become a vet to work how they want me to ".

My vet of choice is probably the worst earner at the practice I use. Her bills are usually lower than any of the other vets. Obviously I'm happy to pay for her time and expertise, but she just charges for what she's done, with none of the "brief consultations" and "apply bandage" charges the others do. Shes also happy to split the callout between me and my neighbour, whereas the other vets insist it has to be on the same yard, or it's a callout fee each.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I'm so lucky with my horse vet, She's a one man band and I think really reasonable.

The dogs, I'm finally biting the bullet and have found a small family practise i'm going to give a try. I've been really cautious about switching but have a 1 yr old dog with no previous to speak of so am taking him for his first boosters to sound out what they are like

I think a lot of vets are now just about the money sadly.

 

[Smogul]

Not sure where you are, do Clyde cover your area? One of my liveries used them at their previous yard and liked them.

I think Clyde Vet are now part of a corporate group. Most people at our yard use them and seem happy with them.

 

[MrsMozartleto]

We're in Fife and use Loch Leven Equine. Having a small retirement livery it was important that we have specialists to hand and so far they've been worth their weight. Still independent. Emergency call-outs are responded to in good time. Office staff and vets are professional, kind and compasionate. We don't get the hard sales pushes and they're understanding of our old and wonky ones. They're also very good with the owners.

For our cats and dogs we use a local practice. I think it's been taken over by one of the smaller groups, however the service is still very good, and they're one of the few who don't baulk at dealing with my big dogs.

The only critturs missing a specialist vet is the geese. Hard to find a birdy vet of any sort of practice around here.

 

[Gloi]

Our vets are still independent but sadly the out of hours is now handled by a corporate group. I really hope I never need to use them.

 

[WrongLeg]

My vet of choice is probably the worst earner at the practice I use. Her bills are usually lower than any of the other vets. Obviously I'm happy to pay for her time and expertise, but she just charges for what she's done, with none of the "brief consultations" and "apply bandage" charges the others do. Shes also happy to split the callout between me and my neighbour, whereas the other vets insist it has to be on the same yard, or it's a callout fee each.

Here IVC are charging a callout fee for each owner individually on the same yard.
I don’t understand how that’s meets trading standards.

 

[WrongLeg]

We're in Fife and use Loch Leven Equine. Having a small retirement livery it was important that we have specialists to hand and so far they've been worth their weight. Still independent. Emergency call-outs are responded to in good time. Office staff and vets are professional, kind and compasionate. We don't get the hard sales pushes and they're understanding of our old and wonky ones. They're also very good with the owners.

For our cats and dogs we use a local practice. I think it's been taken over by one of the smaller groups, however the servive is still very good, and they're one of the few who don't baulk at dealing with my big dogs.

The only critturs missing a specialist vet is the geese. Hard to find a birdy vet of any sort of practice around here.

Currently I use a VP practice, I get a prescription for long-term drugs and then I go to VP owned online retailer to get the drugs cheaper. A rather odd situation!!

Not that odd - VP are aware they are ripping people off on pharmaceuticals, so they exploit the situation in 2 ways.

Spillers is owned by Mars inc. who also own Linnaues vets, VCA, plus whiskas, Royal Canin, Pedigree, Iams.

I think they may also own a pet insurer.

Pet food is a leading cause of poor nutritionally/ mineral & vitamin deficiency/ obesity/ cancer in domestic animals which in turn drives the consumption of veterinary services.

So there is a market incentive for the companies making the pet food to make the animal sick.