Dry Rot
Well-Known Member
Probably of general interest so posting here rather than in veterinary.
My vets have been taken over by one of the large vet groups and it seems to me that fees for a routine surgical operations have escalated. I could be wrong but as it seems to be impossible to compare prices so I don't really know!
As an animal owner, I have always shopped around because fees do vary and some vets are better at some things than others. As a vet college reject, I am also a bit of a cynic and believe veterinary surgery has become a business (and now big business!), rather than a profession. There are definite advantages to practices cooperating. Bulk buying, better bargaining, shared knowledge, business handled by business people while the surgery is left to the vets, etc.
On the other hand, in remoter areas of the country, we don't usually have a lot of choice. Which means a practice can have a monopoly position. And as Maggie told us, a monopoly is not good for the consumer. So maybe that's why big business has become involved? Selling out to one of the groups rather than trying to find an individual with the necessary capital also has advantages for the retiring vet.
Fortunately, I have several practices within 50 miles (that's what we call "local" around here!). I recently approached four for prices. I won't deal with a fifth for personal reasons. Two have not answered and two say they don't "do" horses any more. So I am stuck with the one practice that is owned big business.
Vets are busy people and I am sure 'my' vets will reply soon, but if you are faced with a similar dilemma, you might find the following of interest:
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-sta...professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/
9.1 Under EU Directive 2006/123/EC, service providers, which include veterinary surgeons, must give clients relevant information, such as their contact details, the details of their regulator and the details of their insurer. Certain information must be provided on request, such as the price of a service or, if an exact price cannot be given, the method for calculating the price.
My vets have been taken over by one of the large vet groups and it seems to me that fees for a routine surgical operations have escalated. I could be wrong but as it seems to be impossible to compare prices so I don't really know!
As an animal owner, I have always shopped around because fees do vary and some vets are better at some things than others. As a vet college reject, I am also a bit of a cynic and believe veterinary surgery has become a business (and now big business!), rather than a profession. There are definite advantages to practices cooperating. Bulk buying, better bargaining, shared knowledge, business handled by business people while the surgery is left to the vets, etc.
On the other hand, in remoter areas of the country, we don't usually have a lot of choice. Which means a practice can have a monopoly position. And as Maggie told us, a monopoly is not good for the consumer. So maybe that's why big business has become involved? Selling out to one of the groups rather than trying to find an individual with the necessary capital also has advantages for the retiring vet.
Fortunately, I have several practices within 50 miles (that's what we call "local" around here!). I recently approached four for prices. I won't deal with a fifth for personal reasons. Two have not answered and two say they don't "do" horses any more. So I am stuck with the one practice that is owned big business.
Vets are busy people and I am sure 'my' vets will reply soon, but if you are faced with a similar dilemma, you might find the following of interest:
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-sta...professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/
9.1 Under EU Directive 2006/123/EC, service providers, which include veterinary surgeons, must give clients relevant information, such as their contact details, the details of their regulator and the details of their insurer. Certain information must be provided on request, such as the price of a service or, if an exact price cannot be given, the method for calculating the price.