Vets charges

[Penny Less]

Been to vets and asked about Indorex spray whilst there. £32, in Pet Shop £11.75 ! Hell of a mark up, Pet shop getting the business needless to say

 

[blackcob]

Not especially fair to compare two completely different businesses with completely different overheads, until the day the pet shop is available for lifesaving diagnostics and surgery at 2am on a weekend. ?

 

[Esmae]

Vets are charging scandalous prices in my view. Friend's dog had an accident last weekend, cut himself. Needed a few stitches. £1000, Outrageous!

 

[Penny Less]

Well Blackcob mine isnt, I have to go to another vet hospital for that and even higher prices ! I wouldnt mind a small mark up but thats over the top. Got a lot more expensive since it was taken over by a conglomerate, as all the local vets have been

 

[Sandstone1]

Have to agree that some vets are charging absolutely extortionate prices. Yes I do get they have overheads and are in some cases open 24/7 but even so. I was charged 190 out of hours fee for being seen at 7 pm. I rang before 6pm so dont really think it was justified. That was before the dog even saw the vet. Now that a lot of practices are being taken over by big chains it seems all personal care has gone. Its all about money now.

 

[SusieT]

Vets are charging scandalous prices in my view. Friend's dog had an accident last weekend, cut himself. Needed a few stitches. £1000, Outrageous![/QUOTE

So Esmae- you had a vet on call or in a hospital i.e. working so not able to be out with their own dog.
Probably a vet nurse too?
A building powered and stocked with the medicines.
And staff who knew what to do.
Were you able to source chepaer care? Or did the friend just need it sorted? How much would you pay a plumber who comes out in his own van with no building overheads on a sunday for 2 hours say?
What do you think it should have cost and what are you basing this on?

 

[SusieT]

Have to agree that some vets are charging absolutely extortionate prices. Yes I do get they have overheads and are in some cases open 24/7 but even so. I was charged 190 out of hours fee for being seen at 7 pm. I rang before 6pm so dont really think it was justified. That was before the dog even saw the vet. Now that a lot of practices are being taken over by big chains it seems all personal care has gone. Its all about money now.

Why was the fact you rang before 6pm relevant? The vet still had to be there at 7pm not going home to their own animals/family? Why did you not ring earlier?

 

[Esmae]

Frankly not much interested in plumbers. This was a friend's dog. It cut itself. It does not cost £1000 to put in 5 stitches, whatever time of day or night. I get there are overheads but come along, this amount is taking the mick. In my opinion.

 

[ycbm]

Not especially fair to compare two completely different businesses with completely different overheads, until the day the pet shop is available for lifesaving diagnostics and surgery at 2am on a weekend. ?

Why should the vet use standard products to make good on charging too little for services a pet shop can't provide?

They are only conning the naive/trusting and driving away what should be profitable business from the more canny like PL.

It's a bit like saying that a plumber should charge more for a bottle of Harpic because Tesco can't fix a toilet.

 

[alibali]

Value your local independent vets if you still have one!

Having said that my main issue with vets fees is their pricing structure. I took my horse to the local horsepital a couple of years ago just after they'd been taken over by a conglomerate. The bill was a little more than I'd expected/hoped but not outrageous. However looking at the breakdown I'd been charged (amongst other things) for 1 1/2 hours of the vets time at around £100 per hour and one nappy (Pampers to be precise!) at about £4.50.

Given the vet I was seeing had spent 5 years qualifying, done numerous additional development courses, gained 30 years experience and was nationally renowned as a leader in their field frankly £100 an hour was a ludicrously low price to charge for his time. Whilst acknowledging this I still smarted at paying £4.50 for a nappy that cost 10 pence!

I think vets should value their time and experience more highly, charge a travel or clinic fee to cover their costs and a small mark up on consumables (medicines/bandages etc) thereby making a more transparent pricing structure. At present the enormous markup on consumables means those with pets with chronic conditions or who are not able to access online pharmacies (the elderly who can least afford it) end up subsidising other clients.

I absolutely do not grudge vets their money, they've worked very hard to qualify and continue to work hard afterwards for actually not enormous wages. They have some of the highest suicide rates of all professions. They absolutely should be valued more highly but their present pricing structures do not promote this. Sorry I'll get off my soapbox now!

 

[cobgoblin]

This is exactly why we don't have dogs any more. Its bad enough having to take your animals for an emergency visit without knowing you will be ripped off as well.
For non emergency stuff always ask for a price before treatment... Its amazing how the price can be halved if you go to leave.

 

[ester]

Have to agree that some vets are charging absolutely extortionate prices. Yes I do get they have overheads and are in some cases open 24/7 but even so. I was charged 190 out of hours fee for being seen at 7 pm. I rang before 6pm so dont really think it was justified. That was before the dog even saw the vet. Now that a lot of practices are being taken over by big chains it seems all personal care has gone. Its all about money now.

theres a shortage of vets though, so they do have to be paid quite a bit more to do OOH otherwise most wouldn’t bother. At least it wasn’t later when it would have likely been more.

 

[Clodagh]

It’s really hard down here, i can only find chains. Although the care is exemplary and they have always fitted me in immediately when needed.
I would much rather an independent had my money and custom but on the whole I would rather they were efficient than cheap.
All these vets that only join the profession to rip people off, imagine choosing a job with so much heartbreak, abuse and ingratitude. There must be easier ways!

 

[meleeka]

I try not to get anything from the vets if paying their prices. Obviozisly emergencies are different, but my vets charge at least 50% more on regular meds. I had my dog Onsior a few years back, 1 tablet per day, £1.60 from the vets or £0.60 online. currently I have two horses on Prascend at around £165’a box. From the vets is £250 ish. Luckily my vets price match on regular, life time medications, but wouldn’t have if i hadn’t have asked. I wonder how many people really struggle with the cost if they don’t think to ask.

My vets are CVS and so is the company I buy online from.

 

[Sandstone1]

Why was the fact you rang before 6pm relevant? The vet still had to be there at 7pm not going home to their own animals/family? Why did you not ring earlier?

Because I didnt know the dog needed to see the vet until 6pm. It was a allergic reaction which came on suddenly

 

[blackcob]

Why should the vet use standard products to make good on charging too little for services a pet shop can't provide?

Because nobody will pay for example £150 for an initial consultation, several hundred pounds for a cat spay or in excess of £1000 for a bitch spay and the consequences for animal welfare would be appalling. I am not necesssarily disagreeing that the pricing structure is flawed but whacking up the professional fees is not a magic solution.

 

[AmyMay]

Why would I pay £15 for vet wrap from the vet, when I can buy it for £2.50 at the farmers shop?

I too do not begrudge a penny of any reasonable veterinary charge my dogs may incur. My vets are a small independent mixed practice and their prices are absolutely reasonable (to the extent that I actually think they may be a little too inexpensive).

The only other local practice (again mixed) was taken over 18 months ago by a large chain. Their prices have more than doubled and they’ve suffered as a result. The farming community in particular have transferred elsewhere in their droves.

 

[ycbm]

Because nobody will pay for example £150 for an initial consultation, several hundred pounds for a cat spay or in excess of £1000 for a bitch spay and the consequences for animal welfare would be appalling. I am not necesssarily disagreeing that the pricing structure is flawed but whacking up the professional fees is not a magic solution.

I understand what you're saying but I think they are going to have to adjust where the revenues come from. The customers are getting wise to it.

I personally think it's wrong of my vet to give me telephone and email consultancy for no fee. He should be charging me.
.

 

[bonny]

Why would I pay £15 for vet wrap from the vet, when I can buy it for £2.50 at the farmers shop?

I too do not begrudge a penny of any reasonable veterinary charge my dogs may incur. My vets are a small independent mixed practice and their prices are absolutely reasonable (to the extent that I actually think they may be a little too inexpensive).

The only other local practice (again mixed) was taken over 18 months ago by a large chain. They’re prices have more than doubled and they’ve suffered as a result. The farming community in particular have transferred elsewhere in their droves.

Farmers won’t pay the stupid high prices and they don’t have insurance so they are being subsidised by horse and pet owners or their animals don’t get vet treatment. Our local feed business is the same, products for farmers are much cheaper than horse feed.

 

[suebou]

Um, an X-ray and consult in a private hospital has just cost me £330. Not out of hours, pre booked.

 

[Squeak]

I try not to get anything from the vets if paying their prices. Obviozisly emergencies are different, but my vets charge at least 50% more on regular meds. I had my dog Onsior a few years back, 1 tablet per day, £1.60 from the vets or £0.60 online. currently I have two horses on Prascend at around £165’a box. From the vets is £250 ish. Luckily my vets price match on regular, life time medications, but wouldn’t have if i hadn’t have asked. I wonder how many people really struggle with the cost if they don’t think to ask.

My vets are CVS and so is the company I buy online from.

How have I only just realised that my dogs medication I can get online for half the price?! For some reason I hadn't clocked that I could do this although I know about it for bute etc. Face palm moment. Thank you Meleeka!

 

[suebou]

Why would I pay £15 for vet wrap from the vet, when I can buy it for £2.50 at the farmers shop?

I too do not begrudge a penny of any reasonable veterinary charge my dogs may incur. My vets are a small independent mixed practice and their prices are absolutely reasonable (to the extent that I actually think they may be a little too inexpensive).

The only other local practice (again mixed) was taken over 18 months ago by a large chain. They’re prices have more than doubled and they’ve suffered as a result. The farming community in particular have transferred elsewhere in their droves.

As long as you can ensure you have enough vet wrap, and other bandaging materials available for an emergency call out, absolutely get them from shop. If not you have to pay for storage, transport, stock taking etc etc so vet has enough in vehicle for your emergency. Take your own to surgery, be aware there may be ‘corkage’ charge tho!

 

[AmyMay]

deleted

 

[Sandstone1]

I think the big chains of vets that are taking over a lot of small vets are doing a lot of damage to animal welfare. People simply will not be able to pay their high prices so animals will not get the care.

 

[Arzada]

Vets are charging scandalous prices in my view. Friend's dog had an accident last weekend, cut himself. Needed a few stitches. £1000, Outrageous!

Wow! I guess it was weighted for being the weekend but even so. Last year/18 months ago (not good with dates) I paid something like £330 for my cat to have thyroids removed under general anaesthetic, overnight bed and breakfast and return visit for removal of stitches. An in between visit because she wasn't eating was £8 for a jab of something. This is a mixed practice in a rural area.

 

[ester]

The welfare is an owner problem not a vet problem though, if they can't/don't want to pay the prices they should sign the animal over or PTS.

 

[Jenko109]

It can be eye watering.

My dog had to go to a specialist for an MRI. It was over £2000.

Paying for a private MRI for a person is about a quarter of the price!

 

[Sandstone1]

The welfare is an owner problem not a vet problem though, if they can't/don't want to pay the prices they should sign the animal over or PTS.

I agree and in a ideal world that would happen, however we are not in a ideal world and sadly people are simply not going to be able to afford sky high vets fees. What about old age pensioners there pet may be the only company they have but how will they afford vets fees the way they are going?

 

[StableMum]

Frankly not much interested in plumbers. This was a friend's dog. It cut itself. It does not cost £1000 to put in 5 stitches, whatever time of day or night. I get there are overheads but come along, this amount is taking the mick. In my opinion.

I doubt very much these 5 stitches were put in without the aid of some sort of sedation or even a general anesthetic. The wound having been assessed and thoroughly cleaned first, there would then be the need for pain relief and a course of antibiotics. The vet would have had the assistance of a nurse. It all sounds very simple to put in 5 stitches but there's a lot more to it than that.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Frankly not much interested in plumbers. This was a friend's dog. It cut itself. It does not cost £1000 to put in 5 stitches, whatever time of day or night. I get there are overheads but come along, this amount is taking the mick. In my opinion.

I agree, totally outrageous and I would be asking for a breakdown and how they justify that.......how many out of hours did it take them to (assumedly) clean and put 5 stitches in? 5 hours? 5 x £100 per hour is still only £500. Complete and utter rip off IMO.