I was a bit annoyed last night when I checked my estimated bill I know the vet had to examine both dogs but they charged me for two consultations £30 each dog, we weren't in that long to be honest so don't really think we took up two appointments.
We have a Jack Russell that has been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Disease. He is on a special food that can only be purchased from the vets after spending most of his life trying to find a food that he can eat. He is also on antibiotics permanently.
His food is discounted because we are on the pet plan which covers (for a monthly payment) two checks, flea and worm treatment etc.
He's a very expensive dog but we do it because we love him. Its cheaper to treat him and maintain his health than wait until he is sick.
Quote: Originally posted by Monks on 17/2/2016
I was a bit annoyed last night when I checked my estimated bill I know the vet had to examine both dogs but they charged me for two consultations £30 each dog, we weren't in that long to be honest so don't really think we took up two appointments.
At my vet, if they see 2 dogs at once they just charge the one fee. Now we're down to one dog, I might get a second just to get more value out of them.
They're very good though, if there's a home remedy or something you can buy over the counter, they recommend you try that first. They also really listen to owners. I told one of the vets about how my dog's itchy skin was sorted by putting him onto a working dog food that has a lower protein content, as recommended by very experienced lakeland terrier breeder. He now recommends that to anyone with terriers with skin problems and reckons it works in at least 50% of cases.
Most vets would get you buying special food and shampoo at exorbitant prices.
I find that vets who have a large agricultural practice are often better value than ones that deal almost entirely with pets.
I used to take our dog to a groomer who rented a room off a vets near town. It was a new building on an industrial estate, plenty of parking,large waiting room with comfy chairs, toilets,coffee machine, it looked more like a doctor surgery than vets. It looked expensive to run and seemed to be sponsored by pet insurance judging by the advertising and pushing from the receptionist.
Compare that to the vet I use who runs his business out of what looks like a converted shed on the edge of a small country village, you park in the road and wait on a wooden bench in a corridor. Very agricultural and a very good vet. He charges enough but doesn't push stuff you don't need, and will recommend cheap alternatives.
if anyone is put off having a pet because of the vet bills Celia Hammond Animal Trust is usually looking for people to foster cats who have health problems in the long term fostering scheme but they will cover vet bills
I'd second Fran1000's view on agricultural vets offering good value and in very good service, not just for money.
Our collie/Hunterway cross was diagnosed with congestive heart failure over 2 years ago and kidney probs (result of heart meds) in August 2014. When our insurance would not pay out for more than a year after diagnosis, our vet gave us a 20% discount on his two major meds; she's given us free special food on occasions when his dosage of meds needed adjusting; has fitted us in at all hours and even sorted out someone to loan us meds when gales prevented her delivery of drugs getting through for a week. Whilst the 13 year invalid needs constant watching, he still has short games of football and other indoor games, sort walks and of course chasing the neighbour's cat.
Yes, vets have to make a living and, like human Drs, have a long training, so I'm just grateful that ours is so good and caring.
Like some others, we won't be getting another pet when we lose our beloved pooch.
------------- " When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"
Our little dog has been diagnosed with Cushing's disease. She has to have a tablet every day costing around £1.40 each. She has blood tests every three weeks costing at least £175 sometimes £225. Cushings has also caused Pancreatitis and she has started with a liver problem. She is only seven years old and before Cushings was a happy, healthy little dog.
Thank goodness we are covered with Petplan. We have a £105 excess for each condition but then everything including medicine is covered.
Quote: Originally posted by alpiner on 17/2/2016Remember if you have insurance for your pet it does not cover everything.
my experience, poor dog ran flat out and smacked into a table leg and had to have 4 teeth removed.
Vets bill £428,
insurance does not pay for drugs etc (petplan)
so they agreed to paying £231.
I had to pay £197, this was made up from the excess and drugs and procedures not covered by the insurance.
Path20 is getting medicines paid for by Pet Plan. Have you checked why you don't?
Makes you realise what a god deal us humans get on the NHS. Never had anal gland problems but we're all fully vaccinated against some very scary diseases and my youngest's glasses would have cost us £150 yesterday (not including the test) if it weren't for the NHS.
------------- Mummy of two daughters and two guinea pigs
Quote: Originally posted by JoMarch on 21/2/2016
Makes you realise what a god deal us humans get on the NHS. Never had anal gland problems but we're all fully vaccinated against some very scary diseases and my youngest's glasses would have cost us £150 yesterday (not including the test) if it weren't for the NHS.
Until we have a terminal illness and then I think the animals get a better deal
Quote: Originally posted by JoMarch on 21/2/2016
Makes you realise what a god deal us humans get on the NHS. Never had anal gland problems but we're all fully vaccinated against some very scary diseases and my youngest's glasses would have cost us £150 yesterday (not including the test) if it weren't for the NHS.
My national insurance deductions aren't exactly cheap at about 3x the price petplan charge for two dogs. I have private health care through work too so barely use it.
Before I get flamed, I don't mind and it's worth every penny.
------------- Dogs die in hot cars!
They also die if you leave them in the freezer.
Please keep your dogs at room temperature!
Your national insurance contributions don't just cover your healthcare, they go towards lots of things like other peoples benefits. If you lived in a country without the NHS you would probably pay £360 upwards for basic health insurance.
Private health schemes in this country don't cover acute care and ITU beds etc. because the private hospitals turf their patients into NHS beds when things go wrong.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Vets high prices
