I definitely think of the type of veterinary care that we use is a luxury. Besides the vaccinations and normal scheduled stuff we don't think twice about taking Harley or the cats in for a consultation. We are lucky that we have healthy animals but our cats are indoor only and that really helps keep them healthy. On the other hand we have been with the same vet practice for 8 almost 9 years and they are as loyal to us as we are to them. There are often discounted consultations and they are all practical and realistic when it comes to procedures and treatment. They don't encourage unnecessary treatment and the four vets at the practice have individual specialities so we benefit from a number of inputs when our animals need more complex input. I love the fact that the staff are knowledgable and there has been no turnover in the 8/9 years we have been with them. They are also very active in the animal welfare and rescue societies in our city and that means a lot to us. As a professional who studied for many long years I don't have any concerns paying what we pay because I know that our animals are in the best hands. And we don't have children, and I know that animals are cheaper So we can afford the vet costs. We are two introverts who love being at home and the animals are what other people would spend on other things, we hardly drink alcohol and neither of us smoke so that cost alone for people who do cover most of the cost of the basics. To give you an idea on cost: Current exchange rate South African Rand to US dollar :R13.30 to 1USD South African Rand to UK pound: R17.34 to 1 GBP South African Rand to Aus Dollar: R10.18 to 1 AuD South African Rand to Euro: R15.18 to 1 Euro For Harley's spay (custom because she only had her ovaries removed R 2 500.00 Xrays for elbows and hips: R 800.00 while under sedation for spay Blood screen: R 420.00 Average consultation: R 300.00 - 380.00 usually 20 - 30 mins and without medication Looking at what you guys pay, I think we are more affordable.
We can't buy insurance for our dogs; there is no such thing as pet insurance in Andorra (other than public liability insurance) and we're not eligible in Spain because we're resident in Andorra. It's a bit scary, but it is what it is. We're fortunate to be able to afford the run-of-the-mill stuff and would just have to find the money if we needed to for bigger stuff. I have to say, our vet bills are incredibly reasonable in my view. In the last couple of years, our vet surgery has started offering payment plans to allow people to pay off their bills in smaller amounts, because, with the economic downturn, people were starting to say they couldn't afford the care, so stopped taking their animals to the vet. It wouldn't sound like a big deal to those of you in the UK, but this is hugely progressive for Andorra, where it would have historically been very much a case of, if you can't afford to pay for it, you don't get it.
Molly recently had eight x rays under general anaesthetic and had them sent away to be looked at by a specialist. This cost £450, which (although eye-watering in some ways, as we don't have insurance) I thought was actually not a bad price. Not all vets charge the same. I now go to a much cheaper one than I did for years. I changed because the senior partner retired and I didn't like the new vet ( impatient). My new cheaper vets seem just as kind, helpful and knowledgeable as the old ones, so it might be worth looking at other practices.
I waver between feeling frustrated at the cost of some things, and then pleasantly surprised at the cost of others. I thought £1950 for a CT scan was extortionate... but that £120 for an extremely thorough surgeon's examination was quite reasonable. I thought £19 for 7 omeprazole tablets (which I already had at home, I realised, same strength!) was outrageous, but £170 for stomach x rays and blood tests wasn't too bad. It makes me think this is what the UK healthcare system would be like if we had no NHS, god forbid.
I think what has changed is that so much more is possible. Years ago, if a dog got hit by a car and his hip was destroyed, he would be put to sleep. Today it would be possible to replace the damaged hip, or if necessary even to fit the dog with a prosthetic leg... But of course the costs for really big surgery can be eye-watering. I have never insured a dog's health before, but I have for Merlin - although just for accidents and operations. I have also looked into it for Poppy, but due to the epileptic seizures she had, it would cost far more to insure her. I put some money aside each month for emergencies and hope to goodness we will never have to use the insurance... but it is comforting to know it is there in case.
You may be asked about insurance so the vet doesn't have to consult you for every little thing as they know you're covered. I have to say I get a bit miffed on behalf of vet friends when this subject comes up. They're a professional body of people that are pretty well regulated, I don't believe they over charge. In the UK the NHS hides the true cost of healthcare from people, vets are not the NHS.
It's the drugs companies that overcharge ... My friend's husband runs a vets pharma company, he's a millionaire.
I've used my vets in Leicester loads and the one I use in Stoke loads too. I don't feel over charged my animals have had excellent care at both. Luckily I insured all my pets. My vet in Leicester is good but my more specialist vet in stoke is amazing. Between them the handled Doug's complicated health problems brilliantly along with my wonderful physio.
Yes, I couldn't agree more strongly with this. I often hear in the course of my work, peoples shock at the price of a vet visit, most often from people who miss appointments, demand paracetamol on prescription when it can be bought for little more than pence. I'd better stop because I could really rant about this. But yes definitely the whole world of veterinary treatment moved on vastly in recent years as regards what can be done for dogs now. @kateincornwall , it's going to cost me the same to have Cassie spayed as it cost for Nell!
We pay for the NHS through our National Insurance contributions so it's not really the same thing, people abuse the system which is truly disgusting. We choose to own and pay for our pets health needs and some of us pay for pet insurance. Costs do seem to vary from vet to vet for the same procedure. Charlie did not have any surgery for his injury but the procedure than incured the heavy cost was 3 CT Scans and I do wonder why he needed 3, his stay at the vets was relatively inexpensive, he couldn't eat so no food bill and his drugs for 6 weeks weren't even that expensive so £2000 sounds a lot to me. I value my vet very much and I do know her from years ago. I have yet to meet a skint vet or dentist. Sorry if there are any vets or dentists on the forum xx
My vet practice requires that small animal treatment is paid for at the time, I wonder if this helps with keeping costs down. The vet requires Cassie to lose a kilo before surgery -- I'm hoping that this puts her in the category below. I'm given to understand from my young neighbour who is a second year vet student that independently owned vet practices are getting less, and more and more owned by pharmaceutical companies
That's not really so surprising as they all have different overheads to pay, different profit margins etc. in much the same way as different plumbers or electricians quote different rates for the same job.
I choose to gamble and not insure my pets. We ensure there is enough in the coffers should anything arise. I would be shocked if, in answering the question "are you insured?" with a NO, that we got any less than the treatment that was necessary. Horrified in fact.
Its a real shame , our old Vet David was the farm Vet who visited the farm in Cornwall where we lived at the time , and despite our moving numerous times, he remained our Vet for over 30 years, apart from our sojourn overseas ! He knew all our dogs by name , as did his nurses and we always saw him at the surgery , he had a junior Vet but he always tended to us . He was a star with Sam during his surgery and subsequent diagnosis , he even gave us his mobile number for if we needed him out of hours, so that we didn't have to see an emergency Vet . In his fitter days, my husband even went out with David TB testing on local farms , just for the day out and in winter , I would send them off with a flask of soup . Now he has retired , the practice belongs to a group , it wont ever be the same but David deserves his retirement , happy days they were x
I trust my vet to make treatment decisions in the best interests of my dog. I know my vet does that. That's why I keep going to my vet. Some people are implying here that their vet doesn't or might not do that, and instead makes treatment decisions that will maximise their income. If you really think that's how your vet makes decisions about how to treat your dog then go to another vet. Otherwise, be careful before making that kind of serious public accusation against a health professional. If you have any questions or doubts about the treatment or want to understand the treatment options of rationale better in advance then you just need to ask.
Yep, that's definitely less than we pay in Australia. Ella's spay was $560 (R 5,700) and a standard consultation is $70 (R 710) That's quite a lot different.
Having worked for a vet when everyone seemed to have bills, we did not have to pay at the time and I could also call a vet out for a home visit without thinking and we were poor at the time! Now I faint every time I take the dogs to the vet, even though he is my friend. I do feel that the cost of visiting a vet is higher than it should be and up to recently I would have defended them to the death! I know that they have a lot of expenses which we don't realise, think they take the consultation fee and put it in their pockets so to speak, but no
I absolutely do trust my vet and I'm not implying that my she is making decisions that will benefit her. When I took Charlie to the vet for serious urgent treatment he was treated very well, I was told he would need a CT Scan. At that time of worry, panic and much upset I didn't ask about ALL the treatment he was going to need nor was I told, I just wanted him to be out of pain and to recover. I was simply presented with the bill at the end of all of the treatment. My only point was would he have had the extra 2 scans had I not been insured, I don't know. I don't see why a health professional shouldn't be open to accusations just like any other professional or non professional. Just to be clear I am not accusing anyone just discussing the possibility of insurance playing a part in treatment.
