Took Dog to Vet - UPDATE PAGE 3 GRAPHIC PIC

[BlackBart]

thebritt wrote: Put it this way - If your kid wants to make lots of $$$$, and has compassion for critters - vet school is the way to go! Think of all the free/discounted pet care you'd recieve...That being said - I feel your pain. $2000 for a broken elbow on a chihuahua/doxie, $1000 for a hip surgery on an aussieX, and I'm looking at $2500 for knee sx on a Pyr. Not to mention the $500+ for teeth on the ChiX and $350+ for teeth for the "free" rescued Pom.

I feel your pain.

The mark up on vaccines is outrageous. I have a feeling it is close to 50 times more than the purchase price. In my city anyway.
I read somewhere that one vaccine costs $2.50 and the consumer is charged $45.

We are not allowed to purchase and vaccine our own animals. Regulations (KaChing!)
Some large animal Vets will sell you vaccines for the owner to administer themselves if they know the animal. Rarely done.
People used to buy the vaccines from the USA and have them shipped but that got stopped.
We still buy our de-wormers from the USA, a product that costs $4 in US funds will cost for the same product, $25 CDN. They are trying to stop that too.

My last Vet bill for my dog included:
admittance fee $37, they make me pay to give them my name address etc and my payment information
professional care $32, somebody gave my dog, half a can of dog food.
Buster collar $10, they put it on so I had to pay for it, no refunds on used "medical equipment"
I paid a higher fee for everything because I admitted the dog on "peak business hours".

For large animals
one Vet was going to charge my friend $1200 to geld his horse, on the farm, straight forward gelding procedure, he cancelled and got a Vet to do it for $500
farm call fee $150
fuel surtax fee $30, I figured this should be included in the farm call fee but it isn't
herd fee $25 doesn't matter if they come to see just one horse anything over two is considered a herd. I now move two of my horses to another property close by when the Vet comes.

If you argue with them or don't pay on the spot, they will not service your animals ever again without a imprint of your credit card

They say they become a Vet because they love animals? they love something.

 

[chickerdoodle]

Good gosh, not to offend anyone but someone needs to defend those who work late hours (through the night sometimes in dark, damp barns) and risk getting bitten, kicked and scratched to help our animals. So here goes:

Why are so many people are not wanting to pay veterinarians for what they do? It is now 20009 and all us want to make more than we did in 1970. I don't like spending money either but they go through more to become a veterinarian than an MD does!

Its more competitive, and outlandishly expensive to go through all the years in college. To keep all the necessary supplies on hand at all times for any emergency is a big cost. The other overhead costs are very high for the equipment, its maintenance, anesthesia products and the machines to deliver it, x-ray machine and the supplies to develop them (the license and upkeep is higher than you would imagine) several annual and biannual professional fees, insurance (yes--expensive malpractice insurance too as they are held to a higher degree now) as well as employee salaries and general costs for building upkeep and taxes. Did you know advertisement costs them monthly? Several computers, software, training staff, and phone bills. Continuing education is required for veterinarians and technicians and that is not free. License fees and yes, they do deserve a salary themselves. I am very aware of the "hidden" costs as I managed three veterinary hospitals and most barely stayed afloat financially. The other side is that many pet owners demand they keep up with the latest technologies (and the costs for that is not cheap), 24 hour care, emergency hospitals and veterinary specialists such as orthopedic surgeons and oncologists. Those who feel their pets are family members also demand better pain control for our pets.

I am also aware that many years ago assistants were trained "on the job" but most now are actually degreed, board certified, professionals and have more college training than RNs but are paid considerably less.

Again, I understand the reluctance of paying a bill (especially in this economy) but everything else has gone up in price why would you expect this to not? Have you seen our health care costs?

Yikes folks, sorry I went on and on but although I am really crunched financially getting the $4,500

together for my dog's knee surgery next month I would not begrudge such a professional his or her fee. I will be thrilled when she can run around and be grateful veterinarians have gotten to the point they can perform such incredible things to help our pets.

OK, my rant is over--hope I opened a few eyes as to the high costs veterinarians have.

 

[chickerdoodle]

Quote:
Do MDs love people? Do all of them work cheap or for free? Every single day when I was working at veterinary hospital someone asked for free care because we "love animals" don't we? or 'I couldn't afford to spay my cat so now she's pregnant and you have to do something to get rid of the kittens (gee, they could have just kept her indoors...). We actually did do a considerable amount of prop bono work annually but how much can you expect them to do? I realize its hard for you to know how often vets are asked for cheap or free work but as I discussed in my previous post there is a limit. I do think there may be a few "bad apples" that may overcharge

but its certainly not the great majority. Its like saying all cops are bad and mean spirited.

OK, I ranted again

 

[Beekissed]

My son is going to vet school....I will tell him of all your concerns!

I advised him to do so after reading about all the money all the folks on here spend on their animals.

It's all about supply and demand, folks. As long as people are crazy over their animals, someone will be there to capitalize on that fact. Not that my son is doing this solely for the money....he has an affinity for animals and likes to work outside, so he will be a large animal vet.

But ya gotta admit...it has some job security attached....

Warbles....used to have cats that would get them. All were easy to remove but one. One was horribly large and we just couldn't get it to the surface. Finally, I squeezed on either side of the wound and got it's head up to the edge while my mother poked the head with a pin. Then we just pulled it out. The holes seal up quickly and we never had to treat with any kind of antibiotic, even the ointments. These holes are not infected, the worms eat all the necrotic flesh. Nice clean wounds, actually.

A lot of things can be accomplished with a little home vetting...some can't, but a lot can.

 

[silkiechicken]

Looked into vet school, but decided research was my path instead. Couldn't bear to spend 24k a year on vet school tuition, when I could go to grad school on scholarship. A contributing factor with animal care is how it is turning into "human" care. Live stock reaching pet status, pets reaching human status. In a lawsuit happy world, vets get to carry malpractice insurance like human docs, get to deal with the insurance/drug middle man, and are asked to fix problems that were once not considered problems in x type of animal. Can't blame them all and just like every profession, there are saints and the ones in it for just the cash. If you can't afford vet care, do as one would 20 years past and so be it. I don't take most my animals to a vet either and that is that. If people will pay it, they will offer it. Look at diamonds, why are they so expensive for a chunk of carbon? It is what someone will pay that determines the price.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Chickerdoodle...I'm not sure what type of knee surgery your dog is having. A friend here at work had her dog's knee repaired yesteday. The surgery, post op care and two day hosp. stay will be in the area of $800.00. Did you get a second opinion? Her dog's knee (poodle/terrier mix) kept popping out of it's socket. $4,500.00 sure does seem high.


Two years ago my Standard Poodle was hit by my druken neighbor in my driveway but, that's a another story for another day. Sadie's hip surgery was done by my usual vet. He has a full service animal hospital here in Omaha. The surgery was pretty involved - the hip was damaged and it would not stay in the socket - he repaired it and it cost me $500.00 - she stayed 1.5 days after the surgery. You really have to study her to even see a difference in the way she moves. She can run, jump and do all the things she did before.

Good Luck with your dog...I hope he/she does well - I guess I'd just shop around a little bit and see if you could get the cost down a little.

 

[Wifezilla]

Do MDs love people? Do all of them work cheap or for free?

Most reasonable people don't expect vets OR MD's to work for free. However, when the price is WAY disconnected from the skill level required, cost of the procedure, etc.... people do have the right to complain.

Unfortunately, the more people who get pet insurance, the more disconnect you will see.​

 

[TipsyDog]

Quote:

I think you nailed it with this sentence! Giving my dog human level care is not what I want but it's shoved down my throat at every vet I go to.

 

[Wifezilla]

Yes...there is the guilt factor. Some vets really play it up. I had a friend with a vet who was hinting they would involve authorities and make an animal abuse report if my friend didn't go along with their expensive treatment plan for a 10 year old dog.

Any vet who promotes and profits from the sale of corn based feeds for cats and dogs is also a fraud in my book. If they had any real knowledge of animal nutrition, they would know that type of feed is what CAUSES a lot of illness in the first place....ESPECIALLY the need for expensive dental care.

 

[tharrell]

It takes time and I'm sure in some areas you don't have the same selection as some people in a larger town but you can find the vet that is more interested in helping the animals than charging you. I breed dogs so I have done my homework when it comes to vets. I have two amazing vets I use in my town. I took in a litter of 5 puppies the other day for their shots and a checkup. The whole thing cost me $40. I could have gone to another vet in town and had them easily charge me $300 for the exact same thing. I always tell people when buying a puppy from me to find a vet they not only trust, but thier friends and family trust and whos prices are decent. A good vet will always charge a fair price and be willing to work out a payment plan with you. They are out there, they just take some looking to find.