Vet Vent!

[vfem]

Tell me how ridicualous this is?! I end up with a vet because its the only one I could find in my area that would take SPCA vouchers for discounting fixing my dog, whom was a rescue and needed lots of vet stuff done. No one want to discount to help out rescued pets in this time, as people paying out to take care of animals just isn't as important as it was when people HAD the money...

Anyways.... this vet only has one option for heartworm preventative... I wanted to use a different kind (I use 1-800-pet-meds) and they told me NO! They said I couldn't have a prescription to purchase outside their practice... but they would price match... well, price matching includes shipping costs?! Yes... so a $38 package now costs an additional $8 with shipping and is now the same price as they sell it for... again.. .NOT the brand I wanted to buy anyhow?!

So after arguing on the phone with an updated examine and perventative purchase coming up in less then 2 weeks.... I ask if they want to lose the dog coming to them and $100's of dollars a year from me over an $8 shipping charge... and they are just like "So sorry that is how it is!"

Why don't they allow prescriptions out?! Because those meds on the websites could come from ANYWHERE and could be dangerous to my animal... its for my dog's protection!?

Oh for crying out loud... who would go to a doctor who sets his own med prices and won't allow you to goto walgreens for your own health... because they are 'looking out for your health'? YEAH RIGHT!!!

So I serious just called another vet and they are getting my dogs info faxed to them from the previous vet and we're starting all over!?

I just don't understand the pigheaddness!? Not to mention they wanted me to come in May10th or something for another heartworm check up after one we had in December... but I couldn't get anymore preventative until I came back June 12th for another kennel cough shot (which my dog has not stayed anywhere... no kennels no nothing... she's a mostly inside dog and she travels with us when we travel or I pay my neighbor to come feed her if she's not allowed where I go?)

I really think Vet's are trying to milk every dollar out of people they can and they REALLY over do some vaccinations so much its pathetic. I brought my daughter to the doctor less her first year then this dog.

Feel free to add your feelings on it... I'm sure some of you think all of this is best and no big deal... but I'm tired of being milked for an extra $5 every month from someone at this point. That extra $5-$8 is a bone for my dog or an extra box of treats... isn't that what life is really about... the small things that make you happy!!!!

 

[patandchickens]

Most vets price things so that routine maintenance care subsidizes emergency type care -- if you paid less for office visits and medications, you would be horrified by what they'd have to charge to do stitches or surgery or that sort of thing. So, it is not as greedy as you might think.

And while I don't know any vets living in cardboard boxes, and I know some who are pretty well off (I know far MORE shoe salesman and construction contractors and businessmen who are that well off, though...), most of the vets I know personally are just doing "fairly ok" financially, not like "raking it in greedily hand over fist with no regard for animals or owners". Actually I am continually surprised by how *many* vets (certainly not all, but to me a very high number) who are willing to reduce or waive some fees for catastrophic expenses, sometimes to the point of ending up not being paid at all for an incident (just covering expenses).

Sorry, but I don't see anything wrong with a vet not wanting to support the "buy medications online from heaven knows where with no assurance whatsoever of genuine-ness" industry... it is after all a free country, and vets get to have beliefs just like you do.

A vet can't make you "overdo vaccinations", it is YOUR choice what vaccinations to have done (except rabies which vets are often required by law to do). I've run into a lot of vets who will recommend the AVMA-recommended series of vaccinations (a lot) but then if you TALK with them about it, are quite supportive of doing fewer, and indeed may even not do many vaccinations with their own animals in some cases.

You can (as indeed you are) go to someone else if you're that unhappy with this one. Fortunately you live somewhere with choice; not everyone does.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[vfem]

That is perfectly well for the vet, but reality is it is my choice where I get my meds and my pets meds. I'm setting up to get insurance for the dog for any serious injury... well... because I think that is important.

I never said the vet was RICH I just think that its ridiculous they wouldn't waive a 'shipping' charge on a none shipped product. If you say you price match, then you price match!

As for the vaccination thing, no vet will see you or otherwise unless your animal is up to date on all suggested vaccines... no you do not get to pick and chose your vaccinations. If your dog is sick or hurt and you take them in, they won't and don't have to do anything until that dog is completely updated on everything first. (Same for cats)

I was notified by my old cat's vet (they didn't get notified that my cat had died) that due to a high number of cats getting growths on their size... they have moved where they give cats vaccine shots, and some vaccines have been cut back after a certain age to combat this.

Either way, everyone has their beliefs... but pushing them on others to do as they say and not as they believe is a bit out of hand....

I coupon clip like crazy, and we're still short money every month... if I think extra charges are not fair I get to voice that!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Perhaps it's different for dogs then (and I suppose I can see a rationale for some of it, like parvo, in terms of liability) -- but I have NEVER had problems with cats being vaccinated 'a la carte', or horses.

It's not a regional thing, either, b/c I had no trouble deciding which vaccinations cats got, even when I was living in NC. (Although admittedly that was in the late 80s, early 90s)

if I think extra charges are not fair I get to voice that!

Well of course! Very definitely

Pat​

 

[texasgirl]

You're saying that if your pet is hit by a car that your veterinarian will refuse to see it if it is not up to date on vaccines?! I would report them in a heartbeat to the state board.
I can't speak for that doctor you see in particular but there are at least 7 practices in my town (including the one I work at) that will see your pet regardless of vaccines. I have NEVER heard of a doctor refusing to see a patient for anything because it wasn't up to date on vaccines.

 

[vfem]

This is the same vet who took me and my dogs 'records' from another vet (too far away for me to use regularly) and then told me in December the dog needed another check up and heartworm test as THEY did not do it originally in September... they will accept the shots on the list from the other vet, but not the check up info!

So I paid for 2 yearly check ups after 4 months....

Then I cancelled an appointment in May for a heartworm check up because she's got enough meds to get her until her NEXT check up and shots in June. Why couldn't I do both in June?! Its $40 per office visit. Shouldn't I do both in the same month and save $40?! I have a LIST they gave me for 2009.... I have 6 scheduled visits for my dog!? Really... I can't combine these into 2 visits?!

Fuquay Veterinary HospitalI honestly wish I didn't have to change vets... I loved my old vet... they actually 'price matched' without shipping for years. They knew my pet needed to be drugged (knocked OUT) to be brought it and I'd have to pick up my cats "knock out" pill the day before I brought him in because he was INSANE tear everyone up kinda cat. I got told by this vet office (the one I'm with now) that was cruel and they wouldn't have made me do that?!

Ummm... I NEEDED to do that... it was best for that vet and the cat and everyone went home not bleeding and got a treat or 2 or 3!

I just think I know best for my animals... I love them... I want to do EVERYTHING I can for them.

 

[vfem]

Quote:
No they'll see it... just if I end up with the surgery... they go ahead and vaccinate and do what needs done WHILE the surgery!

My cat got put down last year... he had a 'kitty' crystal issue in his bladder and after 3 different meds and foods they did an ultrasound that needed done... but went ahead and gave him all his senior shots because he was late for them. It NEEDED to be done before they did the $700 ultrasound...

I put him down 3 months later because I couldn't afford the $1300 surgery.

 

[texasgirl]

I see that there are 4 other clinics in your town, maybe one of them could be more accommodating for you?

Academy East Veterinary Hospital (919) 552-1040
Hilltop Animal Hospital (919) 552-5232
Broad Street Veterinary Hospital (919) 557-3206
Holly Springs Veterinary Hospital (919) 567-1775

 

[PattiXmas]

Honestly, I prefer to buy all my dogs' medicines from my vet because if my dogs have a problem with any of the medication, they are right there to see the dog and treat them for no additional costs.

I prefer to also keep my money locally, especially in today's financial nightmare. Granted, it may provide a nice tasty treat for my pets with the money I save, but it helps to keep my vet in business and I LOVE my vet and he is very good with my pets.

Sometimes the personal touch is much nicer then an extra dog bone.

 

[Haviris]

I'm not sure I understand, why can't you get them from 1-800-pet-meds? Do they have to ship it to your vet? I can buy my meds where ever I want, including from a different vet, I use a vet that is an hour away, but sometimes buy my stuff from the local vet for convenience reasons. I have never done 1-800-pet-meds because they are more expensive then what I can get it here, but if it was cheaper I'd consider it and if my vet said they'd price match I would expect the price of the meds, not the price + shipping, and if they did that I'd tell them I'm still going w/ the cheaper meds (if they complain I'd point out that their's is $8 more).

If your not happy I would do just what you did and find another vet. I think my vet over does some things, but I'm very happy w/ them otherwise. The last major surgery I needed done, I lost the pet, and they gave me a $300 credit! They didn't have to, and that helped me out alot!

Personally I don't understand how your vet has so much control!