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Do you feel that your vet's salary is more than it deserves to be (or do you feel that vet's fees are excessive)?  

611 members have voted

  1. 1. Do you feel that your vet's salary is more than it deserves to be (or do you feel that vet's fees are excessive)?

    • Yes. It's not like their real doctors.
      2
    • Yes. The vets I know are all very well off.
      9
    • Yes. The fees I pay are way overpriced so they must be.
      29
    • Yes. But I still like me vet.
      39
    • No. The vets I know do not live "high on the hog".
      56
    • No. The fees I believe to be fair for the service provided.
      120
    • No. They only make about 1/4 the salary of human drs.
      28
    • No. Did I mention that I really like my vet!
      58
    • I don't know. But their prices do seem high to me.
      50
    • I don't know. I just like my vet!
      47
    • The fees are too high but vets are not overpaid.
      58
    • It really depends, some are and some are not.
      114


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While at a vet asked him a question he charged 10.00 to answer called it consoldation fee --he has one less client.

same dog same problem --Chicago-700.00 Riedland KY.-35.00 UNBELIEVABLE difference for same procedure.

Dan

WOW!!! That is a crazy difference in price! I would wonder what teh procedure cost and what was contained within those estimates! Certainly there is some regional difference... but not to that degree!

 

Most vets do not charge for phone or in person consultations... we don't. However, most human doctors do... I honestly can't even get my doctor on the phone... even if I did pay him!!! I really don't mind staying after hours to call and talk to clients... I just think of it as part of my job. I think some clients may expect too much though. We had one client who came in and wanted to talk to 2 of the doctors regarding a case and tied up 2 doctors for 45 minutes during office hours. We didn't charge that owner anything... but we really probably should have.

Bill

Lady

Bella and Sky at the bridge

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." -Anabele France

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"I hope they don't treat their kids this badly when they're sick/hurt."

Yes, some people treat their skin kids the same way. I work for an ambulance

service, so seen it all. The only difference, we can call child protection services,

where an animal doesn't have that option.

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I voted depends. My current vet is wonderful and her prices are not out of line, it is expensive but I don't feel taken advantage of and the work she does is incredibly important and the service I get from her is absolutely wonderful.

 

Now my previous vet was incredibly expensive, I really liked her but I switched when I realized how much more I was paying for things than everyone else I knew was. Stella's spay, with pre-surgery bloodwork and a dental (all done at the same time so only put under once) cost me $1000.00.

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Take the time to stop and smell the flowers - appreciate your everyday ordinary miracles

Carolyn, Faith, Jeff Gordon (aka Jeffy) and Oscar the chilla. Desperately missing our Stella, we'll see you later sweet girl.

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Guest MondaysFather

I've had my dealings with horrible vets and great ones...

 

I don't think they are overpaid... However the cost of heartgaurd ect. is to pricey (IMO), but then again, I pay less for it at my vet then I would at petco...

 

It's also important to remember all the schooling it takes to become a vet...

 

I don't necc. think they deserve a raise, but I don't think they need a pay cut either...

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My last vet was incredibly expensive. That would've been fine if I was thrilled with the service that I received. But he wouldn't have Phoenix tested for tick diseases (because we're in Canada-he seemed to have forgotten that my dog was in the states). When I had him tested with an adoption group and he came out positive for babesia, he wouldn't treat him and made some comment about "American dogs coming to Canada to infect our Canadian dogs". Guess he also forgot that we don't have brown ticks here.

 

I switched vets at that point and I'm thrilled. She's less expensive, but I'd pay more for her expertise, patience, kindness and openmindedness.

 

Anyway, for the most part, I don't think vets are overpaid. After all, they have to diagnose and treat patients who can't even tell them how they feel :lol

siggy_robinw_tbqslg.jpg
Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19.

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Guest Linda_Cole

After our most recent emergency visit with Cole, (See Health and Medical-Greyhound Scream of Death) I would have to say No. Our vet is not over paid. He even makes house calls! He does not charge emergency visits on top of the regular vet office visit. I love my vet!

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Personally, I LOVE my vet. I know that he is not the most delicate surgeon or specialist, but he is a great man and a great vet. He truly cares for the animals, and does a great job with them. If something is really wrong, and he is unsure, he has no problems with referring you to a specialist, as it is in the animal's best interest.

 

He has also helped out many times when costs have gotten high. As a child, I would always bring in strays, often trying to tame feral cats. Well, one of them that a friend and I had fed and tamed (adored attention, became a real sweet fella), unfortunately was shot in the eye by some nasty kids w/ a bb gun. We didn't know what had happened, just that we didn't see old Trunks for a few days. When he finally came back around, the eye was infected and horribly swollen, as were several other places on his body (he had been shot repeatedly). We scooped him up in some towels and drove him to our vet. He had to remove the eye, and take out the bb's from various parts of Trunks' body. I think he was there over a week. He did gradually recover, and when he was well enough, Doc neutered him, and Trunks went to live with my friend. Our total bill--for 1 week at the vets, surgery on the eye, neutering and all shots, plus bloodwork for FIV (ended up being positive), our total was $60--and a drawing of Man o' War.

 

He knew that I was too young to work (13) and that my friend Carrie only made minimum wage.

 

He has always gone above and beyond, especially for people he knows truly care about their animals, and those who are long time clients. My parents took our animals there, so that is where I go. I guess ol' doc really did get to see me grow up. He always grins when I show up, and asks for a drawing! :D

 

He really enjoyed meeting Sully this summer when I took him for a checkup (just adopted him) and to meet Doc--adored his personality and told me I had a real gem. (Sully's leg was injured, but he let doc manipulate it w/o so much as a growl--he just turned around and licked Doc when it hurt)

 

Of course he had to ask how my "Tank" was doing--last time Sebau was there she nearly took the top of his examining table off with her hind legs while trying to escape :lol

 

Rachael

 

Sorry for the ramble....to sum it up, no, I don't think my vet makes too much! His prices are great, and he is a wonderful, kind person.

 

true, he is a rural vet, and has a large and small animal practice, but even with his crazy schedule, he can always fit you in in an emergency.

In vino veritas
Rachael with Rook, missing Sully, Sebau, and Diesel

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Guest djkevvy

My vet doesn't make too much.

 

I live in a rural area, so the bread and butter of the practice is livestock. He covers an area of about a 45 mile radius, goes out in snowstorms, rainstorms, and at all hours for farm emergencies, etc...

 

I hear gripes about "Non-Specialists", but It's much more difficult to know so much about so many different animals.

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Guest dngrpronedaf

I was too lazy to read all of the previous posts.

 

I look at it as though they are treating one of my children.

 

I get the same respect , concern and careful examination and follow up as I do with my son's pediatrician.

 

I see them as medical animal doctors in the same light as I see other human doctors, some good ,some bad, some with a genuine concern, and some jaded.

 

There is a vet I know who has an incredible "all brick" three story home that looks like it should be in "Unique Homes" magazine, and then there's my vet who drives a pick up truck (older) and is quite "balanced" and very down to earth

 

P.S. My vet broke away from the "well off" vet's practice to start her own with another lady vet. :clap

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I get the same respect , concern and careful examination and follow up as I do with my son's pediatrician.

This has been my personal crusade the last few months. I decided I deserve medical care equal to what my animals get, and I want a doctor that treats me as well as my vet does -- actually listens to me, answers my questions, genuinely cares about me. I have finally found one.

Beth, Petey (8 September 2018- ), and Faith (22 March 2019). Godspeed Patrick (28 April 1999 - 5 August 2012), Murphy (23 June 2004 - 27 July 2013), Leo (1 May 2009 - 27 January 2020), and Henry (10 August 2010 - 7 August 2020), you were loved more than you can know.

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I love my vet. I will gladly pay any cost to know that not only is my vet great, but so are their facilities. My vet is also a 24 hour emergency hospital so I like knowing there is always someone there.

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As a future vet (in 3 and 1/2 years) I am probably biased here, but the average vet makes a lot less than the average MD and does a lot more. Having to know about more than one species, many, many more pharmacological options ect.

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Guest Greyhdnut

It depends on the vet. I've seen some that really charge overboard, but most of the vets I've dealt with work longer hours than any of us would want to put in and are more than fair with their prices.

 

If anyone overcharges, its the doctors who treat us humans! ;)

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I voted that some are and some aren't.

 

I really appreciate my vet. I know that so far, they are one of the most reasonable clinics in my area, and especially after our emergency visit, I really expected the bill to be a lot more. I am so grateful to have them, and I really trust them, and I know if I had gone to the other e-clinic, my bill would have been a lot closer to $750. I have heard stories, anyway.

Edited by siouxbee
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Guest BENSMOM

I voted that it depends on the vet. My regular vet certainly doesn't overcharge. The building is old and plain. He tends toward conservative treatment, and seems to really love the animals.A group of 4 vets share being on call and I'm familiar with all of them, so that makes it nice. They will come to the house to euthanize. The one I mainly see is always talking about the new theories, meds, treatments, etc, so I know he keeps up with the new advances. I took my grey to a DVM that was recommended as grey saavy, when my primary vet suggested a wait and see about potential early renal failure. The other vet was very good as well, but there were huge differences in fees! Of course, the office was new. had cathedral ceilings and state of the art everything. As it turned out, there was nothing wrong with my dog. I spent $2000 in tests at the second vet, when I should have trusted my guy and waited a month and rerun the bloodwork. Long story short, they had different styles of treatment and different overhead and I probably got what I paid for with each. Both good, knowledgeable vets and more than likely, not getting rich! :gh_bow

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Guest ProudGreyMom

My vet in CT and the one i use currently in NY are wonderful and knowledgable. I don't think that my vet is "overpaid" since he owns a small vet clinic and its just him and two staff members, but the fees seem high to me at times. However, I have heard other people spend way more than I do. I think we are used to having insurance when we go to the Dr for ourselves, so we don't see the actual office and med charges, just co-pays. When we go to the vet, we see all the charges. For example, I took Jake in this weekend for his bite wound and it was $166. That included the exam, a shot, pills and topical cream.

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Guest CanadianGreyLover
I voted depends. My current vet is wonderful and her prices are not out of line, it is expensive but I don't feel taken advantage of and the work she does is incredibly important and the service I get from her is absolutely wonderful.

 

Now my previous vet was incredibly expensive, I really liked her but I switched when I realized how much more I was paying for things than everyone else I knew was. Stella's spay, with pre-surgery bloodwork and a dental (all done at the same time so only put under once) cost me $1000.00.

:eek:blink::eek

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Guest CanadianGreyLover

I love my Vet, he is the best and I have had many for me feline's.

1 Vet visit when Rascal was sick with her Liver desease cost me $1,700.00 at one place where my Vet now cost me from $300 to $1,000.00 with huge discounts.

 

When she was sick the last time, he even when to the grocery store and bought her Mackeril becuase she loves it - I offered to go and bring it to her and he said nothing of the sort I will take care of my little freind......

 

I got a thank you card and a goft cert. for dinner for him and his wife that time... Treat them well and you get treated well back is my moto..

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  • 1 year later...

I have never met a "poor" vet :lol I do think that prices have increased dramatically since pet insurance has become more widespread, one is made to feel that if we can't afford treatment then we should have got our pet insured. It is going to end up that the only people who can afford to keep a dog are those who receive welfare and therefore can get help from various charities and those who are very well off. Just my opinion. btw I like our current vet very much :)

<p>"One day I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am"Sadi's Pet Pages Sadi's Greyhound Data PageMulder1/9/95-21/3/04 Scully1/9/95-16/2/05Sadi 7/4/99 - 23/6/13 CroftviewRGT

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Guest DeVon

Since I used to work for my vet, and I continue to take my animals to him, I voted 'no' and the fact that I love my vet. I do know there are price-gouging vets out there.

 

I am very fortunate in that I live in a small mostly rural community and my vet keeps prices to what he knows people can afford around here. He did go up on most of his prices this year, but they are still reasonable. He is both large and small animal. He started out buying out a retired vet (the facility was built in the 50's), and he and his wife (certified vet tech) ran the business all by themselves for 5 years before they hired me on as their first employee.

 

They have worked VERY hard to establish their business, and have blossomed enough to currently be looking to add a third vet tech (although they now have 2 children, his wife continues to work full-time there). Can I get some supplies cheaper elsewhere? You bet. But considering the prices of their services, which are less than 50% of what you would pay 40 miles to the west in Wichita, they are very very reasonable, and good people.

 

I remember that every time I pay for services/goods down there, I am also paying the vet for his education and time. I trust him with my animals, and wouldn't go anywhere else :) They have been very compassionate whenever I have lost a beloved companion, and I always get a sympathy card signed by the entire staff. When I lost my first greyhound, Bart, they contributed to the animal trust fund at the veterinary school at K-State in Bart's name, and Bart's name went into a hardbound book that is published once a year and is kept in the library there. The funds go to veterinary medicine research.

 

PS. My brother, who lives in Hartford, CT, can't walk out of his vet's office with two cockers after a yearly checkup/heartworm meds/vacs, etc for less than $500!

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I think my Vet's prices are very fair and he has given me many breaks over the years too. He recently reduced the price on his Interceptor. I could still get it cheaper on line, by $7.00, but I'd rather pay him the $7.00 as that is not going to break my bank.

 

There are some Vets in town that charge high prices, most of the young ones.

 

With the cost of living being so high now I can probably see why a new Vet has to charge more. My Vet has been established for years, owns his own property and has raised his family.

 

Like housing and new careers, I can see where it would be very difficult for any new Vet trying to establish a practice in CA.

 

Told my Vet better not retire!!!! :lol

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I think you know how I feel about it! :lol I actually had quite a few people that thought I was crazy to come into this field. They said, "Why don't you just go to medical school? You will make four times as much money for the same amount of education!" It's true, but that is not where my heart is. So, I'm destined to work 70 hours weeks, making less money than I do as a nurse, but I'll love my job.

I think it's a matter of prospective. Sometimes I think that costs are too high. I'm getting Brody's hip replacement for $2500. Yikes, I thought at first, but then I remembered that my dad's hip replacement was on the order of about $30,000 and it doesn't seem so bad! :lol Of course the difference there is that he has health insurance and only paid about $250 out of pocket for his operation. So it feels like I'm paying 10 times as much, does that make sense? But it's the same operation, the orthopedic surgeons had to have the same amount of education, they had the buy the same expensive equipment and they are making $27,000 less to do it. So in reality, I'm getting a great deal! (Just remind me of that this summer when I'm complaining about it! :) )

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