Vets

[HooversMom]

No way. The vets I know are not wealthy. The high prices, I think, are due to what I feel amounts to price gouging on the part of the pharmaceutical and supply companies. Looking at the bills, the actual procedures don't cost that much. It's all the drugs and stuff that run up the costs.

 

I wonder if these prices would be so high if there was no such thing as health insurance for people (not that I am advocating this, so don't blast me!). If insurance companies weren't expected to be paying for it, no one could afford this stuff except the extremely wealthy and the drug companies would go bust.

 

Just a thought...

 

Hoover's happy-with-her-vets Mom

Edited October 31, 2005 by HooversMom

[gazehund]

I have been with my vet for 22 years. I think they charge fair prices. Considering the practice is now a 10 vet practice and the hospital itself has been expanded four times, I realize there is enormous overhead there.

[lovemydogs]

The only thing I have ever felt gipped by was, well, two things:

 

When Kiwi had her eye trauma, we headed to our vet. She did an eye exam, and gave us some eye drops. The bill was $320.00, and we had to head to Minneapolis the next day to the eye specialist.

 

We drove there, and after his EXTENSIVE eye exam, his bill was $80.00...just didn't seem quite right!

 

And the second was just on Saturday. We had to have our male mastiff collected per our breeder agreement. It was $327 + $40.00 (AKC fee) and it took less than 1 minute. THAT seems like a complete rip off. I know that they have to do a sperm count, but my goodness, that seems high.

 

But, as it is with everything, when you specialize in something, you will get MORE money!

[Guest belloricky]

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That is what my vet did that made me a little unhappy. I took Casey in February for limping and the vet said it was just arthritis in the shoulder joint, he said the wrist area wasn't a big deal and he didn't really need x-rays as they were expensive. Took him to another vet that was treating my Mom's IG, they did 3 sets of x-rays for what 1 x-ray cost at my vets and after further test, Casey was diagnosed w/ osteosarcoma. He had it back in Feb. He was diagnosed 2 weeks ago and had his leg amputated last week. Cost for for everything (diagnoses/amputation/) at this vet $1000, my vet quoted me a price $1800-2500.

The vet I went too was wonderful. The entire staff is as well. He spent a lot of time talking/explaining things, even called the teaching hospital to see if they could offer anything else that might help Casey. I just wish he wasn't 150 miles away!

1520208[/snapback]

Wow. My dog was recently diagnosed with osteo and I paid over $1200 for the amputation alone. X-rays were around another $500. Not to mention the consultation with an oncologist and an overnight stay at an emergency clinic for complications. I think the DC metro area has a pretty high cost of living in general though.
That being said. I have pet insurance. I HIGHLY recommend it! They are paying 70% of each claim up to $3,000 per illness category for $25 a month premium. It has been such a relief to have so much of the financial burden removed. Of course, I would have much preferred the insurance company to take my money and never hear from me EVER.
Also, I have found it noted on each discharge/info sheet I get from various places that Ricky has pet insurance. Not sure if there is any significance to that.
I wish Casey the best.

[Guest BaileyMom]

I voted I don't know, but their prices seem high to me.

 

I don't know if the vets at my group practice make enough to live extravagantly, but I do know they are living comfortably.

 

I paid over $300 for a dental for Bailey with one extraction (I live in NYC). I won't even get into what I paid for Bailey's tests, surgery and specialists when he was sick. But I like my vet. There are 2 vets in the practice that we always saw. They really cared for the animals they treated and were there for me day or night after Bailey's lung cancer dx.

[Figma]

I can't complain about the prices my Vet charges and he has comped me a lot over all these years. I can't say if I got hit with a couple thousand dollar bill that it would not really hurt our budget but I don't expect free services either. There are more expensive Vets then mine in the area but I really don't think they are any better qualified and a couple of them I would never take my animals to. I think my Vet makes a *comfortable* living but I don't think he lives high off the hog (excuse the pun). I've seen him eating at the same establishments we do and they are not 4 star restaurants.

[Guest NeylasMom]

I live in the DC area and find prices vary dramatically depending on who you see. What I have found is that most vets are flexible about providing a discount for rescues, which I really appreciate.

 

We initially had only one practice that we worked with, but it quickly became obvious that not all of our foster parents could get to that vet. So we started searching for other vets that would give similar discounts (they give us 50% off). Now we have several, including another that gives 50% off and one that charges no office fees and gives 30% off.

 

Even so, we still have fosters who can't get to those vets and often their own vets will cut us a break. That's something I really appreciate.

[Guest Tink]

I think it depends on what you consider a good value is.

 

Tink's foot xray was $90, the cast $45 (which includes having it changed every 10-14 days), pain meds $22, $45 for anesthesia so they could relocate her toe, another $45 for the vet's exam and probably a few other things. They always clip her nails for free. The grand total was $280 with tax. Each charge was reasonable to me, but it adds up quickly.

 

I boarded her there for 3 days while we went to NC. They charged $25 a night (includes food). Her bandage was changed and her nails clipped when we picked her up. She hadn't had a bath (didn't ask for one because of her cast) but they did wipe her down with a nice scented cloth so she smelled like vanilla. She had her own room (heat and AC) with a doggie door to an outside private run.

 

They took very good care of her and I don't think the $25/night was exorbitant.

 

I don't care if "the vet" is wealthy or not, it's really none of my business. He went to college, became a veterinarian, he should be paid for his expertise.

 

In our case I think we're getting good value for the money we pay for services.

 

Adding: Years ago I took my Dal to a vet that had the reputation for being inexpensive, but good. It was about 30 minutes away, when I walked in the waiting room there were at least 4 puddles of pee on the floor and some feces. I walked right back out and made an appointment with my regular vet. His fee for a visit was probably $15 higher at the time, but I didn't have to wade through dog pee to get to the front desk.

 

I'm sure it was a good practice and they treated the animals well ( a lot of people I knew went there), I just didn't like the "cleanliness" of the waiting room so I left.

Edited November 7, 2005 by Tink

[Guest vahoundlover]

I would say it depends on the vet and the area...I have used my vet for 13 years. At times I think "wow that was expensive" but is it expensive compared to other vets? I don't know. Comparing vet bills to human dr. bills, shoot vets are cheaper. I don't know how my vet lives, high off the hog? I look at it this way....they had to go to college, pay rent or buy a bldg, equipment etc. Without seeing a financial I honestly couldn't say. They have to keep a roof over their head and food on the table just like the rest of us.

[Guest tobinhr]

I voted, "I don't know, but the prices seem high."

 

I have had one vet, (so far, we just moved to Europe) and while I thought his prices were a bit pricey, it turned out to be the cheapest in the county for neutering--according to a friend who needed her mixed-breed done. So what do I know?

 

Rocky Gorge Animal Hopsital in Laurel, MD is terrific! The vets were so kind and they knew about greyhounds. Mine wasn't sold on the BARF diet, but he told me Mac was the "best-looking greyhound" in his practice and he was "glad" he didn't have to do dentals on Mac. And with seeing the various prices of dentals being quoted here, I am glad too!!

 

I went with a friend to help her cat to the Bridge and we went to E-Vet in Annapolis. It was $125 to walk in the door! (assuming you stayed, I guess...) THAT I thought was a bit much.

 

So, I guess I am a tightwad and anything with three digits in it makes me want to hide!

 

Jan

Mac (I'm so preeeeety!)

[Guest CygnetC]

I have worked for a few different vet hospitals and even in the hospitals each vet was different. I had one vet who gave me insane discounts on EVERYTHING. As in, my rat had two exploratory surgies in a week's time and I only had to pay $36 total. Now THAT is amazing.

 

Other vets demand each and every penny that they can possibly get and they charge up the wazoo for it.

 

And still others just have fair prices and are willing to give a curtousy nail trimming or some such. It really does depend on the vet and the practice.

[MyChessDogs]

I love my vet, so I'm not going to go anywhere else, but I'm just wondering if these prices are 'high' low or whatever. Just out of curiousity...

complete physical which must be done on every new patient...$50.50

An appointment where he just looks at the 'injury' site...10.10

a 'medical progress' exam where he examins it...32.00

'bandage materials'. like to bandage a wound or something...7.00

7 rimadyl 18.55

Heartgard plus...51.50

Frontline...107.90

nail trim...10.00

28 cephalexin...11.90

they seem 'fair' to me, though I have nothing to compare it to. so I'm just curious.

[Guest IrskasMom]

Dr Bill , then let me ask you this Question ? We went twice before

to our Vet for XRays and he didnt see , that my Boy had Cancer ???

We wouldnt have let it go on for sooo long , leting me believe , he had only a

sprained Ankle . Could the more sophisticated XRay Machines made the

Difference at the E-Vet in Annapolis ??? I am just Heartbroken .

Edited January 14, 2006 by IrskasMom

[Guest RICHandJUDE]

Some vets might overcharge. As in any field, there are good ones and bad ones.

My vet isn't cheap but I don't think he overcharges. When one of my greyts has a problem, I want the vet to have the latest knowledge and latest equipment to handle it. That takes money.

 

Our vet never hurries us along. One time we were in the examining room with him for 45 minutes.

His office always follows up to see how our dog or dogs are doing if they had problem. If I request to speak to him personally, he will call me back sometime that day. Whenever we take our two greyhounds in together, he always gives us a 'multi dog discount.'

 

Our vet has 5 other vets with him in his practice. We schedule appointments to see him but in case we need to get in ASAP for a problem, we can always get in to see a vet. (Saves on Emergency Hospital visits)

 

Our vet is open Monday thru Friday from 7:30 AM till 10:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday from 9 or 10 till 4PM. That helps save us money if we need emergency care. Until the Emergency Hospital opened 6 or 7 years ago, he was open till midnight Monday thru Friday. His fees are about what the other vets charge around here and I feel that he is dedicated.

 

So no, I don't feel our vet overcharges. Richard

[Guest sjarp]

My vet has a gorgeous house.

[cathys01]

Several people have mentioned how nice their vets' houses are - do you know if the vet is married and what the spouse does for a living? I'm an RN and, according to the numbers posted for salaries, I'm making about what a vet makes. I live in a nice house in a nice neighborhood with good school, we both drive new cars.

 

But we don't do it on my salary alone. My husband also works and makes about the same amount as I do.

 

I don't think it's fair to say somebody is "overpaid" because they live well. Maybe they have a second income. Maybe they budget well. Maybe there are many reasons that you don't know about. Just because the vet lives well does that mean he should scale back on his home spending so he can offer free or reduced-cost veterinary care? How is that right?

[Guest sjarp]

My vet is very good. I wouldn't switch. His office is also my my street, so convience is there too. Having said that, his prices are high, even for this area. He does very well for himself, and DOES have a beautiful home, and no, his wife doesn't work! I do not begrudge him his success. He is a good man and a great vet.

[cello]

For the amount of time/effort/expense that vets put in to their education I would expect that they live in a nice house. Just because you love animals and want to dedicate your life to helping them does not mean that you want to have a lower standard of living compared to other professions.

[Guest WuvMyIggy]

I worked in animal hospitals right after high school as a vet tech. I learned a couple of things while I was there. For one: Vets have almost a tougher job than human dr's because they need to know the anatomy of so many different animals and breeds. 2) There are far fewer regulations on vet practices than human dr's offices, because frankly, folks are less likely to sue, or know what actually happened to their animal. This may not be an absolute in all cases, but I would certainly be more picky about my vet than my primary care dr.

 

Do I think vets are overpaid? Maybe some. Lets face it, there are bad apples in every profession. For a vet that takes an interest in my pets, follows through with their care, and acts as a problem solver, and lifelong resource for my pet? Well, I would find it hard to put a pricetag on that. Do some practices price gauge? In my opinion, absolutely YES!

[Guest CindyMessmore]

I voted " I don't know, I just like my vet". I really don't know. I can't do the things he does, and I didn't spend all that time & money on college. I trust him. I've had Vets I didn't trust. My responsbility is just to make sure I don't have more pets than I can afford to take proper care of.... and that includes vet treatment.

 

Edited to say: I may have to give up the fancy collars to pay the Vet bill........

Edited March 15, 2006 by CindyMessmore

[Guest kaiima]

Having worked in a city practice the fees did seem rather extreme.

Now I live in a rural area and I can tell you my vet is not overpaid. I have compared the prices he charges to what others pay (via greytalk) and his fees are very low. If I were he I would charge more.

In another town I lived in I would say the fees were average. The vet did a very nice thing in sending a donation to Emory University in my Yorkies name when he passed away at 17 years of age. I think demigraphics plays a part in price.

Maybe city livers expect more fluff, I don't know. Anybody else have a comment on this theory?

 

 

 

It definitely depends on the vet. When I first got my grey I took her to Alameda East (the clinic on the Emergency Vets show). Their estimate for a teeth cleaning was "possibly upwards of $700) for a teeth cleaning with likely tooth removals. Their other regular visit fees, exam fees, etc were equally outrageous. The next place (another off the "grey savy vets" list) quoted me approximately $400. The last place I took her was recommended to me by my dad, who trains field trial dogs and had this vet recommended by people in his club. They charged $75 plus $30 for preliminary bloodwork, saved all of her teeth, and clipped her nails for free. She did fine, no trouble with going under. (They said she'll probably need some teeth pulled eventually, but that its good to save them for as long as possible.) These clinics are all in the Denver metro area.

 

I think the main factor is how many ultra-fancy diagnostic tools they have in the clinic. I think they increase ALL fees to pay for these things - things that are great if your pet has a serious problem or diagnostic mystery, but not so great when you are going in for routine stuff!!!!!!!

 

On the topic of pay, the advisor at my college warned me that "vets don't make tons of money" when I told her I wanted to go to vet school. (She's a vet). They definitely don't make as much as doctors or even nurses. I guess it all depends on how much stuff they are paying for themselves.

[Guest brooney]

Where I worked we provided bull semen samples to the vet students from the University of Guelph. The comment they always made was if they wanted to make money they would have to go into small animal practice rather than large animal because farmers running a business are not willing to pay big $$$ for animal care if it is cheaper to replace the animal.

 

My vet always charges me less because I have 4 dogs. She also charges low prices for dentals because she believes they are important for the health of the animal and knows lots of people are not willing to pay very much and don't regard cleaning their pets teeth as a priortity.

 

I feel good when I come out of her clinic. I like all of the staff and the care my pups receive.

[lovinggreysslp]

We love our vets and actually think that they do not charge enough for the quality services they provide. Recently one of our hounds has needed lots of medical attention and our primary vet has bent over backwards to help our hound. Our biggest expense has been his science diet prescription food which our vet warned us ahead of time would be costly and appoligized that it doesn't come in a large size bag. Cost for medications has been small (ie $2 for pred, $3 for an antibiotic). We also had an experiece with Dr. Couto who provided a consult with our hound through faxed lab results. He took time out of his busy day to talk to us on the phone when we were at a very critical stage with our sick greyhound. He also quickly answered our emails when our vet had questions. So, I have nothing but good things to say about the vets we and our greyhounds are lucky to have.

[GreytNut]

The vet I had back in California definitely overcharged. I shopped around a little and found that he charged DOUBLE for many procedures when compared to other local veterinarians. I took my dogs to him anyway because he was the only vet in the area who was experienced with greyhounds and whom I trusted with their care. I gritted my teeth, paid the exorbitant charges and just told myself, "Well, at least he knows what he's doing."

 

Haven't taken any of my pets to the vet here yet. I suspect it'll be a lot cheaper... especially if I end up getting hired by a clinic I've applied at and can get treatments and medicines for my animals at cost.

[Guest Mom2Gr8dawgs]

The vet my Greys go to is NOT overpaid. I often leave his office thinking he didn't charge us enough. For example, if I take my hounds in and they need medicine or lab work, he almost always charges for the medicine/labs, but not the office visit. When I had a dog getting adequan injections, he would come out to my car to do the injection, and charged me just $45 for the injection itself.