Vets charging too much????

Snowshoe · 05-04-2007, 08:10 AM

Well, today I took my big Maine-Coon mix (rescue kitty) to the vet. He has allergies, and he's also getting shaved and the calculus removed from his teeth.

I asked if they could do his vaccines today, because it's so close to the time of year when they're due.

They said, "No," and even if they did, they would have to charge me for an office visit and an exam, even though he was already in the office and he'd already been examined a month earlier (for his allergy problem).

Are they trying to rip me off? I think I might go ahead and get Nakie's shots done elsewhere, and just use this vet clinic for when there's actually some kind of problem ie the allergies.

Am I being too stingy with my money?

Is this normal practice for a veternarian's office?

lovemygreys · 05-04-2007, 08:50 AM

Each vet office will have their own billing practices. If you don't like that vet, I'd try another vet office. Our vet charges one office visit for 2 animals and 1/2 visit for every two animals after that (seen at the same time). I don't think they've ever charged me for any sort of follow up and if it's a really quick pop-in visit, they usually don't charge me anything if we are also getting meds. Basically, I don't see a lot of rhyme or reason to how they bill, but I always feel like I don't pay enough

Maybe there's some medical reason they don't want to give the vaccines on the same day as the other procedure? If there's not, then I would probably not be happy that they'd make me make two trips in (I know our cats STRESS over a trip to the vet) AND pay an office visit for a pet they are already seeing. We have our vaccinations done by a mobile vet, so that's never been an issue for our pets.

Snowshoe · 05-04-2007, 08:57 AM

Well, I LIKE them, they're just proving to be very expensive. We also have a mobile vaccine unit here, and I think I'm going to use that for both pets.

I just feel like having to pay for an extra exam *when he's had one* and an office visit *when he's already inside the clinic having other work done* is too much money.

When I lived in WV, they gave him anesthesia and shaved him and gave him his shots at the same time.

The only difference for this time is that he's having his teeth cleaned...not exactly brain surgery.

I don't know what the difference is, other then this new vet clinic seems to want to make as much money as possible.

Sorry, don't mean to sound snappish, I guess I'm still annoyed at this vet clinic.

While I was there, they kept trying to push me into paying ahead of time for both animals *the kitty and the dog* to have their vaccines done on June 06.

PS, Thanks for your reply ILMG!!

lovemygreys · 05-04-2007, 09:09 AM

I remember walking into the specialty vet clinic here and they have this GINORMOUS solid rock fountain. The thing must be 12 feet tall and has it's own special corner of the waiting room. I saw that and thought: wow...I wonder how much THAT'S gonna pad our bill

Not to mention all the custom artwork along the hallways. Don't get me wrong...I don't mind paying good money for good vet care...but I don't need fancy fountains and pretty walls

The first vet I used as an adult dog owner was a really great vet, technically speaking (as in, good medical knowledge)....but, they would milk you for every test imaginable. It cost me $400+ to get a diagnosis of spay incontinence. Another $200 for exam/bloodwork/full thryoid panel b/c I brought my girl in to make sure her shedding wasn't "excessive" (it was my first greyhound and I had no clue....the shedding was completely normal and the vet should have KNOWN that). And of course, a vet can always "guilt" a newbie owner into unnecessary tests with the ol' "Well, to be absolutely safe/sure...."

When we moved and I was trying out different vets, one of them charged for an office visit (no problem), an additional fee for the needle they used to draw blood (uh...ok, I'll let that slide) AND a fee for them to actually draw the blood that was taken during the exam (uh...I don't think so...I told them that was BS and we'd never be back). They made an extra $5 on that particular visit but lost thousands of dollars in what we would have spent there over the years. Not to mention the referrals we give (when you have 12-15 dogs, everyone wants to know where you go for some reason)

I don't mind paying for vet care. I really don't. But, I don't expect to be nickel and dimed to death. We're kind of a cash cow for a vet. We always seem to be there

I'm glad we *finally* found a vet that we love from a medical perspective and one that has billing policies/fees that we also think are very fair.

It's tough to find though...

sillylilykitty · 05-04-2007, 09:21 AM

I think that that IS a little excessive of them to need to charge another office visit like that. Personally I would be looking for a new vet, I dont think a vet clinic should act that way, sounds like their "milking" you if you ask me.

briteday · 05-04-2007, 11:41 AM

My guess is that they don't want to give the shots on the same day as anesthesia. If they give the vacs before surgery they won't be able to tell if the cat has a reaction. If they give the vacs after surgery the cat is lethargic for several hours, so they still wouldn't be able to assess a reaction.

Be careful about vaccinations. I took our dog to a humane society fair where they were giving reduced price vacs. She ended up having a reaction. I ended up seeing our vet the next day anyway.

I have a great vet who is always willing to discuss things until I'm satisfied. We have great communication and I've been using the same vet for 20 years. He recently brought in a new young vet who is full of great new ideas and training.

They are a bit pricey. I have chosen to do dentals with a different vet office in town. But for all the routine stuff and illnesses, there's nothing like a familiar face.

scotty,hmk · 06-08-2007, 01:39 PM

VEts are not charging too much. Think about it, there aren't that many animals for them to work with on a day to day basis. They need to charge that much to make a living. If you consider everything, they don't make that much money, the entire world is exspensive. Think about how many more people a doctor sees than animals a vet sees. There are also like 1 to 10 on the amount of vets to doctors.

RonE · 06-08-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty,hmk

There are also like 1 to 10 on the amount of vets to doctors.

That's probably because people register on an Internet forum for advice when they have a medical emergency with their dogs. How many people go on a web forum when they're having a heart attack?

I believe vet fees will very greatly and, to some extent, you get what you pay for.

squirt1968 · 06-08-2007, 02:00 PM

If they don't see many animals how come if it is not an emergency you have to wait a week for an appointment? Where I go there are always animals in the waiting room. In my estimation they make very good money. They deserve a good living but wow! I agree that second appt bill on the same appt. does not seem very ethical. My vet is very good and I don't think he over charges. I don't mind paying for what I get but don't like to think I am being ripped off

Snowshoe · 06-10-2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty,hmk

VEts are not charging too much. Think about it, there aren't that many animals for them to work with on a day to day basis.

I don't know where you live, but where I live everyone and their mom/dad/brother/sister, etc. has some kind of cat or dog. I had to make Nakie's teeth cleaning appointment almost a month ahead of time. I would GUESS that if there weren't many animals, I would not have had to schedule that far in advance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty,hmk

They need to charge that much to make a living. If you consider everything, they don't make that much money, the entire world is exspensive. Think about how many more people a doctor sees than animals a vet sees. There are also like 1 to 10 on the amount of vets to doctors.

Honey, i'm going to school to be a teacher. Not that THAT matters necessarily, but I know full well how expensive it is to live. Teachers, IMHO, should make as much as doctors do. After all, they are teaching the future of our society. However, teachers make about 1/4 as much as a surgeon would.

Vets charge alot because they have to have money to run their clinic, pay the employees, pay for the medicine, etc. However, most vets also like having a porche and a huge house and sending their kids to ivy league schools...

I guess I appreciate what you're saying, but I truly hope you realize that there are alot of people who DESERVE to make alot of money, but for whatever reason don't.

CrzyBritNAmerica · 06-10-2007, 03:59 PM

I think it really varies on the vet too. I took a fecal sample in to my previous vet and they charged me $30 to run it and made me wait something like 18 hours to find out what was wrong with Bridgette. They also charge a 32 dollar exam with all shots. (This is the same office that the vet lost his license because of abuse/neglect so money is the least of my worries with them).

The office I work for would have charged me $18 to run the fecal, and they run them in about 20 minutes. You would never wait more than an hour to hear back with the results...we allow most people to wait at the office for them if they want. We also give a complimentary exam with any and all vaccines. We also do a clinic at PetSmart where the vaccines are only $12 each. So you can see it completely depends on the vet. It also runs about 250 to 300 dollars for a dental at our place so yeah...crazy!

I will be completely thrilled when I have been working here three months and get half price on ALL procedures and boarding and free vaccines for Bridgette and the cats!! Why bother with pet insurance? Work at a vet! LOL.

adam12 · 06-16-2007, 08:21 PM

I hope you got a better answer than "No" from your Vet. I would want to know the reason. If you could not get it, then that is a signal to find another one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowshoe

Well, today I took my big Maine-Coon mix (rescue kitty) to the vet. He has allergies, and he's also getting shaved and the calculus removed from his teeth.

I asked if they could do his vaccines today, because it's so close to the time of year when they're due.

They said, "No," and even if they did, they would have to charge me for an office visit and an exam, even though he was already in the office and he'd already been examined a month earlier (for his allergy problem).

Are they trying to rip me off? I think I might go ahead and get Nakie's shots done elsewhere, and just use this vet clinic for when there's actually some kind of problem ie the allergies.

Am I being too stingy with my money?

Is this normal practice for a veternarian's office?

SammyDog · 06-16-2007, 09:03 PM

lol I read the title of the topic and thought " yes "

Juliet5381 · 07-23-2007, 01:34 AM

I think people are insane if they dont think the vet overcharges!!

This one vet which has a huge 6 feet tall 13 feet wide fish tank and pictures soda machines and does have a lot of specialists and is also open 24/7 and is the emergency office for every vet in all the surrounding towns charges you $84 per shot plus a visiting fee. They also wont give you more than one shot in one day. They wanted us in 3 weeks in a row to give the 1st round of shots. Then back in a few weeks for the next set which is 3 more seperate visits then repeat then spaying/nueter.

That a lot of money and I went back to my old vet who was an old pro and had a less pretty building but better service. At my regular vet which is a bulding from the 70's and still has 70's tiles and stuff he will give you 2 shots at a time for $84 without a visiting fee. He also gave out better advice. the fancy place was more like a fast food vet service.

One time my old dog zack got into the garbage and ate a chicken bone and he acted sick so my parents rushed him to the vet and they wanted to operate before they even xrayed. the next day my mom got a 2nd opinion at the less fancy vet- needless to say Zack was fine and he didnt get surgery.

Vets just like any other medical business can & do overcharge.

TheChinClique · 07-24-2007, 08:12 AM

I think my vet is probably a little more pricey than some in the area, but they are decent people who really care about the animals they see. When our dog was dying and my parents were trying desperately to save him, the vet did everything he could to keep the cost down. He made us a preferred 10 customer so we got huge discounts during his treatment and afterwards. I always get at least $10.00 off of my vet bill when I use that vet. I tried out another vet after I got Henry but I quickly switched back to the one we've had...I just heard this other vet was better...no way in heck is that true. I guess it's good I have a good vet because I'll be seeing a lot of him now that Henry has been diagnosed with a lifelong condition. Oh, and it's $51.00 for an examination at my vet...but I get about $4.00 off of that...so it's not that bad I guess. My bill yesterday for Henry was $115.00 without the money off and it was $102.00 afterwards. I like my vet

Lorina · 07-24-2007, 08:48 AM

When you compare vet prices to human doctor prices, they don't charge *that* much.

Sure. Some overcharge. Some are lousy vets. Some have bad kennel-side manners. Some should be taken out and shot. But overall, I don't see many vets driving Jaguars or Hummers.

My boss, who is a vet, recently had to go to a doctor. He told us he was surprised when he got his bill for an exam. It was $85. He was shocked it was that low to see a specialist. The next day, he got the real bill from the specialist. The $85 was just the exam room fee. The doctor's fee was something like $300, for a 15 minute visit, with no tests or medications.

The difference is that most people have insurance and only really notice their $20 copay or $10 prescription fees. Not the amount that the doctors or pharmacies charge to the insurance. Hell, I'm tempted to stop shaving my legs and claim to be an oversized monkey and go to a vet instead of a people doctor. I'd probably get better care, too.

Juliet5381 · 07-25-2007, 02:17 AM

If they charged human prices for pets most people wouldn't have pets or there would be a lot of pets without shots. Plus, I doubt pets would live as long.

I still think $84 per shot plus a $25 visiting fee per visit is a lot of money. Thats almost $1,000 to get a dog up to date on shots not to mention the spaying plus any other costs if the dog was sick.

We changed vets asap after the first set of bills. The service was the same but the price was in our range.

RonE · 07-25-2007, 05:47 AM

In most markets, there are multiple vets to choose from, so they are charging what you are willing to pay.

I have been told by several dog owners that I could save money by changing vets, but the way the treat me and my dogs makes it worth it to me. If I thought they were "overcharging" I would change vets.

When I was in retail, I would occasionally hear comments like, "I can't believe what you get for a custom frame." and I'd think "I don't get a penny more than people are willing to pay."

borzoimom · 07-25-2007, 09:43 AM

Recently when I took femka into the vet for her situation, when I got home I looked at the bill. To have the proper diagnosis was one thing, but one of the medications for 30 pills, I could have gotton twice as many of the exact same medication at Thomas labatories ( rimadryl) got even 10 dollars less. Yes it still needed a perscription, but it makes you wonder sometimes.
However- we found out what was wrong, no "self medicating" etc.I have however since asked him, since this is a progressive disease to write me a perscription to send to Thomas. I got a few blinks but he wrote it for me. While paying for my vets medical skill is never a question, some areas you can get better outside.
Another example. I had a dog that had surgery, and would need a E collar. The dog was staying two days at the vet, and when told this, ordered one online for like 25 dollars less than my vet would have charged. My vet knows I would do anything I could for their health, but why pay 60 dollars for the same thing when I can get it for half that knowing where to buy what.
However- I will say things like heartworm preventative etc, my vet is actually cheaper. Its areas like that there is a " known competition" that I find my vet more than reasonable. Then there are others cases that makes me raise my eyebrow at him. Like Galinas ultrasound. At my vet was 115 dollars- at the area we had her done- 35 dollars! That is a huge difference in price. I ask my vet about costs all the time. At first he looked at me like there was a money issue, however has since learned in an emergency- do everything he can- the rest of the time - I am just "being a smart shopper" if the situation can wait. ( like the renewal of these pills of rimadrly. )

bluesbarby · 08-23-2007, 03:42 PM

My DH is a pharmacist and works at a pharmacy that does compounding for many of the vets in the area. Actually their specialty is compounding for both humans and animals. So whenever any of my animals need a drug I ask the vet to write a script. He really balked at this at first. Said I couldn't get the same drug etc etc (his mark up on drugs is huge, and of course owning a pharmacy I knew it). My DH's pharmacy isn't in the same town we live in. Medical doctor's by law are not allowed to own interest in a pharmacy - kind of a conflict of interest. Do you prescribe what's most expensive instead of just what will work? They really should do the same for vets.
In CA vets are outrageous! A visit is over $60 alone. Neutering Riley would have cost me over $350. But a friend of ours' daughter just graduated vet school and does all the big stuff for us for a nominal fee and bartering. Otherwise I couldn't afford all these animals. My sis just moved to Texas. 2 of her dogs got sick so she took them for tests and walked out the door for under $60. Here it would have been closer to $600.
I was quoted $600 for each of my cats to have their teeth cleaned and that was with a special discount. When I showed it to my friend's daughter she said most of the blood tests weren't actually necessary just to put the cat under. So yes, if they think they can get away with it they will.