Vet Bills

[tdierikx]

I've found that one needs to train one's vet - just like we train our dogs... I don't cop to overservicing or trying to sell me things I don't need, so the vets that I choose to use are ones that understand that fact and give me the services I DO need without all the other crap... and in many cases I get discounted service to boot.

Then again, I'm not a clueless owner either - I've seen and helped treat a number of things that many vets just don't get to see as often as we do in the rescue game. Point in case, Kennel Cough - doesn't bother me in the slightest unless I see yellow or green snot, then I ring the vet and tell them I'm going to give the dog a specific (weight related) dosage of the antibiotics I have on hand, just so they can update or create a file for that particular dog, and note the disease in it. I also source my medications from suppliers rather than from the vet clinic, effectively at least halving (or more) the price... and we buy in bulk for even more savings.

I have actually had a local vet call me for advice on a particular case they had that they knew I had plenty of experience in...

I usually only go to a vet for a second opinion on something I've mostly diagnosed myself - but may need certain tests to prove conclusively. The 3 vet clinics that I use all understand how I operate, and are mostly happy about it - and don't usually charge a consult fee either.

How's this for a price markup? A parvo test kit costs retail $19 for a vet to purchase... explain to me how taking a swab of poop, putting it into the provided solution, then dripping it onto the test contraption and waiting 5 mins can blow out to an $85 cost - on top of a consult fee to boot!

T.

[Staffyluv]

I don't think our wonderful vet is the cheapest in town but he is definitely the most awesome vet..

When Zig had what we thought was some sort of poisoning and I rushed him to the emergency vet - ended up costing over $800 for hospitalisation (I don't care, I will pay what I have to pay for my animals when they need it) and my vet found out about it, he called and asked to see Zig. So off we went and he reminded me that I had his mobile number and to call him rather than taking the dog to the emergency vet at such huge costs.. He said the same treatment from him would have cost in the vicinity of $300..

I did point out that he gave me that number when he was treating my old boy, Ollie with cancer treatments and I didn't think it extended beyond that.

He assured me that he doesn't like to get the late night calls but understands sometimes it can't be avoided. To call next time it happens with Zig (wasn't food poisoning - we think it may be very minor seizures).

I do believe that some vets charge high fees and as business owners with overheads, they are entitled to charge what they like.

I work in Accounting and the difference in what one accounting charges to the next is ridiculous (and we are doing the same job).. I had a new client in this week who paid $220 for her individual tax return last year.. When I told her I would be charging her $99, she asked how they others could charge so much. I explained that my office is at home, I have very few overheads as I only have one employee who works one day a week - all these things go into deciding how much a vet may NEED to charge compared to the next vet (one might have 10 employees and the next just 2 or 3)..

Sometimes they charge a higher rate for an easy job but give cheaper rates on more complex jobs because the easy job might be something that happens heaps but the complex job might only be once a month..

As customers, you have the right to query an account if it is much more than expected. You also have the right to go elsewhere if you are not happy with the service or price.

[Dame Aussie]

I honestly couldn't even say what we pay for a consult.

We only ever go to the vet if something is wrong so it's very rarely really.

The way I see it, whatever it costs, I have to just pay it to give my dogs the best care possible. We don't make a lot of money but I just wouldn't compromise on my dogs health and if that means paying a lot, then so be it. Of course shop around, but I wouldn't forgo seeing a specialist because of the cost.

Having said that, the last few times we've been I've found the prices pretty reasonable, even when we had to go to emergency early one morning.

[Staff'n'Toller]

It's unfortunate that articles like this undermine trust in the veterinary profession.

Leaving your beloved pet for day surgery is not the same as dropping your car off for a service - but most journalists treat it as though it is.

The choice report will make people question whether or not they do a dental clean on their pets. Bad oral health affects most of the major vital organs, slowly and progressively. You can bet those owners get their yearly scale from the dentist and are the first ones to run there screaming when they have a toothache, yet the dog or cat has to wait while they make a decision about whether they're being ripped off or not after reading an article.

[GeckoTree]

They certainly can vary wildly, as everyone here is aware especially vets or vet workers on this forum, veterinary practices are un regulated in Australia so prices for procedures can be what ever the practice sets. I would love to open a veterinary practice some time in the future, it is a great economic business venture with relativly low low start up costs to outfit, however because I am not a vet I am prevented to do that.

Sucks because its a good business to be in.

[Staffyluv]

I don't think that vet fees should be regulated.. It is a business and they all have different overheads.

Some may choose to pay higher wages to attract better staff for their practice.

Some may be buying their premises and others just renting.

Some may own their equipment and some may lease it.

Some may have more affiliations with food manufacturers and medical supplies than others, who choose not to promote specific brands.

There is a myriad of reasons why one vet charges differently to another..

[Crisovar]

They certainly can vary wildly, as everyone here is aware especially vets or vet workers on this forum, veterinary practices are un regulated in Australia so prices for procedures can be what ever the practice sets. I would love to open a veterinary practice some time in the future, it is a great economic business venture with relativly low low start up costs to outfit, however because I am not a vet I am prevented to do that.

Sucks because its a good business to be in.

Low start up..have you any idea how much Veterinary equipment costs..or the cost of stocking Drugs? You may get a bit of a surprise LOL

[Crisovar]

Vet Fees

Some interesting points in this article.

[disintegratus]

I have no issues that some vets charge more than others, but I don't necessarily believe you get what you pay for 100% of the time. My local vet is predominantly a greyhound vet, and I have found their service in general fantastic, and their prices are significantly less than what a lot of other vets in the area charge.

I do think a lot of people baulk at vet prices because of the disparity with human medical costs, but as has been mentioned, people costs are government subsidised. A while ago, out of curiosity I looked into elective hysterectomies (mostly because I don't want to have babies and am already sick of the various crappy side effects of birth control) and was told that a) they wouldn't do it because I'm only 25, and b) even if they did, I'd be up for around $30,000. The thought crossed my mind that maybe I could just find a vet who would spey me... Chances are they'd have a lot more experience with the procedure too... ;)

[Little Gifts]

Like others have said, if you have a good vet that is more concerned about the health and recovery of your animal than upselling then it can actually cost you less in the long run. I've been a VIP customer for about a decade so get 10% off everything for a start. But on top of that they do lots of little things for me for free (toenail cuts, foster dog stitches removal, etc) and they also give me freebies (inc medicines) and chemist scripts to save costs. They also pursued an alternative treatment option for one of my dogs without charging me for the time they spent doing it. Because they know I will follow treatment regimes, often my dogs will be released to my care rather than kept in over night as well. I also have my vets home and mobile number for emergency advice.

[Jumabaar]

What is upsell in a Veterinary clinic?

Selling additional products or offering a the full range of treatments available for a condition?

[OSoSwift]

I get offered things, we have an intelligent discussion as to the benefits or not of doing said things, then I say yes or no. They are not upselling but offering me different things ie do I want to go in all guns blazing and do everything or do one or two things and monitor from there?

I quite often do one thing and then go the next step if and when required. If they say they really need to do "X" then I do it as they don't push anything on me unless they think it really is necessary. HOwever I do like the fact they give me every option and the why's or why when can leave it so I can choose how far I wish to go or not go.

[Jumabaar]

I get offered things, we have an intelligent discussion as to the benefits or not of doing said things, then I say yes or no. They are not upselling but offering me different things ie do I want to go in all guns blazing and do everything or do one or two things and monitor from there?

I quite often do one thing and then go the next step if and when required. If they say they really need to do "X" then I do it as they don't push anything on me unless they think it really is necessary. HOwever I do like the fact they give me every option and the why's or why when can leave it so I can choose how far I wish to go or not go.

But I dont see that as upselling either but I wonder if others do?

I see it as giving a consumer the choice on what to spend and what risks to take. ie surgery for a ruptured disk in a dog- sometimes medical therapy is the only option, sometimes you should rush in and do surgery, other times you can wait and see for 6 weeks then decide if you do surgery. And then the vet might say that they could refer to a physiotherapist.

But sometimes I get the impressions that people think that all options are equal and vets suggest the most expensive course of action as 'upselling' when it is really them not judging their client in any way and laying out all the possible treatment options.

The other area this comes up is fluids for surgery. None of my dogs have surgery (even a dental) without fluids. If a vet did either did not automatically provide fluids or did not ask me if I wanted fluids because it is not automatic I would be very unhappy. And yet there have been discussions that this too is 'upselling'.

ETA- I am just wondering if there is a gap between what the vet thinks they are saying, and what some clients hear?

Edited July 24, 2013 by Jumabaar

[tdierikx]

To me "upselling" is the adding on of services that aren't necessary - pushing hard for the most expensive (and not necessarily the best) options - purely because the vet needs to show that they are bringing money into the practice. I've seen that happen in more than one vet clinic actually...

Then there is the pushing of certain brands of medications, or foods, worm/flea treatments, etc - all because the clinic in question gets a commission on those particular products. THIS sort of "advice" and pushing the product lines they get commissions for is not relevant to my dog's issue (read reason for vet visit) on any given day. I select the medications, flea/worm treatments, and food that I know they will do best on - not what has been "recommended" because that's what the clinic want to sell.

I like to be fully involved in all diagnostics and treatment plans for my animals - and the one thing that will immediately get my hackles up is being talked AT rather than TO. The only time my dogs will visit a vet if there is something wrong with them that I cannot handle on my own. Sometimes vets need to realise that the person they are in the room with is the one person that can give them valuable information about symptomology, etc.

I'm a trainee vet's worst nightmare actually... lol!

T.

[Dame Aussie]

Completely agree T, I'm the same. Any vet that tries to push me into buying the food they stock especially loses my business.

I agree too that owners are more knowledgeable than they give themselves credit for sometimes, no one knows your dog like you and I think some vets sometimes forget that.

Edited July 24, 2013 by Aussie3

[Staff'n'Toller]

They certainly can vary wildly, as everyone here is aware especially vets or vet workers on this forum, veterinary practices are un regulated in Australia so prices for procedures can be what ever the practice sets. I would love to open a veterinary practice some time in the future, it is a great economic business venture with relativly low low start up costs to outfit, however because I am not a vet I am prevented to do that.

Sucks because its a good business to be in.

Omg that is the funniest statement i've seen all day. Vet Clinics run on 70% overheads...you have no idea...lmao.

[sandgrubber]

I would be offended if I went into a doctor's office and the place was packed with expensive, highly commercial 'healthy' foods (but no fresh fruit or veg) and well stocked with leaflets telling me about trendy medicines for maladies I may not have.The high rate of product sponsorship, not only in vet offices, but also all over the walls of vet schools, makes me doubt the objectivity of the average vet...and makes me appreciate vets who give practical, sensible advice.