Specialist Vet Appointment Issues

[Snout Girl]

I need some advice of how to approach a situation diplomatically.

Both of my pugs require 6 monthly check ups at the same specialist vet.

The vet is a bit of a drive, and only available limited business hours so any appointments require me to take time off work. It is for this reason that last time I took both together.

Last time I booked 3 months in advance so I could get back to back appointments. The appointments are allocated to half an hour each and cost (from memory) around $150 each. So not cheap.

On my last visit I was called in at the time of the first appointment (4pm) expecting one dog to be examined and discussed until 4.30pm and then the second dog to be examined/discussed between 4.30pm and 5pm.

We were back out the door having had both dogs examined by 4.15pm.

They charged me for 2 appointments (almost $300).

It was just a routine examination, no tests, no scans, no medications.

I felt ripped off having to pay for 2 appointments that were meant to run for an hour and we were out the door in 15 minutes for both.

It is now time for the boys to be examined again, but I have been putting it off as I fear a confrontation when I ring to book and want only one appointment, knowing this is ample time for both to be examined.

I understand the high costs of specialist veterinarians but it just didn’t seem fair to pay for an hour’s worth of appointments only to be done 15 minutes into the first.

How would others approach this?

[flame ryder]

I have had a similar thing happen at a vets visit. Now when I phone to make the appointment I ask how much it will be, then after the appointment if the bill is more than I was quoted I will ask why.

[RiverStar-Aura]

I'd be ringing and booking one appointment only for the two dogs. Let the receptionist know what you experienced last time and hopefully they'll be understanding. Just say that you'd like to book one apt for both dogs because last time you were only in the consult room for 15 minutes for both.

The way I see it, with my regular vet, I'll book one apt and be in consult for as long as needed. That can range anything from 10 minutes to an hour and I would think the specialist would be similar.

[Snippy]

I think just be honest with them. Let them know what happened last time and just say you were confused. Sometimes they will realise they have made a mistake and correct it. See if they offer you a satisfactory explanation for why you were charged that much last time and if they do, then problem solved. If they don't then you need to be assertive and tell them that you are not happy with being charged unfairly. State your reasons and understanding of their charging policy. It seems rude to me to not have the courtesy to give you the time you paid for (or at least half of it) and if there was no reason to keep you there for longer than the half hour, imo some sort of price reduction is in order. I understand, as you also said, that specialist vet consults are pricey. Time for expertise and all that, but a good vet has "bedside manner" and that should extend to having the courtesy to either: spend the time with you/on your pets or be fair on pricing.

[ness]

Is that a follow up consult rate or the normal first appointment rate. My girl has had on-going specialist consults and the on-going rate is less then the standard first appointment rate. I can't say I look carefully how long her appointments are but she does get a thorough going over each appointment (its on-going ortho related issues).