Has anyone had high bills from vets?

[tonywiltshire]

I have had some very high veterinary bills, which were not insured, and trying to return unused in-date medication for a credit has proved impossible, I get the feeling I am not getting value for money but for the sake of my animals I say nothing at the surgery, and I have some knowledge of civil law. Has anyone else suffered from high bills from vets?

[bednobs]

yes, everyone who goes to a vet suffers high bills. I'm not sure why your knowledge of civil law would help you pay a vets bill though!

[bednobs]

ps, there are many vets available. if you feel your particular vet is not value for money, find out how much it would cost at another

[naomi24]

I don't think it's unusual. Two of my dogs have eye problems, and their medication - a tiny tube of cream - costs over £40 a time.

I had to take one of them to a specialist centre, and the consultation which lasted all of 5 minutes, was £80. Keeping pets is not cheap.

[shoota]

My son had to pay £38.40 just to be told that therewas no change in his dogs condition - took the 'vet' 30 seconds.
Rip off Britain............

[wolf63]

As with human medication once you have the drugs they have to be either used or destroyed. Any that are returned to the surgery are destroyed. I pay £70 for each asthma inhaler for my little tom cat Frankie.

Here is a list of average vets prices - http://www.tescobank....ins/elh/vet-fees.html

It is expensive having a furry family ;-)

[wolf63]

I have been with my vets practice for over 30 years and I trust them. I have to take my monster in every six months for a check-up and I have to pay about £30 for that - but they have only started charging for that.

[bednobs]

regarding meds, we are just used to paying low prices for us because the NHS subsidises them. If people had to pay the retail price for their meds, vet meds wouldn't come as such a surprise

[Big Jenny]

Has anyone ever had a LOW bill from a vet? They know they can charge whatever they like, because most of us are soppy over our pets, and wouldn't argue with the cost of treatment for fear of appearing mean or unfeeling. I have always thought that pet owners are being ripped-off, but as all vets charge way too much, we have little alternative but to go to one of them if our pets are ill.

BJ

[naomi24]

Wolf, you should have one of my dogs. A huge beast of a teddy bear who's terrified of the vets and has to be anaesthetised at the cost of over £200 to have his claws clipped - and even had to be put out to be microchipped! We get his teeth cleaned, his coat clipped, any anything else that needs doing at the same time - but what a wuss! I love him though. :o)

[wolf63]

naomi - what breed is he? My first love/first dog was a GSD/Bull-mastiff - he was just like Scooby Doo.

[paddywak]

I'll find out on Monday, when Max goes in for an X-Ray and tests for a spleanic tumour. Luckily he's insured but I'd have paid anyway.

[tonywiltshire]

Because bednobs I do not think I am getting value for money. I am concerned over changing vets in case the animals do not get the best attention; I am quite silly over my animals.
Last attempt to return in-date unused medication the day after after issue I was informed they could not accept return as they did not know I had stored it correctly, I had paid over £100 .

Well said Jenny.

[naomi24]

Jenny, when my cat was run over by a car at 7am on a Sunday morning, I called the vet who met me within 15 minutes at the surgery - but the cat died on the table. My vet didn't charge me a penny. I know treatment is expensive, but at our surgery when push comes to shove, those people really are caring.

[NoMercy]

Vets charge exorbitant prices but you've got to grin and bear it.

Alfie's last trip cost £100 for ear drops, eye drops and steroidal shampoo.

[bednobs]

i still don't see how your knowledge of civil law is going to help you. Vets are a free market, and they should tell you how much it will cost (if you ask them) before treatment is given, leaving you free to shop around if you don't think it's good value. iIt's not their fault you stay with them because you are soppy!
It's like getting your car fixed - some garages are better value for money, but you can chose which one you go to. Are you implying you are going tosue them because you don't feel you had value for money? I can't see in what other way a knowledge of civil law would help. Can you spell it out for me, because it seems i am just being thick today

[tonywiltshire]

I think that is the problem paddywak they know we will pay.

[wolf63]

Worse still - last time I went to the vet the two previous patients had their anal glands emptied and the place was reeking. Frankie wasn't impressed and neither was Wolf.

:-)

[shaneystar2]

The very last bill I had for Shaney was a tad short of a five hundred pounds only to be told there was nothing they could do for him and he was put to sleep.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Naomi, you should have one of my cats. Recent pregnant kitten who dumped herself on us. Had kittens. Wheezing chest. Hospital, blood tests, laparoscopy. Bill £914! Diagnosis: nothing wrong.

[tonywiltshire]

You are right bednobs, I am just silly with animals.

Good luck with Max paddywak.

They are worth the money but do not live long enough.