at last an investigation into vets' fees

[chirpychirpy]

Finally an investigation into the appalling racket of extortionate vets fees, on ITV1's Tonight programme at 8pm. Let's hope this leads to some form of government monitoring and clampdown. Don't you think it's about time this happened to vets and private dentists?

[ladybird49]

yes to both its extortion!
with the vets we have to pay whatever it costs ...emotional blackmail ...

[paraffin]

Couldn't agree more - well said !!!!!!!!

[garner]

Definitely..not before time, they play on your heart strings but in saying that , we need them for our pals, but I think some standard charges should be shown in vets and then at least we choose who we use.

[Lil'Lucy]

How much do vets earn?

[puddicat]

Too Much!!

[lankeela]

I am more than happy with my vet. He has a 'one man band' practice' with occasional locum help. The cost of training and setting up a surgery is extremely expensive, although he dos his best to keep costs down and will always do a deal with owners with several animals or ongoing treatment.

The bigger practices with veterinary hospitals tend to charge a lot more, and it is a case of check out the options and find a vet you are happy with.

[Auntiemoll]

I think after that programme if my elderly cat was diagnosed with a problem that needed expensive treatment I would go to another vet for a second opinion, I think the answer is shop around if you are lucky enough to live in a town that has a number of vet practises.

I used to work in one of the big five banks, and the richest accounts by far were vets and dentists!!!!!!

[woozer]

Just got a quote for booster jabs for my cat - one vet wants �10.00 or �15.00 with the Leukaemia added - but you cant make an appointment you just have to sit in a cold grotty waiting room. The other vet wants �27.50 or �35.00 but I can make an appointment and the waiting room is warm and clean.
Guess I am in for a long cold wait !

[jules77]

My vet is not the cheapest, and has gone from two vets when they started around 40 years ago, to a group of surgeries, one with a hospital with 24/7 care. They are not the cheapest, but I wouldnt trust any others around here.

On the other hand, my friend has just found a fab vet, �10 for a callout, happy to do 'terms' if you havnt got insurance to pay for expensive treatment, and didnt charge her for a Rescue dog she took in recently.

[tamborine]

Most insurances have an excess charge and soon as the vet is aware the costs are bumped up to qualify for insurance cover.

[ester]

as a vet myself hope i can help:
-any treatment should be an informed team effort, agreed by owner and vet together
-any client is free to choose another practice-there is consumer choice to move to another practice if you are not happy with an estimate
-costs vary depending on service, equipment and expertise-these cost more than a basic service-you choose. the program highlighted however that sometimes poor treatment CAN come with high prices-avoid by personal recommendation, RCVS standards, visit a practice and ask to look round, plus common sense
-charges should be displayed and transparent-yes
-estimates are often just that though, as each pet is unique and illness is individual-our practice treats as individuals
-vet salaries are easily googled-a survey gives 30-50k as average depending on experience.ie a third to half a GP salary.
-second opinions or referral to a sepcialist centre-always available if requested. Caution-may be OTT for a simple problem, and involve more expense.
-insurance-'bumping up' would be unethical. however many owners rightly take out insurance so that their pet can have good treatment without worry-ie if there are 2 treatment options and the cheaper one is less safe or effective, then its right to go with the other option.
Hope this helps. Most vets are committed, caring and not in the job for finacial reward-the program highlighted that there are a few 'bad eggs', which is very sad-vote with your feet and use the good practices, but remember in all sectors (and vets are no exception) you GENERALLY get what you pay for.

[Prudentia]

I would never complain about our vets fees, his practice is brilliant, caring and totally committed to loving and caring for our little cat corky, bluehousevets.