Vet charges

Mcclelland · Nov 4, 2023

most folk have had the vet perform a Caesarian on ewes from time to time without eye watering charges.The other day I took my six year old collie to be checked by the vet as she appeared to be in some discomfort as she approached her time.On checking her the vet advised a Caesarian was the safest way forward.I agreed and was given a printed sheet to sign before the operation would proceed. This included a note of the charge£1175 and would I uplift the dog before closing in two hours time.My question is are such charging fair given the comparable operation and charges for sheep on the farm?most farmer would put down a ewe before paying such a charge but where a dog is concerned people like myself would pay up before losing a beloved dog?Are the vets taking a loan of us or not?

Estate fencing. · Nov 4, 2023

Mcclelland said:
most folk have had the vet perform a Caesarian on ewes from time to time without eye watering charges.The other day I took my six year old collie to be checked by the vet as she appeared to be in some discomfort as she approached her time.On checking her the vet advised a Caesarian was the safest way forward.I agreed and was given a printed sheet to sign before the operation would proceed. This included a note of the charge£1175 and would I uplift the dog before closing in two hours time.My question is are such charging fair given the comparable operation and charges for sheep on the farm?most farmer would put down a ewe before paying such a charge but where a dog is concerned people like myself would pay up before losing a beloved dog?Are the vets taking a loan of us or not?

Yeah there barstewards, how can it cost that much, the drugs would be bugger all on a dog and even if it was half a day for a vet that’s no where near that expense. Like you said they know you will pay and who wouldn’t to get a litter of pups alive out of your dog.

Optimus · Nov 4, 2023

They know most folk have insurance for pets.

If they charged us prices like that they know we'd shoot them or have a go ourselves.

Norfolk Hill Farmer · Nov 4, 2023

Trouble is it’s supply and demand, not many of us are in a position to find a different vet. All these people going to university these days, yet not enough Doctors , Dentists, or Vets

Muck Spreader · Nov 4, 2023

Optimus said:
They know most folk have insurance for pets.

If they charged us prices like that they know we'd shoot them or have a go ourselves.

The vet or the pet!

sticky · Nov 4, 2023

My wife said yesterday that we got charged £230 for the vet to come to the house and put down one of our dogs last month

It only takes one minute for the whole process.

Dry Rot · Nov 4, 2023

Under their professional code of practice, vets are required to give an estimate of costs before operating on or treating an animal if asked. I don't think professional bodies are allowed to publish guide lines for charges any more but it wasn't such a bad thing when they did. I always ask for an estimate (unless urgent) and make it clear that I also shop around. I recently sent a sharp message to a vet who described his practice as "My vet". He's not!

penntor · Nov 4, 2023

Got a Jack Russel dog I want castrated, quoted £216 from my vets. A couple of days ago I had a calving case, breach, and called the vet out. On site call, time on site and drugs, had the bill this morning, £245.79 inc VAT. How can they justify £216 to castrate the dog which I have to take to the surgery. Answer, they are dealing with the general public who will pay whatever for their pampered pet whereas I would shoot the cow if not economically viable.

AftonShepherd · Nov 4, 2023

Mcclelland said:
most folk have had the vet perform a Caesarian on ewes from time to time without eye watering charges.The other day I took my six year old collie to be checked by the vet as she appeared to be in some discomfort as she approached her time.On checking her the vet advised a Caesarian was the safest way forward.I agreed and was given a printed sheet to sign before the operation would proceed. This included a note of the charge£1175 and would I uplift the dog before closing in two hours time.My question is are such charging fair given the comparable operation and charges for sheep on the farm?most farmer would put down a ewe before paying such a charge but where a dog is concerned people like myself would pay up before losing a beloved dog?Are the vets taking a loan of us or not?

penntor said:
Got a Jack Russel dog I want castrated, quoted £216 from my vets. A couple of days ago I had a calving case, breach, and called the vet out. On site call, time on site and drugs, had the bill this morning, £245.79 inc VAT. How can they justify £216 to castrate the dog which I have to take to the surgery. Answer, they are dealing with the general public who will pay whatever for their pampered pet whereas I would shoot the cow if not economically viable.

The caesarean in particular still seems dear but in both cases a general anaesthetic is presumably required with dogs which is an added cost over the farm procedures.

I was quoted £850+VAT to remove a small (1") lump from next to a dog's nipple with the warning that it would be dearer if it got bigger. That didn't include any tests to determine if it was cancerous or not - they'd have been a good bit extra. She's nearly 11 and it doesn't seem to be bothering her too much, so she'll just have to live with it until it starts affecting her mobility or appetite

unlacedgecko · Nov 5, 2023

penntor said:
Got a Jack Russel dog I want castrated, quoted £216 from my vets. A couple of days ago I had a calving case, breach, and called the vet out. On site call, time on site and drugs, had the bill this morning, £245.79 inc VAT. How can they justify £216 to castrate the dog which I have to take to the surgery. Answer, they are dealing with the general public who will pay whatever for their pampered pet whereas I would shoot the cow if not economically viable.

Nothing to stop you shooting the dog

Dog is general anaesthetic and multiple staff involved in the op. Cow is you and the vet, plus a bit of local.

It's possible for a farm vet to run a business from the back of their truck. Pet vets need premises and all the costs that come with that. Unless you'd rather they castrate the dog on your kitchen table?

Muck Spreader · Nov 5, 2023

penntor said:
Got a Jack Russel dog I want castrated, quoted £216 from my vets. A couple of days ago I had a calving case, breach, and called the vet out. On site call, time on site and drugs, had the bill this morning, £245.79 inc VAT. How can they justify £216 to castrate the dog which I have to take to the surgery. Answer, they are dealing with the general public who will pay whatever for their pampered pet whereas I would shoot the cow if not economically viable.

Go and have a consultation with a Solicitor then say if a vet is good value for money or not. Some top marque garages are charging £150-200 per hour for labour.

BAF · Nov 5, 2023

I had a

unlacedgecko said:
Nothing to stop you shooting the dog

Dog is general anaesthetic and multiple staff involved in the op. Cow is you and the vet, plus a bit of local.

It's possible for a farm vet to run a business from the back of their truck. Pet vets need premises and all the costs that come with that. Unless you'd rather they castrate the dog on your kitchen table?

I've got an oil cloth

unlacedgecko · Nov 5, 2023

BAF said:
I had a

I've got an oil cloth

I know a Hungarian vet who spayed her pointer on the kitchen table. But that's another story.

Bangoverthebar · Nov 5, 2023

Is the op a farmer. My vet has a significant large animal practic and multiple location small animal practice. When we bring dog in, no cost as we are farm customers.

Only difference is we are in Ireland

ollie989898 · Nov 5, 2023

Norfolk Hill Farmer said:
Trouble is it’s supply and demand, not many of us are in a position to find a different vet. All these people going to university these days, yet not enough Doctors , Dentists, or Vets

You can't complain vets are too expensive one minute and then say there aren't enough of them in the next breath. The folk leaving uni will have often spent the neck end of 100K getting there. You expect everything done for £50 apparently.

Norfolk Hill Farmer · Nov 5, 2023

ollie989898 said:
You can't complain vets are too expensive one minute and then say there aren't enough of them in the next breath. The folk leaving uni will have often spent the neck end of 100K getting there.

Thats just my point, the problem is there isn’t enough of them. It shouldn’t cost that amount of money to become any of the above professions, the training should be free, so many more are incentivised to become qualified. The system is wrong.

Radnor Lad · Nov 5, 2023

Got an emergency call out this morning don’t think that will be cheap but if it fixes the issue it’s money we’ll spent

ollie989898 · Nov 5, 2023

Norfolk Hill Farmer said:
Thats just my point, the problem is there isn’t enough of them. It shouldn’t cost that amount of money to become any of the above professions, the training should be free, so many more are incentivised to become qualified. The system is wrong.

Oh so now you want the tax payer to pay for the training of vets. All those on TFF in favour of vet students getting free board and tuition raise their hand?

Norfolk Hill Farmer · Nov 5, 2023

suffolksmallholder · Nov 5, 2023

sticky said:
My wife said yesterday that we got charged £230 for the vet to come to the house and put down one of our dogs last month
It only takes one minute for the whole process.

At least there were enough vets in your practice to be able to visit you at home.
This used to be a normal and dignified end but our local practice has lost yet another Vet leaving only one, who couldn’t leave to visit us. We had to carry our old lurcher who weighs 30Kg into the truck, drive to the surgery and have the dastardly deed done on site

Many Vets are being driven away from practicing for a number of reasons. Pressure being one of the main ones.

Yes, unfortunately our practice is now part of a hedge fund

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Vet charges

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Up to 25%

25-50%

50-75%

75-100%

100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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