This is my dog DIXIE enjoying herself on a walk!

VET FEES from the VET’S PERSPECTIVE

There has been publicity over the years about the rising cost of vet fees. As a vet I am concerned about the misconception some people have about why vet fees are on the increase. The most common comment made directly to myself is ‘oh! You’re a vet, you must be loaded, vet bills are so high’. In fact most vets earn a respectable wage but generally still less then their medical equivalents- doctors and dentists.

The reason that vet fees are rising is because the service being offered is getting better and better. The body of professional knowledge continually increases. Vets are able to offer more diagnostics and treatments then ever before. If they don’t charge for these services how can they offer them?

Many practices now have ultrasound machines, endoscopes and some have digital x-ray machines. Some referral practices now also have CT and MRI facilities. These pieces of equipment allow vets to diagnose conditions which would have been much more difficult before their advent. Examples of such conditions include brain tumours, spinal cord lesions, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, elbow dysplasia and pancreatic tumours.

Previous diagnostic methods may have been much more invasive and dangerous to the animal. Some conditions may not even have been possible to diagnose.

Because of these technical developments animals are able to be diagnosed and then treated for a lot more conditions now then ever before. However, the cost of purchasing these pieces of equipment can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds. Unfortunately some of the cost must be passed on to the client in the fees.

As veterinary knowledge expands animals are also treated for a variety of conditions that may have resulted in euthanasia at other times in history. Examples include successfully managing kidney failure in cats, overactive thyroids in cats, diabetes in cats and dogs, dental disease in rabbits, bladder stones in guinea pigs. Many tumours are now successfully cured or palliated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Hip replacements are now possible for dogs with debilitating hip dysplasia.

I think these advances in veterinary care are amazing!

We are very lucky in the UK to have subsidised dental care and ‘free’ health care. Of course we pay for these services with our taxes but we don’t see the actual bills for individual treatments. If we did I’m sure we would appreciate what good value veterinary care actually is!

Also, one needs to remember that the costs of running the actual premises of the surgery are increasing slowly all the time. There are mortgages, council tax, water bills, electricity and gas bills, buildings and indemnity insurance, telephone bills, internet connection, computer system hosting to consider. Waste disposal is also a huge expense for a veterinary surgery. There is clinical waste to consider as well as normal paper based waste. I’m sure there are other costs to consider that I’ve not mentioned!

Surgeries that employ fully qualified nurses will also have higher training and employment costs. It is very important the veterinary nurses and veterinarians continually refresh and update their knowledge by attending Continuing Professional Development courses. Again these cost money!

When you get your next vet bill, please remember that you are paying for the expertise of the veterinary staff and support staff, the medications and equipment costs and all the costs involved in running an actual building. Vet practices, in my experience, generally charge fairly for the services they provide and generally profits are ploughed back into the practice to keep offering better and better services.

I hope this has helped in providing some explanation about the costs of veterinary care. Also, please discuss pet insurance with your veterinary surgery. I highly recommend pet insurance so that if your beloved pet should need veterinary care for an illness or accident, the worry of the fees will be lessened.

Please visit my website www.veterinaryblonde.com

‘Compassion for animals, passion for nature’

Copyright © Shanson Ltd 2008

HOW TO UNDERSTAND YOUR VET

Having worked as a vet in small animal practice for almost nine years, I realise most clients only retain about 50% of what we discuss in the consult room.

I think this is because clients often feel stressed at the vet- they are worried about their pet, there is often quite a bit of noise, they may have waited a while in the reception area, they may not have good grounding in medical knowledge.

Unfortunately in general practice vets only have 10-15minutes per client to complete a history of the problem, physical examination of the pet, make a decision on an action plan and discuss everything with the owner. We may then have to dispense medication as well.

In this short time how can you, the pet owner, ensure you understand your vet?

My advice is to stay as calm as possible, bring a book to read whilst you wait or have a pleasant chat with the reception staff or other clients. (Obviously in an acute emergency you would be seen very quickly and would understandably be stressed but, thankfully, this is not a common reason for going to the vet).

Remember the vet wants you to understand and has the welfare of your pet as the highest priority. I have never thought an owner ignorant or stupid for asking questions so don’t be shy to say that you don’t understand. So, remember to ask the vet as many questions as you need to.

Taking notes is very helpful, then if you do forget or become confused about what was discussed, you can refer to your notes later on.

When it is very busy or your pet is especially unwell, the vet may not have much time to go into detailed explanations straight away. In this case you need to trust their expertise and wait to have a more detailed conversation later.

Sometimes it is easier to speak with your vet later on the telephone or come back for a consultation without your pet to worry about.

Other staff at the surgery can also be a wealth of information. Nurses and reception staff can often spend more time with you then the vet and can be very helpful in explaining some more common or basic problems.

Remember that the vet is on your side! We want to work as a team to ensure the best treatment for your pet. If you don’t understand just say so and ask for further explanation. I’m sure your vet will be happy to help.

Please visit my website www.veterinaryblonde.com

‘Compassion for animals, passion for nature’

Copyright © Shanson Ltd 2008