Viewer Viewpoint
And now, a few words from our viewers... .

Veterinary Care Costs - Viewer Comments Part II
Prompted by recent forum posts and a viewer submitted piece titled: "Money Hungry Vets" vs "Proper" Ownership". I wrote an article discussing ways the Internet can help pet owners, and what the Internet cannot do. (Please see: Veterinary Q & A: Help I need a Diagnosis!).

Please click here for Part I of the viewer comments on veterinary care costs.

Additional Viewer Viewpoints & Opinions

Veterinary Fees
Submitted by Brian, RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician)
I am a registered veterinary technician and the last job I had in a veterinary clinic did not pay enough for me to live on. I am now running my own pet sitting business and hoping I can make a living doing this.

I understand people do not want to pay high prices for veterinary care. But there is also a huge problem of veterinary technicians leaving the profession, or at least attempting to do something else with their veterinary technology degree besides working in a veterinary hospital as I am doing.

People do not understand all it takes to run a veterinary clinic. Not only is there electricity, water, and the cost of owning or renting the building, but people must be paid. And if they are not paid enough to live on, whether technicians or assistants trained on the job, they will have no choice but to leave the position and possibly the veterinary field. This does not allow the best care for the pets, because those working at veterinary hospitals may not be the best qualified, but those who can financially afford to work there, possibly because a spouse is making more money. I do not think that is the way it should be after I have spent much time and money to be a registered veterinary professional.

While doctors of veterinary medicine generally make more money than technicians, I do not feel they are overpaid.  Many say it is harder to get a veterinary degree than a medical degree. Plus they have spent a lot of money on vet school and pre-vet education.  They often come in to the clinic to check on patients during evenings and weekends and take paper work home with them, while being paid much less than a human doctor would be with the same amount of experience. I think everyone in the veterinary profession is very underpaid, and if we were paid what we were really worth very few could afford veterinary care.

I agree that if people can not afford to have a pet, they should not have one. Many of us make financial sacrifices to be in this field. I do not think it is asking too much for people who own pets to spend less money in other areas so they can better afford veterinary care, and if they choose to spend their money elsewhere, then they should also chose not to own a pet.  Some pet owners actually do live in poverty and money for veterinary care may not exist, however some choose to spend a lot of money on unnecessary items and services instead of prioritizing what their money is spent on. If the health of someone's pet is important to them they should be willing to pay what the professional care is worth.

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NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in the Viewer Viewpoint
are not necessarily your Guide's views and opinions.

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