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Veterinary Care Costs - Viewer Comments
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Vet Care Costs
Submitted by Kathaleen
My friends and I have found that "VETS" that have joined an umbrella company are much more EXPENSIVE than your "Mom & Pop" offices. I am writing from Ft. Worth, Texas. Many of the vets that I have used in the past are no longer on my list. They perform unneeded tests, are no longer "able" to work with you in regards to "payments" and much more. It has gotten to where I ask if they are part of an organization before I make an appointment. So far, the BEST Vet on our side of town, is still independent. I have hopes he will stay that way since he is NOT the type of person that would let an organization tell him "how" to run his business.

Veterinary  Costs
Submitted by Panther
I understand the stress most serious (not elective) vet visits cause, and their costs as well. I also have become aware that there are not only obvious overhead costs like rent, equipment, and employee pay, but also paying off vet school, training, malpractice insurance, utilities, continuing education, maintenance, uniforms, advertising, business forms, cards, stationery, records keeping, and on and on.

There may be a few vets out there who we feel do not necessarily give the care they were originally in training to do. On the other hand, I have met several who seem to genuinely and  personally give compassionate care, and are starting to use healthier methods of treatment where applicable, such as cranberry extract for certain kinds of bladder conditions, instead of routine antibiotics.

Awareness is the key, I feel, on the part of both vet and of clients and their pets.

Veterinary  Costs
Submitted by Jeanie
New York State:
Veterinary Technician
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Wildlife Control
In my opinion, I don't think a person should have a pet unless they are sure that they can afford to pay for ANY vet costs.  If that pet should ever need surgery to ease pain and suffering or to make that pet's quality of life better, the person should take all this into consideration before getting a pet.  Yes, vet costs are sometimes steep... like all medical costs.  

Animal vs. Human medicine... doesn't a veterinarian also go through tough schooling, which by the way is a bit tougher because they are not just learning one species but many different species?  And vet colleges are also extremely expensive.

Should we purchase/adopt a pet without taking into consideration unexpected costs that may arise during that pet's lifetime? Doesn't that animal deserve the best veterinary care offered? Can you imagine if you were a child that was sick and needed surgery and your parents asked the doctor to just give you something to make you more comfortable? Are pets able to tell you how "comfortable" they are? Considering the amount of love & devotion received from them, I would think they'd deserve more & if I couldn't provide it, then I wouldn't purchase/adopt a pet.

 

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