by ML Harrison
Owning and caring for a pet is an honorable choice. It should not matter whether you are rich or poor. If you have a pet, you do the best that you can to care for your animal.
Pet care costs have gone overboard. I am very distressed that vets pad the bills and itemize everything to get the most out of the patient. While I understand that they have to make a living, pet owners should have the choice as to what services they can have for their pet and which services are excessive.
Recently, I had a cat that had a urinary blockage. I was presented with a bill for $677.00. Something that I just could not afford. While I understand that vets need to pay for their medical schooling, do they really need all those technicians in their office?
I have been going to the same vet's office for over 35 years with my cats and only recently when the practice was taken over by a younger vet, was I confronted with these crazy bills for services.
I never use to see such breakdowns on a bill. Shouldn't the vet just charge you for his/her services. Why should it be necessary to itemize everything so that the owner has to pay every little cost and then some. This is a scam. What they don't seem to realize is that they are losing their bread and butter patients by doing this.
When people can no longer afford pet care, animals will get sick and people will in turn get sick. I'm just sick and tired of vets who act like their selling something instead of caring for animals. Being a vet use to be an honorable profession. I no longer believe this to be true.
Comments From Your Guide:
I cannot comment on the fees charged for your cat's case, since I have no idea of the specifics, but I will say that in general, a urinary blockage is a life-threatening situation (emergency), and the medical care needed varies greatly from case to case. Blocked cats can be a "touch and go" situation that requires a lot of monitoring.
Regarding fees - communication is key. If finances are a major factor, mention that concern in initial visit. Estimating the cost of care for a case such as this can be difficult, due to the "touch and go" nature, but keeping in contact with the vet, and asking to be notified of the current charges will keep communications open. It may also influence the treatment plan and options, so be sure to ask questions and voice concerns.
The fee breakdown seen on invoices is partly due to the computer age; being able/required to inventory all of the supplies and keep track of overhead, and partly to show the client all of the services performed and supplies needed to treat the case.
Well-trained technicians are a valuable asset to a practice, increasing the time the doctor can speak to clients and treat very ill pets by peforming the more standard tasks. Practices that are able to utilize technicians effectively can reduce overhead costs by creating a more efficient working environment, thereby reducing the need to hire additional veterinarians. I have seen both sides to this -- very efficient practices with everyone knowing their tasks and getting the job done and... the opposite situation, which isn't efficient use of overhead costs.
