We can't get out of the vet here for under $300, no matter what we go in for... The vets around here (big generalization coming) really like to upsell.

Posted by qazwsxedcrfv (anonymous) on May 2, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The vets here are RIDICULOUS!!

I took my sick cat to the vet..check up, blood work, and a bag of saline administered by hand..$350!! They wanted to do all these expensive tests, CT scan, xrays...they kept saying "that's the only way we'll really know what's going on, I don't want to scare you but I think it's something to consider"...I declined since my cat is 14 and I absolutely love her but was not willing to spend $1200 on her. Luckily she was better the next day, and although I spent a ludicrous amount of money, I didn't rob peter to pay paul to get her the tests they suggested. They truly play on people's emotional attachments to their pets.

Posted by chelsivia (anonymous) on May 3, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wouldn't trade my vet for anything. They were wonderful during our dog's long illness. They were caring and compassionate but, hello.....of course they are in business to make a profit, just like doctors. The last time I went to a dermatologist, they handed me a clip board with forms to fill out. I figured it was the usual patient info and privacy information. It turned out to be several pages asking me if I was interested in this or that aesthetic or cosmetic service. Talk about upselling. The fact is that since the average person has medical insurance, they don't think about how much good medical care costs. There is pet insurance available so go buy it if pet care costs are a big concern for you. If my vet suggested a test or procedure, I asked what it was for and then decided if I was willing to pay the cost. All you have to do is ask. Pets can't talk of course. It's much harder to make a diagnosis on a patient who can't tell you how they are feeling. And vets don't want to get sued for malpractice any more than people doctors do. So of course they want to gather the most information they can get. People sometimes expect their vets to work miracles but medical care and expertise cost money. And of course things cost more in a metro area like this than they do in a small town somewhere in Pa. No surprise there. So find a vet you like and trust and don't be afraid to ask about costs. And don't automatically assume everyone is "out to get you." Maybe they are just trying to do the best possible job and earn a living too.

Posted by veemcg (anonymous) on May 4, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How do we explain to starving kids in Africa (because food costs have doubled over the past few years) that we need to feed fluffy premium meat and spend $1200 to extend her life by 6 months? Meanwhile kids try to survive on pennies a day worth of rice.

Do we really need pets at all? Imagine redirecting the time and money for pets on volunteer work at the local school or senior center.

Posted by edward (anonymous) on May 5, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I refuse to take my dog to the vet anymore. Now that he's over 11 and nearing the end of his life expectancy, I refuse to get soaked for thousands of dollars. Agree with the other poster; you can hardly go in/out without getting about $400 pilfered.
Once, I asked my vet to OK a prescription to PetMeds.com and they refused. The only reason why? GREED

After this dog has passed, will never get another ...

Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on May 5, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I shopped around until I found a vet who is willing to consult (at no charge) via telephone; prefers to try more natural remedies, such as a change in diet, before resorting to medicines; happily recommends low-cost, generic, over-the-counter human medicines when appropriate; trusts my instincts as the owner and believes that I know my dog better than anyone; and finally, always asks what outcome I want to achieve after explaining the options. My dog turns eight this month, but he has the energy of a much younger dog. I thought that the dog's annual exam was expensive, but after reading some of the postings, I think I am getting a bargain -- and my vet comes to my house!

Posted by jleete (anonymous) on May 5, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Edward, with that kind of rationale, how can you justify spending money on anything other than the absolute barest of necessities?

Posted by teden (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tenden,
Personal greed--selfishness--is what drives us to justify spending money on anything other than bare essentials. So complaining about a vet being greedy after one chooses to spend lavishly on pets is crazy talk. There is nothing ultruistic about having pets but one could get a similar dose of love by replacing pets with ultruistic volunteer activities and reduce one's ecological footprint at the same time.

Posted by edward (anonymous) on May 6, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You don't explain to the child in Africa. Apples and oranges, don't you see. It is not inherently or morally wrong to have a pet that you love and provide care for, just because unpleasant, even dreadful conditions exist in this world. Such conditions have always existed in some form AND they always will exist.
There are vets that overcharge, as there are human doctors, dentists, stores, etc. But vets today offer much more in their ability help sick animals. If you do not want to provide this kind of care or WILL not spend your money in that way, it's your decision; the consequences are yours also. However, you cannot blame the vets for the fact that vet care can be costly. Have you ever been brutally honest enough to evaluate yourself? Should you really own a pet? My guess is that some of you will get bent out of shape just reading this last question. You might also make certain you have enough medical knowledge to judge the vet's decision making process. If you do, go for it, maybe you are correct in assessing whether or not a test is needed. However, many people aren't judging the vet rationally. They are reacting to the condition of there bank account primarily and everything else is secondary, perhaps even their pet's well being.

Posted by durrerfa (anonymous) on May 7, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's one ridiculous scenario.

You CAN'T get heartworm medicine without a heartworm test being administered.

The results of the test (positive or negative) will only be remediated with giving the pet heartworm medicine.

Only in cases where the pet's heart is ravished by heartworms would they not recommend HW meds (and in that case your pet is living on borrowed time anyway).

I have been in the situation where I had to reject certain tests, shots, medicines a vet prescribed, and they always give you this "tisk-tisk" attitude when you do.

It sounds simple in theory, but is hard to do in reality.

Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on May 7, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For OhTheHumanity: You are partially right about the heartworm issue, but you need do further reaseach to understand the diagnosis and treatment of heartworm. The stages and development of the disease is actually quite complicated. As you alluded to in your email, heartworm disease can be fatal. That's why vets want people to take it seriously. Just as an M.D.'s job is to advocate for a person, a vet advocates for the animal. In either case, the professional is frequently in a position where he/she must tell someone information they don't want to hear. But it's necessary if you really care for the patient. In the case of a pet, the owner will ultimately decide its fate,(vets understand this tight connection very well) but a good vet will still provide proper advice, regardless of potential cost, if he/she really cares about the animal. Vets should not "tisk-tisk", and some do, (excellent vets DO NOT) but you should want a vet who advocates for what's best for the pet rather than one who automatically changes and modifies his opinion the second he becomes aware of the owner's inability/or lack of desire to spend X amount of money. There are good insurance plans and a good vet will try to work with you without judging, unless, quite frankly, an owner shows a negligent, cavalier attitude toward the animal's welfare. People behaving like that should not expect empathy or any kind of break from a vet.

Posted by durrerfa (anonymous) on May 8, 2008 at 12:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)