Having worked in the veterinary field for a while, I feel like I have a little insight. As you said, the vets and the vet techs are doing great work and have little to no input on the prices they charge. What it really goes back to is what the businesses are having to pay for overhead: meds, equipment, database software, and employees. The prices of all that keep going up, and in order to turn a profit and make a living, they have to charge a lot. It's not the reason most people get into the field, but people work for money. Saving animals is just the way they make a living, which is a super fulfilling way to make a living. That being said, as veterinary medicine trends more and more towards corporations and chain stores, good ole capitalism steps in and then those big companies start looking more at how much profit can be made FOR THE COMPANY and less at how much profit is actually needed in order to enable vet staff to care FOR THE ANIMALS. I also get the feeling that these bigger vet corporations are starting to get into the insurance game because that's a huge money maker. The higher the prices, the more people are likely to turn to pet insurance, "just in case." It's being pushed more and more these days and might end up being necessary is prices keep rising like they have been. It's just a whole big money circus that's really lost the plot of what is at the heart of the matter, the sweet little pets. I personally feel like most vet staff would agree that you were overcharged, and the policy about paying before seeing Winnie isn't great, but there's not much they can do about it. They just wanted to save Winnie and then get paid at the end of the week. You are lucky you had a caring staff who helped out your dog. And Winnie is lucky to have an owner who is privileged enough to pay her vet bills. A lot of people can't right now, and it's no one person's, one vet's, or even one business's fault. It's just the way it is right now. Anyone who says you're being unreasonable in saying you were a little sticker shocked is clearly more privileged than most.
3 weeks ago | 7
It's an absolutely extortionate amount inflicted on pet owners during a time of intense vulnerability and distress.
3 weeks ago | 4
I'm in Nova Scotia and it costs the same $400 for a vet to come out to my barn for an hour and a half, and X-ray my horses leg compared to when I take my dog in to the vet office and get his ears and feet swabbed to see what kind of yeast or bacteria is causing him to itch again. Spoiler alert, it's always yeast and they always prescribe the same medicine but they have to charge me for a swab regardless. It's no wonder so many animals get subpar care, because people can't afford to pay for it. I don't know how people with kids and pets manage because I just have pets and it's hard to manage the cost sometimes. The ol budget shuffle because one of them needs chiro 😅
3 weeks ago | 2
I hear you. I to Took my cat to the vet end. It was going to cost $2500 dollars to remove on little lamp on its neck .after a few days. I eventually took care of the lump myself with a tail docking band. It dried up and fell off within a week.
2 weeks ago | 0
It is a crazy amount of money!! Small animal clinics are profiting off the fact that most people view their pets as an extension of their family!!! A c section on cow a number years ago done on site at farm could be done for 300$ at same time my cousin had a cat that needing c section done was 3500$$$!!!! It’s crazy! It’s not the front line staff either or the vets themselves it’s the corporations that don’t care and are exploiting people to make a buck!!!
3 weeks ago | 3
It's a ridiculous amount of money. Most people can't afford that heck most have to put their pets vet bills on some kind of credit card. I had to take my dog in and it was over $200+ for just the basic stuff. The price is overly expensive . I'm sorry that you had to pay that amount. I hope your furbaby is doing okay
3 weeks ago | 1
I can't afford an animal because if something happens I wouldn't be able to pay for anything ðŸ˜
3 weeks ago | 0
My 5 lb Yorkie was limping and acting like he hurt his leg or back so I rushed him to the vet. $4500 later for them to say he had nothing wrong with him but was likely sore from sleeping the wrong way and might have a pinched nerve.
3 weeks ago | 1
Last night 1/10/2025 our Hiefer presented with a Breech..no time to get a Vet,so myself and my Brother/Laws plus a friend from another Stud. Did what we had to do.. won't give details but I hope I don't go through that again with the remaining heifers.Little girl came into the world at 12:45 am on the 2/10/2025. She was way over due but all healthy checks by the vet today at 7 am. All Good. Draughtmasters Australia.
3 weeks ago | 1
Not normal! My cat was in an oxygen cage for 3 days, had x-rays and ultrasound plus medications. The vet checked her 2 days after hours because they didn't have overnight staff. My cat was then put down on a holiday when the vet wasn't even on call. Cost for all this: 1600 euro ish. Which wad frankly too little, I feel like I owe that vet money she barely charged anything to use her day off on helping stopping my cats suffering when my cat needed to be put down. But still. Over 10.000 is WILD for what Winnie needed. That's many times more than the actual cost.
3 weeks ago | 0
Katie Van Slyke
Do you think this amount to pay for emergency vet work is normal? Or okay? https://youtu.be/uSqVgj93dGw
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 109