"PETS UNDERCOVER" ARE VETS OVERCHARGING US? - Page 1

Of course they are. I have found what can be done in my state, can be done in another for under half what I pay. This includes x-rays, shots and meds. I am looking forward to this program. Maybe it's time we all stand up and tell our vets....THATS TOO MUCH MONEY

Yes, totally!  For some examples... A blood panel sent out that costs you $170, only costs the vet $25.  A vaccine costs $3- $7, prescription drugs cost pennies, microchips cost about $5-$10 and they charge $80-$100.  It's gross and disgusting how much they charge for things.  But remember, the vet is still a lot cheaper that your human doctor, people just don't realize this because they usually have insurance and never see what the actual cost of their visit was.

No doubt!  They do have to pay back their student loans, and make a living, and pay their staff, and pay for their facility and equipment...and the next thing you know, a service that costs them $15 to provide costs you $140.  The unfortunate part is that if the fees weren't so inflated, more pets would get routine preventative care.  Instead, owners wait until their dogs are on death's doorstep because they can't afford to spend $80 to walk in the door and ask a question, let alone the battery of tests that might follow.  

"Yes, totally!  For some examples... A blood panel sent out that costs you $170, only costs the vet $25.  A vaccine costs $3- $7, prescription drugs cost pennies, microchips cost about $5-$10 and they charge $80-$100.  It's gross and disgusting how much they charge for things.  But remember, the vet is still a lot cheaper that your human doctor, people just don't realize this because they usually have insurance and never see what the actual cost of their visit was."

So then why is it "gross and disgusting"?  I don't get it.

You admit that the vaccine costs $3-7 but add to that the freaking BUILDING, x-ray machines, microscopes, salaries for themselves & staff, computers, examination tables, centrifuges, the $100,000-$200,000 DEBT they have from attending vet school for at least 4 years, plus their undergraduate degree, maintenance on all of that equipment and on the building itself and the grounds around it and taxes on the same, on and on and on and on and on - the VET pays for all of that out of his own pocket. ALL of it.  And what, you still say it's DISGUSTING that the vet pays $3 for a vaccine and doesn't give it to you for $3??????

Marisa, you seem to get it absolutely.

the way i see it is are you happy with the service your vet provides if yes then stay where you are if not change your vet till you find one you like and are happy with i have used the same vet for over 30 years and i am happy with the service they provide not the cheapest by any means but not the dearest either but you cannot buy peace of mind and thats what i get from this vet as and when i need them.
jim h

I shopped around for a pet passport, which only included the rabies innoculation, blood testing and production of the passport.  My local vet charged £200 and if I was willing to travel about 1hr I could get that cost down to £110 - that is a HUGE difference.

Also when I was having my cat neutered my vet offered to chip him at the same time, which they did - and then charged me £25 for it - the same price you pay if you only go in for the chip!  Surely they could have discounted seeing as it wasnt taking an appointment slot up! - As a result I'm now able to chip my own animals and knowing the wholesale cost of the chips - the vets put an enourmous mark up on them - much like they do with wormers when you compare online pharmacies against your vet for the same product.

Socialize animal healthcare, too!
Oooh, you could put a tax on pet licenses to fund it!
[that's sarcasm, folks.]

It really is a catch 22.  On one hand, I can see that Vets have quite a bit of overhead- renting or paying a mortgage on their office space, the cost of equipment purchases, staff payroll, the cost of continuing education, paying off student loans...  it can add up, and the cost is passed onto us.

On the other hand, is it really our job to pay off their student loans?
Perhaps they should take a cut in pay, to make sure the rent gets payed?

I really don't have an answer.

Ultimately, I guess it all comes down to what a person is willing to pay.  In a free market system, if people refuse to pay such astronomical amounts, the vets charging them will go out of business, or lower their price.