Todd Meredith wrote:
If that's the opinion you're getting from your get, you need to find another.  A good vet is no different than having a good personal physician, a good dentist or a good barber.  When you don't trust the opinion or services of someone, the best bet is to find one with whom you can relate.

Keep in mind that not everything any of those professionals tell you is something you want to hear.  Sometimes the worst news is just the truth and that can be extremely hard to accept.

Good advice.

What Fun Productions wrote:
It is my opinion they are a bunch of greedy f**ks that play on people's emotions.

If you truly feel that way, please never get an animal, ever.

What Fun Productions wrote:
It is my opinion they are a bunch of greedy f**ks that play on people's emotions.

I find that a lot of the vet clinics near me do try to up sell and push for unnecessary treatments and over charge for their services, and it does take a quite a bit of research, but you ought to be able to find a reputable veterinarian in your area thats decently priced. I prefer holistic providers over traditional. I don't like being pressured into paying for vaccinations, and boosters etc. Or resorting to antibiotics unless its absolutely necessary as a last resort.

Emergency pet insurance is an option, although you'll want to have a very clear understanding of the terms and conditions. Policys generally require a physical exam with in the first two weeks of coverage and will not cover any pre existing conditions.

Another option is to deposit $100 into a savings account every month for emergencies. A general rule of thumb is a minimum of $100 per pet. This is more preferable to people than paying for insurance who don't like annual raised premiums. The advantage being that the emergency funds not used during your pets lifetime will go back into your pocket. On the other hand an insurance policy might be more ideal for someone who'd have a hard time committing to a savings account for their pet.

Todd Meredith wrote:
If that's the opinion you're getting from your get, you need to find another.  A good vet is no different than having a good personal physician, a good dentist or a good barber.  When you don't trust the opinion or services of someone, the best bet is to find one with whom you can relate.

Keep in mind that not everything any of those professionals tell you is something you want to hear.  Sometimes the worst news is just the truth and that can be extremely hard to accept.

My father was a vet, specialising in large (farm) animals, he didnt have much time for small animal vets. He'd treat a pet if essential but was brutally honest n saying "ma'am i think your little miffy is suffering, we can do a kidney bypass for 3 billion dollars, and we'll probably lose him in 2-3 months any way, or i recommend we end his suffering, would you like to have a cup of tea with my wife while i do the nessesary? "

(im paraphrasing)

I lked my dad's approach

Natural Means wrote:

My father was a vet, specialising in large (farm) animals, he didnt have much time for small animal vets. He'd treat a pet if essential but was brutally honest n saying "ma'am i think your little miffy is suffering, we can do a kidney bypass for 3 billion dollars, and we'll probably lose him in 2-3 months any way, or i recommend we end his suffering, would you like to have a cup of tea with my wife while i do the nessesary? "

(im paraphrasing)

I lked my dad's approach

It appears your dad was a good man and a realist.  I commend him on his approach and compassion.   

The animals that share my home are a part of my family.  My belief is it is my obligation is to provide them with a quality of life on the same level I provide for the rest of my family.

What Fun Productions wrote:
It is my opinion they are a bunch of greedy f**ks that play on people's emotions.

So what's your solution? Will you bitch and moan about what heartless ripoffs veterinarians are, but still get your pet treated, or will you stand your moral ground and let your pet suffer?

What Fun Productions wrote:
It is my opinion they are a bunch of greedy f**ks that play on people's emotions.

So, to summarize, they're humans.

OK, it is so noted.

Eric212Grapher wrote:

If you truly feel that way, please never get an animal, ever.

Really?

Orca Bay Images wrote:

So what's your solution? Will you bitch and moan about what heartless ripoffs veterinarians are, but still get your pet treated, or will you stand your moral ground and let your pet suffer?

Really?

What Fun Productions wrote:
It is my opinion they are a bunch of greedy f**ks that play on people's emotions.

From my own personal experiences with them, it is my opinion that you are absolutely correct.

Orca Bay Images wrote:
So what's your solution? Will you bitch and moan about what heartless ripoffs veterinarians are, but still get your pet treated, or will you stand your moral ground and let your pet suffer?

What Fun Productions wrote:
Really?

Is that all you can come up with?

Okay. Really. It's a dead-serious question.

You have one or more pets apparently in need of a vet. You despise and mistrust veterinarians. What are you planning to do about it?

Orca Bay Images wrote:
Is that all you can come up with?

Okay. Really. It's a dead-serious question.

You have one or more pets apparently in need of a vet. You despise and mistrust veterinarians. What are you planning to do about it?

Really lame.

I have a lifetime of being the guardian for many pets including dogs, cats and water turtles. I have spent whatever it takes to keep them healthy, including annual exams and vaccinations. All our pets have come from shelters. For example, I just spent over $1500 for a radiation treatment for our cat of 15 years, for a thyroid issue.

My feelings about Vets arises not only from my own experience... but also from friends and family. Many Vets use emotional blackmail and guilt to line their pocketbooks.

So yes, they're greedy f**cks that play on peoples emotions and love of their pets.

What Fun Productions wrote:
Really lame.

I have a lifetime of being the guardian for many pets including dogs, cats and water turtles. I have spent whatever it takes to keep them healthy, including annual exams and vaccinations. All our pets have come from shelters. For example, I just spent over $1500 for a radiation treatment for our cat of 15 years, for a thyroid issue.

My feelings about Vets arises not only from my own experience... but also from friends and family. Many Vets use emotional blackmail and guilt to line their pocketbooks.

So yes, they're greedy f**cks that play on peoples emotions and love of their pets.

Maybe.  Maybe they are giving you options and because of your emotions, you are failing to make rational decisions based on facts, economics, probability and science.  They may be misrepresenting facts for profit motivations, they may be offering you their best advice.  Is it their fault if you go into their office unprepared with facts?  For instance, heart worm prevention. The manufacturers recommend a pill a month, for the brand I use.  However, that isn't because once a month is needed, it is because they want you to be on a schedule so you don't forget.  But if you look into the dosage and the effective duration, it could be every 60 days. My dog gets one every 45 days in mosquito season and probably won't get any in late December, January or February because, here at least, there are no mosquitos then. They offer Lyme's vaccination but Lymes doesn't impact dogs the way it does humans. They are giving you the choice to take care of your animal by offering it.  Or, if you bothered to investigate, you could make an informed decision that it is not economically or medically required. You are choosing to make emotional decisions and then blaming them.  They may have you by the ovaries the first time they suggest something, but the next time you are in there, it is on you.

In the meantime, the car dealer, the convenience store, the gas companies, the cable company, are all trying to charge you the most money that they can because they are trying to make a profit on top of their expenses.  Many of them do not have staggering student debt from college and Vet school.  Why should the vet live below their potential when you just pay the price as listed, or negotiate your best deal, everywhere else?

My last dog had breast cancer.  I paid a fee I really couldn't afford to have it removed.  When the cancer came back, I fed her and cared for her until killing her was the best option for her.  All the money in the world would not have made that dog live forever, so there is a time to cut your losses.

Eric212Grapher wrote:
If you truly feel that way, please never get an animal, ever.

What Fun Productions wrote:
Really?

Really.

Eric212Grapher wrote:
If you truly feel that way, please never get an animal, ever.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/forums/post … st19832098

What Fun Productions wrote:
It is my opinion they are a bunch of greedy f**ks that play on people's emotions.

Eric212Grapher wrote:
If you truly feel that way, please never get an animal, ever.

What Fun Productions wrote:
Really?

Eric212Grapher wrote:
Really.

Your ability to toss all vets into the same barrel of your limited experiences of your and your friends' experiences is why I believe you are unsuited for the care of any animal. As I said, "if you truly feel that way," you are less likely to take your animal to the vet when it needs professional care.  That is the HUGE problem I have with your original statement. You never allowed for the possibility that a vet may be telling you what is best for the animal, rather than what's best for your pocketbook.

While you may not have found a decent vet, please do not generalize that all vets are greedy and play off our emotions. That is insulting, and dare I say, prejudice. You are judging an entire group by the actions of the few you and your friends have met. You are also placing your opinions of the animals' medical care above that of a trained, experienced veterinarian.

So, yes, really.

Eric212Grapher wrote:
You never allowed for the possibility that a vet may be telling you what is best for the animal, rather than what's best for your pocketbook.

You miss the point, they tell you what is best for THEIR pocketbook.

What Fun Productions wrote:
You miss the point, they tell you what is best for THEIR pocketbook.

All I can tell you is that being a responsible pet owner involves lining SOMEONE'S pocketbook on a regular basis. So, either do it, or don't. Your call.

What Fun Productions wrote:

You miss the point, they tell you what is best for THEIR pocketbook.

Several people have made the point that you are painting ALL veterinarians with a broad brush- accusing them ALL of having only one mindset.

I know of NO group who has that uniformity of thought.

There are many tender-hearted, giving people who do their level best to provide ethical, humane care for peoples beloved pets.  And you are absolutely correct- there are some who do everything they can to take advantage of an emotional time to line their pockets.

There are angels and shitheads in absolutely every profession, and you know that is true.

rfordphotos wrote:
Several people have made the point that you are painting ALL veterinarians with a broad brush- accusing them ALL of having only one mindset.

I know of NO group who has that uniformity of thought.

There are many tender-hearted, giving people who do their level best to provide ethical, humane care for peoples beloved pets.  And you are absolutely correct- there are some who do everything they can to take advantage of an emotional time to line their pockets.

There are angels and shitheads in absolutely every profession, and you know that is true.

Okay.

Many vets are greedy f**ks who care about padding their pocketbooks while playing on your emotions and love for your pet.

kickfight wrote:
All I can tell you is that being a responsible pet owner involves lining SOMEONE'S pocketbook on a regular basis. So, either do it, or don't. Your call.

I do. It's the excess that is unbelievable.

$36.00 for a 1" bandage for a cat's tail. Time to apply, under one minute (This was just a small part of a $1000 bill)

$800 to clean a cat's teeth (called four vets in area all within 10% cost) Time to clean teeth, under 45 minutes + some supplies. (Also found out the Vet does not actually do the cleaning, a tech does).

$1600 to remove skin growth on my brother's dog. He asked the tech (when he picked Dog up) how long was the procedure... Answer = 30 minutes.

What Fun Productions wrote:
I do. It's the excess that is unbelievable.

$36.00 for a 1" bandage for a cat's tail. Time to apply, under one minute (This was just a small part of a $1000 bill)

$800 to clean a cat's teeth (called four vets in area all within 10% cost) Time to clean teeth, under 45 minutes + some supplies. (Also found out the Vet does not actually do the cleaning, a tech does).

$1600 to remove skin growth on my brother's dog. He asked the tech (when he picked Dog up) how long was the procedure... Answer = 30 minutes.

Did your brother ask how much the equipment cost which was used to do the job?  How much were the medical supplies that had to be disposed of and/or the cost of cleaning the tools and equipment before it could be used on another animal?  What is the overhead for maintaining the equipment and office space? What is the insurance cost of the practice broken down to the hour? Not just malpractice, but worker's comp, general liability, umbrella policy?

The cat's tail and $36 bandage: Do you expect an itemized bill? How much does the software and hardware and labor cost to do that? What is the time involved for everyone that has to be involved in the handling, inventory and record keeping of that bandage in order to produce an itemized bill.

The Vet doesn't actually do the cleaning and you are complaining?  Think of what it would cost to have the vet do it instead of a tech!

Now the big one. You compared prices with four other vets in the area and found that you were grossly overcharged.  Why, my God why, didn't you do your price comparison before the fact.  Then, you apparently didn't notice that you found four out of five vets charged a reasonable fee (a subjective conclusion) and yet you still say that MANY vets are corrupt.   

In conclusion, you are using only a small amount of the data concerning the cost (just the time the tech took, or just the bandage) that goes into a charge to determine if the charge is reasonable.  You are abdicating your responsibility as a consumer to do due diligence to after the fact bitching.  You are coming to conclusions that are not supported by the facts that you present.

I do, however, disagree with those that say you should not have any animals because the proper care of animals is also subjective. I see no indication that you treat your animals in a method that would be legally abusive (cruel) and it appears that your standard of care is higher than the minimum required by law. I do think you should consider changing vets.

Hunter  GWPB wrote:
Did your brother ask how much the equipment cost which was used to do the job?  How much were the medical supplies that had to be disposed of and/or the cost of cleaning the tools and equipment before it could be used on another animal?  What is the overhead for maintaining the equipment and office space? What is the insurance cost of the practice broken down to the hour? Not just malpractice, but worker's comp, general liability, umbrella policy?

The cat's tail and $36 bandage: Do you expect an itemized bill? How much does the software and hardware and labor cost to do that? What is the time involved for everyone that has to be involved in the handling, inventory and record keeping of that bandage in order to produce an itemized bill.

The Vet doesn't actually do the cleaning and you are complaining?  Think of what it would cost to have the vet do it instead of a tech!

Now the big one. You compared prices with four other vets in the area and found that you were grossly overcharged.  Why, my God why, didn't you do your price comparison before the fact.  Then, you apparently didn't notice that you found four out of five vets charged a reasonable fee (a subjective conclusion) and yet you still say that MANY vets are corrupt.   

In conclusion, you are using only a small amount of the data concerning the cost (just the time the tech took, or just the bandage) that goes into a charge to determine if the charge is reasonable.  You are abdicating your responsibility as a consumer to do due diligence to after the fact bitching.  You are coming to conclusions that are not supported by the facts that you present.

I do, however, disagree with those that say you should not have any animals because the proper care of animals is also subjective. I see no indication that you treat your animals in a method that would be legally abusive (cruel) and it appears that your standard of care is higher than the minimum required by law. I do think you should consider changing vets.

I understand a business has costs.

The vets in my area all have very similar pricing.... collusion? Probably, at least unspoken. I called Vets for comparison shopping before the cat's teeth cleaning. They were all around $800.

BTW, I spent the $800. Because I love my cat.

What Fun Productions wrote:

I do. It's the excess that is unbelievable.

$36.00 for a 1" bandage for a cat's tail. Time to apply, under one minute (This was just a small part of a $1000 bill)

$800 to clean a cat's teeth (called four vets in area all within 10% cost) Time to clean teeth, under 45 minutes + some supplies. (Also found out the Vet does not actually do the cleaning, a tech does).

$1600 to remove skin growth on my brother's dog. He asked the tech (when he picked Dog up) how long was the procedure... Answer = 30 minutes.

Do you think MOST photographers are greedy, too?

Look at what they charge to stand there and take a few pictures at a wedding! Heck, the good pics may have been taken by the second photographer they hired, and not even themselves.

How much does an 8x10 print really cost? A couple of bucks in paper and ink? Yet, how much does the photographer charge for that print? Time to hit the PRINT button? Answer = 3 seconds

You clearly cannot understand the costs of running their business, especially a business that has to deal with dozens of different species, medicines, and care. Do you stock a fisheye lens AND a 800mm lens in case a client needs that special work done? What about having that 50MP large format PLUS a full frame underwater case? Your client needs that photo taken NOW!

What Fun Productions wrote:
I do. It's the excess that is unbelievable.

By what specific criteria are you using the term "excess" in this context? Yeah, that seems like a lot of money. But did you get meaningful value for what you paid? Furthermore, can you quantify ANY of this at all, other than just to say "wow, that's a lot of money"? Cuz "wow, that's a lot of money" is pretty subjective.

What Fun Productions wrote:
You miss the point, they tell you what is best for THEIR pocketbook.

I must be INCREDIBLY lucky because every vet to whom I've ever taken a pet has not charged exorbitant fees for unnecessary services. Nor did I ever feel emotionally blackmailed. In fact, when my finances were tight, most worked to provide the most economical options that still fixed the problem.

Given the overhead of a veterinary practice, not to mention the debts incurred from a veterinary education, I'm kind of surprised they don't charge more.