Why vets charge so much

Routine desexing is not an emergency procedure and can be performed at any convenient time. When deciding to take on a new pet, you can budget in advance to afford the desexing surgery that your new pet needs. You are paying for an honest attempt to diagnose and treat a problem.

A cure is not always possible. Fees pay for an examination, appropriate tests, treatment and medication. Some problems can require long-term treatment that might need to change over time. Unfortunately, not every problem can be cured. If that happens, there is a cost if the animal has to be euthanased as it involves skilled administration of a lethal drug.

The extent of care given to any animal is determined ultimately by its owner. There are costs to owning a pet, just as with all areas of life. Every pet owner has different ideas about what is acceptable pet care. It is up to the owner to make the ultimate choice. Veterinarians are very aware that for most of us, the decision to spend money on a pet has to be balanced against the needs of the family as a whole.

You need to feel you are receiving good value. Honest and open communication between you and your vet is the path to great care for your pet. Pet insurance will mean that you are not faced with a huge bill should your animal require surgery or any other major treatment. However, most policies will not cover existing conditions or vaccinations. You can also buy most drugs online and these are generally available at much lower prices than your vet will be able to offer.

You might still have to pay a small fee for a prescription, but the savings should still be significant. We are very sorry, but the browser you are visting us with is outdated and not complient with our website security. Please upgrade your browser to a modern secure version to view our website. Vet Fees - Is your Vet Charging too much? Receive email alerts when new articles are published. Follow us. About us Mission. Reprint policy. Letters policy.

Subscribe to VIN News. Meet the news team. See more stories ». Clinical Practice. Here's a reality that pet owners sometimes forget: veterinary medicine is a business. In order to thrive, a business needs to make a profit. Unfortunately, many vet practices don't make enough profit to adequately reinvest in their businesses. Even if your vet works in a non-profit facility, a certain amount of income is needed to cover expenses and keep the facility running well.

Veterinary prices are set to stay competitive within the market, to help cover costs, and to turn a modest profit. The sad truth is that many vet practices still do not charge enough for their services because they worry about the way clients will respond. The next time you think your vet is "ripping you off" consider the following:. Highly skilled and well-trained staff costs money, but they are worth it. Sadly, most veterinarians and their staff are still very underpaid compared to their counterparts in human medicine.

Supplies, equipment, and facility costs are similar to those in human medicine, but veterinary charges to clients are set much lower than their human medicine equivalents. If you don't believe this, ask your doctor's office or local hospital about their charges for uninsured patients. Veterinary medicine is a business. A certain amount of profit is needed in order to keep the business thriving. It's one thing to have trouble affording veterinary care because you are on a fixed income or otherwise have trouble making ends meet.

If this is your financial situation, look for ways to save money on dog care. Your best bet is to look for a low-cost or non-profit veterinary center. It's also a good idea to purchase pet insurance if possible. Communicate with your vet in advance about your financial limitations.

Most vets will do anything possible to work within your budget.