Vets Bills ???

Question

Because of their ridiculous charges can vets be accused of animal cruelty.?

Answer 1

You ARE a bean-brain,aren't you?

Answer 2

Do you have any idea what the operating expenses are of a vet office? Most vets make well under $100k a year, compare that to a human doctor... the 2003 average for a vet in private practice was $77,500 before taxes. Keep in mind that some of the specialists can make $250k + which skews those numbers and makes them higher than they should be. When you pay a vet bill, especially for something like a surgery, your vet isn't making a whole lot of money. They have to pay for all of the equiptment, lease or mortgage on the building, utilities, malpractice insurance, vet techs, assistants, kennel workers... and they keep an abundant supply of medications on board, many of which go bad and get tossed at the vets expense. And then oftentimes families pay a deposit on a surgery and never pay the balance, especially in emergency cases and when the animal doesn't make it.

Most vet charges are far from ridiculous... compare any vet charge to that of a human doctor and you'll quickly find out what I mean.

Answer 3

NO, if you cannot afford to pay for the vet bills then how can you responsibly own a dog? It is not the vets responsibility to pay for your animal.
Not all vets are that expensive. Have you searched around for a cheaper vet in your area? Although typically the cheaper vets are not able to provide you with the best medical care. They do not have the latest technology to properly diagnose and treat the animals.
Medicine is expensive no matter how you look at it. The average new x-ray machine costs over $20,000. The clinic I work at just purchased a new x-ray machine and it was $50,000. The heart monitors during surgery, pulse oximeters, laboratory equipment, anesthesia machines, all very expensive. This is just a small example of the expenses that a vet incurs to give animals the best care.

Answer 4

You are under no obligation to choose a vet whos prices and practices you do not agree with. Some vets charge more, some less. More money doesn't always mean better care, but sometimes less money does mean less care.
Vets, unlike human doctors, do not have health insurances and the governmant insurances to pay bills of those who cannot afford care. If you see your doctor, you pay the co-pay for the visit, and a co-pay for your medication (usually about $20-30) and insurance pays the rest of the $$$ bill for you.
Your vet does not have this luxary. Any money he gets goes towards mortgage for the buliding, paying other doctors, techs, and receptionists, paying somoine to clean kennels, paying local taxes, paying for all medication and prescription foods ordered so he can have it in stock when you need it. paying to purchase lab machines to run blood work, microscopes, xray machine, suegical equippment like tables, instruments, anesthetic machines, hoses etc, paying for bandages, syringes, vaccines, test kits, and medical and malpractice insurance for his staff. I'm sure there is more I'm forgetting.
I'm really tired of people saying "that costs more than my medical care"-thats just bull. I recently got a cat bite at work, I scrubbed it for 15 minutes before I went to the doctor (during normal hours) and when I got there the nurese saw me, asked if I scrubbed, the Dr came in asked a couple questions, sent the nurse back in with a couple of bangages to prevent swelling, and gave me a script to fill at the pharmacy. I did not have to pay the bill, insurance did, but I did get a statement. It was $75.00 for the visit, $40.00 for medical supplies, and $88.00 for my 10 day script! I then rechecked as directed in 10 days, another $75.00 for the Dr to say fill this script for another 4 days, which was another $35.00.
I don't think you can tell me your vet charges $75 just to LOOK (not diagnostics) at your pet and $40 for a bandaid on a leg!
Pets cost money, sometimes a lot. If its too much, don't have the animal-no one made you get it it was your choice.

Answer 5

no. Vets take an oath to help NOT hurt animals. You pay for the services that they do to help your animal. sure they can over charge you but they are NOT harming your animal in any way. If you feel you are being charged too much call around for a more reasonably priced vet.

Answer 6

I wouldn't call it animal cruelty. Vets do not get paid as much as medical doctors. There isn't really pet insurance to help with test and scripts. I have spent a fortune on my 3 dogs. I hate it, but I know that is just what you deal with them you have pets.

Answer 7

Change your vet. They're not all like that. And take out insurance.
Vets are expected to have all the latest training, drugs and equipment. Where would you find the money to spend 7 years at uni, start up a practice, kit out an operating theatre and find £250,000 for an x-ray machine? The staff wages and insurance, the kennelling and post op care; none of this is free.
Not all vets are money grabbing, find one of those instead.

Answer 8

What makes you say their prices are ridiculous? Just because they charge a lot doesn't mean they charge too much. You are paying for medical expertise and the products used. Would you like to go to a person doctor that charges bargain rates? If so, would that doctor be less cruel?

Answer 9

It's not outrageous. Vets spend hundreds of thousands on school, and hospitals cost a ton of money to run. It's a lot of money, but it's not like they are making $200,000 a year. (I know several vets personally; they don't make a ton of money. It's not like doctors...they don't make as much.)

Let me qualify: I'm talking about small animal vets. I don't know abotu large animal vets. I'm also talking about the ones I know, I'm sure there are some who make more.

Answer 10

I do agree with you that vet charges alot of money..And yes they can charge the vet for animal cruelty if they hurt them on purpose..

Answer 11

Of course not. Nothing says you *have* to have a pet or an animal in your care. No animal, no "ridiculous" charges.