I found an injured kitten (approx 4 - 5 weeks old) that was in very bad condition - couldn't use its front legs. I took it to a local vet to see if anything could be done. She looked at it (no x-rays) for maybe 5 minutes and determined that it had a spinal injury and could not be saved. I agreed with her that it should be euthanized to put it out of its pain, which she agreed to do. I was very surprised to find a bill at the front desk for $125 and questioned if it could be a mistake. Apparently it was not. I paid, but I am very angry that someone could profit from a situation like this. I would think that to go into this field, a person would be an animal lover. I can understand paying costs, but not a gouging like this. I am curious what the 'standard' practice is in this type of situation for other vets.
2006-08-30 11:24:57 · 14 answers · asked by Debra K 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
A bit more info. It was not my regular vet, who is closed on Wed. afternoons, but another vet (not one of the emergency type) that is close to my home. Had the bill not been so outrageous, I may have considered a switch, and was about to make an appointment for my pet cat to get his annual shots. They definitely lost me as a potential customer.
2006-08-31 00:03:31 · update #1
You helped the cat to quit suffering. Good for you. As time goes by, you will see the money wasn't important, but the welfare of the cat was. My vet charges by the pound for euthanasia, Rarely is the cost more than $35.
2006-08-30 11:35:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Was this at an E.R. Vet Clinic? I've had 'dealings' with them before, and, you're right, they do try to gouge you...they figure, 'here's an 'ol softie;'..beaucoup bucks! They shouldn't have charged you anything; the kitten was not yours, right... You might ask your vet about it...put in a 'bad' word for that other vet...
But even if you don't get any 'satisfaction', please know you did a good thing...a lot of people wouldn't even have bothered. Hope you can take comfort in knowing, that, "What goes around, comes around!"
I know there are many who thank you; I'm sure the kitty does...
Smartycat
2006-08-30 15:06:42 · answer #2 · answered by smartycat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, many veterinarians do charge their full prices for such services. And after all, these people have gone to college, and they have high insurance, they put themselves at risk by being around dangerous chemicals and animals that may have diseases transmisable to humans and what-not, so I can see their side of the issue.
A little late for advice, but if there is an injured animal, the best thing might be to take it to a shelter or to animal control services, whatever is available in the area, because they are the ones who actually are employed to take care of these issues.
2006-08-30 11:31:40 · answer #3 · answered by JenV 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If this is not your vet, then you should expect such a high charge. Usually, vets talk to you about costs before they do any type of treatment.
If this is your regular vet, talk to him/her and ask them to adjust the charges since the animal did not belong to you. I would ask for the same consideration whether it was my regular vet or not.
When you get sucker-punched like that, it makes others think twice about trying to give assistance to an otherwise helpless animal.
Good luck!
Will D
Enterprise AL
http://www.notagz.com
2006-08-30 11:34:14 · answer #4 · answered by Will D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think most vets do it free of charge when they know it is a stray but this wasn't the case with you so I for one think you shouldn't of been charged so much and this just goes to show for every good deed somebody pays the piper
2006-08-30 11:46:22 · answer #5 · answered by yahoo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that was excessively high for a 5 minute exam and euthanasia. My vet charges $20.00.
Thank you very much for your compassion for such a wee bit of fluff. It brings tears to my eyes.
2006-08-30 11:57:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds excessive to me. like some of the others said, if it wasn't your regular vet that might have something to do with it. next time ask before you let them do anything. you still did a good thing and that's what matters most.
2006-08-30 12:28:44 · answer #7 · answered by jenms2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter that the kitten was a stray OR that it was injured. $125 is a fair charge for the service you recieved.
2006-08-30 11:30:32 · answer #8 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should'nt have paid and left they still would have euthanized that pour kitten.That vet pulled at your heart strings.
2006-08-30 12:01:51 · answer #9 · answered by sandy s 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would have gotten a second opinion
2006-08-30 13:26:45 · answer #10 · answered by macleod709 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋