I went to my local vet of 4+ years unexpectedly when my dog was attacked by another dog. She sustained an injury to the neck area. The vet looked at the wound, cleaned and bandaged it. No staples, stitches, pain medication, etc were given. However, when I approached the front desk, the invoice was almost $400! This occurred during regular business hours and I was an established client. I advised that I would pay $150 in cash immediately and my husband would come by with the rest on his lunch hour. They held my dog and refused to explain their charges! It is time to see if I am overreacting or if this is crazy!!
2006-12-28 08:56:29 · 15 answers · asked by Michelle 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
That is absolutely ridiculous!! They have to explain what the charges are for, call your town attorney. If a lawyer wasn't more expensive than the vet bill I would say sue. That is crazy, at the very least get a new vet but something really should be done about this. They really could be sued for that and I'm not one to sue a lot (especially for small things). Tell someone important like somebody on town council or something. Call another vet or even animal control and see what they suggest.
2006-12-28 14:28:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They cannot hold your dog. They should have accepted the payment arrangement because you've been a client of theirs for 4 years. Looks like to me they have shown their true colors and they don't care about the animals after all just all mighty dollar. I would find a new vet and when you go to the new one ask what they would do and if they would accept payment arrangements on an emergency case. You did not over act. Get the address of the Vetrinarians License Board and write a letter explaining in detail what happened. They need to know these things so future Vets can be better. Maybe some kind of action will be taken with the Vet you have in question.
2006-12-28 17:04:58 · answer #2 · answered by ajkoolkats 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They cant just hold your dog ransom! What the hell! Thats messed up!! And dont they give you a bill with everything listed and the price?
When we go to the vet they tell us everything , and how much each thing was charged for.
I think you should talk to the manager or something!
They cant do that and thats alot of money for just cleaning a wound.
You could have done that at home, 400 seems alot for just washing a wound..
2006-12-28 17:18:03 · answer #3 · answered by ashleee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legally, regardless of whether you are established or not, a vet is not allowed to turn you away for lack of payment in the case of an emergency. They may make you sign something stating you will pay the bill, however they cannot hold your dog as "ransom" for it. I would speak to the office manager or the vet about your treatment. If they are unable to help, I would talk to the Better Business Bureau in your area.
2006-12-28 17:11:41 · answer #4 · answered by skachicah35 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, that sound preposturous to me. They can't just hold your pet. If you told them ahead of time that you would pay only a portion of the cost and that it would be paid in full a short time later, and then they went ahead and did the procedure anyway, they have no right to keep your pup hostage. As for the $400 you paid for basically a cotton ball, that sounds really stupid. You are not overeaccting, that is way to much for cleaning a wound. I had a bunch of stuff done for my pet, including shots and such, and it cost me less then $100. After this ordeal is over, you get your dog back and pay all the charges , find a new vet: this one sounds shady...
2006-12-28 17:06:59 · answer #5 · answered by Dana Mulder 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that you are over reacting. You are a client and if you want an explanation of the bill then you have every legal right to know why they charged you that much. If there were no x-rays stiches or staples then that seems pretty high. If they dont' show you the bill then I would tell them this is the last time you are goign to use their services due to lack of communitcation. It sounds liek they are trying ot pull a fast one.
2006-12-28 17:05:32 · answer #6 · answered by WINGS 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gee my vet lets me make payments when needed, never holds my dog till paid, and not explaining the charges? I don't get it, I do hope that your husband got the dog back, I would not let that vet or the office near the dog again, find a new vet
2006-12-28 21:14:29 · answer #7 · answered by Scooter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that they refused to explain their charges is extremely suspicious! That is unethical business! I'm not sure if they can legally hold your dog until you pay but I know I would be FURIOUS. I would definately talk to the Better Business Bureau or someone about the fact that they would not explain their charges...that seems to be the most surprising part.
Find a new vet!!!!
2006-12-28 17:00:00 · answer #8 · answered by LittleRoo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
contact your local attorney general and report this incident . Also in the meantime find another vet and then alert the local media ,tv newspaper anybody who can get your story out there no telling how many people they have done this too already .he sounds like an unscrupulous vet. I cannot believe this . can you tell us where you live so we do not get sucked in by this vet? good luck to you and god bless you.
2006-12-28 19:14:09 · answer #9 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your local city or county attorney's office as well as the Attorney General for your area. You may have a case of unfair billing on your hands and it may indeed be illegal for them to hold your dog in lieu of payment. It depends on property laws for your area, but at least you could get answers this way.
2006-12-28 17:02:09 · answer #10 · answered by thewildeman2 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋