Vet bills

[EGuitarStar]

We were planning to get a cat as our little one loves them and always wants to go over to the neighbours house to see and play with their cats.

Given this thread and costs for insurance and vet fees it's putting me off.

I had a cat (Tom) when I was young and he only went to the vet in his early years as he was a home cat and then developed cancer at the age of 15 and vets told us best to put him down.

 

[Calpol]

There’s an inneresting factoid I read somewhere that goes along the lines of:

75% of uk vet practices are all owned by 4 major venture capital companies.

Says it all, really.

This is the reason. I beleive its 60% of practices operated by 6 major players.
VC money came into to consolidate veterinary services about a decade a go. Our local vet sold up and pricing went up 30% over night. There is currently a CMA enquiry into Vet services
CMA Investigation into Vet Services

 

[Droolinggimp]

Having pets myself and in the past, I am all for being taxed to help towards an animal health service, pretty much an NHS for pets.

 

[coughlanio]

Touch wood, I've not had any issues with our dog. I did make sure to take out pretty hefty coverage for him when we got him though, think we pay ~£60 per month, and that's for £15k cover per year, which starts to decrease from 9 years I think. Few times I've taken him to the vet, I've just paid out of pocket as it's generally been less than the £99 excess.

 

[LOAM]

Both our cats died about three years ago, we probably would have got another or more likely a puppy (the girls are desperate for a dog) but spiraling vet / insurance costs are a contributing factor as to why we will never get another pet. I feel that's a real shame but they're a luxury these days that are simply unaffordable.

 

[Lonewolf]

Both our cats died about three years ago, we probably would have got another or more likely a puppy (the girls are desperate for a dog) but spiraling vet / insurance costs are a contributing factor as to why we will never get another pet. I feel that's a real shame but they're a luxury these days that are simply unaffordable.

I have two cats, indoor cats and the insurance has gone up from £66 per month to £77. My cats are only 7, god only know what it will be when they’re in there teens.

 

[BDEE]

I could rant for hours about Vet bills, I swear that UK Vets simply prey on us being a nation of animal lovers. They're like modern versions of the stereotype tradesmen from the 1970s and 80s, you know...the *breath through teeth* ooh...I dunno love, looks bad, its gonna costya brigade. They do very little during a consultation or examination and then turn around and say right, thats £300 for the 20min examination, you'll need these 3 tablets and they are £150, so if you go to reception they'll take the £450 off you, thanks bye. *returns to counting gold coins into their pot*

It isn't the vets, on the whole. The vets are aslo getting ripped off.

It is the likes of CVH, medivet and VP who are buying up private practives in droves, hiking fees, underpaying the staff, and returning huge amounts to shareholders (CVH) / directors (in the case of VP)

 

[drakioned]

No vet I’ve met seems to have money, it really is just the corporates taking their cut. I feel sorry for the vets themselves, they apparently have some of the highest rates of suicide of any job, which I can certainly imagine if they have to put down curable animals due and owners taking stuff out on them

 

[Haggisman]

I have two cats, indoor cats and the insurance has gone up from £66 per month to £77. My cats are only 7, god only know what it will be when they’re in there teens.

Yeah... considering cancelling the insurance for our 16 year old this year, the renewal has come through and it's £50/month! A lot of places won't do a new policy for over 10 years old, and they all want a 20% additional excess on top of the fixed excess amount. So for a £1,000 payment, we'd still end up paying £3-400 depending on our chosen excess!

 

[That Jekka Gal]

It isn't the vets, on the whole. The vets are aslo getting ripped off.

It is the likes of CVH, medivet and VP who are buying up private practives in droves, hiking fees, underpaying the staff, and returning huge amounts to shareholders (CVH) / directors (in the case of VP)

I’ve certainly used vets that are following the business plan of their masters.
A while ago one recommended my cat had an MRI - £1k+ - for an ostensibly minor condition.

I questioned the necessity of this and he agreed it was perhaps slightly over the top. 3 days later, the cat is as right as rain.

Call me cynical…