Investigation into Vets Overcharging

My sister has been through chemo recently and has asked me to have her 2 Yr old dog if any thing should happen to her . Of course I love him but I'm in such quandary because I can't afford him as I live on a low income. I will have to speak with her and tell her the truth when I see her next . I won't be able to care for him because of the costs. Very upsetting for us all

Germanshepherdsmum, my dog has annual vaccinations (with the cost of the visit factored in as you would expect) but the cats are indoor cats so don't need them and I won't pump them full of stuff that is unnecessary. Also, you don't need the continual vaccinations that vets give for dogs. Titre testing show that the vaccinations last much longer than the 3 year vaccination cycle. However, if you want your dog to go to kennels for everything, they are required so I get her vaccinated. I am not anti-vax for humans but we are not generally given repeat vaccinations unless they are necessary.

It’s a difficult subject to broach, Toetoe, but does your sister have any money she could leave you to pay for looking after her dog?

Toetoe, before you make up your mind, see if the PDSA can help you with illness. There are still other things you need to pay for but if she has money, maybe she could make her will to include some of the costs involved.

Thankyou both for asking . My sister has nothing to leave . I would like the little feller as I live alone as well but to think he's only 2 and I'm 74 he will outlive me. Sister and I will need to talk

Yes, age is a consideration. Some breeds tend to live much longer than others so perhaps something to research. However, coming to live with someone he knows will help him if the worst happens to your sister - which I hope it won’t.

Thankyou GS mum yes it's a concern . I live 135 miles away from sister but spent almost 6 months caring and staying with her last year . All seems well now health wise. I believe this little feller helped her survive . I will talk to her

So pleased to hear that your sister is doing well. Yes, the little feller will have played an important part there. I hope it never happens, but it’s always sensible to plan. I hope all continues to go well. Unfortunately rescue centres are so overwhelmed that even if they accept a dog there’s no guarantee it will find a new home so I hope it doesn’t come to that.

icanhandthemback

*Germanshepherdsmum*, my dog has annual vaccinations (with the cost of the visit factored in as you would expect) but the cats are indoor cats so don't need them and I won't pump them full of stuff that is unnecessary. Also, you don't need the continual vaccinations that vets give for dogs. Titre testing show that the vaccinations last much longer than the 3 year vaccination cycle. However, if you want your dog to go to kennels for everything, they are required so I get her vaccinated. I am not anti-vax for humans but we are not generally given repeat vaccinations unless they are necessary.

I was going to mention this yesterday. My dogs breeder is adamant that dogs don’t need vaccinating after their initial course and all of the other breeders I know say the same.I would assume that dogs don’t have to show they’re vaccinated to take part in Crufts (I’d love to find out).I only vaccinate mine because, being old I worry that she might have to go into kennels if I was hospitalised and I would assume my insurance would be invalidated if she didn’t have her boosters. A lot of vets that have been taken over by big concerns will only offer Lepto 4 which is unnecessary in this country and many breeders are adamant that their puppies must only have Lepto2. I must point out that, over the years I’ve had several vets that have gone way and beyond what they needed to do to help my pets and I will be forever grateful to them and I worry that they’re now caught up in a money making system that they don’t particularly want to be part of.

I would never forgive myself if I didn’t vaccinate and my dog caught one of the diseases which vaccinations protect against. Leptospirosis for instance - carried in rats’ urine.

Yes, Germanshepherdsmum, so would I but with many of the vaccines they offer lifetime protection but we are not given that information by the vets as they keep pumping them into our animals. I would like to see real research into the effects of over vaccination but that is not in the interests of vets or vaccination manufacturers.

I would take the advice of my vet any day. I would never gamble with my dog’s health.

I trust my vet who has cared for my dogs ten years now. She vaccinates, works and flea treats her own dogs. She also recommended the lepto vax - my spaniel and lab love to swim

Do they overcharge though, or is it some pet owners who think they do. Family just had poor dog 🐶, having to have five teeth out, due to abscess, €700 . Vet pay, cost of anesthetist, nursing care, suture materials, care of equipment, post op care. Seems reasonable to me.

I have never felt that I have been overcharged. Vets study for years before qualifying and are entitled to proper remuneration for their professional skills. The equipment they use is hugely expensive. They have staff to pay (and those veterinary nurses are also professionally qualified), premises and utilities to pay for -and many choose to overlook the fact that the bottom line includes 20% VAT.

Well we are obviously not alone believing that we are overcharged as there is going to be an investigation into it.

Germanshepherdsmum

I would never forgive myself if I didn’t vaccinate and my dog caught one of the diseases which vaccinations protect against. Leptospirosis for instance - carried in rats’ urine.

That is the one that is necessary each year.

icanhandthemback

Well we are obviously not alone believing that we are overcharged as there is going to be an investigation into it.

My daughter has just seen her vet who thankfully is one who has looked at two problems and said he wouldn't put a dog through an operation for either problem. I think I will move to that practice. I may pay for a titre test this year just out of interest but some vets don't offer it.

I consider they are all necessary - if my vet has her dog vaccinated that’s good enough for me. The only one we haven’t kept up is the rabies jab she had to have before leaving Southern Ireland from where she was rescued. I hope that will never be needed in England.

I think all vaccinations are all necessary too. I did take on
an elderly dog knowing that there would be costs but he has been every penny.
Toetoe, so sorry to hear about your sister. My brother died from covid and left behind Molly, a year old Yorkie.I couldn't take her as at the time l had Finn, a very reactive border collie who would have bitten her.
Anyway, his best friend took her on, PDSA will help in our area with anyone on benefits or low income, pension credits etc. They have helped him a couple of times in the 3 years he has had Molly. That might be worth investigating if it becomes necessary.

The cost of medication has increased drastically over the last two years. When my Ruby was first diagnosed with diabetes a small phial cost about 20 euros. Towards the end of last year it was around 40 euros.

My vet here in France does not cost very much. I took Zelie to him for a check up shortly after we collected her from the refuge and he didn't charge me for that - just for the wormer and flea and tick treatment which cost about 45 euros in total.

One friend here just saved the equivalent of the insurance premiums in a separate account. Her argument was that if they didn't need it for her dog they could have a good holiday. I guess that we've been lucky - Ruby was the only with ongoing medical treatment.I've thought about saving but never got around to it.

I live in France and the fees are a fraction of what they charge in UK

I live in France and the fees are a fraction of what they are in UK

That’s not really helpful Eco.
I would imagine the OP would be eligible for the PDSA?
It’s a year old thread, so things might have changed too.

Sorry - my fault - it’s not an old thread.