Re: Very upset over at the Vets office visit today

DSD2 · ‎01-09-2016

I will simply say that I am so sorry you had to go through all that.

Sadly, there are instances when seniors are taken advantage of and it appears that may have been the case with you.

I wish you luck in finding another vet practice, one with a heart and a conscience. The good news is that you had a good result!

Kalli · ‎03-11-2010

I recently found out my dog is diabetic. The total for regular vet and then on to the emergency vet cuz my dog's situation was critical, was $4700. You read that right. (And in one fell swoop, my emergency fund for 2 horses, a dog and a cat was almost completely depleted.)

Tomorrow I'll find out if the mass on my dog's liver has grown. If it has, I will not put him thru chemo since he's 11. I'm retired. Sadly this dog will be my last because I realize this kind of expense requires an emergency fund of at least 2x what I had.

Its sad that having pets is so expensive now that it's prohibitive for lots of folks who would otherwise provide loving homes for unwanted dogs, cats, etc.

Greed? Price gouging? No matter. Bottom line, I've been forced to say as my pets pass away, I'll have no more.

qvcaddition · ‎03-10-2010

@Marp

@Marp wrote:
@qvcaddition wrote:
This morning I received an email from the vets office. A survey on yesterdays visit.
I gave an honest one and it asked how I felt about their billing and I gave it to them. Why two different prices and i will talk to the vet.
Funny, never befor got a survey from them.
@qvcaddition, the foregoing, along with other revelations you have posted smacks of the office now being corporate owned or managed.

Since covid corporations have been buying up small, independent practices as well as raiding staff with higher paying job offers that are sometimes responsible for smaller practices being forced to sell. Of course all of this has significantly increased vet costs.

I agree, but to charge my son 40. on Friday and me 65 on Wed. was my complaint. Didn't make sense. Same test.

They didn't realize I knew of this and that was my argument with them. They were caught just charging what they felt They also didn,t realize I had a relative that had just gone in and I had checked with the front desk before to make sure I would not be charged more than what he was charged.

I had a picture of his bill on my phone and they refused to look at it or even his chart. They were caught cheating me.

I know cost have gone up, but this was down right not right.

qvcaddition · ‎03-10-2010

@Kalli

@Kalli wrote:
I recently found out my dog is diabetic. The total for regular vet and then on to the emergency vet cuz my dog's situation was critical, was $4700. You read that right. (And in one fell swoop, my emergency fund for 2 horses, a dog and a cat was almost completely depleted.)

Tomorrow I'll find out if the mass on my dog's liver has grown. If it has, I will not put him thru chemo since he's 11. I'm retired. Sadly this dog will be my last because I realize this kind of expense requires an emergency fund of at least 2x what I had.

Its sad that having pets is so expensive now that it's prohibitive for lots of folks who would otherwise provide loving homes for unwanted dogs, cats, etc.

Greed? Price gouging? No matter. Bottom line, I've been forced to say as my pets pass away, I'll have no more.

I'm so sorry about your poor dog and what you are going through.
Can the SPCA in your area help you? A person posted here that they can give some help to Seniors. Surgeries was one and when you have to put the animal down, is another.
My prayers with you and your dog.
I just checked, Major surgeries, along with what I stated above.
If you can read the post from Spumoni 99 on the 3rd page here.

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

Hi @Kalli

It's hard for most in our age categories to come up with the kind of money you mentioned for your dog. Is this 1 dog that has the mass on his liver, and diabetic? I talk with my sister about our pets, and she many times mentions her equine Vet, but we never discuss costs.

At my age and the longevity of indoor cats? It makes no sense to add any more to our furry family. My wife is younger than me, but we know chronological age, at times means very little.

My wife decided to adopt 2 kittens a few months ago. Both from our local Humane Society. 1 of them ended up diagnosed with FIP, a feline viral disease. Most vets know little about it, thus most suggest "putting them down".

It's a long, and expensive story, I will tell at another time.

Hope you are doing well,

hckynut 🇺🇸

hckynut(john)

Zoe · ‎06-10-2015

@qvcaddition Sorry you experienced this. The varying prices feel deceptive, and I'm sure it feels like they were taking advantage of their (loyal) clients.

In addition to the great suggestions already offered here around your local SPCA or Humane Society, your local Animal Control may also offer lower-cost services for seniors and/or monthly free or low-cost testing/services. Might be something to look into.The other suggestion besides asking friends/neighbors is to maybe look up low-cost spay/neuter clinics in your area. Ours, although named "spay/neuter clinic," just recently started offering low-cost wellness services on limited days as well as the surgical services. Or maybe you can find a vet who offers senior discounts or a loyalty program.

Having had vets who just want money, as you experienced, or others who don't listen to you when it comes to your pets' issues, you need to hold onto the great ones who will work with you once you find them. Hope you can find a better situation and that maybe one of these suggestions might help you find a better fit in a cost-effective situation!

ETA: Perhaps you can write an appropriately worded letter to the head of the practice, letting them know the facts and how it upset you, how it felt biased against you as a senior -- and ask for the difference back. Maybe s/he will listen and take action. Maybe the head of the practice doesn't even know what the front desk team is doing. Bump into that once in another industry with varying prices on different days where the customer-facing team was pocketing the difference. Perhaps something to consider.

Beejayb · ‎10-26-2010

I would definitely find a new vet! My dogs medicine cost $155 a month from Chewy. My vet of course is a little more expensive Chewy emails my vet every month and they approve her medicine from them. I think your vet is money hungry!

lynnie61 · ‎04-28-2010

The vet may not even know this is going on. Your son a few days earlier 40. It could be the vet but it could be the front desk taking the difference. Hate to think that way, but it can happen. I'm sorry for what you are going through @qvcaddition . I would bring it up with the vet.

@Zoe sorry I just read part of your reply after posting.

qvcaddition · ‎03-10-2010

@Zoe

I thank you for you information. My human society has Silver Paws for low income seniors and they will pay for blood work a urine test and dental, but not the Heartworm test.

That was OK with me, it was as I stated the difference in the price. in two days from my son and myself.

I have tried to contact the vet and he is on vacation, but when the incident happened, a vet was in the office and heard the transaction, but didn't show her face.

The vets office sent me a survey in my email that evening and I posted everything that happned.

Next week, I will inform Dr. Nate, my vet my side of what happen.

Thnk you for all the information.

qvcaddition · ‎03-10-2010

@lynnie61

@lynnie61 wrote:
The vet may not even know this is going on. Your son a few days earlier 40. It could be the vet but it could be the front desk taking the difference. Hate to think that way, but it can happen. I'm sorry for what you are going through @qvcaddition . I would bring it up with the vet.

@Zoe sorry I just read part of your reply after posting.

I think you are on to something. The tech could have been trying to get more money for her services because she said if I didn't get the heartworm meds from them and from chewy or costco, the meds could be inferior. I said BS, chewy gives brand name meds. for heartworm.

You could have hit on something.