Vet fees - what is reasonable

[Kealagirl]

I know this is probably not a good question to ask as it will vary all over the country. But what do people get charged for a vets consultation fee? I have never really paid much attention but I just about fell over when I was charged £90 yesterday (£30 consultation fee and £60 for two weeks of antibiotics) for my old girl who has a surface pioderma (or a hot spot) that I couldnt get cleared up as she kept nibbling it

The surgery has recently been taken over as the old vet retired. Since then nothing but money has been poured into to a complete refit of the surgery (imo not necessary and mostly cosmetic front of house). And there are staff coming out of the woodwork

I think what made me a bit irritated was that the vet I saw said that I should be considering surgery to remove the build up of what I can only describe as scar tissue from previous hotspots. She is 10 1/2 and will not be put through surgery unnecessarily thanks! It is not sore and only ever comes back once in a blue moon.

This is the second time in a fortnight that the new vet has suggested surgery. I took my mad spaniel in for some ear drops for his smelly ear and she wanted to knock him out to flush the ears out?? Again its not a major problem, and is very fixable with the ear drops.

Call me a synic but they just seem to be trying to get mega bucks from me when its not necessary.

How does £30 for a 5 minute consultation sound to you guys?

I am now looking for another vet, one who doesn't try to fleece me.....maybe should have married one eh!

[nisbreagha]

It does seem a bit steep I think I'm about £15/18 I've just changed to this vet in Denny as I wasn't happy with my last one charging the earth.

[zetstaff]

Our vet charges about £20 consultation fee + we're in south east

Medication is expensive, it cost me about £25 for a couple of weeks of piriton from vet, I now buy them online, about £4 for 60

[Stuart]

We have a simular situation here, where by our old vet retired, and the new vet is a very large company with grand premises.

Although all of us were automaticly transfered over to them, I havent been there yet, and hope I dont, but I had the oppurtunity to see a vets bill of a friends that showed he paid £25 pounds for a look-see.

The problem with vet practises anywhere, is that they dont have a cap on prices, they can charge what ever they want.

This is why you need to shop arround, we are registered to two vets, one in Fort William and hour away [ the closest, and the one I just mention ], and the vets in Oban, at heast an hour and a half away,... they are much cheaper, they charge me to have Sam neutured at £60 with no weight limit, yet the vets in the Fort were going to charge me about £120 depending on weight.

So I guess if you are able to,... shop around, because prices are outragous

[claire_88]

With my last vet they charged £20 just to see them... and tbh the service was not good.

The one i'm with at the minute, hasn't charged me for a weigh in or a general check over. In-fact sometimes when i'm in a rush they won't let me go! They oodle over skye and encourage her to come round the surgery and meet everybody which i think is fantastic for her at her age!

I think charging somebody money just to see them is appalling, for dog's who are unfortunate enough to have to go regularly for medication, check-up's and general welfare this should be part of the service.

[Stuart]

Our last vet used to allow us to take the dogs for social visits from time to time and when they were not quite so busy so they got to expect nice things from the place,...somehow I dont think this new place will be like that,... or they are likely to charge for it,... maybe I am painting a black picture before finding out for sure,.. I must pop along and find out

[shepherds2]

Originally Posted by claire_88

With my last vet they charged £20 just to see them... and tbh the service was not good.

The one i'm with at the minute, hasn't charged me for a weigh in or a general check over. In-fact sometimes when i'm in a rush they won't let me go! They oodle over skye and encourage her to come round the surgery and meet everybody which i think is fantastic for her at her age!

I think charging somebody money just to see them is appalling, for dog's who are unfortunate enough to have to go regularly for medication, check-up's and general welfare this should be part of the service.

my J-Lee has to go for weekly weigh ins and am lucky as well as they dont charge for it either and they even give him a check over and a chat about how he,s getting on etc but if it was a charge they charge £25 just to see the pet
but then it does costs me £18.99 for bells ear drops but luckly for me thats all i get charged and they even have a peek in her ears as well lol

[Moobli]

I think it is around £18 for a consultation at my vets, but will have to check. In fact, Allan has had to take one of his collies (Fly) in this morning as she was bitten on the ear by one of the other dogs and it has become infected, so I will find out for sure.

£30 sounds excessive to say the least! Hope Keala improves quickly.

[gsdmags]

The consultation here costs, £31.00

[Poly]

Ours is charged in three stages...

£29.10 - First consultation
£21 - Follow up consultation for same condition
£16.60 - Second follow up for consultation - and for continuous treatment consulations