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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I don't think that most vets are scammers, but some practices are more expensive than others.

In your case, it sounds like communication between you, your partner, and the vet could be regarding what treatments and tests are being recommended and why could be improved. Was a blood test done at the first visit or cytology or culture? It's always ok to ask questions about the vet's potential diagnoses and recommendations so you understand what you are consenting to.

I'm not a vet, but I have some experience in this area. Veterinary medicine is a difficult field because animals can't tell you what is wrong, so diagnosing can be challenging. Finances further complicate the picture. Some people get mad and think they are being ripped off when a veterinarian recommends a battery of tests to get information that will inform a diagnosis. Other people opt for or prefer a wait-and-see approach and don't want to be offered expensive diagnostics, only to complain that their vet did not recommend more tests once they find out their animal's symptoms could have been diagnosed or addressed sooner. Vets can't win. No matter what the vet recommends, you can always decline the tests and wait to see if the condition improves. However, it's not unethical or a scam for veterinarians to discuss or recommend testing that could help diagnose what is causing the patient's symptoms, even at the first visit. I always ask my vet what she would do for her pet and what the pros and cons of waiting before consenting to expensive testing are. [/quote]

Should an appt for a cat cost 400 dollars? This is not a high income area either. Quite the opposite [/quote]

Yes, maybe.

I agree with the previous poster. Too often people equate vets with people doctors and it's not the same.

Vet school is close to $200K now, and the chance of recouping the cost of your education through vet practice is no where near as certain as if you are a medical doctor. 
Vet practices must carry malpractice , cover rent, utilities, staff, eat the cost of delinquent bills, and equipment and supplies. Then they have to make a living to support themselves.
Then there is the reality that there are simply not as many animal patients as people patients. People might only take their pets to the vet once or twice in the pets lifetime. Sure some people go more often but its not the norm.

Add in that by the time most people are seeking help for a vet the animal has already been sick for some time. Animals hide illnesses and pain and by the time you see it, it can be really advanced. So the cost of providing medical care or lifesaving measures is going to be more costly.

It's very hard not to get emotional and immediately feel like you are being guilted into expensive medical care in the office but I know from experience that the owner's own anxiety can make vets offer treatments because they want to give the owners hope and they know owners love their pets. Unless your pet is in critical condition at that moment, you can tell the vet you feel overwhelmed and emotional and can they please write down the options and costs so you can take them some time to consider it. [/quote]

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