Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, another question-
Do corporate take overs help or hinder? What do they help in a practice, and what go they hurt? I can see how an individual practice could drown in expenses, and maybe the business model needs this corporate investment.

I'm comparing it to optometry, which used to all be private practices until Pearl Vision and all the subsequent others arrived on the scene and changed everything starting in the late 70s. Optical services really changed, as well.

Back to veterinary- One issue is insurance. It was a rarity to buy it, with very limited options until the past 5 or 6 years. I managed 6 dogs without. Now I would only recommend getting a pet with insurance as a requirement. People don't understand what it costs to treat pets these days. It's not unusual to have MRIs, laser treatments, physical therapy, specialized surgeries, oncology treatment, etc.

If I've forgotten up to now, thanks so much to all the veterinary staff, doctors and techs alike. Of course you are important to pets, but it's really people you are treating. Many apologies for any abuse anyone has had to endure, I feel just awful to hear about it.

Vet owner here - corporate practices hurt the profession overall (again, looking at you Banfield/MM Mars). They offer massive signing bonuses and salaries - we CANNOT compete. They see almost exclusively routine appts such as vaccines and push any illness or emergencies to other clinics - why? Because, it takes time and those appts aren't as profitable. From a business model standpoint, great model. But from a general support the profession, not so great.

Our clinic does not have an issue with pet insurance as fees are paid by the client and reimbursed directly to the client. We don't get involved. It allows clients to support their pets and get them care.
I believe people don't see human medicine bills because most everyone has human health insurance and you pay $20 for a copay. They don't understand that we use the same MRI, meds and have the same education yet charge a tenth of what human medicine does. Also, the recent uptick in client crap is a function of people not being allowed in the buildings. It is much easier to complain when you don't look people in the eye - same way people feel open to complain on the internet.

So, like the way Pearl Vision changed the Optometric and Optician private practices, corporate is taking over hampering how vets can compete and stay in business. And that's not unlike what happened to a lot of small businesses, particularly with online shopping, although unrelated. I totally get it, and feel for you, but I am guessing this is the way veterinary services will end of going.
And I know the doctors and practices have nothing to do with insurance, but I meant that owners just need to realize they really need to get it...having a pet is expensive. They have to understand that vets need to charge what is costs.

So, what the future looks like is probably the fact that most practices will be under various corporate umbrellas, the companies will combine and partner with insurance companies and veterinarians will be contractors or employees of such. I think these are the transition years before we see the last of individual practices, and yes, it's sad, but it may be way it has to go considering the larger breadth of services and technology needed as opposed to animal care 20 years ago. Also, women are dominating the DVM population and they want more flexibility.

I think dentistry, dermatology, PT, mental health are also going through industry changes, but insurance has always covered these entities.
Thanks for all your hard work. Veterinarians really should be cherished and definitely paid more. I will be sure to express my gratitude to our practice whenever possible, which, BTW, is owned by Banfield, I think. In the end, it's the specific vet that matters to me more than who owns the practice, but our vet left practicing all together this year ( wasn't older, just left) and the one other seasoned vet is older and will eventually leave. The rest have been a steady turnover of young vets for the last decade. That is what concerns me.

Thank you. Fun fact, Banfield is actually owned by M&M mars. It was a private company until about 10 years ago and then Mars came in and purchased the practice. Significant changes since then.

Very interesting. They also control a big chunk of the pet food market (40+%) in the U.S.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, another question-
Do corporate take overs help or hinder? What do they help in a practice, and what go they hurt? I can see how an individual practice could drown in expenses, and maybe the business model needs this corporate investment.

I'm comparing it to optometry, which used to all be private practices until Pearl Vision and all the subsequent others arrived on the scene and changed everything starting in the late 70s. Optical services really changed, as well.

Back to veterinary- One issue is insurance. It was a rarity to buy it, with very limited options until the past 5 or 6 years. I managed 6 dogs without. Now I would only recommend getting a pet with insurance as a requirement. People don't understand what it costs to treat pets these days. It's not unusual to have MRIs, laser treatments, physical therapy, specialized surgeries, oncology treatment, etc.

If I've forgotten up to now, thanks so much to all the veterinary staff, doctors and techs alike. Of course you are important to pets, but it's really people you are treating. Many apologies for any abuse anyone has had to endure, I feel just awful to hear about it.

Vet owner here - corporate practices hurt the profession overall (again, looking at you Banfield/MM Mars). They offer massive signing bonuses and salaries - we CANNOT compete. They see almost exclusively routine appts such as vaccines and push any illness or emergencies to other clinics - why? Because, it takes time and those appts aren't as profitable. From a business model standpoint, great model. But from a general support the profession, not so great.

Our clinic does not have an issue with pet insurance as fees are paid by the client and reimbursed directly to the client. We don't get involved. It allows clients to support their pets and get them care.
I believe people don't see human medicine bills because most everyone has human health insurance and you pay $20 for a copay. They don't understand that we use the same MRI, meds and have the same education yet charge a tenth of what human medicine does. Also, the recent uptick in client crap is a function of people not being allowed in the buildings. It is much easier to complain when you don't look people in the eye - same way people feel open to complain on the internet.

So, like the way Pearl Vision changed the Optometric and Optician private practices, corporate is taking over hampering how vets can compete and stay in business. And that's not unlike what happened to a lot of small businesses, particularly with online shopping, although unrelated. I totally get it, and feel for you, but I am guessing this is the way veterinary services will end of going.
And I know the doctors and practices have nothing to do with insurance, but I meant that owners just need to realize they really need to get it...having a pet is expensive. They have to understand that vets need to charge what is costs.

So, what the future looks like is probably the fact that most practices will be under various corporate umbrellas, the companies will combine and partner with insurance companies and veterinarians will be contractors or employees of such. I think these are the transition years before we see the last of individual practices, and yes, it's sad, but it may be way it has to go considering the larger breadth of services and technology needed as opposed to animal care 20 years ago. Also, women are dominating the DVM population and they want more flexibility.

I think dentistry, dermatology, PT, mental health are also going through industry changes, but insurance has always covered these entities.
Thanks for all your hard work. Veterinarians really should be cherished and definitely paid more. I will be sure to express my gratitude to our practice whenever possible, which, BTW, is owned by Banfield, I think. In the end, it's the specific vet that matters to me more than who owns the practice, but our vet left practicing all together this year ( wasn't older, just left) and the one other seasoned vet is older and will eventually leave. The rest have been a steady turnover of young vets for the last decade. That is what concerns me.

Thank you. Fun fact, Banfield is actually owned by M&M mars. It was a private company until about 10 years ago and then Mars came in and purchased the practice. Significant changes since then.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, another question-
Do corporate take overs help or hinder? What do they help in a practice, and what go they hurt? I can see how an individual practice could drown in expenses, and maybe the business model needs this corporate investment.

I'm comparing it to optometry, which used to all be private practices until Pearl Vision and all the subsequent others arrived on the scene and changed everything starting in the late 70s. Optical services really changed, as well.

Back to veterinary- One issue is insurance. It was a rarity to buy it, with very limited options until the past 5 or 6 years. I managed 6 dogs without. Now I would only recommend getting a pet with insurance as a requirement. People don't understand what it costs to treat pets these days. It's not unusual to have MRIs, laser treatments, physical therapy, specialized surgeries, oncology treatment, etc.

If I've forgotten up to now, thanks so much to all the veterinary staff, doctors and techs alike. Of course you are important to pets, but it's really people you are treating. Many apologies for any abuse anyone has had to endure, I feel just awful to hear about it.

Vet owner here - corporate practices hurt the profession overall (again, looking at you Banfield/MM Mars). They offer massive signing bonuses and salaries - we CANNOT compete. They see almost exclusively routine appts such as vaccines and push any illness or emergencies to other clinics - why? Because, it takes time and those appts aren't as profitable. From a business model standpoint, great model. But from a general support the profession, not so great.

Our clinic does not have an issue with pet insurance as fees are paid by the client and reimbursed directly to the client. We don't get involved. It allows clients to support their pets and get them care.
I believe people don't see human medicine bills because most everyone has human health insurance and you pay $20 for a copay. They don't understand that we use the same MRI, meds and have the same education yet charge a tenth of what human medicine does. Also, the recent uptick in client crap is a function of people not being allowed in the buildings. It is much easier to complain when you don't look people in the eye - same way people feel open to complain on the internet.

So, like the way Pearl Vision changed the Optometric and Optician private practices, corporate is taking over hampering how vets can compete and stay in business. And that's not unlike what happened to a lot of small businesses, particularly with online shopping, although unrelated. I totally get it, and feel for you, but I am guessing this is the way veterinary services will end of going.
And I know the doctors and practices have nothing to do with insurance, but I meant that owners just need to realize they really need to get it...having a pet is expensive. They have to understand that vets need to charge what is costs.

So, what the future looks like is probably the fact that most practices will be under various corporate umbrellas, the companies will combine and partner with insurance companies and veterinarians will be contractors or employees of such. I think these are the transition years before we see the last of individual practices, and yes, it's sad, but it may be way it has to go considering the larger breadth of services and technology needed as opposed to animal care 20 years ago. Also, women are dominating the DVM population and they want more flexibility.

I think dentistry, dermatology, PT, mental health are also going through industry changes, but insurance has always covered these entities.
Thanks for all your hard work. Veterinarians really should be cherished and definitely paid more. I will be sure to express my gratitude to our practice whenever possible, which, BTW, is owned by Banfield, I think. In the end, it's the specific vet that matters to me more than who owns the practice, but our vet left practicing all together this year ( wasn't older, just left) and the one other seasoned vet is older and will eventually leave. The rest have been a steady turnover of young vets for the last decade. That is what concerns me.

Anonymous wrote:There's a false assumption that veterinary care should be cheaper and more convenient than medical care because the patients aren't people. I admit that I had sticker shock when I first got a dog. But, I realize that the education level needed is an extremely high bar, the equipment, staff, patience, etc. all similar or higher level than my own doctor's office. I hope the vets on here are able to get more help and healthcare for themselves. Thanks for all that you do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, another question-
Do corporate take overs help or hinder? What do they help in a practice, and what go they hurt? I can see how an individual practice could drown in expenses, and maybe the business model needs this corporate investment.

I'm comparing it to optometry, which used to all be private practices until Pearl Vision and all the subsequent others arrived on the scene and changed everything starting in the late 70s. Optical services really changed, as well.

Back to veterinary- One issue is insurance. It was a rarity to buy it, with very limited options until the past 5 or 6 years. I managed 6 dogs without. Now I would only recommend getting a pet with insurance as a requirement. People don't understand what it costs to treat pets these days. It's not unusual to have MRIs, laser treatments, physical therapy, specialized surgeries, oncology treatment, etc.

If I've forgotten up to now, thanks so much to all the veterinary staff, doctors and techs alike. Of course you are important to pets, but it's really people you are treating. Many apologies for any abuse anyone has had to endure, I feel just awful to hear about it.

Vet owner here - corporate practices hurt the profession overall (again, looking at you Banfield/MM Mars). They offer massive signing bonuses and salaries - we CANNOT compete. They see almost exclusively routine appts such as vaccines and push any illness or emergencies to other clinics - why? Because, it takes time and those appts aren't as profitable. From a business model standpoint, great model. But from a general support the profession, not so great.

Our clinic does not have an issue with pet insurance as fees are paid by the client and reimbursed directly to the client. We don't get involved. It allows clients to support their pets and get them care.
I believe people don't see human medicine bills because most everyone has human health insurance and you pay $20 for a copay. They don't understand that we use the same MRI, meds and have the same education yet charge a tenth of what human medicine does. Also, the recent uptick in client crap is a function of people not being allowed in the buildings. It is much easier to complain when you don't look people in the eye - same way people feel open to complain on the internet.

Anonymous wrote:
This is so sad to hear - my tween daughter is thinking about being a vet. Although she wanted to work in theriogenology for zoos, to help conservation efforts. Is zoological veterinary medicine also impacted?

Anonymous wrote:So, another question-
Do corporate take overs help or hinder? What do they help in a practice, and what go they hurt? I can see how an individual practice could drown in expenses, and maybe the business model needs this corporate investment.

I'm comparing it to optometry, which used to all be private practices until Pearl Vision and all the subsequent others arrived on the scene and changed everything starting in the late 70s. Optical services really changed, as well.

Back to veterinary- One issue is insurance. It was a rarity to buy it, with very limited options until the past 5 or 6 years. I managed 6 dogs without. Now I would only recommend getting a pet with insurance as a requirement. People don't understand what it costs to treat pets these days. It's not unusual to have MRIs, laser treatments, physical therapy, specialized surgeries, oncology treatment, etc.

If I've forgotten up to now, thanks so much to all the veterinary staff, doctors and techs alike. Of course you are important to pets, but it's really people you are treating. Many apologies for any abuse anyone has had to endure, I feel just awful to hear about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I left work today and I do not want to go back. It is not just this area. It is the entire profession. We are being abused. I don't want to do it anymore. I am only 50 years old. I need a job for the next twenty years that will not kill me before I kill myself.

Are you a vet or a tech?
What do you see as the main contributor of abuse, employer or clients? What is something that you might be struggling with now? Would a change in practices help?

Can you work for a lab, food company, or FDA?

Who will end up being veterinarians? What will have to happen to fix the industry?

I am a vet. And I am tired. Underappreciated. Underpaid. Abused by clients. Being squeezed by management. I cannot do it anymore.

We are not letting clients in yet as we decide on best policies going forward. Clients are complaining left and right. I have staff quitting. Don't have enought help. Management wants me to see more appointments with less help and less time. Awesome. I got three calls today for emergencies from patients of other practices. They have a primary care doctor. But they don't have space so they want me to fit them in. I. Am. Done.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I left work today and I do not want to go back. It is not just this area. It is the entire profession. We are being abused. I don't want to do it anymore. I am only 50 years old. I need a job for the next twenty years that will not kill me before I kill myself.

Are you a vet or a tech?
What do you see as the main contributor of abuse, employer or clients? What is something that you might be struggling with now? Would a change in practices help?

Can you work for a lab, food company, or FDA?

Who will end up being veterinarians? What will have to happen to fix the industry?

I am a vet. And I am tired. Underappreciated. Underpaid. Abused by clients. Being squeezed by management. I cannot do it anymore.

We are not letting clients in yet as we decide on best policies going forward. Clients are complaining left and right. I have staff quitting. Don't have enought help. Management wants me to see more appointments with less help and less time. Awesome. I got three calls today for emergencies from patients of other practices. They have a primary care doctor. But they don't have space so they want me to fit them in. I. Am. Done.

Anonymous wrote:It's a tough profession under the best of circumstances, with high stress and high suicide rates, and now everything is just exponentially worse. All the precautions that they have to take, curbside checkin and whatnot, are all adding to their burden. Appointments take longer, so they can see fewer patients, and that whole thing just snowballs. IF any of the staff gets sick, or quits, it just sets off a chain reaction that's difficult to recover from.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I left work today and I do not want to go back. It is not just this area. It is the entire profession. We are being abused. I don't want to do it anymore. I am only 50 years old. I need a job for the next twenty years that will not kill me before I kill myself.

Are you a vet or a tech?
What do you see as the main contributor of abuse, employer or clients? What is something that you might be struggling with now? Would a change in practices help?

Can you work for a lab, food company, or FDA?

Who will end up being veterinarians? What will have to happen to fix the industry?