My dog has had multiple issues requiring expensive veterinary treatment in the last year, including a hospitalization. In addition to his regular vet, where he’s known as a “frequent flyer,” we’ve used an emergency veterinary hospital a couple times. For each issue, at both practices and with multiple vets, we have been informed of all treatment options, ranging from the minimum of absolutely necessary care to the most advanced and aggressive treatment available, as well as the costs and the pros and cons for each option. The choice of treatment plan has always been up to us. No one has tried to upsell anything. In fact, I’m always taken aback when the emergency vet asks me whether I would want my dog to be resuscitated if it ever came to that. This is a young, mostly healthy dog, who just had some really bad luck! The only reason for them to ask me what I want them to do in the unlikely event that resuscitation is necessary to save my dog’s life is the cost of treatment. Not one medical professional has tried to get me to pay for anything that I didn’t approve beforehand.

Part of being a decent, responsible pet owner is providing adequate medical care to your animal. Medical care is expensive. Pet ownership is optional. You make your own choices.

Anonymous wrote:The key here is that you, as the owner, needs to ensure that your pet is healthy so that you do not have to go to the vet very often.

- Keep your pet slim --- fat dog = expensive vet bills
- Brush his teeth at least 3 times per week
- Keep his coat brushed and his nails trimmed
- Clean his ears monthly (or as needed for breed)
- Exercise regularly and frequently --- fit dog = lower vet bills (and usually a much longer life)

And when the time comes, do not prolong your poor pet's life to make yourself feel better. Seek out humane euthanasia.

Great list. I would add to this:

-Feed quality food that is appropriate for your dog’s particular needs (breed, size, age, medical conditions)

The key here is that you, as the owner, needs to ensure that your pet is healthy so that you do not have to go to the vet very often.

- Keep your pet slim --- fat dog = expensive vet bills
- Brush his teeth at least 3 times per week
- Keep his coat brushed and his nails trimmed
- Clean his ears monthly (or as needed for breed)
- Exercise regularly and frequently --- fit dog = lower vet bills (and usually a much longer life)

And when the time comes, do not prolong your poor pet's life to make yourself feel better. Seek out humane euthanasia.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:clarendon animal care has been amazing to us for the last 6 years. our vet always tells us where we can get alternate products or what scans we can skip, etc. I think prices are high at every vet, but at least this one tells us what we honestly need

Meh. They’re over capacity since the pandemic. It’s ridiculous. I can’t wait a week to get my dog in every time I call. They need to hire more vets.

From where?? Space? Everyone is looking. They are all offering huge signing bonuses.

Yep - good luck with that. If your dog is sick, then you will have to call first thing in the AM. Regular appts are being booked out 3 weeks at least at this point. I waffle between thinking the public is unaware or entitled....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:clarendon animal care has been amazing to us for the last 6 years. our vet always tells us where we can get alternate products or what scans we can skip, etc. I think prices are high at every vet, but at least this one tells us what we honestly need

Meh. They’re over capacity since the pandemic. It’s ridiculous. I can’t wait a week to get my dog in every time I call. They need to hire more vets.

From where?? Space? Everyone is looking. They are all offering huge signing bonuses.

I adore my vet. She is more expensive than other practices in my area (rural VA) but I started going there because I could get a same day visit for an urgent condition when I first moved here. I was so impressed that she was able to help my dog with her allergies when other vets just blew them off, I'm willing to pay the extra 30-50 dollars a visit. My vet is not a money making machine; she had the time to listen to my concern, diagnose my dog, hear the LONG list of things we'd already tried, and realize I was willing to go out of my way to make sure my dog had proper treatment.

I am so grateful to my current vet for making sure my dog is living her best possible life.

Anonymous wrote:Vets spend the same amount of time in school as doctors. They do everything from dental care to spay/neuter surgeries. Their patients cannot tell them what’s wrong. It is an exceptionally difficult job made even more difficult by an explosion in pet ownership by people who have no idea how to care for their pets and don’t bother to learn, and at the same time want the best professional care but then complain about paying for it.
You can not concern yourself with your pet’s health, pay what the vet charges you, or give up your pet to someone else who is happy to compensate vets properly. Those are the options.

DP. I think there are a lot of issues. Obviously, vets are highly trained professionals. But unlike people who see a doctor, pet insurance does not function the same way as human insurance so the cost is substantial. It’s not quite as simple as people not caring about their pets.

They charge what it costs to maintain a bisble practice, keep techs and support, have cutting edge technology and still get paid. They aren't becoming rich,I assure you. But- they should for all that they do and because it's a very high stress field.

Anonymous wrote:clarendon animal care has been amazing to us for the last 6 years. our vet always tells us where we can get alternate products or what scans we can skip, etc. I think prices are high at every vet, but at least this one tells us what we honestly need

Meh. They’re over capacity since the pandemic. It’s ridiculous. I can’t wait a week to get my dog in every time I call. They need to hire more vets.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ME!!! I am a vet that is not a money making machine!!!! And you, OP, are an ass.

Not trying to being facetious here. Are you a clinic owner or an associate vet? The associate vets usually make a salary and a percentage of production and are not making bank, the owners whether private or corporate can be. There is a reason the Mars candy company and so many VC firms bought into vet clinics and it wasn't out of the goodness of their hearts.

That's just Capitalism, bro. No one talks like this about My Plumber or The Pep Boys. We all give you an estimate and it's up to you if you take it or leave it. No electrician has ever been told "if you really loved wires you would do this for FREE."

No one is suggesting free services or that a vet shouldn't make a profit. Additionally you can always walk away from a non-medical service and get another quote. Medical services whether for animals or people are essential and often time sensitive. I've 100% been at a vet clinic where they attempted to upsell me in an obnoxious manor or try to emotionally manipulate me into spending more or even straight up lie about a condition to make a bill bigger (I made a complaint to the vet license board after that experience). I think it's wrong and find it difficult to trust when someone acts as both a medical practitioner and salesman with sales goals that need to be met.

1. There are absolutely emergency car repairs, plumbing, HVAC repairs etc.
2. What you consider to be an "upsell" might actually be the best standard of care.
3. How on earth do you know they were lying?

1. You can usually put these issues on hold and they are not life threatening
2. The upsell usually involves some hard sell on a shampoo or food that isn't necessary and not germane ​to the appointment at hand
3. It's a longish story that's not worth getting into. What I will say is when I got a second opinion on the dog's condition the vet there was so incensed about what happened at the other clinic he actually told me how to report the vet to the licensing board.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ME!!! I am a vet that is not a money making machine!!!! And you, OP, are an ass.

Not trying to being facetious here. Are you a clinic owner or an associate vet? The associate vets usually make a salary and a percentage of production and are not making bank, the owners whether private or corporate can be. There is a reason the Mars candy company and so many VC firms bought into vet clinics and it wasn't out of the goodness of their hearts.

That's just Capitalism, bro. No one talks like this about My Plumber or The Pep Boys. We all give you an estimate and it's up to you if you take it or leave it. No electrician has ever been told "if you really loved wires you would do this for FREE."

No one is suggesting free services or that a vet shouldn't make a profit. Additionally you can always walk away from a non-medical service and get another quote. Medical services whether for animals or people are essential and often time sensitive. I've 100% been at a vet clinic where they attempted to upsell me in an obnoxious manor or try to emotionally manipulate me into spending more or even straight up lie about a condition to make a bill bigger (I made a complaint to the vet license board after that experience). I think it's wrong and find it difficult to trust when someone acts as both a medical practitioner and salesman with sales goals that need to be met.

1. There are absolutely emergency car repairs, plumbing, HVAC repairs etc.
2. What you consider to be an "upsell" might actually be the best standard of care.
3. How on earth do you know they were lying?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ME!!! I am a vet that is not a money making machine!!!! And you, OP, are an ass.

Not trying to being facetious here. Are you a clinic owner or an associate vet? The associate vets usually make a salary and a percentage of production and are not making bank, the owners whether private or corporate can be. There is a reason the Mars candy company and so many VC firms bought into vet clinics and it wasn't out of the goodness of their hearts.

That's just Capitalism, bro. No one talks like this about My Plumber or The Pep Boys. We all give you an estimate and it's up to you if you take it or leave it. No electrician has ever been told "if you really loved wires you would do this for FREE."

No one is suggesting free services or that a vet shouldn't make a profit. Additionally you can always walk away from a non-medical service and get another quote. Medical services whether for animals or people are essential and often time sensitive. I've 100% been at a vet clinic where they attempted to upsell me in an obnoxious manor or try to emotionally manipulate me into spending more or even straight up lie about a condition to make a bill bigger (I made a complaint to the vet license board after that experience). I think it's wrong and find it difficult to trust when someone acts as both a medical practitioner and salesman with sales goals that need to be met.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ME!!! I am a vet that is not a money making machine!!!! And you, OP, are an ass.

Not trying to being facetious here. Are you a clinic owner or an associate vet? The associate vets usually make a salary and a percentage of production and are not making bank, the owners whether private or corporate can be. There is a reason the Mars candy company and so many VC firms bought into vet clinics and it wasn't out of the goodness of their hearts.

That's just Capitalism, bro. No one talks like this about My Plumber or The Pep Boys. We all give you an estimate and it's up to you if you take it or leave it. No electrician has ever been told "if you really loved wires you would do this for FREE."

Anonymous wrote:ME!!! I am a vet that is not a money making machine!!!! And you, OP, are an ass.

Not trying to being facetious here. Are you a clinic owner or an associate vet? The associate vets usually make a salary and a percentage of production and are not making bank, the owners whether private or corporate can be. There is a reason the Mars candy company and so many VC firms bought into vet clinics and it wasn't out of the goodness of their hearts.

Vets spend the same amount of time in school as doctors. They do everything from dental care to spay/neuter surgeries. Their patients cannot tell them what’s wrong. It is an exceptionally difficult job made even more difficult by an explosion in pet ownership by people who have no idea how to care for their pets and don’t bother to learn, and at the same time want the best professional care but then complain about paying for it.
You can not concern yourself with your pet’s health, pay what the vet charges you, or give up your pet to someone else who is happy to compensate vets properly. Those are the options.