BeckyNC
Boxer Insane
I'm starting to think my veterinary practice is kinda pricey and wanted to get some other opinions. I really like and respect all three of the vets, but their charges seem so high! My plan is to talk with a friend or two who are "anal" dog owners and compare notes on charges, possibly changing to a new vet.
How much do your vets charge for an office visit? My charge is $42, if the vet comes in the room. So, there's a charge for any procedure + $42. A "return" or "re-check" visit is $32.
I have been working with a behaviorist to determine if Tae has sep anx and she wanted me to have her checked again for a urinary tract infection. The charge was $92. Hello? $42 for office visit + $15 collection fee + $35 to analyze the urine. The whole thing, excluding overhead, probably cost the vet practice $5 or less, I'm guessing. That's an insane mark-up. I actually called the office manager about the $15 charge and she had the vet call me back. He said they automatically charge that much in the event they need to do a procedure to obtain the urine, in the event the doggie won't "go" on it's own. I was told Tae went immediately (that's my girl!), but they still charged $15.
One thing that was ironic was when Tae had mange, they charged me $17 for 10 syringes of ivermectin. I paid this amount 3-4 times, I think. The last time, they gave me a bottle of it and said I could fill the syringe myself. They rang it up, and the charge...$0. No joke. I also bought some Interceptor, which costs $32 and my total charge was $32. I even asked about a charge for the ivermectin.
I am in no way implying my vet practice is crooked. The practice has been there a very long time, so they building costs cannot possibly be high (older building). I cannot figure out why they charge so much--where that high overhead comes from. Maybe everyone encounters similar charges. I don't know, but please share your experiences.
How much do your vets charge for an office visit? My charge is $42, if the vet comes in the room. So, there's a charge for any procedure + $42. A "return" or "re-check" visit is $32.
I have been working with a behaviorist to determine if Tae has sep anx and she wanted me to have her checked again for a urinary tract infection. The charge was $92. Hello? $42 for office visit + $15 collection fee + $35 to analyze the urine. The whole thing, excluding overhead, probably cost the vet practice $5 or less, I'm guessing. That's an insane mark-up. I actually called the office manager about the $15 charge and she had the vet call me back. He said they automatically charge that much in the event they need to do a procedure to obtain the urine, in the event the doggie won't "go" on it's own. I was told Tae went immediately (that's my girl!), but they still charged $15.
One thing that was ironic was when Tae had mange, they charged me $17 for 10 syringes of ivermectin. I paid this amount 3-4 times, I think. The last time, they gave me a bottle of it and said I could fill the syringe myself. They rang it up, and the charge...$0. No joke. I also bought some Interceptor, which costs $32 and my total charge was $32. I even asked about a charge for the ivermectin.
I am in no way implying my vet practice is crooked. The practice has been there a very long time, so they building costs cannot possibly be high (older building). I cannot figure out why they charge so much--where that high overhead comes from. Maybe everyone encounters similar charges. I don't know, but please share your experiences.
but everyone there is so nice, they know me by name and they even say my fur-babies names right :D Most have been there since before we started going (Which makes me feel better about the service). 
