Excellent Care for Your Pet

The Cost of Veterinary Care

Frequently asked questions about the fees associated with veterinary care.

Why is veterinary care for my pet(s) so expensive nowadays? Sometimes I believe I'm spending more on my pets' health care than on my own!

Relatively speaking, veterinary health care is a great deal! Actually, the cost of veterinary care has risen little over the last 30 years, especially when compared to the cost of human care --or almost any other service. Bear in mind that your veterinarian is not only your pets' general physician, but also its surgeon, radiologist, dermatologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, and pharmacist.

Your veterinary bill is a reflection of the costs of maintaining suitable facilities, equipment, and support personnel to provide the level of care that is expected in animal medicine today. Remember, too, the original cost of an animal has no bearing on the cost of services delivered. The question is: "can all people afford a pet?" If they can't, who should subsidixe them? Veterinarians?

One reason you might think you are paying more for your pet's health care than your own is because you probably have adequate insurance for your own health care needs; thus, you're never hit with the true bottom line. If you sat down and added up your insurance costs, deductibles, and pharmaceutical costs ( as veterinary drugs are included in your veterinary bill), you would find that the figures are nowhere close.

Why is there a large range in prices between different veterinary clinics?

This answer is usually simple. Quality of care is most frequently the factor in determining veterinary fees. Dr. Joe may charge $100 for a feline spay, while Dr. Sarah charges $300. What you don't know is that Dr. Joe uses injectable anesthetic only, no pain management, no surgical monitoring equipment, and does not employ a licensed technician to monitor the anesthetic. Dr. Sarah uses injectable and inhaled anesthetics, does pre and post opperative pain management, has all of the latest equipment, and a well trained staff to support her in the event of an emergency. While a pet under the care of Dr.Joe may make it through surgery fine, the risks are significantly higher than for the pet under the care of Dr. Sarah.

Another factor influencing price is internal fee structure. Dr. Joe may charge $30 for an exam at the clinic while Dr. Sarah charges $60. However, Dr. Joe's price for a canine heartworm test is $72 while Dr. Sarah charges $54. So you can see, by calling to "price shop", you may not be getting a realistic idea of the "better deal".

In addition to the above, some veterinarians are independently wealthy and can offer a high standard of care with little cost to their clients. (These doctors are few and far between!)