Well, the cost of EVERYTHING is skyrocketing ... Veterinary care is no exception. With my first heart dog, we got hit with veterinary bills in a big way. Having a savings account did us no good. For my second heart dog, the first thing I did was get health insurance. Even at that, though--at the beginning, we were paying $300/month for two dogs. In the end, I was paying $360/month for ONE dog. Still, though, that's really the only way to make sure one doesn't have to make medical decisions based on what they can afford.
I am fortunate that I am able to pay the increase in prices. What I have always marveled at is how personal my relationship has always been with my vet compared to how I feel seeing my own doctor. Generally the entire vet practice knows my dogs! We are always greeted warmly. My vets almost always take a lot of time to chat about my dog and explain things to me. I hope that doesn’t change as corporations are buying up practices! Nancy, you were the best! I feel lucky that I have a vet here in Atlanta that practices with her daughter so a small very personal office!
You are truly fortunate. Glad you don't take it for granted! I often heard clients say that they wished their own doctors and staff were as nice as we were. :-)
Thank you for succinctly explaining the corporatization of veterinary clinics. I've heard it referred to as "The Veterinary Industrial Complex." I have friends working as vet techs who are very unhappy in their jobs at corporate-owned clinics, and I worry that pet safety is in peril because the teams are so over-worked and unhappy.
Meanwhile, at Tripawds Foundation, we've seen amputation costs go as high as $6k (and a few at $8k), and the number of financial aid applicants for our Tripawds Amputation Surgery Assistant Program has tripled.
As for pet health insurance, it's really a luxury reserved for people who can afford to be reimbursed, as only one insurance company that I know of (Embrace, I think), will pay vets directly for a procedure. Otherwise, pet parents with no savings whatsoever can't even afford to use that insurance if they don't have the funds to pay their clinic on the spot. Pet insurance helps, but only for the wealthier pet parents.
Thanks for your response. Too many pets, too little veterinary care, unaffordable veterinary care, shelters overflowing..... kind of feels like a perfect storm.
Well, the cost of EVERYTHING is skyrocketing ... Veterinary care is no exception. With my first heart dog, we got hit with veterinary bills in a big way. Having a savings account did us no good. For my second heart dog, the first thing I did was get health insurance. Even at that, though--at the beginning, we were paying $300/month for two dogs. In the end, I was paying $360/month for ONE dog. Still, though, that's really the only way to make sure one doesn't have to make medical decisions based on what they can afford.
I am fortunate that I am able to pay the increase in prices. What I have always marveled at is how personal my relationship has always been with my vet compared to how I feel seeing my own doctor. Generally the entire vet practice knows my dogs! We are always greeted warmly. My vets almost always take a lot of time to chat about my dog and explain things to me. I hope that doesn’t change as corporations are buying up practices! Nancy, you were the best! I feel lucky that I have a vet here in Atlanta that practices with her daughter so a small very personal office!
You are truly fortunate. Glad you don't take it for granted! I often heard clients say that they wished their own doctors and staff were as nice as we were. :-)
Thank you for succinctly explaining the corporatization of veterinary clinics. I've heard it referred to as "The Veterinary Industrial Complex." I have friends working as vet techs who are very unhappy in their jobs at corporate-owned clinics, and I worry that pet safety is in peril because the teams are so over-worked and unhappy.
Meanwhile, at Tripawds Foundation, we've seen amputation costs go as high as $6k (and a few at $8k), and the number of financial aid applicants for our Tripawds Amputation Surgery Assistant Program has tripled.
As for pet health insurance, it's really a luxury reserved for people who can afford to be reimbursed, as only one insurance company that I know of (Embrace, I think), will pay vets directly for a procedure. Otherwise, pet parents with no savings whatsoever can't even afford to use that insurance if they don't have the funds to pay their clinic on the spot. Pet insurance helps, but only for the wealthier pet parents.
Ack! There's got to be a better way.
Thanks for your response. Too many pets, too little veterinary care, unaffordable veterinary care, shelters overflowing..... kind of feels like a perfect storm.