Let’s just start here. This is probably one of the most common questions that veterinarians are asked about their work. Why are you so expensive, can you discount care or answer my question for free?
Wouldn’t it be great if vet clinics could be like Discount Tire. I love Discount Tire, they check your air pressure for free and inflate as needed for free. They are also great at spotting issues quickly and giving you all the prices up front. For a place where you could easily drop $1,000 in an hour, I have a very high regard for them.
Veterinary practices are not viewed the same way at all. We charge for nearly all services and consultations. At best you may be able to come in for free to weigh your pet. We also sometimes hear about the old days where clients could be worked into the schedule even if it’s full. Doctors would come out to the lobby and take a look before deciding if an appointment is necessary or not. Some veterinary practices still do both of these things. Most really cannot.
Part of the movement away from working in appointments and consulting about the “small things” has been about quality of life for the veterinary team. Working late can be difficult for anyone. Working late almost every day is brutal.
Part of it has been to give the thoughtful options and input on what the issue is for the pet. It’s rare to see a pet issue that I can look at and say “that’s nothing to worry about”. Also, “this could be x, y, or z” is not the answer most people want to hear. And if I give you three possible outcomes you likely have a lot more questions.
I realize I have not covered as much ground as you would hope on the cost of vet care, however I wanted to start this series with this particular point. You are paying for the attention, knowledge, skills and costs of the tools needed for the answers you are seeking. Most all of the time there are also at least four personnel involved in your pet’s appointment, often more.
As I continue this series I will discuss who the personnel are and how they each contribute to your pet’s well-being. I hope along the journey you will gain some insights into what goes into your pet’s care and how you can avoid the more costly parts of care.