Are vets becoming ambulance chasers?

[DixD]

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Well, not literally. But Che has been at the vet, for what we suspect was a sore shoulder. I think it was some sort of muscle spasm, as it’s now gone completely, but appeared to be very painful on Friday. Anyway, on Friday, the vet suggested, if the anti-inflammatories didn’t work, they could do an x-ray, CT scan and even further tests. Today, he went back for a check up, and the vet today suggested he could have dental problems (nothing to do with the pain symptom), and they could have a good look and find out “”These small dogs often do...”. There’s a big label on Che’s file saying he’s not insured for health problems (though he is insured 3rd party). Do vets think you’re made of money.

As usual, I paid the vet some money and Che miraculously improved. He was doing his tiptoe pirouette all round the surgery, as if to prove so!

 

[JudyN]

I'm glad to say my vet is very conservative - he'll never try to sell you a bottle of eye drops or antiseptic wash if a bit of salt water is likely to do the trick, and he also often recommends a 'watch and wait' approach.

 

[JoanneF]

We use two vets. If it's likely to be an insurance claim anyway, it's one vet; if it's an ear infection or a broken nail, it's the other one.

I will likely need additional paperwork for him to travel abroad post-Brexit so I'm not planning to pay the consultation fee of the expensive one to tell me my healthy dog is healthy

 

[DixD]

That’s interesting. Can you work between two vets. I thought I did years ago, with the pony I had then, but one was a horse specialist, and I couldn’t remember if it was a sort of in tandem approach, if you know what I mean.

I’m quite disappointed because the vet used to advise me to get glucosamine, I think it was, from Holland and Barrett, because it was cheaper, but they have really expanded, and have loads of vets, vastly expanded premises, and all sorts of other staff now. I’m not sure, if like funeral parlours, which can sound family run, but are often actually part of a big company nowadays, the partners may have been bought out, and now are purely senior vets.

 

[JoanneF]

Yes, absolutely. I get the expensive ones to do his annual boosters so that if he needs treatment, he is registered with them.

 

[DixD]

Yes, absolutely. I get the expensive ones to do his annual boosters so that if he needs treatment, he is registered with them.

I’ll need to look into that. Thank you!

 

[Finsky]

Well, not literally. But Che has been at the vet, for what we suspect was a sore shoulder. I think it was some sort of muscle spasm, as it’s now gone completely, but appeared to be very painful on Friday. Anyway, on Friday, the vet suggested, if the anti-inflammatories didn’t work, they could do an x-ray, CT scan and even further tests. Today, he went back for a check up, and the vet today suggested he could have dental problems (nothing to do with the pain symptom), and they could have a good look and find out “”These small dogs often do...”. There’s a big label on Che’s file saying he’s not insured for health problems (though he is insured 3rd party). Do vets think you’re made of money.

As usual, I paid the vet some money and Che miraculously improved. He was doing his tiptoe pirouette all round the surgery, as if to prove so!

As many practices are being bought under bigger chains wings...unfortunately it seems to bring 'trend' of selling their services as well....or that's it has started to feel. Though there is differences with the individual vets approaches too and I do try to avoid making appointments to one particular 'keen' vet that always wants to do plenty of blood tests..and re-check..and so on.
Now I am not against paying when they are necessary...obviously..but just recently with Iida's pancreatitis, it was confirmed the treatment worked and she was feeling well again, back to normal. And yet she 'encouraged' us to make appointment for yet another check up for two weeks later??
I know this check up appointment would only involve her feeling Iida's tummy..maybe taking a temperature and then a chat about how she has been feeling. To me that is not necessary anymore. If my dog has returned back to eating, she is active, not showing signs of pain, her temperature is normal (I can check that myself)..she is bright and alert and all poos and wees are 'working'. There is nothing she can tell us different from external examination that we don't know already. Other than creating more income for the practice, shy should she get back in? Particularly when we left with our instructions and spare meds should the condition return too...
And now I have something to add to the 'rant' thread that I started...I've just been reminded of something..
We know the vet would like to re-test her bloods because she announced it in very canny way.." it would be interesting to see how those 'numbers' compare now that she is feeling better" "interesting" indeed..

 

[DixD]

@Finsky. Did a bit of checking last night. Unfirtunately, as I suspected, and the trail goes all the way back to Mars Pet Care, I think tgat was the title, Mars anyway. The partners resigned as directors in 2018. Truly depressing. I made sure when Che went for follow up yesterday, I made sure that he didn’t get unnecessary meds, as I got caught out last time like that. They can then charge you for the appt, if they prescribe, or presumably carry out, something.

 

[Finsky]

@Finsky. Did a bit of checking last night. Unfirtunately, as I suspected, and the trail goes all the way back to Mars Pet Care, I think tgat was the title, Mars anyway. The partners resigned as directors in 2018. Truly depressing. I made sure when Che went for follow up yesterday, I made sure that he didn’t get unnecessary meds, as I got caught out last time like that. They can then charge you for the appt, if they prescribe, or presumably carry out, something.

I hope the health worries are now under control and sorted...for good?
Mine was recommended to take some supplements but I didn't commit to buy from vets until I had checked the prices else where. And yes...what I was quoted from vets would have cost £30 more than elsewhere!!! To me that is a lot, particularly when I'm having to keep her on them for some while yet...
It must be down to that our vet is signed up to order through certain supplier, hence they are having to pay themselves what the supplier's price is = no competition.

 

[DixD]

@Finsky. Thank you fir asking. I am hoping so. Che’s done this before. It is like a tendon in his neck goes rigid, and it causes him a lot of pain. I can usually get it sorted out by massage/gentle stretching, but he was in a lot of pain, and it was so long since I’d used it, the Meloxicam was out of date. I worked on it over the weekend, hence, by the Monday visit, he was twirling about doing a wee circus act like his breed used to be used for! I think the vet was a bit perplexed.

 

[Finsky]

@Finsky. Thank you fir asking. I am hoping so. Che’s done this before. It is like a tendon in his neck goes rigid, and it causes him a lot of pain. I can usually get it sorted out by massage/gentle stretching, but he was in a lot of pain, and it was so long since I’d used it, the Meloxicam was out of date. I worked on it over the weekend, hence, by the Monday visit, he was twirling about doing a wee circus act like his breed used to be used for! I think the vet was a bit perplexed.

LOL...that sounds like a Voltarol advert for us human...'rub it on and go on for jog/dance etc'
Yep...sounds just like mine.."what are you on about...something wrong with me?! Nahhh…"