There have been times when we have had to really struggle to provide the right treatment, which was not because the medication itself was expensive, but because the vets were charging three times their original worth. Pip, who passed away on 7th February 2006 was the most beautiful dog imaginable, I use to say he was the healer of the family as he knew instinctively when we were ill and would stay by our side. But when he developed Cushing's Disease it was our turn to do the healing. Pip needed Vetoryl on a daily basis, this, as quoted by Arnolds, "contain the 4a, 5-epoxysteroid trilostane. Trilostane inhibits the action of the enzyme, 3b-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase, which is important in steroid hormone synthesis. Vetoryl therefore treats hyperadrenocorticism by blocking the synthesis of cortisol." There is no doubt about it the medication helped, giving us another year and a half together. Yet during that time we really had a battle, my mum was granted help via the PDSA at a local vet, but they stopped treatment halfway through, even though we were giving them a fair price for the medication, they were not making enough profit -keeping in mind they were actually making a profit, just not the triple cost they asked for after they canceled the PDSA certificate! Because they had started treatment another PDSA vet would not take him on as they only accept a healthy animal. If you look on the online pet medication sites they roughly charge between £140 and £170 for a three month supply (competition at last!) while the vet charged £286 at the time! Now, I came across a site that could not supply Vetoryl directly as it is illegal to do so in the UK, so what they did was send it to my friend in America, who would then post it back to me! You might think this worked out more expensive, but no, it cost £95 in total (and yes, it was for a three month supply, the price for one month at the vet!) Given that this company would be still making a profit and the fact we had to pay the £15 shipping to America and the £8.00 for its return you can imagine the profit the vets are actually making. It is not that I am being mercenary, but honestly, when my vet said to me after rescuing my current dog Willow that she is a luxury, I really had to bite my tongue to respond that the luxury was all hers!The great news is today there is a lot more choice as the vet is not the only option, they can supply a prescription free of charge of which you can scan and send to an online pet pharmacy or go to another vet and get it cheaper. My mum now has a jack russell called Lily, whom we discovered at 15 months old has diabetes, the result of which she needs two injections a day. I found an online site who sends the insulin wrapped in a cooling packet. By doing this, along with the needles my mum is paying £24 instead of £36 at the vets! I am currently researching pet insurance which did help with the initial costs but not for the regular treatment, so I am looking for one that has the best criteria to meet all needs, which I shall post here on my blog.
Perhaps I am not being completely fair, a vet will go through an awful lot of training, no doubt incurring debts along the way. According to Learn Direct they will start with approximately a £30,000 a year salary going up to £50,000 for a senior. Although the The Society of Practicing Veterinary Surgeons quoted in October 2000 that, "an average 45 year old veterinary partner earns about £62,378 per annum". Is this enough in comparison to human medical doctors? Perhaps not, yet I am not disputing that a surgery will incur some hefty bills in equipment and keeping them maintained, staff and the renting of property etc. but I am referring to the excessive cost of medication and how a consultation for a minor complaint can lead to disproportionate charges. Willow had a stomach upset, we were in the surgery for a few minutes, walked out with four sachets of probiotics and a bill for £34, this is what I consider unreasonable.
I believe charges need to be regulated and matched in accordance with treatment. If you agree with the extortionate pricing of veterinary bills then you can put your name down on a petition, put together by a lady named Beth Ring, it is better than doing nothing you know!
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/vet pricing/