I am in shock how much my vets are charging me. I had to get a friend to take her in while I was at work, her sickness and diahrrea had got progressively worse and she was passing blood frequently (every half an hour) and had started being sick with blood. I presumed it may have been gastroenteritis, or more worryingly some sort of poison so managed to book her in yesterday afternoon.

My friend phoned with updates while there, they checked her temperature, felt for any pain and decided to do some blood tests to rule anything out. Nothing was found, an anti nausia jab was given and a course of 5 days of tablets, she passed a lot of blood again in reception just as they were leaving, but luckily nothing since then - she has also eaten some rice and chicken this morning and kept it down :)

But, having just phoned the vet to pay off my bill I have been informed it is £170! Now I know my vets is notoriously expensive but blimey, this seems rather expensive.

Especially as the tests were inconclusive, they have apparently said it is probably some kind of bug and to watch out as my other dog may catch it. Lots of bleach was used around the house last night.

If blood tests are sent to an out-of-house lab then the vet has no influence over the price - I know that a lab fee of £60 for basic tests isn't unusual.

To be fair that doesn't seem overly expensive to me when it includes blood tests -and my vets are cheap.

I do hope your bitch will soon be better!

It was done in house, she had to wait 20 minutes for the results.

Maybe its because I have been lucky enough with my two not to have any health problems so I am not used to these kind of vet bills lol.

Her tail has been wagging this morning, although she seems slightly tired (not surprised after yesterday) but I am pleased she has kept her rice and chicken down, thank you :)

> It was done in house, she had to wait 20 minutes for the results

Our vet charged £58 for a basic blood test and consultation a few weeks ago. The blood was sent away to a lab as it wasn't urgent - apparently it would have been dearer if it was done in house.

I had 2 sets of bloods run recently....1 at my vets & another set sent to a lab.
Incl. a physical check up the total cost was £195.

Yikes ! I'll never complain about my vet again £45 for Spud's bloods.

I wouldn't have batted an eyelid at £170.   Once you've added £37 consultation, the cost of bloods and then the medication, it sounds about right to me.  I recently had several tests done on one of my bitches, and nothing showed up, that was well in excess of £200.

Vets are robbers these days.

Vets are robbers these days.

I have to dissagree. I am very happy with my vets prices. OH has his own business and I know how much rents, rates. and insurances cost us. Not to mention a living hourly rate for a professional with 5 years of training behind them, drugs, instuments, equipment and replacement of it, cleaners, receptionists, stationary, heating and lighting bills and phone bills etc..
I am very lucky with my vet and the out of hours service they run. Thier skills and compassion are worth every penny to me.
Aileen

>Vets are robbers these days.

Add up all their expenses (rent, rates, electricity, insurance, wages for staff, equipment, ongoing training, purchase of medications) see how much it all costs.

Then compare it to private medicine for humans. You'd be agreeably surprised ...

I used to be able to afford to go to a vets, but these days they take the mick.
My old vet didn't even have an assistant and practiced out of his garage.
He was a brilliant vet, knew what he was talking about.
As for meds, they charge you over the odds for those as well.

>My old vet didn't even have an assistant and practiced out of his garage.

Who monitored the anaesthetic when he was operating?

He probably didn't use anesthesia !

Hmmm, spaying without anaesthesia. Nice ..... :-( Not a vet I'd let within a mile of my animals!

It was a joke.