My almost 11 year old Whippet just had a dental and two corn excising and with all the extras and VAT, it came to £30 less than the original estimate I had (around £550.)  She has a skin tag on the leg where the canula access was made and to be honest, although I didn't mention it before the surgery was done (her dental included extractions and the gum needing to be stitched around a back one that had to come out) rather than nick that off, it was left.  Was a time when my previous vet up country, would have taken it off as part of the treatment.  I'm also not used to a vet charging for the pre-surgery appointment to briefly discuss the best options but instead, including that cost with the overall surgery cost, if I went ahead with what was suggested.

I am aware that it's all about making money these days, with vets, but I'm interested to know how many here have found their vets do go the extra mile for simple procedures, while the animal is under general anaesthetic.

I can't complain really as she survived, and this morning, after coming home around 6 pm yesterday with a/bs and pain relief, she's fine.   She was hungry as a lion when she came home and woofed down scrambled egg and poached chicken breast.

Had good vets in the past who do their very best, which includes keeping the costs down as much as possible, today too many appear to be more interested in putting absolutely everything on the bill (and a bit more 'if you get my drift') you realise this when they give you your receipt, but I guess at the end of the day as long as our dogs are o.k. that's all that really counts.

> I'm also not used to a vet charging for the pre-surgery appointment to briefly discuss the best options

That's how I feel, but inevitably I get charged for that "quick chat."  However, my vet has a consult charge, then a 2nd charge for seeing the same dog again.  Also a 3rd charge.  They do tend to charge me the 2nd or 3rd, so reducing my consult fee.  But I've always assumed that they do it because I have so many dogs registered with them.  They can guarantee thousands of pounds a year from me anyway.

I have 3 dogs on permanent medication, that costs well over £100 per month.  But they've got me by the short and curlies really.  I've got to have immediate vet care for a dog if it's needed.

My vet is really good. When Cava was under a GA for an eye op they clipped his claws at the same time. They knew he wasn't very keen on vets so as I live right across the road they would phone me when they were ready to start operating and I would take him over. As soon as he was out of the GA and they were happy with him they would phone me and I would collect him. Once the vet actually brought him back.

I have 3 cats now and if I am bringing more than one I phone when I'm ready and somebody nips across to help me. When I broke my shoulder one of the Vet Nurses came and cleaned the litter trays on days when I didn't have visitors.

Sorry I went a bit off topic but to me it's the little bit extra that makes the service so good. Plus they are great vets

> rather than nick that off, it was left.  Was a time when my previous vet up country, would have taken it off as part of the treatment.

Technically, any treatment that hasn't been agreed in advance, even clipping nails while under anaesthetic, can get the vet in trouble for assault. Sad but true.

Think many of the problems stem from larger companies/conglomerates buying out old private practices & premises, re vamping & having to raise fees to pay for everything.
When one of the larger well known companies came here many years ago, staff were told that 'everything' was to be done for any animal with insurance.
Been so fortunate in recent years, especially with an elderly dog with multiple problems (probably saw a vet every month of his 12 years),  his vet was fantastic, even used to ring us in latter years if hadn't seen him for a while & when I suggested he was seen at home, came around for an hour between surgeries, had a cup of tea with us & no charge. There are some great ones left but, hard to find. Miss her.

I too believe that these conglomerates buying up established practices are to blame for the recent apparent increases in vet fees.
I have actually been told by one of the vets at my own practice that this is indeed the case.
The staff are driven to offer every thing they can think of- unnecessary bloods etc to raise as much revenue as possible for the parent company.

I should have said in my previous post that the vet practice i use is run by one of these large companies therefore the vet i see is ultimately employed by them.