02/08/2024
THE NEW COST OF VETERINARY CARE
(sorry for such a long post again). (Post originally written by Second Chance Portsmouth Cats)
Without doubt advancements in medical care for our pets has brought a great many benefits as well as a big increase in the options available to vets and owners. Most veterinary practices now have access to 24 hour care, a wide range of equipment such as Ultrasound, MRI and CT scanners plus the option to recommend consultants for most conditions, everything from oncology to orthopaedics.
Health care for our pets is beginning to resemble our own but without the back up of the NHS and all this advancement in technology and equipment can bring concerns for pet owners mainly in the form of rapidly rising costs but also, on occasion, ethical concerns too.
The majority of veterinary practices are now in corporate ownership. This has introduced many new pressures on vets who are often given “incentives” of one sort or another to carry out extra tests and treatments, driving those costs up further and potentially compromising the quality of care.
Pet owners are increasingly finding themselves being put into heartbreaking dilemmas. In order to relieve their pets suffering they are forced to choose between going into debt for expensive treatments or euthanasia.
As most of us have little or no medical knowledge we have to trust the advice given to us is in the best interest of our pets. But is the recommended treatment going to give our pets the opportunity of a better quality of life or is it just in the corporate’s best business interests?
Recently the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed it is proceeding with a formal investigation into the veterinary services market for household pets acknowledging that urgent reform is needed. However this is going to take at least 18 months and possibly longer to complete.
The wellbeing of our pets is increasingly in the hands of large corporations and equity firms who are not known for their compassion so we feel we need to strongly suggest owners give themselves some form of financial backup. An insurance policy can start from as little as £5-£10 a month for a kitten or puppy, but they will not be small for very long and this will quickly double, triple or even ten-fold or more for older pets or more comprehensive plans. If this is not a viable option, especially if you have more than one pet, then making regular affordable deposits into an account reserved exclusively for a veterinary emergency is a very good alternative.
It’s not only your pet’s welfare but your own conscience that could be at stake.
