The Cost of Compassion
This article is about questions veterinarians and their staffs face daily. Veterinary practices and staff are faced with questions about fees and why is the total so much. The Michigan Veterinary Medical Association has developed a brochure titled "The Cost of Compassion". The byline of the MVMA is "Professional excellence. Compassionate care" The web address is www.michvma.org <http://www.michvma.org>, or call your veterinarian for the phone number. I asked MVMVA Executive Director Karlene Belyea for permission to use this brochure. I am addressing the eleven topics in the brochure in this article. My personal thoughts follow my initials MLS.
1) "Why does veterinary care seem so expensive?
Your veterinarian is not only your pet's general physician, but also its surgeon, radiologist, cardiologist, neurologist, dermatologist, dentist and pharmacist. The cost of care includes equipment maintenance, as well as continuing education and salaries for qualified staff. These costs are necessary to provide the care your pet deserves. An investment in your pet's veterinary care is an investment that will ensure quality care through out your pet's life time. Every pet owner has different ideas on what is acceptable pet health care. Your veterinarian can guide you through the health options available for your pet."
MLS: The tools and toys needed to do diagnostics are expensive to purchase and maintain. There is a wide margin in client expectations, treatment plans, and a need to stay within acceptable practice standards. Monitoring, techniques and skill level do make a difference.
2) "How can I save money on veterinary costs?
Avoiding the need for emergency care and being proactive in preventative care can save money over the life time of a pet.
Preventative medicine helps reduce medical costs in both humans and pets.
Regular physical examinations, current vaccines and regular parasite control help prevent disease.
Avoiding dangerous situations through obedience training, leash use, indoor life style and keeping pets away from toxic products cam help owners avoid significant costs associated with a pet emergency."
MLS: Owners need to watch toys and other items pets play with and chew on such as rawhides or bones. Foreign bodies are extremely expensive to remove. Years ago I removed a nickel from a cat's intestine. I still have the nickel. The fee total was very close to $1,000.00
3) "Why do prices for the same procedures vary so much among different veterinarians?
Each practice has different expenses that fees must cover. These fees do not always reflect the same set of services, though there may be certain basic procedures in common. The cost of pet health care reflects the full range of quality care provided to your pet. Different drugs, anesthetics and antibiotics affect the cost of services. Also, different techniques may be used as well as different products, overhead and philosophies."
MLS: I always wonder when there is a disparity in a procedure fee. What are the practices with a lower fee NOT doing? Patient monitoring, fluids, intra-operative patient warming devices, pre-procedure pain medication, and after procedure pain abatement are a short list of items that come to mind.
4) "What about low-cost animal clinic? How can their prices be so much lower than those of my veterinarian?
Some low-cost animal clinics are unable to provide the full range of quality pet care offered at other hospitals, such as emergency care, treatment for major illness, or complicated surgeries.
It should be acknowledged that donor subsidized clinics provide a valuable and often needed resource in the community by offering reduced-cost elective procedures to families with limited incomes."
MLS: Some people need the extra help
5)"My pet's office visit, vaccinations, surgery and medications total hundreds of dollars and I can't come up with that money all at once, Will my veterinarian work out a payment plan?
Contact your veterinarian in advance and inquire about various payment methods. Your veterinarian will be happy to clarify the hospital's payment policy."
MLS: Some choices may include saving up or prepaying for a service. There is an option of "CareCredit" a medical credit card that allows some extended payment terms. This allows us to give medical or surgical care when the need is the greatest.
6) "Can I get pet health insurance?
Yes, third-party health insurance is available for pets. As with human health insurance different companies offer various levels of coverage that have a wide range of deductibles and premiums. Contact your veterinarian's office for specific information on pet insurance"
MLS: I am an advocate for pet insurance. I do not receive any money from any insurance company to promote their products. Pet insurance stops economic euthanasia. Pet insurance allows me to treat and care for a pet. I will write about pet insurance in a future article.
7)"Why shouldn't I purchase vaccines and medications from catalogs and over the Internet?
A pharmaceutical purchase from your veterinarian is an investment in a business that will provide long term health care for your pet. No Internet pharmacy cares as much about your pet as your veterinarian. Some online pharmacies and catalogs represent legitimate, reputable pharmacies, but others may be fronts for businesses operating in violation of the law.
Many drugs can be dangerous to your pet if not properly prescribed and monitored by your veterinarian. Most online medications are within 3 to 5% of the cost charged by most veterinarians. The savings are minimal.
An additional consideration is that many products purchased through internet pharmacies are not guaranteed by the pharmacy or the manufacturer."
MLS: There are incidences of the wrong medication being sent. Cats have been sent medication for dogs with lethal consequences. Vaccine proper selection, storage, and care are important factors to me. Oh, how do you get internet companies to take care of the "anaphylactoid reaction" that may occur. If you have not had to deal with these issues I hope your luck continues.
8) "I want to have my pet spayed or neutered but am concerned about cost. What can I do?
Pet owners can prepare for the cost of spaying or neutering their pet by getting an estimate from their veterinarian at the time they adopt their pet and setting aside an appropriate amount each week until they elect to have the procedure performed. Also, a routine spay or neuter is not an emergency procedure and can be performed at any time that is convenient. Spay and neuter procedures are major surgery for your pet."
MLS: There are expenses associated with pet ownership. There is responsibility that goes with sharing your life with your pet. These items need to be addressed when considering a pet relationship.
9) "Why can't my veterinarian provide a refund if treatment does not eliminate my pets health problem?
Your veterinarian is committed to providing the best care for you and your pet. You are paying for an honest effort to diagnose and treat a problem. In veterinary medicine, as in human medicine there are no guarantees. Some problems can be long-term or involve multiple or changing causes and treatment may be ongoing. Unfortunately, a veterinary patient can't tell us what is wrong or help us monitor the success of some of our treatments."
MLS: The above question provides a very accurate answer.
10) "Why can't veterinarians advise, diagnose and/or prescribe medications over the phone and save me money and time?
For legal reasons, veterinarians cannot prescribe medications for pets they have not examined. To provide the highest level of care, provide an accurate diagnosis and plan a successful course of treatment, your veterinarian needs to physically examine your pet."
MLS: There needs to be a VCPR (Veterinarian, client, patient relationship). Phone medicine does not qualify. There are things you need to touch, see and evaluate with diagnostics for the health of your pet. It is a given I am good looking. If you have not met me, I have questions for you.
* What color is my right eye?
* Is it the same color as the left eye?
* Is my right eye present?
* Does it need corrective surgery?
* What color is my hair?
*What color did it use to be?
You see the issue. If you know, you can answer. If you do not know you are guessing at an answer. Guessing will make fatal mistakes.
11)"How much should I anticipate initially spending for veterinary care for a puppy or kitten? Or on an annual basis thereafter?
Puppies and kittens need a variety of vaccines and medications, depending on their age and health status. Your pet will need to be neutered at an appropriate age and treated and for unforeseen health problems that may come up. Talk to your veterinarian for an estimate."
MLS: Veterinarians and our support teams understand compassion. We deal with it daily. Animal people understand compassion also. The team concept of animal, owner and veterinary support side make a triangle that supports compassion. Our side of the team tries to keep the love story going as long as humanely possible. Please contact your veterinarian for a detailed response.
Dr Mike Sweet, DVM
Milan Veterinary Clinic
734-439-1112