Dog Medication Prices ?

Author
Discussion

loskie

5,144 posts

119 months

Monday 8th February 2021
quotequote all
or compare a vet to a GP.

GP paid 85k plus a vet ( non partner) paid what 30 to 40k?

Probably a lot harder being a vet.

Or maybe those moaning about costs should think twice before owning a pet if they cannot afford it or do not want to pay such costs.

Red9zero

6,779 posts

56 months

Monday 8th February 2021
quotequote all
Our dog had to have an operation on his leg a couple of weeks ago. We were given the option of expensive surgery at our usual vets, or to be referred to the local small animal hospital, with better facilities, for very expensive surgery. You can guess which one we went for laugh

rigga

8,727 posts

200 months

Monday 8th February 2021
quotequote all
Thevet said:
rigga said:
Interesting that two posters, one being a vet, have the same opinion, buy the inflated medication or forget getting treatment when you need it!

Seems very mercenary to me, as already i presume consultation fees are probably being paid regarding medication, and that's probably currently a phone call at 35 quid for 5 mins in the current restrictions.

Wonder if the NHS started to take that view how that would be perceived by the general public, no one I think likes to be held to ransom.
Is it mercenary to charge for your service? If you don't like the fees my practice and many others charge, then go for a lower standard of service somewhrere else. I run a 12 vet mixed practice that is aiming to provide a top clas service, and of our turnover, 40% is small animal, with probaly 70% of wage costs plus 90% sugery running costs. Rates are now over £4k a month. We get plenty of people who think we're good but also plenty that think we haven't given enough in the care of their pet. There are plenty of complaints usually because someone doesn't like the cost or has been asked to pay before leaving. Running a vet practice is a pain at times, look at the present impetus for charging a similar rates level for on line traders like the pet pharmacies . Anyway, I get tired of trying to justify our fees when i have to get out of bed on many a cold wet night to go and get covered in various bodily fluids so I'll leave it here as you all have the option to get your prescriptions on line if you wish and enjoy the service of underfunded practice.
I'm not questioning the costs to run your service, other posters have highlighted that it seems medication costs are higher than can be obtained elsewhere, my point was the opinion, voiced by yourself as well another, that if these meds were not purchased from yourselves, then there "may " be consequences should you require attention to your animal in the future, that does not sit well with me.

Driver101

14,376 posts

120 months

Monday 8th February 2021
quotequote all
loskie said:
or compare a vet to a GP.

GP paid 85k plus a vet ( non partner) paid what 30 to 40k?

Probably a lot harder being a vet.

Or maybe those moaning about costs should think twice before owning a pet if they cannot afford it or do not want to pay such costs.
Don't pull that garbage.

In my example my old dog was on a repetitive prescription for years. There was no further treatment and she was hardly near the vet. They already charge good money for their time. There was no justification in the same medicines being 4x+ the cost of online. The mark ups are far too much.



Hashtaggggg

1,748 posts

68 months

Monday 8th February 2021
quotequote all
Driver101 said:
loskie said:
or compare a vet to a GP.

GP paid 85k plus a vet ( non partner) paid what 30 to 40k?

Probably a lot harder being a vet.

Or maybe those moaning about costs should think twice before owning a pet if they cannot afford it or do not want to pay such costs.
Don't pull that garbage.

In my example my old dog was on a repetitive prescription for years. There was no further treatment and she was hardly near the vet. They already charge good money for their time. There was no justification in the same medicines being 4x+ the cost of online. The mark ups are far too much.


Why are they too much?

A restaurant charges 4x food cost

A retailer similar and more

Markup on vehicle parts

To name a few ....

moorx

3,481 posts

113 months

Monday 8th February 2021
quotequote all
loskie said:
or compare a vet to a GP.

GP paid 85k plus a vet ( non partner) paid what 30 to 40k?

Probably a lot harder being a vet.

Or maybe those moaning about costs should think twice before owning a pet if they cannot afford it or do not want to pay such costs.
Indeed.

How many species does a doctor have to be able to treat? Versus a vet? And doctors specialise, most vets have to be both GPs and surgeons.

At the end of the day, having a pet is a choice and a luxury, not a requirement.

Marniet

252 posts

155 months

Monday 8th February 2021
quotequote all
rigga said:
loskie said:
BUT remember when you need the vet in the middle of the night or a bank holiday you may not be flavour of the month.
Thevet said:
Lets hope you don't then need that vet in the middle of the night.
Interesting that two posters, one being a vet, have the same opinion, buy the inflated medication or forget getting treatment when you need it!

Seems very mercenary to me, as already i presume consultation fees are probably being paid regarding medication, and that's probably currently a phone call at 35 quid for 5 mins in the current restrictions.

Wonder if the NHS started to take that view how that would be perceived by the general public, no one I think likes to be held to ransom.
I thought this was odd to. My vets phone goes in to answering machine at 17:30 . If I need a vet in the middle of the night I get the number of a private hospital in glasgow, who I then phone and then take my dog to. I’v been with this vets practice for around 30 years and I know them and generally trust them. Calling through the night has never been an option. My previous dog had cushions disease and was diabetic . The cost of the vetoryl for the cushions was eye watering to say the least . I bought the meds online .

Driver101

14,376 posts

120 months

Monday 8th February 2021
quotequote all
Marniet said:
rigga said:
loskie said:
BUT remember when you need the vet in the middle of the night or a bank holiday you may not be flavour of the month.
Thevet said:
Lets hope you don't then need that vet in the middle of the night.
Interesting that two posters, one being a vet, have the same opinion, buy the inflated medication or forget getting treatment when you need it!

Seems very mercenary to me, as already i presume consultation fees are probably being paid regarding medication, and that's probably currently a phone call at 35 quid for 5 mins in the current restrictions.

Wonder if the NHS started to take that view how that would be perceived by the general public, no one I think likes to be held to ransom.
I thought this was odd to. My vets phone goes in to answering machine at 17:30 . If I need a vet in the middle of the night I get the number of a private hospital in glasgow, who I then phone and then take my dog to. I’v been with this vets practice for around 30 years and I know them and generally trust them. Calling through the night has never been an option. My previous dog had cushions disease and was diabetic . The cost of the vetoryl for the cushions was eye watering to say the least . I bought the meds online .
My vet closes at 1pm on Saturday and closed on Sunday. They don't do out of hours. It's the emergency vet out of town who charge £199 for a brief consultation. 10-15 minutes and ointment for conjunctivitis and it was over £250. This was at lunch time on a Saturday two weeks ago.






hotchy

4,454 posts

125 months

Monday 8th February 2021
quotequote all
loskie said:
the vet is duty bound to give you a prescription (there may be a small charge for this) and then you can buy the meds anywhere BUT remember when you need the vet in the middle of the night or a bank holiday you may not be flavour of the month.

Some of the larger vet companies and especially chains are notorious for upselling.

In a rural area we tend to be a bit luckier with our vets, at least I think so!
Why would they treat you differently? Just explain i need the prescription because you can't afford there price so will need to get it online. You'll soon notice the price becomes more competitive aswel. Dog eye medicine... £60. After asking for for the prescription, and explaining they suddenly had there own make that was £12, so happens to be the same price as online. Sorted.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,286 posts

199 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
loskie said:
or compare a vet to a GP.

GP paid 85k plus a vet ( non partner) paid what 30 to 40k?

Probably a lot harder being a vet.

Or maybe those moaning about costs should think twice before owning a pet if they cannot afford it or do not want to pay such costs.
So, just tip up whatever they say ? If they decide to charge me three grand to send the dog to a specialist, just grin and bear it ?

I wouldn't mind if they were charging a bit more, but its potentially three times the price.

I can afford it, but like every transaction I make, I look at what I am being charged and if it is more expensive then I buy it elsewhere.

I could just pay it but I could use that money for something else, the vets have been paid £280 from me recently so have done ok.




LordGrover

33,531 posts

211 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
I'm a little vexed with my vet.

As well as separate pet insurance, I pay ca £16 /month per dog for their 'pet plan' which includes bi-annual check-up, vacc boosters, droncit & nexgard spectra (also small discount for range of foods etc. that I'll never buy).
Because COVID the check-ups are cancelled. I understand and accept it's beyond their control.
However, I don't think it unreasonable to expect a reduction or other compensation in their place.

As I need nexgard spectra next month I thought I'd check online and found VetUK about half the price; £15.64 & £16.92 versus £34.88 & £37.76 from my vet. However, they're charging £20 per prescription which rather negates any savings to be had.

I think I'll have a shop around for another vet, as I don't feel I'm getting great value from current one.

loskie

5,144 posts

119 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
J4CKO said:
loskie said:
or compare a vet to a GP.

GP paid 85k plus a vet ( non partner) paid what 30 to 40k?

Probably a lot harder being a vet.

Or maybe those moaning about costs should think twice before owning a pet if they cannot afford it or do not want to pay such costs.
So, just tip up whatever they say ? If they decide to charge me three grand to send the dog to a specialist, just grin and bear it ?

I wouldn't mind if they were charging a bit more, but its potentially three times the price.

I can afford it, but like every transaction I make, I look at what I am being charged and if it is more expensive then I buy it elsewhere.

just have the dog put down then if you cannot justify the costs.

Anyone should be aware about sourcing vet meds online, yes there are many genuine suppliers out there but there are fake vet meds in circulation too.

I could just pay it but I could use that money for something else, the vets have been paid £280 from me recently so have done ok.

Driver101

14,376 posts

120 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
loskie said:
J4CKO said:
loskie said:
or compare a vet to a GP.

GP paid 85k plus a vet ( non partner) paid what 30 to 40k?

Probably a lot harder being a vet.

Or maybe those moaning about costs should think twice before owning a pet if they cannot afford it or do not want to pay such costs.
So, just tip up whatever they say ? If they decide to charge me three grand to send the dog to a specialist, just grin and bear it ?

I wouldn't mind if they were charging a bit more, but its potentially three times the price.

I can afford it, but like every transaction I make, I look at what I am being charged and if it is more expensive then I buy it elsewhere.

just have the dog put down then if you cannot justify the costs.

Anyone should be aware about sourcing vet meds online, yes there are many genuine suppliers out there but there are fake vet meds in circulation too.

I could just pay it but I could use that money for something else, the vets have been paid £280 from me recently so have done ok.
You've messed up the quotes.

What makes you so bitter about this?

Just have the dog put down? What even post ste like that?

Fake medicine? It's not the dark web you have order from to be paying 1/4-1/5 of the price. They are well known and respected companies.

The vets charge well for their time. There is no justification paying their high fees for their services, then paying extortionate rates for continuous medication when you're getting nothing else for it. It's two separate transactions.






Edited by Driver101 on Wednesday 10th February 21:53

Thevet

1,787 posts

232 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Driver101 said:
The vets charge well for their time. There is no justification paying their high fees for their services, then paying extortionate rates for continuous medication when you're getting nothing else for it. It's two separate transactions.
We charge well but not as much as legal-eagles, we gat paid less than doctors and dentists, please if you don't like paying vets, then pay someone online who has no desire to do anything other than sell you the meds they require. You have the choice so please use it.


Driver101

14,376 posts

120 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Thevet said:
Driver101 said:
The vets charge well for their time. There is no justification paying their high fees for their services, then paying extortionate rates for continuous medication when you're getting nothing else for it. It's two separate transactions.
We charge well but not as much as legal-eagles, we gat paid less than doctors and dentists, please if you don't like paying vets, then pay someone online who has no desire to do anything other than sell you the meds they require. You have the choice so please use it.
We don't get the emergency treatment from our own vet that you used as your earlier justification for costs. I paid a vet £199 for a 10-15 appointment a couple of weeks ago. I've never paid a dentist that. It was also £50+ for a tiny tube of eye ointment on top of that.

When I'm at the dentist I don't buy all the overpriced toothpastes, brushes and treatments behind the desk either. I'm sure you probably don't either.

I pay the vet to do their job. I'm sorry that if my dog gets a long-term illness I'm unwilling to pay 4-5x the price I can buy the exact same medicine from elsewhere. There come a point where a short consultation and treatment becomes completely unjustifiable with the ridiculous profit margins on the medication.

I don't see the justification that if your profession doesn't command the salary you desire, subsidising it with overcharging for medicines becomes ok.


Thevet

1,787 posts

232 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Driver101 said:
We don't get the emergency treatment from our own vet that you used as your earlier justification for costs. I paid a vet £199 for a 10-15 appointment a couple of weeks ago. I've never paid a dentist that. It was also £50+ for a tiny tube of eye ointment on top of that.

I pay the vet to do their job. I'm sorry that if my dog gets a long-term illness I'm unwilling to pay 4-5x the price I can buy the exact same medicine from elsewhere. There come a point where a short consultation and treatment becomes completely unjustifiable with the ridiculous profit margins on the medication.

I don't see the justification that if your profession doesn't command the salary you desire, subsidising it with overcharging for medicines becomes ok.
I didn't use the emergency treatment as a justification for our prices. However, I have been on call at least 1 in 4 for the last 34 years, often doing extra for those unable to cope with the challenges of vet work, and while I am mainly doing farm work, I will always answer the call from clients needing help, sometimes my skills dictate that a small animal service is required out of hours, so along with the rest of the small animal prefession, emergencies get referred to the on call service.
So, you pay your vet to do their job, with all the costs of this, and begrudge paying "over" the odds for medications over the counter, well, you have been informed several times about how to avoid that!! Get your meds online, simple, don't feel you have to buy from us. As I said, we deal with many types of clients most expecting 21st century treatment often for PDSA costs.
I hope you have a job that depends on your performance and deals with a clientelle that is so inured with emotion and expectations, and demands that you answer phonecalls at any hour for reasons varying from disaster to ridiculous. I know that the biased graduates coming out from college will not contemplate the commitment shown by previous vets, so sadly get used to it and buy your meds online, letting your own vets know what you think and why.


J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,286 posts

199 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
quotequote all
Driver101 said:
loskie said:
J4CKO said:
loskie said:
or compare a vet to a GP.

GP paid 85k plus a vet ( non partner) paid what 30 to 40k?

Probably a lot harder being a vet.

Or maybe those moaning about costs should think twice before owning a pet if they cannot afford it or do not want to pay such costs.
So, just tip up whatever they say ? If they decide to charge me three grand to send the dog to a specialist, just grin and bear it ?

I wouldn't mind if they were charging a bit more, but its potentially three times the price.

I can afford it, but like every transaction I make, I look at what I am being charged and if it is more expensive then I buy it elsewhere.

just have the dog put down then if you cannot justify the costs.

Anyone should be aware about sourcing vet meds online, yes there are many genuine suppliers out there but there are fake vet meds in circulation too.

I could just pay it but I could use that money for something else, the vets have been paid £280 from me recently so have done ok.
You've messed up the quotes.

What makes you so bitter about this?

Just have the dog out down? What even post ste like that?

Fake medicine? It's not the dark web you have order from to be paying 1/4-1/5 of the price. They are well known and respected companies.

The vets charge well for their time. There is no justification paying their high fees for their services, then paying extortionate rates for continuous medication when you're getting nothing else for it. It's two separate transactions.
That indeed was a bit dramatic, get the dog put down as the vets are a bit pricey for the meds compared to online biggrin

Imagine that conversation with the vet, "Why would you like me to euthanise this otherwise relatively healthy, if slightly older dog"

"Well, your pricing structure for his medication leaves me little other option"


I dont buy contact lenses from the optician either, I dont always get my car serviced at the main agents.

Thing is, if it was a bit more expensive I would just pay it, just seems so much more, I have no issue with someone making a decent living.



Dog is lying here in front of the Dog Burner, sorry Log Burner, he doesnt give a toss unless there is food in it, he is listening for me closing my laptop or spelling D O G and/or W A L K,

Or if I say to the wife "I think I will take the, er....."

"Cat for a Swim"

"No, I mean the Dog for a Walk", goes from asleep to stood on my chest in less than three seconds.







loskie

5,144 posts

119 months

Thursday 11th February 2021
quotequote all
It's fantastic isn't it? Like an on off switch.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

41,286 posts

199 months

Thursday 11th February 2021
quotequote all
loskie said:
It's fantastic isn't it? Like an on off switch.
What is ?

I rang the vets and explained, they just said its fine, will do a prescription, which is £12 and is ready to collect tomorrow and I can then order from whoever I like.

super7

1,922 posts

207 months

Thursday 11th February 2021
quotequote all
Thevet said:
Driver101 said:
We don't get the emergency treatment from our own vet that you used as your earlier justification for costs. I paid a vet £199 for a 10-15 appointment a couple of weeks ago. I've never paid a dentist that. It was also £50+ for a tiny tube of eye ointment on top of that.

I pay the vet to do their job. I'm sorry that if my dog gets a long-term illness I'm unwilling to pay 4-5x the price I can buy the exact same medicine from elsewhere. There come a point where a short consultation and treatment becomes completely unjustifiable with the ridiculous profit margins on the medication.

I don't see the justification that if your profession doesn't command the salary you desire, subsidising it with overcharging for medicines becomes ok.
I didn't use the emergency treatment as a justification for our prices. However, I have been on call at least 1 in 4 for the last 34 years, often doing extra for those unable to cope with the challenges of vet work, and while I am mainly doing farm work, I will always answer the call from clients needing help, sometimes my skills dictate that a small animal service is required out of hours, so along with the rest of the small animal prefession, emergencies get referred to the on call service.
So, you pay your vet to do their job, with all the costs of this, and begrudge paying "over" the odds for medications over the counter, well, you have been informed several times about how to avoid that!! Get your meds online, simple, don't feel you have to buy from us. As I said, we deal with many types of clients most expecting 21st century treatment often for PDSA costs.
I hope you have a job that depends on your performance and deals with a clientelle that is so inured with emotion and expectations, and demands that you answer phonecalls at any hour for reasons varying from disaster to ridiculous. I know that the biased graduates coming out from college will not contemplate the commitment shown by previous vets, so sadly get used to it and buy your meds online, letting your own vets know what you think and why.
There seems to be a general perception that Vets are just money grabbing and playing on peoples emotions to justify charging high prices for consultations, treatments and procedures. You can probably understand this when you take pooch in at 9pm on Saturday evening, and before you have even stepped foot in the consulting room, you've racked up £200 in fee's (i've been on-call for 30years and never got £200 just for being called!!) . You wonder why people want PDSA prices which are obviously subsidised by charity.

I'm not saying that our local vets are not justified in charging these prices, but the end client, us, don't see this. Maybe if the Vet's were more transparent in the charges, and how much it costs to run the practice, people wouldn't be so aggrieved. Maybe publishing in the waiting room, or on the website, what the profit margins are, people won't feel so ripped off, and make people less scared to involve a vet. Not everyone can afford massive bills, especially when the perception is that they are exorbitant, which makes me wonder how many pets suffer?

Having 4 dogs myself, and puppies from time to time, it does cross our mind if the issue can wait for a weekday or next day if overnight.... and we shouldn't even contemplate that.