Vet Fees

[Patrick Dixon]

I don't know whether you have checked, but over eighty dogs have been recovered from a travellers site in Ipswich and lots haven't been claimed yet - it is thought that they could be from all over the country and no one is sure how long they have been stolen

https://metro.co.uk/2021/04/19/galle...ners-14435532/

Thanks. Yes we keep tabs on all the Border Terriers that are found and there is a lot of 'chat' on facebook. She is microchipped, so hopefully that will help at some point.

[struth]

have had two borders. both great dogs..

[oldius]

Letter to MP:

In your constituency, and across the nation, independent vet practices are being bought out by national chains and by venture capitalists. Though the name above the door may remain, this is having a dramatic effect on vet fees and pet insurance costs, with many families deciding that they cannot afford to have their pet treated, or plunging themselves into debt to do the right thing. As a nation of animal lovers, it cannot be right that there is no regulatory body supervising the industry with a code of practice regarding fees and charges.


A short time ago, I began a petition, the link to which is below:

http://chng.it/BqrQFx7L


On a personal note, I recently was charged more than £900 for an X-ray and anti-inflammatory medication for my dog by MediVet, in Aigburth, a charge that the vet apologised for, informing me that her company set the fee but that the same treatment, in Spain, would have been approximately £100. MediVet has taken over several independent practices in the South Liverpool area but maintains the existing signage for the formerly independent businesses. Similarly, the cost of my pet insurance has risen by 600% in the last four years as an inevitable cost of the soaring vet fees, though there are also allegations of collusion between vet practice and insurers emerging. A number of people have since approached me with specific examples in their area.


Since starting the petition, the issue has been raised in the national press:

Calls for inquiry as equity vultures snap up vets amid rising bills and welfare fears | Daily Mail Online


Vets charge three times as much as online chemists for pet remedies | News | The Sunday Times (thetimes.co.uk)


I would be very grateful if you could raise this as an urgent matter where the nation appears to be falling victim to unregulated big business and I am happy to discuss the issue further or provide additional support.


Best regards,

[struth]

signed

[Andy831]

I might be a bit late to the party Geoff, but I signed it anyway.

My Border has just been in for a growth/lump removal operation in his groin.

So he had to be put asleep for the operation, the growth was removed and sent to the lab for analysis (came back clear of cancer luckily) Rio was put on Metacam and antibiotics for two week
plus a follow up consultation two weeks after the operation, total cost just under £600

So I guess not all Vets are robbing buggers.

Andy

[oldius]

I might be a bit late to the party Geoff, but I signed it anyway.

My Border has just been in for a growth/lump removal operation in his groin.

So he had to be put asleep for the operation, the growth was removed and sent to the lab for analysis (came back clear of cancer luckily) Rio was put on Metacam and antibiotics for two week
plus a follow up consultation two weeks after the operation, total cost just under £600

So I guess not all Vets are robbing buggers.

Andy

Indeed, which is why there needs to be some regulation. In my area, pretty much all of the independent practices have been swallowed up, creating a localised monopoly. The fees in each practice are matched and vastly inflated on what they were.

[guy]

Puppy stung on lip by a bee, my word it swelled up. Now I have been stung for £230 for out of hours consultation and antihistamine injection

At least we will get some back from insurance and can relax.