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susan p
Gold Member
 Scotland
915 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 11:42:33 AM
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I have just had my vets bill of nearly £400 for two visits to check Iana's mud fever,,,merry xmas eh? Note to self do not phone vets for advice on mud fever next year 
I had been treating it with sudocream,udder cream,fuciderm and flamazine,she has been kept in and I only phoned the vet as one leg was quite puffy.I was happy to pay for one visit and antibiotics to bring the swelling down,but they also prescribed steroids and a follow up visit to check on progress(not really required!)
First thing on my new year resolutions list,,change vets 
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www.blackislearabians.com
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the ways its animals are treated
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arabianrio
Gold Member
England
1300 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 11:48:17 AM
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Call out fees are just horrendous now!
At least ours do a free call out for routine 'Flu' and 'Tet'jabs and teeth rasping!(providing you pay up on the day )but it saves a fortune!!! |
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susan p
Gold Member
Scotland
915 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 11:56:45 AM
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They have a free call out day,but mysteriously it is always fully booked,and even on the free call out day you still have a £40 consultation fee  |
www.blackislearabians.com
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the ways its animals are treated
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pinkvboots
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3290 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 12:03:43 PM
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| Oh god don't bother with anything from the vets, we bought a mare two months ago with really bad mud fever, I was told to use athletes foot spray on it well two weeks down the line it has gone, £3 from the chemist will never use anything else ever again you dont even have to wash the scabs off they just fall off. |
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navaho621
Gold Member
Wales
510 Posts |
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Pony slave
Bronze Member
68 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 1:09:21 PM
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Don't get me going on vets bills!!!
Am currently arguing with my vet a bill that I queried, he reduced it as I was charged for things that were not administered/not done/not given (not a happy bunny when that one came through!!) to be found there again on the end of month statement and told that the account is outstanding!!!! Cheeky devils.
If I could change my vet I would, but there is no one else close if there is an emergency, (very rural area!) mind you when you press the red panic button you don't get the service you expect/need and have to tell newly qualified vets how to treat your horse, and could they please hurry up and do something!!! Rant rant!!!!
Thankyou feel better now!!
PS xx |
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susan p
Gold Member
Scotland
915 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 1:37:10 PM
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| I have the same problem they are really the only equine vet locally,so they cash in on this,I also don't want to fall out with them,in case of emergencies either,they really have got a captive market! |
www.blackislearabians.com
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the ways its animals are treated
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phoenixbruka
Gold Member
England
1190 Posts |
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Honeyb060674
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4301 Posts |
Posted - 21 Dec 2010 : 7:39:50 PM
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WOW thats a serious bill, I'd definately be querying it. For the same cost I had emergency call out, x rays, jabs, dressing & re dressing, 2 visits & one 'just popping in as I'm in the area' visit. Shocking  |
      
Claire & Sunny x
http://sunnyandclaire.blogspot.com/ |
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Pony slave
Bronze Member
68 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 09:56:58 AM
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Afraid I just don't trust them at all any more they see equines and rack up the price, I sadly always scrutinise my bill now apart from the above incident a previous scam was to try and charge me £80.00 for the administering of a small lump of washing soda into my labrador to make him sick after he swallowed a poisioned rat! AND I took him to the surgery!! It was reduced to £25 after I hit the roof!
I must add that our practice is a relitively new one as both previous vets in the town retired simultaniously so this new batch waltzed in and took over both sets of clients 2 years ago and its been hell ever since!! I am not the only unhappy client - but what can you do!??
PS xx |
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Incasha
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 10:30:45 AM
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I do think for what you have had the cost is very high!
My weanling has been ill recently and he has had four visits (2 on weekends), 2 courses anitbiotics, acp, bute, 3 pain relief and anti inflammatory injections, plus 8 tubs of pre biotic feed (apprx £12 a tub)....and my bill has just reached £400!! ....which I have very kindly passed onto the insurance company! |
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carole ferguson
Silver Member
United Kingdom
457 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 1:50:42 PM
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My cousin is a Vet - and whilst he was training - he and a friend came up with a very good cure for mud Fever - but not sure if it was ever followed up and produced. They used pure talc - with a bit of Powdered Alum I think - and I still have some left that a friend made up for me. I find it works really well - and they have usually cleared up in a matter of days.
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Pasha
Platinum Member
England
3622 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 2:35:33 PM
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Isn't that what Ketetex Mud Guard Powder is essentially! I call it expensive talc he he!
susan p did your £400 bill include the Flamazine? That can be £50 a tub on it's own... sadly I know through experience 
I'm now trying Aromaheel with success although getting through it at a rate of knotts! At least he'll let me put it on and no hibiscrubbing his poor legs!
I've just ahd a £472 vet bill through for 2 visits: one was an ultra sound and lameness work-up, the other was for Shock Wave Therapy... hopefully I won't be paying though! |
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Kazzy
Platinum Member
England
3335 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 4:06:00 PM
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I did the Zinc and castor Oil and wrapped his legs in vetwrap and left it on for 24 hours and changed and applied new cream and vetwrap, within 4 - 5 days the whole lot had gone.
And I have tried every product on the market to no avail, well, some results but a prolonged time to get shut and thats on Photosensitivty/LV. It could work on actual mud fever I dont know.
Janet |
     
Sunny Cheshire |
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Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 8:34:05 PM
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I've just received a £200 bill for teeth rasping. I'm not sure if that's a lot in comparison to other vets? However I admit, I get them given a little sedation each so they don't stress and overall it's a better experience for them and the vet can do a better job hopefully. I do think my vets are expensive though, but like some others they are specialist equine vets and so can monopolise quite a large area here.
Well, that's my girls had their Christmas 
Fee |
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stuart
Silver Member
United Kingdom
335 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2010 : 9:10:25 PM
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Not horse related - but there is a link!
I had to have my Belgian Shepherd put to sleep 4 weeks ago at only nearly 13.......rip Jazz.
The callout alone was £139.00 and the total £246.56 this included the Domitor at £26.67 and Torbugesic at £16.73 that actually sent her on her next journey............... The 'Act' itself he charged me £63.43 for putting the needle in!
To my point - same practise - we are .5 of a mile into their second zone @ 10.5 miles - for the horses the call out is only(!) £55.00 - go figure
The Dogs are changing vets - not cheaper - but nearer!!!! Shame - but enough is enough! |
North Norfolk |
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Delyth
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1425 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2010 : 08:27:24 AM
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| I win on the vets bill front this year !! I could've put a deposit down on a small cottage !!! Wishing all my horses the very best of health and accident free zones in 2011 |
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Pasha
Platinum Member
England
3622 Posts |
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arabianrio
Gold Member
England
1300 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2010 : 10:35:02 AM
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| "I could've put a deposit down on a small cottage"...I reckon over the past 30 years I bought my vets idyllic country house. Whats more and to add salt to the wound it is my dream house and I pass it many times when I ride!!! |
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jillandlomond
Platinum Member
Scotland
3586 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2010 : 1:32:57 PM
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Vets like everbody else have to earn a living. They have to study hard for many years to qualify. The vast majority are kind, caring people who work very long shifts for a fairly moderate salary. One of our local vets told me her annual salary was just £28k, which isn't a lot considering they're often on call over the weekends and a nights. It's such a comfort to know that these guys are there ready to help and support us should our animals need them.
I can honestly say, I never grudge my vets a single penny. I for one could never do their job (not clever enough and way too squeamish  ). |
    
Borders, Scotland |
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Dot
Gold Member
England
669 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2010 : 1:57:23 PM
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Problem is none of us know the real costs of our own medical care so have nonthing to conpare the cost to. Try asking an American about health care costs for humans in relation to vets costs would give you an idea of the relative costs.
How much do you reckon setting a broken human leg costs?
Dot |
Dot
www.threelowsfarm.com
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Foxtrot
Bronze Member
England
66 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2010 : 4:31:05 PM
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Hear Hear Dot!
I manage an a farm/small animal vet practice, and had the good fortune to work in private medical insurance 10 years ago.
If people didn't have the NHS they would realise just how much healthcare costs! A friend of mine says the total cost is £30,000 for a hip replacement in humans and was shocked we could do one in a dog for £2500!! Bargin.
We also worked out that when you tottled up all the hours our vets worked, they take home less than the minimum wage!!
Sorry rant over, but the majoity of the profession are working hard 24/7 trying to do our best, even in all this snow !!
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Misper
Bronze Member
101 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2010 : 7:37:11 PM
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| Yes,we appreciate our vets very much,they never over charge and they are always there when we need them. We too live in a very rural area, but there is a choice of veterinary practices despite (or because of!) this. A positive relationship with your practice is important, so if unhappy, why not change? |
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barbara.gregory
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4531 Posts |
Posted - 23 Dec 2010 : 10:26:49 PM
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My vet is noted around here as being expensive. However, he is a real horseman and I have great faith in him and wouls prefer to pay a bit extra and know who I am getting rather than the large practices around here where you never see the same vet twice.
My vet knows my horses (in fact they have paid for his fab new house) and that means a lot to me!!!!!!
Barbara
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kath
Gold Member
United Kingdom
943 Posts |
Posted - 25 Dec 2010 : 5:59:21 PM
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Our vets are fantastic but are VERY expensive! They are about £40 for a call out, before you have any consultation, which can be another £30.....it does make you think twice about calling them out! But they are second to none, and if you just want advice you can call without any charge. Just means it takes me many months to pay off my bills!
I hope Iana is better soon Susan x |
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pam
Bronze Member
England
176 Posts |
Posted - 25 Dec 2010 : 8:43:26 PM
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I think I have also personally sponsored my vet's holidays, but all been very necessary and appreciated! Of Course I'd like to be paying them less but I do appreciate they are value for money and just a necessary part of having animals.
I have a huge amount to be grateful for to my vet - he's passionate about equine breeding and has taught me a huge amount - including encouraging me to go on an AI course (which I did this year), he has put clients my way and has also 'lent' me the practise's AV for the last 2 years as they havn't needed it. They dont do much collecting from stallions and the only 2 enquiries they had for it they put onto me so I could earn some money!
I dont think I could get better than that!
When you consider what a vet practise's overheads etc must be these days its no wonder prices have gone up a lot in the last couple of years.
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Vet bills!
