vet prices
I have two dogs, went in today to get their nails trimmed and their two shots. got dewormed and temp taken and it cost me $264 dollars. I thought I was going to need oxygen before I got my debit card ...
Forum Discussion
I'm going to pretty much stay out of this conversation but offer a couple of observations.
Regarding:
It's not just real estate, the equipment requirements for "standard of care" is WAY different than 30 years ago. From ultrasound, laser, in office lab equipment, digital X-Ray, dental X-Ray to computers, surgical monitoring equipment, anesthesia and surgical equipment, there is just about an unlimited investment that could be made.
Multi-Doctor hospitals provide more efficient use of that equipment, but the down side is that they tend to have "more", use more and offer more and that costs money. I've heard it surmised that a 2 doctor practice allows for the minimum equipment/staffing to provide adequate care. ???
This is a pretty perverted way of looking at the situation. No lab ever tells us what is wrong. Diagnosis is always a function of a DVM not a lab tech or a machine.
What has happened is that "clinical diagnosis" is frowned upon by veterinary educators, the legal profession and clients and really isn't a preferred method of diagnosis taught in schools or used by the profession. This has led to better quality of veterinary care at a significant expense. Good or bad ????
Just a note, I spent the years between 18 and 29 going to school. During that time I took 3 years of full time employment teaching high school. The other 8 years in college and vet school plus one summer doing summer school, I had NO income beside side jobs making pizza over Christmas and spring breaks. Just consider the sacrifice in income producing years your vet made when you pay your $65 office visit.
I'm not complaining, I made the choice. Just offering a view from the other side of the fence.
Doug, DVM
Regarding:
toedtoes wrote:
30 years ago, I was told by my parents vet to "find a single vet practice and stay away from the medical groups". That got me through 20 years. Now there really isn't a choice anymore. New vet's can't afford the real estate on their own. My old vet had his practice in an industrial area to keep the costs down - vets nowadays insist on being in retail areas.
It's not just real estate, the equipment requirements for "standard of care" is WAY different than 30 years ago. From ultrasound, laser, in office lab equipment, digital X-Ray, dental X-Ray to computers, surgical monitoring equipment, anesthesia and surgical equipment, there is just about an unlimited investment that could be made.
Multi-Doctor hospitals provide more efficient use of that equipment, but the down side is that they tend to have "more", use more and offer more and that costs money. I've heard it surmised that a 2 doctor practice allows for the minimum equipment/staffing to provide adequate care. ???
rockhillmanor wrote:
Now they 'require' a blood test be taken for $120.00 that is sent out soooo you pay $65.00 for first visit to find out the vet will not diagnose your dog without a blood test.
And then you have to come back and pay another $65.00 to find out what the 'LAB' says is wrong with your dog.
This is a pretty perverted way of looking at the situation. No lab ever tells us what is wrong. Diagnosis is always a function of a DVM not a lab tech or a machine.
What has happened is that "clinical diagnosis" is frowned upon by veterinary educators, the legal profession and clients and really isn't a preferred method of diagnosis taught in schools or used by the profession. This has led to better quality of veterinary care at a significant expense. Good or bad ????
Just a note, I spent the years between 18 and 29 going to school. During that time I took 3 years of full time employment teaching high school. The other 8 years in college and vet school plus one summer doing summer school, I had NO income beside side jobs making pizza over Christmas and spring breaks. Just consider the sacrifice in income producing years your vet made when you pay your $65 office visit.
I'm not complaining, I made the choice. Just offering a view from the other side of the fence.
Doug, DVM
