Why do people think vets should discount services or allow you to make payments?

I haven't been on here very long, but a lot of you seem to think that vet's should allow people to make payments. Why? You took on the responsbility of an animal- you need to take care of it. If you can't pay for vet services- don't get an animal. Do you go to the grocery store and say "OOPS- can you bill me, I don't have enough money this week." Veterinary offices are buisnesses just like everywhere else- they have bills, overhead, inventory and staff to pay. It is not their responsiblity to take care of your sick pet when you can't afford it. I mean seriously- do I go to your place of work and ask for a payment plan? Do breeders allow you to make payments on the pup you bought? Before you get an animal- make sure you can afford it. You can expect to average around $350- $500 PER PET a year just in vet services- vaccines, heartworm prevention and dental cleanings. So, then you can add in another $200+ for a high quality food. Emergency= $1000+. Can you afford this???

Why do people think vets should discount services or allow you to make payments?
I have been a vet tech for 17 years and was around back when making payments was commonplace. The sad truth is that the vets got screwed at least 70% of the time!!!!!


All these people on here want the vet to take payments and think they will MAKE the payments, but when it comes right down to it, they don't. Many do not even have a credit card, and if you can't even get that, why does a vet think you are a good risk????? They are not in the loan business.


Doctors kind of have to treat people and allow payments, it is the law. Vets do not. Pets are not a right, they are in fact a luxury!!! Kind of like a Corvette. If you can't afford a Vette, you don't get one....but people get all kinds of cheap and free pets and think they won't need a vet...the last pet never got sick until it dropped dead. So they go on thinking they will never need a vet, and one day..POOF!....a sick pet. Then they are all down on the vets because they will not make their lives easier by taking payments that they will never get. It is another reason why vet costs are so high!! People do not pay, or bounce a check and then the vet has to write off that money and the rest of us pay for it in higher costs!!!!!!


These type people will never get any better. They think the world owes them and if there is nobody standing there offering to help them, then the rest of us are bad and don't care!!!! These people HAVE computers and internet service!!!!! I have not read any post here that says someone will go and hock their computer to get vet care for the pet!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is easler for them to cry about it here!!!!!





And yes, I HAVE had a problem...a dog needing a hip replacement...and I got a CREDIT CARD to pay for it!!!! It was my problem, not the vets. I provide for my pets. I do not expect the vet to do it for me!!!!!!!!!! I also set aside a MONTHLY amount for pet care and put it in an account!!! That is what people do to ensure the pets can have care if they need it!!!!





Where do you draw the line for vets??? What if you bring a cat in that was hit by a car. The vet says it will cost $500 to TRY and save the cat. You say you do not have it but will make payments. The vet..if he was going to pay it himself, would euthanize the cat because he cannot foot such a high bill....but you are going to make payments so he goes ahead and treats it. $400 later and the cat dies anyway. Then you have a high vet bill and no cat. So you don't pay. How is that fair to the vet??????


Then he can either eat the cost, or shell out MORE money to send you to collections and probably still not get it. Now the next time you go to the vet, costs are higher.


People need to plan better. That is the bottom line!! ANd take more responsibility for your own pets....or maybe you should get insurance for them!!!!!!
Reply:i worked in a vet hospital and didn't agree to a point Report It

Reply:Uh, people doctors allow you to make payments, so why not vets? Get out more often and you'll find this stuff out for yourself.
Reply:They do offer pet health insurance now, something that can help with all those bills. It is really expensive!
Reply:Gee, I have had dogs for over 20 years. My dog is celebrating his 10th birthday today. I am also out of work for 1 year today.





For the 1st time, I can't afford to take my dog to the vet.





Would you care to pass judgement on me?
Reply:You're in the wrong business. You need to have a heart to be a vet. Sometimes people fall on hard times and the pet shouldn't have to pay the price. And actually yes, dog breeders do make payments, my best friend is one. I mean seriously, what is wrong with you?
Reply:I fee the same way about the pediatrician.
Reply:I agree with you a 100%, I have always taken my pets to the vet for whatever they needed. I got them so I took proper care of them. I have pet domestic fancy rats now %26amp; one trip for a $10. Rat was $72.00, that's okay, I love him %26amp; he needed medical attention I wasn't going to let the poor thing suffer %26amp; die in pain.
Reply:well you get health care for yourself that you don't have to pay all at once or if cant afford health insurance you can get medicaid so why cant they do the same for your pets. and if you are sick and can not afford health care they do not turn you away but vets will they almost let my friends dog die if they cared about animals don't you think they should have tried to save him if that would have been a human they would have saved him and billed him
Reply:I use a vet who takes credit cards. That way, if I can't afford treatment in a bad month, I can still take my pets to the vet and charge it and pay on it as I can.
Reply:my wife works at the humane society, I hear you.


Actually I did that last Saturday. I forgot my wallet, I was so embarrassed. But luckily my wife works their so she paid them on Monday when she went in. And they know me because we foster dogs from them. But I do understand your argument.
Reply:i agree with the fact you should definitely think about what will be needed for you pet before you buy them.. the way i see it is the animal you bought needs to be taking care of just like any human. although the ones who are in tough situations may have not for seen the situation with the pets health coming into play. if your dog was suddenly hit with a kidney infection and needed a transplant and they told you it'll cost 3,500 to fix.. you need to come up with that money RIGHT NOW or else your dog doesn't get treated.. you cant tell me that if something so serious comes up like that, that your going to have the full amount, no matter what the cost.. so in situations like that is when its best for payment plans.. just as doctors do for humans they should for pets as well.. and some vets do do that!
Reply:Some vets do allow for payments, but you have to talk to them before hand. You also can purchase pet insurance if you think your pet is likely to get sick or if you think you will need it. I do not plan on getting a dog until I have $1000 put aside just for emergency dog care and I have budgeted for the extra expenses. Inside cats can have lower costs and less upkeep costs but I still take them to the vet every year.


Vets, should be paid when services are rendered, just like any other medical appointment, if that is going to be a problem working something out with the vet is a good idea.


If I don't have enough money for grocery bills I put it on a credit card, if I have a pet emergency I would probably put that on a credit card as well, that way I can make payments.


I really hate seeing and hearing about people who don't get simple vet care and then are upset when their dog has to be put to sleep. Then they also don't take responsability, like someone was supose to tell them that their sick dog has to go to the vet, or that a dog needs rabies shots.
Reply:wow, what a piece of work you are!!! My vet allows people to make payments if they can't afford to tackle a large vet bill. He cares that the animal is taken care of. So you need to relax and go into politics or some other line of work. Sounds like your not a vet cause you like animals, but because you like the money. I bet you over charge too.
Reply:There is nothing wrong with looking for discount services or payment plans for veterinary care. It can be very expensive, and sometimes people have other emergencies or large expenses that come up at the same time, whereas they could normally afford the vet bills (their own medical care, their car broke down last month and dog got sick this month, family emergency, they got laid off). It's not a perfect world and stuff happens. People DO work out payment plans for their own medical care, vehicles, and homes. And many people work out payment plans for groceries, gasoline, clothing, electronics, etc.--they are called credit cards. It is still better for the pet to be in a home where they don't get premium food all the time and their vet bills have to be made in payments than to be "euthanized" in a shelter. Yes, people should weigh the costs before adopting a pet, but there are many wonderful pet owners out there who are not wealthy.
Reply:I do not expect to get a kitten or puppy that would cost me 350-500 per pet. That is ridiculous!! I adopted 2 kittens, and paid 75 which covered their shots, worming, and being spayed. The contract I signed stated they were in good health when I got them. I have taken care of their basic needs, spent time with the vet, and done everything I am supposed to, but would not expect to pay 350-500 for each at this point. I understand they can get more expensive as they age, but you expect that. With my old cat, my vet would give all the prices, and what he felt was the best thing to do. But, I have no doubt that with my long relationship with him, he would have allowed a payment plan. I think it depends on the individual situation. Maybe you have enough money to always set aside this amount for your pet, but I also am a single homeowner that has more important issues that may come up, and use that fund.
Reply:i THINK TOO MANY VETS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOVE PEOPLE HAVE FOR THEIR ANIMALS. A SHOT COSTS 7.00 AND THEY CHARGE 30-40.00 FOR IT. IF YOU MUST ATTACK ANIMAL OWNERS I WILL EXPOSE THE VET PRACTICE FROM A RESCUERS EYES.


I HAVE WORKED WITH SEVERAL VETS AND PROFESSIONALS. ONE OF THE THINGS I SAW ALOT OF WAS VETS WHO ADMITTEDLY WOULD CHARGE ONE PERSON MORE FOR AN ANIMAL AND LESS TO SOMEONE ELSE JUST BECAUSE THEY DIDNT LIKE THE PERSON WHO WAS IN THEIR OFFICE. IT COULDVE BEEN CLOTHES, LOOK, RACE OR RELIGEON. BUT THEY DID THIS ON A REGULAR BASIS. ALSO, THE VET TECH STAFF WOULD HELP OUT SOME PEOPLE FOR SIMPLE THINGS THAT DIDNT NEED TO BE DONE AND MAKE THE VET HELP AT OTHER TIMES EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS A SIMPLE TASK SUCH AS VACCINATION FOR YEARLYS. THEN DONT LET ME GET STARTED ON THE BARRAGE OF UNNECESSARY TESTS PERFORMED. WITH A HEARTWORM TREATMENT DID YOU KNOW THAT THE MEDIACATION ONLY COSTS THEM ABOUT 90-100.00??? YET THEY CHARGE AT LEAST 4 TIMES THAT IN ALOT OF CASES? IF WE ARE GOING TO TALK MARK UP, THAT IS OVER A 300% MARKUP! AND THEY REQUIRE CHEST FILMS ON AN ANIMAL WHEN IN REALITY ALL THAT DOES IS COST MORE MONEY TO THE OWNER AND STRESSES THE ANIMAL OUT EVEN MORE. IN THE CASES OF PARVO AND DISTEMPER THE ANIMAL COULD EASILY GO HOME WITH ITS FAMILY BUT THE VET CHARGES THE PEOPLE TO KEEP THE ANIMAL AS A REQUIRMENT. WHEN IN FACT THERE WILL ONLY BE SOMEONE THERE DURING BUSINESS HOURS AND ONLY 2X A DAY ON THE WEEKEND. I THOUGHT THE EXTRA MONEY WAS PAYING FOR CARE? THE ANIMAL WOULD DO BETTER IF IT WAS IN ITS HOME WITH SOMEONE 24/7. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT VETS DO THAT THERE IS NO REAL REASON TO DO. THEY RIP OFF THE CUSTOMER ALOT OF TIMES AND THAT ISNT RIGHT.


AND I AM NOT JUST SAYING THIS AS A CUSTOMER BECAUSE I HAVE ONLY BEEN RIPPED OFF BY A VET ONCE. I AM SAYING THIS AS BEING SOMEONE SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE VETS OFFICE HELPING OUT AND OVER HEARING THE VETS TALKING. IT SICKENS ME TO KNOW THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO HELP ANIMALS AND IN THE PROCESS.


I KNOW THAT THERE ARE ALOT OF VETS OUT THERE THAT ARE GOOD PEOPLE AND DO GOOD THINGS BUT FOR EVERY ONE THERE ARE ABOUT 20 THAT RIP PEOPLE OFF DAILY, ESPECIALLY IN THE SMALL TOWNS. I HAD TAKEN MY IGUANA TO A VET ONCE AND HE TOLD ME TO FEED IT HAMBURGER!!! WHEN ANY NOVICE HERPER KNOWS THAT HIGH PROTEIN WILL KILL AND IGUANA AND CAN CAUSE FATTY LIVER DISEASE. YOU CAN BET HE STILL CHARGED ME FOR THE WRONG INFORMATION.


SO YOU MAY WANNA THINK TWICE BEFORE JUDGING AND JUMPING ON ANIMAL OWNERS. YOU SOUND LIKE YOU WERE MAKING SUCH A ONE SIDED ARGUMENT WHEN IN REALITY YOU JUST WANTED TO VENT!
Reply:just say your dog suddenly got sick, like mine and you took him to your vet and all the proper tests were done and you found out nothing, but it cost you $386.00PAID IN FULL. then a few days later your dog got sicker after doing everything the vet said to do, diet and rest, meds, etc. take him back to the vet and the vet does some more tests, x-rays, bloodwork, fecal analysis, etc. the cost this time is another $243.00 PAID IN FULL. after about 3 weeks of shitting blood and losing weight that the vet could not answer for my puppy of 6 months old was dying right before my eyes. The only other option was a CT scan of her abdomen which could only be done by a specialist from OHIO University Vet School. The cost another $500.00 for the Ct only. after completing that test, we found that her intestines had been conjoined and her bowl was damaged. The emergency surgey was going to cost about $1500.00 to 1700.00. I could not have imagined losing this wonderful puppy. I purchased her for my daughters birthday. After discussing it with my vet and family we decided to go ahead and have the surgery. Total cost $1861.00. Payable to my vet in installments of $105.00 for the next 18 months. A truly loving and caring vet. I guess my point is. what is wrong with taking payments in extreme cases such as that. Have you ever watched Animal Planet??? Could you make payments to a hospital if your hurt in an accident and you have no insurance....YES!!!


I rest my case.
Reply:People doctors and hospitals take payments, so do dentists. So, it is reasonable to assume that another medical professional would.





As to the costs of owning a pet, they are real and can be kept to a minimum, if you are smart about animal medicine





As to why people have dogs and can't afford vet care. Life happens. Everyday. There is no job security in this world. There are accidents, family emergencies, layoffs, downsizing. Any number of things can happen to a family. Most people are 1 paycheck away from bankruptcy %26amp; up to their eyeballs in debt. Most people live way beyond their means.





I think that it is wonderful that you have never experienced a financial problem. And I hope that your family remains so blessed.
Reply:its suppose to be one question, damn. not a list of bitching. yes we took on the responsibility when we get a cat/dog but do not expect for things to happen. just like people - they dont' expect to get hurt and go in the hospital- but -the hospital bill could be expensive and you don't have $80,000 lying around to pay so you need to make payments. you don't expect your cat to get hit by a car, scratched in the face, or disease or cancer. so its the same thing. if someone is in a business called a vetrinarian then yes they are expected to take care of animals. thats what they are there for. thats there job. and if they don't want to they need to get the hell out of that profession. just like when you go get your teeth fixed. we dind't ask for teeth and have to keep them up with the dentist- and they pratically wrip your wallet out. so you have to make payments for them too. payments will get them business. if this so called vet would let people make payments they could have more busines.why are you so damn concerned about people affording to pay for pet services. jeez worry about yourself. i think you need a flee dip
Reply:I agree with you a 100%. I work for an animal hospital and you get a lot of people who come in and want to be billed. Half the people who do ask for this do have problems at home or where ever it might be and we do allow them that but they have to be clients that we know for a very long time. They have pet insurance or what we call care credit where most animal hospitals will accept.


For everyone else who has a problem with what she says; she's right it is not our responsibility to take care of your sick pet if you can't come up with the money. We provide a service to help you take care of your sick pet but it's up to you to let us know how much you can afford to pay for treatment on your pet.


There aren't many doctors out there (human Dr.'s) who will allow you to make payments for their service. You either come up with the full amount or have health insurance or they are not going to give you the time or day.
Reply:You get 100% agreement from me.


i have no clue as to why people think a vet should be the finance company.


He pays for equipment and staff and meds and everything else. He has to pay his bills and to do that you must pay your bills.


I own and run a business and I understand how cash flow works.


I you do not pay me for your tree work I can not pay my insurance company or my workers or what ever I have to pay.


It all comes down to responsibility and people have very little of that. It is always someone Else's fault or one other reason why they can not pay for things.


Even if the vet took payment how many people really make good and pay them or is it just like every thing else they get to many bills and file bankruptcy.
Reply:I am assuming that since it pains you so much to acknowledge that people may not have money at a time of emergency, that you expect us to lets our pets suffer and die instead. Nice..... And do you come to my place of business and ask for a payment plan? I don't know, have you ever been to the hospital? Go ahead and cough up that $10,000 for your next E.R visit, they WILL expect it in full..........
Reply:I have a 'tab' at my Vets, its actually a credit right now.





What annoys me is when people whine about prices Vets charge. They DO go to school just as long as a Doctor and have to pay for some very expensive equipment, not to mention their staff.





They do sometimes allow payments. A friend of mine does the bookwork there, and it is awful how many people they send to collections because they are not paying anything on their bill.
Reply:o.k. when you were born did your parents have all the money for 18 yrs of possible medical bills in an emergency situation. they said bill me insurance don't pay all





with the reg vet visits no people shouldn't expect anything they definetly should be prepared for the cost.


I believe if you have a good standing with the vet, which most vets will help you out in that case, if you have been going there for a long time and something tragic happened then yeah i would want some help. if i'm not in good standing with the vet then i don't expect them to help me. if you were a first time customer and never been there before then no i can understand them not wanting to help out. I got help on a surgery my dog had to have i didn't ask the vet but i've been going there so long he cut the price down to 1/3, he did it on his own, i didn't ask. in other words i paid like 25$ on a hundred dollar surgery(example)





I do understand where you are coming from but in an emergency situation i will say bill me, but i am in good standing with my vet.