Lumps and bumps...sigh

[Traci]

I also agree that you shouldn't be charged for a suture removal. Don't be afraid to ask your vets why they are charging for those. On the otherhand, though, if you ask the vet to check other things outside of the suture removal, that can incur the exam fee, at the discretion of the vet. Just as in human medicine, time is money. Just an example, next time or two, that you're at the vet, take note of how quickly or slowly the process is from checkin to checkout, including amount of time the vet spends during the exam/diagnostic. A typical, well-run practice with attention to the patient's needs will be a 20-30 minute appointment (includes exam, discussion) with slightly extra time for diagnostics or dispensing of meds. Anything less than 15 minutes is a hurried clinic.

As for fecals, there is a huge focus on them, especially for puppies and kittens, or any young or older adult without a known health history. Of course also when there are symptoms of GI issues and obvious bowel and stool changes. Some vets are including fecals into the exam fee, while others are simply offering them as additional, you can certainly decline them. I would however, opt for them for any of the above circumstances.

[k9Karen]

I waited in the room for over 20 minutes for the vet tech to come in remove the sutures. She did that quickly, then I had to wait for the vet, which was at least another 15 minutes. He took a quick look at Allie (I assume to make sure the suture line was healing OK and not infected) then turned his attention to Foxy's mouth. That was 30 seconds at most. He stayed in the room and simply repeated everything he had said the night I picked them up after the dental and surgery. He wasn't in with me more than 10 minutes (I really think it was less). I was very disappointed. I questioned the charge, and they checked on it, and I was told it was correct. I really liked this vet. He had been great with Angel. When I took Dylan in for his last puppy shots, I saw one of the new, young vets, and he was great. He really gave Dylan a good exam - the older vet didn't. I plan on asking for him next time.

[Traci]

Well there's nothing worse than being on time for your appointment and waiting and waiting and waiting, even AFTER you've been escorted to an exam room. If this is a consistency with the clinic, speak up and ask about it. Chances are in most cases, the clinic and staff are truly busy, and drop-ins and emergencies can push the schedule back....but it's their job to schedule properly so that each patient/client recieves the utmost care in that time frame. You're paying for that exam fee, expect fairness and speak up when you're concerned. If you speak up, then the clinic would hopefully take steps within the entire staff to work toward more efficient scheduling.

Also keep in mind some clinics allow their associate vets to determine if they might charge or not for example, a suture removal, particularly if the recheck is with a vet who didn't perform the surgery. Otherwise, it might be the policy of the clinic to automatically charge an exam fee for suture removal or other things. Don't be afraid to ask so that you are prepared in the future.

[k9Karen]

The recheck was done by the same vet who did the surgery. They are 24-hour emergency clinic also, and I understand that emergencies take priority, but it would be nice if they would say something and at least apologize for the delay. They just relocated to their new building, and the first time I was there, they were still having logistics problems because everything was unfamiliar. They were also fretting over a new computer system, so I cut them some slack. The last two times, I had a very long wait in the exam room which I felt was unnecessary. It did not happen at their old building - they were almost always on time and it was a quick in and out. I've been using the same vet clinic for almost 20 years - always happy with the vets, the service, and the fees until now. I've taken 5 differnt dogs there, and was never charged for suture removal or surgery follow-up before (even with this same vet). Good grief - I could have removed the sutures myself! They come out effortlessly, and I know what an infected incision looks like - it was fine. It's just the principle of the thing - I think I should have been told it wasn't included, expecially after paying so much already for the surgery - then again, I didn't ask; I just assumed.

[Traci]

I agree with you, Karen, you shouldn't have been charged and they should have told you that up front.

Just ask them why you were charged, and if the policies have changed suddenly on that.

New computer systems are not fun for the staff, mainly because they don't get designated time to learn them, and also because the vets get to take their time learning them, (if at all) and that extra workload/training is put on the staff.

[Marty]

Hooray, the lumps were both the same and benign! And BTW, no charge for suture removal...

[k9Karen]

Hooray, the lumps were both the same and benign! And BTW, no charge for suture removal...

Good news on all counts!

[Traci]

Marty, you must be so relieved! Woo-hoo!!