Sick Cockatiel - the cost of care.

[Amandasmom]

Took my cockatiel to the vet because his buddy died a few weeks ago. He isn't looking too good. After taking blood and doing a throat culture, they asked to do x-rays. The dollar signs are flying through my head. I said no and would wait on the blood work. That was only $395. I almost lost my cookies. The blood work came back and he has low total protein, low albumin and low calcium. She wants to do a ultrasound guided needle biopsy of the liver plus x-rays. Then maybe liver surgery. I love all my pets but when does it all end. I said no, I didn't want to put him through all that. So now he is getting shots of doxycycline and calcium supplements. He called me a pretty birdie this morning so I guess he is feeling better. But really where do people draw the line? I know of one person who spent $25000 on cancer treatments for her Bernese Moutain dog. I don't think I could do that. I did spend $5000 on knees for my mutt but he was young and my best boy.

[jdf]

it's a really hard call - it ran around 7 thousand when Roxy was hit by the FCE. Wonder if you've read the article about veterinary costs in the current Consumer Reports (July 2003) - the article says that the cost of an average vet visit increased by 100% between 1991 and 2001. Also that vets are being encouraged ( by groups such as KPMG Economic Consulting) to add things like x-rays and wide spectrum lab tests as routine in order to generate more income:::

"In 1999, a study by KPMG convinced many vets that they were the victims of their own kind hearts and hobbled by "inappropriate business practices" such as undercharging."

It's a long and interesting article.

[Traci]

With technology that we have in avian medicine, more and more owners are jumping at the opportunity to utilize the options. We have many avian clients and usually, cost is only an issue if they absolutely do not have the funds to cover an expensive surgery. "Drawing the line" is an individual thing, AM, there is no right or wrong answer.

Jdf, vets may be encouraged to do so, but many of them cannot afford extra or brand new equipment (especially new vets, new practice owners still paying off present equipment loans and med school loans). I understand you were referring to x-rays and lab equipment, but these should be standard in any clinic. In our city, we only have one vet in about 30, who doesn't have an x-ray machine or film developer, and roughly two who don't have a full diagnostic lab. It IS true that they are victimizing themselves for undercharging, and I think you will soon see veterinary medicine and charges equivalent to human medicine (within reason). It's a business, just like any other. Increased knowledge and technology generate revenue anyway. Also remember, many vets are utilizing the initial pet exam and doing MORE for the client, some taking more time during appointments, and offering more options. You'll soon find this to be the case re: 3-yr vaccine protocol. It's going to take the average vet twice as long to get the pet's history, twice as long to discuss concerns if the owner doesn't get an annual exam (we both know that's going to be the case for many owners), and twice as long to do diagnostics if the owner again, only relies on a 3-yr vet visit. I know this generally doesn't apply to you and me, but you know those people are out there, they make up 1/3 to 2/3 of the average vet's clientele (+new clients)

[TheSkeptic]

Vets aren't undercharging here. .... 5 years ago it was $50 for a vet visit, which included all standard meds and standard tests. Now it is $125 plus extra for whatever meds they use and extra for any tests they run. The basic fee only covers listening to the heart and lungs and examining the eyes, ears and nose. ....

I now drive 25 miles to go to a vet that still charges $50 per visit which includes all standard meds and tests. He opens at 8:30, but if you aren't there by 07:00, you may have to come back the next day. ...

[Amandasmom]

I think I figured out my sticker shock. I have never had to pay a vet bill until recently. In that time I was able to accumulate a bunch of pets. Now I have sticker shock when they get sick. My one question is, are vet techs getting paid better? When I was a vet tech, I barely made minimum wage but then again, davet is cheap.

[Traci]

Depends on the clinic and location. I think the national average runs between 8-9/hr....Thanks to NAVTA, our voices are getting heard

[davet]

hey Traci...you have spoilt the image...i convinced her that $3.50 per hour was top wages in the country;;and re: rising costs, as soon as they equate animals with humans there will be the same rise in malpractice as in humans and thusly the mal practice rates will go up, the testing will go up ad infinatum....i always like to kid the RD's (real doctors) at the hospital that my insurance , when i retired was $179.00 per annum and that covered up to a $3'000'000 horse...the RD's did not think it funny