Veterinary Prices
Read more articles on Let Me Share With You and Pets.May 25, 2007
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
May 25, 2007
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
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Last week, I had to take one of my cats to the vet’s because his pupils were different sizes and shapes. The doctor felt that his advanced age may be causing some retina deterioration, and I had to administer 4 drops a day into his eye for 10 days. This visit and drops cost over $78. Since the vet requested a re-check, I took him back a few days ago; the doctor looked at his eye, said to continue drops for another week, and billed me over $36. She also suggested, for peace of mind, that I see a cat ophthalmologist-only by referral, mind you.
Now, my cat does not appear to any problem seeing, but of course I want to do the right thing by him. What I find staggering is the price structure of this fairly popular animal hospital…a friend recently was billed almost $50 to have her dog’s ears checked and cleaned, and that was with a re-check discount. When I asked the price of having my cat’s teeth cleaned, I was given a cost sheet that itemized surgery procedures, to a grand tune of almost $500.
Does this seem high to you?
There is no doubt in my mind that excellent veterinary care is worth the price, but I also like I did with the former phone monopoly, and that is that we don’t have much option of shopping around. All animal hospitals seem to be the in same range, more or less a few dollars. As a member of the ASPCA, I know they recently had information regarding medical coverage for animals-I wonder if it will change things. It seems utterly bizarre that I can get my teeth cleaned at less cost than my cat’s. Granted, I don’t require general anesthesia, and my oral hygiene has been maintained, but his teeth are so much smaller!
No one ever said health care was cheap, and we are fortunate to have such wonderful expertise at our disposal. I should not complain, but I think about families who are so strapped that they can barely afford health coverage for themselves, let alone pets. My pets are members of my family, so the choice is simple. Can others say the same? Everyone who loves their pets finds themselves in this position sooner or later.
On that note, I do wish to add that I have the utmost respect and admiration for vets. To want to aid and abolish suffering of any sort is one of the noblest goals one could have, and to attempt to do so with patients unable to explain their problems takes as much heart as it does brains. In my eyes, they are deserving of the greatest prestige…but I still think I’m looking into pet insurance…
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