Do you realize what is happening in veterinary medicine now?
…
Dr Jones is hearing from pet parents who have spent in excess of $10,000 on veterinary care for their dog or cat. Dr Jones comments on the problems of veterinary affordability, and more importantly how you can help your pet by saving on veterinary fees.
Yes, I’ve unfortunately noticed. My Lab tore her ccl knee and the cost to due surgery is over $5000.00. It’s been about five months since we noticed her limping, so we got an appointment with an Orthopedic Vet and still haven’t got enough saved to get the surgery. So as of 6/23/2023 she has showed good improvement (we put her on several supplements -DURALACTIN CANINE TABLETs and SALMON OIL OMEGA 3 right after she was injured). Now what to do?
My chiuahua started acting weird one morning .she was acting lost but also going in circles.I immediately got in my car in a snow storm and drove to the vets over an hour away . When I got there they took her in they took blood work from her . They asked me to set her on the floor and then walk over and call her . She didn’t respond then they flicked in her face and she didn’t blink .,they finally came to the conclusion that she was deaf and blind and that was that . I was devastated. She had been fine 5 hours before . So as I could see in her face she was scared they gave me the option to either put her to sleep or take her home and live the rest of her life deaf and blind . She looked so scared . But I wouldn’t and couldn’t put her to sleep . So I decided to take her home and see how she would do . We left the vets office and I was still crying but trying not to so I didn’t scare her more plus I was driving so we pulled over to get gas . Well as we pulled up to the station someone walked by my car and didn’t she look at the guy and start barking at him . I was not only so happy but so confused . I whistled and she heard it . So she suddenly was no longer blind nor deaf . I still till this day do not no what happened to her or why it happened I just no that i am so happy I didn’t go with putting her to sleep which I am not going to lie was a thought only because she looked so scared and I didn’t want her to live like that . I am so glad I didn’t choose that that day . My girl is now 7-8 years old and doing great . She is my heart and I would pay anything’s and do whatever it took to have her well. The vets have to lighten up on there pricing . I cannot afford I had to have her teeth cleaned and a few exstracted and it cost me $1300.00. To do and I am in a set income every month .but the vets wouldn’t take payment plans so I had to pay it all at day of surgery for her teeth . Let’s say it was a very bad month I didn’t have much but she was ok .
In Houston, if your animal needs emergency care, it is $500 for a vet tech to see your cat. If you actually want to talk to a vet, that is behind a $2500 paywall. If you question this, you will be visited by a very large male vet tech who hovers over you and your crying teenage daughters, threatening to call the SPCA on you for going against medical advice. Technically, neither he nor the other vet tech can legally give medical advice. Horrible situation. My horror stories of veterinarian care here in Houston have been a struggle, and all I see is continued price gouging. And yes, I have spent upwards of $25K+ on care for my animals in the past including, but not limited to: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, MRIs, ICU care for months….. the list is long. However, the prices have skyrocketed over the past 5 years to a point of unaffordability for 75% of Americans. I believe this will lead to more abandoned an neglected animals. It’s a sad situation with no apparent end in sight.