Vet bills for dogs and cats: Are they too high? (CBC Marketplace)
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2014
- Originally broadcast October 4, 2013
Are you paying too much at the vet? Host Erica Johnson reveals how pet owners may be paying hundreds of dollars for questionable treatments and procedures. On hidden camera, the Marketplace team goes undercover with our four-legged sleuth, Marshall, a healthy bulldog, taking him to ten veterinary clinics. We put the vets to the test on what they’ll recommend for routine pet care needs. Some vets we visit prescribe vaccines our undercover dog doesn't need, testing that's unnecessary, expensive medications and pet food, as well as differing diagnoses for a common condition. And we reveal five ways that your vet bill may be inflated and how to keep your pet healthy and your vet costs down.
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We need an updated version of this episode. Eight yrs later, the prices are through the roof !!!
Agreed.
that head vet dude would sure make a good politician... Never really answers the question.
Indeed - the head crook leading crooks!
Just goes to show you that pet health is only lightly regulated. I mean the fact one vet can say annual vaccinations are good when the science shows it's not needed is the dumbest sh*t I've ever seen.
That head was more supporting scammers.
I could tell that he did not like talking to her at all.
I noticed that too. He seemed to be rather intimidated by the fact that someone was questioning things that vet's are doing. Almost, as though, he was trying to watch what he was saying.
They REALLY love the "barking mad" line a little too much
The Other Emily I think I liked it too. Owners are barking mad.
It’s a new drinking game
I agree. Considering I hate dogs and everything that comes with them.
How is no one mentioning what a good woofer he is? He went to the vet all day and still has a big smile the whole time. 13/10 Good Boy
Dogs don´t smile.
@@lioness2000 yes they do.
Мїя
Marshall is a total trooper.
He isn't healthy at all! Only 20% of English Bulldogs born can live free of any pain or congenital defects. Luckily, I've got one of them. We know secrets Vet's do about our beloved breed. Some are educated beyond their own intelligence. Unlike GP Doctors, Vets only need a 50% final examination pass to earn their University degree here in Australia. My Vet's worth her weight in gold.
I’m a cat owner so I’m not barking mad , but I’m having a hissing fit!!!
😂
😂😂💀
...... Get out lol xD
😂😂😂😂
No an autistic meltdown
My vet prescribed a $150 medicine, literally down the street you could buy the same for $25 at SAFEWAY
Sluggo84 that’s why they call it Safeway because it’s a safe and affordable way to feed your pet
Sluggo84 ... ask him for a prescription... tell him about the costs at other local drug stores...hes giving you generics anyway...if he refuses..change vets
@@jdovak1589 exactly ... if you think it's too expensive change vets. This is how a free market works. Unless you think he is the best and you want your pet to get the best, now that is a choice and you decided it yourself. And if so stop complaining. Im getting tired of people complaining about everything. Its reaching a point of stupidity. Vet A charges $100 vet B charges $70. If you want cheap go Vet B. If vet B is no good and you want better, cough up the money and go vet A or find vet C. If you don't want inconvenience, cough up the money and go vet A. The problem with people is, they want cheap, convenience and quality. Sorry ... life isn't heaven. Quality and convenience comes at a price.
I never had a vet give a prescription! I don't think they do in Canada!
Just don't EVER buy Hartz. I don't know why they are allowed to remain in business.
I am an older adult. I would enjoy having a companion dog but on my fixed retirement income ...no way. I wish that there were programs that would help older adults to have pets.
That is an excellent point, I feel the same way
My two doggies over costs me a fortund
That is a great idea worth pushing for. Possibly a multi-million dollar business right there.
I only mention the multi-million dollar business idea so that the capitalist businessmen can sink their greedy teeth into it and possibly get it done.
In the US there are all sorts of programs for assistive dogs where the dog is assigned and donated to someone for anything from special needs to disabled to edlerly thjat can use some basic help. IDK about Canada though.
Me too.
21 pounds overweight? Did they mistake him for a pug?!
No, a fire hydrant...
English bulldogs will always rack up higher veterinary bills because they have a grocery list of health issues associated with their breed due to breeding practices specific to the English bulldog to achieve their look. Their gene pool is ridiculously small leading to elongated palettes, nares problems, entropion/cherry eye complications, and so much more. If you purchase a dog (adopt don't shop) of a brachiocephalic ("smushed face") breed you should be educated on their health issues and what that entails in veterinary bills.
Yes, agreed but that was one very well bred English Bulldog don't you think. Definitely not overweight either. That part was hard to watch.
right on Sidra !
Oh yes but having a known common condition that can be managed is different from a vet taking advantage and pushing expensive treatments. I have a Pomeranian known for bad knees for example. At the same place 2 different vets gave me different advice. One said I needed to get her knee surgery asap and the other said no just keep her weight decent and she should be fine. Lol 6 years later and guess what? She is fine without the so called knee surgery she supposedly needed. That knee surgery should only be for dogs who wobble because their knees are so bad. Not as a precaution on a 1 year old Pomeranian.
Olde English Bulldogs are way better. :)
Accurate on ‘smush face’ dogs but that’s not the issue the video is covering. I just got a “Friendly Reminder” about my dog that $450 will be due in March for a bunch of yearly vaccinations, vets have us by the heart too. I’d be too scared not to get those tests & vaccinations despite this information. Who wants a pissed off vet treating their pet???
Marshall is so chill
yup
Lena Redhead I just watched this and I totally fell in love ❤ with Marshall 🐕, lol!
Lena Redhead Hey marchell's favorite song is this but im just kidding k. Oh watch me roll'in Im sitting calmly..
IKR
Lena Redhead vet r thieves.
That head vet guy sounds just like a politician!!
He's just making excuses for the over charging, allowing it to continue!!
Lobbying for the industry
Very true. I bet he give them the same speed to justify for the high price.
So people in the U.S. are traveling to Canada to get affordable medications, and Canadians are traveling to U.S. to get affordable pet meds.
El tributo de Gunn a Stan Lee.
Exactly!
Go to Mexico for cheap everything
Not really I’m NYC and it cost me minimum about $850/yearly
@@JuanJohn013 because you live in nyc
My grandma is a vet. I showed her this video and she was really mad about the way dog owners are treated with the bill. Thankfully, she can do my dog's vaccines, check-ups, and medicine.
What is the name of her practice? I will drive half way across the world for honest people
the Were Dragon I doubt you actually would
@G Kim Right.., "she can do my dog's vaccines, check-ups, and medicine", good for you PeachyKeen!
So she does your dog's services for free or for a discount? PeachyKeen, we don't need to hear that. Vets in general are there for your $$. This doesn't count for you since you have a family member that does everything for you. I'm guessing everything's pretty Peachy for you.
Lana Klipfel Just so you’re aware, every single business is about the money. It’s a business. Without money, there’s no business.
what drives me crazy at the vet is this: take pet to vet because of a problem. vet does X-rays/sonogram whatever -- then says here is the problem and i need to go to consult with a specialist. the vet gives me the X-rays/sonograms + reports to take to the specialist consult. I am at the specialist within a week and give him the prior tests. the specialist says there is NO WAY that he can read the X-rays/sonogram etc that I brought with me and he has to do his own X-rays/sonogram etc... so the same tests are repeated ($$$$) and then the specialist can suddenly read the tests I brought with me because he is busy comparing the first set of tests with the tests he just did. it is such a SCAM.
I can see the look on our Vet's face when I go with my wife when we take our cats in. He hates me because I ask all sorts of questions, which I know he can tell I've done my research prior to coming in - meaning I follow the old rule where you don't ask a question unless you already know the answer. To prove how much my Vet dislikes me, he always tells me he's going to have me go with him to the dealers the next time he goes shopping for a car.
Q
Next time, don’t take X-ray at regular vet. Just do it at the specialist.
Shame shame
@@guyfroml You mean your vet allows you in the building. Since Covid my vet uses it as an excuse for my wife to leave me in the car. With the windoes down and a bowl of water so I don't overheat of course.
I’m convinced almost all Canadian businesses are raw dogging it’s customers.
I'm sure it's the same all over the world. It's crazy in Australia too. My mum's puppy fell off the bed and broke his leg 10 years ago. It cost $650, with exrays..
Ridiculous..
I had a 5 pound chihuahua who was very old and started seizing and it was his time to go. The vet was about to charge us almost 700$ to put him down. A 5 pound dog, 700$ it's hard enough saying goodbye, but it was a ridiculous price.
Holy crap! I paid 200 for a 115lb pup! That also gave me a decent urn.
It depends on what you wanted to have done. Usually, a euthenasia is $100-$200 depending on what drugs and method they use and the size of your pet. Cremation is another $100-$300 depending on which company the clinic works with charges cremation wise. Want the ashes back? Now it's a private cremation and an urn that can run you another $200+. It's not cheap, but at least you know your pet didn't suffer.
Tessa Baird
That's nuts
Only cost me $300 to put down a 1200 lb horse
Two huge syringes but I have to say horse was dead before she hit the ground
Vet did great job
@TheAtheistSlayer well aren't you obnoxious.
Wow...$60 Houston TX euthanize fee for Black Kitty 🐱 ❤...I had him cremated along with other animals so he wouldn't go alone 😔
MISS U KITTEH 😿
Strange how the world works, I stumble upon this video today and I got a call from my old vet yesterday, stating I had to bring in my dog for vaccinations.....I said they hadn't been my dog's vet in over a year and a half, I had switched to another vet, that was larger, had enough staff and more professional...they said I could still come in for an exam at $85.....I turned looked at my dog, asked how he was feeling, he gave me a nod so I politely declined their offer of ripping me off...
tj mac My one cat passed away this year and we got more than one reminder notice to vaccine this deceased cat. We told them the cat died of feline leukemia and feline aids. Mind you this vet vaccinated this cat with the very vaccine he died from. Infuriates me !!!!!!!!!! He should have tested for the disease FIRST otherwise he would have never gotten that vaccine. The vaccine caused him to deteriorate faster than if he not gotten the vaccine.
😃 tjmac
@@ChristianSaveAmerica awww poor kitty!!! I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty passing. Breaks my heart. What a negligent veterinarian you had! Shame on them!!! I'm so sorry you & especially your lil guy had to go through that. Rest in peace furry friend 🐱😿👎💔😢😇
My vet would only vaccinate every 7 years, not before. He was great.
MimiRUclips you are very lucky to have such a forward thinking progressive vet. Too many still care way more about getting you to show up to spend $$$ then they do about what your pet really needs or doesn't.
must have gotten tired of dealing with all the tumors at the vaccine injection sites and seeing the animals suffer.
‘Was’, sorry about the loss of your vet.
WaterspoutsOfTheDeep lmao
Who’s your vet and where’s he located
Been binge watching marketplace for days now. I’ve never been such a pessimist
Lol $141 for dog food per month! Wtf are you feeding that dog? Filet mignon
Healthy food?
Drunk Khajit not really, for example raw dog food, costs less than unhealthy kibble
musical_._geek Not if you own a large breed.
She had three large dogs.
Could be a certain prescribed food that have specific qualities depending on what's going on with the animal. Brands like Royal Canine is something we sell at our clinic. 😁
I watch "Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet" on Animal Planet and he is such a compassionate vet who's bills are more affordable and willing to do difficult surgeries than his peers. He is interested in helping the animal and the owners. Love that guy.
Sounds like Dr. Poll...love him.
Nice. Wish I can meet someone or people like that around my area...they all charge for around 200 to maybe more if includes tax....my pets are budgies. Ik it's not cats or dogs but still...I do believe that every animals should be treated respectful as with other humans. However...too expensive just for a check-up in my opinion...*sigh* sadly I havent found a good Avian vet near me yet
He also makes profit from the show itself so he has the wiggle room to discount services.
solitary.witch 007 I have four exotic pets too (guinea pigs) and a routine checkup at the vet ran me $1000. Ridiculously overpriced. Why is the fee for just coming in nearly $100 an animal with a species that has to come in pairs???? “Exotic vets” are scams, especially when half of them don’t know what they’re talking about.
You guys should own pet rocks instead scrubs
that vet that doesn't want to over-vaccinate seems like a chill dude that won't rip you off
proves there are good ones, doesn't it?
They should put his name out
Here’s a drinking game: take a shot EVERYTIME they say, “Barking mad.” You’ll hear colours and see sounds by the 12 minute mark.
I agree that a lot of these things were a scam, however I did have a dog on heartworm preventive that got heartworms. Whether it was a fault with the medication or he was being picky when eating the medication and therefore didnt get the full dose. I think it's better to be safe than sorry with that.
I've had dogs all my life and never ONCE put them on heartworm meds. That stuff is toxic. Educate yourself.
I live in Sweden. I got recommended to vaccinate my dog every 3 years which I think is reasonable and I pay like 20-30 dollars for it.
How about being a honest vet...theyd be so busy they wouldnt need to overcharge
Puppy not really I saw a vet overcharge my dog for surgery and stuff
Puppy ...too much like real work 😃
i agree unlike doctors all vets should work for free
The "you got me" vet seemed honest. He didn't push vaccines, and he told the truth about heartworm. He also seems like the Doctor House of the vet world
Right, I work at a veterinary office, we are so so busy, we had to stop taking new clients for a month because we where over booking.
But hey, can't complain. Business is good.
Yet my prediction: pets will be a luxury item in the near future.
I was at a vet clinic a few days ago and I overheard these two people being quoted $2,000 for a surgery on their rabbit. They walked right out. At the same vet clinic, they tried to convince me about spending $1,000 to do various tests on my bird. Why do they think we are just made of money?
It's not that you are made of money but your emotional feelings for the animal and willing to do at all cost to save the animal that's how most vets get people
That Veterinary Official looks like he is into this vet scams ... he keeps blinking as if thinking what to say to your questions 😂😂
Marshall is a thicc boy
A crybaby thats also a demon lol 😂😂😂😂😂😂😅☺👌
A crybaby thats also a demon lol
I had thought they were throwing him into an oven
I think marshalls mom needs to be on the diet
Preetty Gey
They were really proud of their “barking mad” pun
Ask the head vet advisor: “Have you’ve been scamming customers as well?” He’s sounds shifty and gives scammers a way out.
“They have choice” how is it a choice when your vet tells you it’s best to do testing and implies you’re a bad family member to the animal if you don’t do the tests
They say that? I'd say: you're a greedy monster vet. Glad I found a good cheap one.
@@renskedj can you share your with everybody? Also plz stay away Sherbourne Animal Hospital in downtown Toronto, I have once had to pay 200$ for dirty ear of my dog, will love to show receipt if some1 suspected.
Don't get a pet then!!!!
It still is your choice but they're manipulating you into thinking you have to.
One vet company wanted $700 just to get my dog neutered. It's nice to know that some business don't care about the money and only care about my dog because one place only wanted $50.
Why $700?
Luna Carleson ... RIDICULOUS PRICE FOR A NEUTER!!! Go somewhere else than that business for everything vet related...see county animal care or humane society for discouned programs...sometimes free from county grants👍👍
MINE wanted 850, I found one for 95, including some pain pills.
Wow 700 is astonishing. In my rural area, neutering a dog costs around $70.
For a while, in an effort to lower the amount of strays/animals in shelters, my local vet's office was offering to spay or neuter any cat or dog for only $35. I love the vet we go to, you can tell he really cares. We recently had our 14 yo dog put down, and my vet and his assistant showed lots of compassion and made us feel more comfortable in a time of great sadness.
As a vet tech I can assure you that the cheaper you get, corners are getting cut to get to that price.
Unfortunately this has done nothing but gotten way worse...
Last month I had to rush Shadow (my cat) to the vet because he was having trouble breathing. When I got to the vet, they took an x-ray and determined he had a hole in his diaphragm, and needed immediate surgery. The vet told me that I needed to pay $1,200 right then otherwise they wouldn't do the surgery. I only had about half of that and offered to pay the rest on payday (which was only 2 days away), but she would not accept nothing but the full payment. Keep in mind this was all happening while Shadow was struggling to breathe. Needless to say I found another vet who charged me way less, and he even allowed me to do a payment plan. Unlike the previous vet, he immediately helped Shadow when he saw he was in distress. With the new vet, I can tell that he truly cares about helping animals and not just about money. I understand that veterinarians have bills to pay as well, but most people can't be expected to pay $1,200 up front.
Thanks for listing the vet so others could seek good help🎉 oh yeah you didn’t so you only helped yourself
This makes me glad I have a very reasonable vet. I dont feel I've ever been overcharged and they are always willing to work with you. It's all about the animals as it should be.
For a simple procedure of lancing and draining an abscess from my cat while also cleaning his teeth under anesthesia, I received a quote from one vet clinic for over $2000 and from another vet for $500. Look for awards rated by the people on the wall. Guess which one had the awards? The one that charged $500. This is in Southern California. I may have to drive further away, but I'm not going back to the first vet clinic which is a chain name.
I dont know your whole situation but ive worked at high end and low end clinics. A lot of the more expensive places might be using more diagnostics prior to procedure to ensure safety, more pre and post op meds, more monitoring equipment, fluid therapy, xrays for dentals etc. Some places do the absolute bare minimum and pray nothing goes wrong. However any vet worth your time wouldnt mind taking the time to go item by item on an estimate and explain to their clients why theyre doing what they do for any procedure or treatment.
That canadian vet that was questioned & interviewed in the end sure was evasive in his answers.. I would never trust a vet like him...just about every response was to have a close relation with your vet and let him do whatever he feel$ neccesary...$$$ ...Iv'e heard many vet reponses saying "you don't want whats best for your pet?" attempting to make you feel guilty for not wanting to spend money on questionable or maybe unneeded treatments...Just as in any business, theres always those looking to enhance their income...at whatever means...Guilt seems to work well for most vets😒😒😒
They are all Canadian!
@@tamaraj4200 lmao 🤣
He reminded me of the last vet we had, that I ditched. The guy would justify every loony charge he could think of. He even tried to tell me that corn is a natural part of a cat's diet. I didn't take on half his recommended treatments because I have some veterinary experience, myself. Slimy people!
From Calgary, Alberta: When my cat had kidney stones, his operation and four days in intensive care came to just under $8000.00
I took him home on day four against the vet's wishes because in spite of the grand a day price tag, they refused to feed him half as much twice as often and he was throwing up after every gavage feeding. They said that they didn't have the staff to do twice the work. I spent three sleepless days caring for him, bringing his fever down and gavage feeding him ( half as much twice as often, which he kept down every time). He gained weight, started head butting the dog and his fever was gone. A week after that, I took his gavage out with my usual vets over the phone guidance and Taoh lived another 7 years. My savings wiped out that year, all I could think was that 8000 would buy a lot of rescue cats.
I think you couldve took them to court. If they cannot affod to do their job properly they should not be in business. They put your dogs health at risk.
8 grand? Those mfers crooks. Could have sued them.
Simply criminal. Thanks for the heads up. I will pass this info on to many other dog owners. Even the heads of departments are protecting their own territories and that is why they can drive expensive cars. A closed knit society. Shameful. Twice taken and now shy
I keep hearing people upset over x hundred dollars. My dog got an abscessed tooth. The removal would be at a minimum $1,600 and change up to over $3,000. There's no way we could possibly afford it. We agreed to a potentially cheaper option which was antibiotics for a week every 4 months at $80 for the rest of her life. She's 11 but otherwise in very good health. Brush your dog's teeth! Hard food is not enough!
Jade Harris ... Totally Rippoff price...go to another vet....antibiotics are required before extraction...anesthesia and 20 minutes of work isnt worth THOUSANDS...your vet is a conning theif...as for the lifetime prescriptions?? get another opinion, and another vet😒😒
Try vet school.
My dog has bad teeth and needs multiple teeth removed. Her previous owner didn’t care and now she has messed up teeth that my mom needs to pay for. We can’t really afford it.
I was just quoted $400 to have my cat's teeth cleaned, and that was the starting price, there could be more on top of that once they get in there. When I questioned the price I was made to feel like I didn't care enough about my cat.
I spent $257 to get my cat's teeth cleaned two years ago.
what's the difference between human healthcare and animal ? it's even harder to clean an animals teeth. You pay what you pay for yourself
The Leguminator yup I completely with you on that my dog was quoted $850 starter price. And when I asked why is this so high the vet almost pissed herself she was going on and on about how I don’t care about the comfort of my dog. And so forth.
The Leguminator yea it’s goin cost me 700$ to remove a tooth he cracked an to get his teeth cleaned an all that
The Leguminator ... guilt makes vets money...the anesthesia is the costly part of teeth cleaning...the cleaning itself is about$75-$100 ... ...The price is way too much...The ultrasonic scaler is the exact same unit used for people...makes fast work of removing buildup...about 1/2 hr for a dog...cats are smaller & faster...its very easy to compare costs by calling....just describe cat or dog, #'s (for anesthesia cost) ...age...$400+ is way to much for a cat...matter of fact, an outright rippoff...the service is provided by a vet assistant, not the vet...a real money maker..I am experienced in dental cleanings and the equipment needed so this is proffessional advice...
More important question that wasn't asked... How many pets tested POSITIVE for heart worms out of all those tests?
Heartworm preventative turns toxic in the body if your pet has heartworm. That's why they require the tests. Shady that they left that out.
Katie Woods can you elaborate on what happens?
My vet charges $30 less for office visits but frequently prescribed meds . I started to notice the prescriptions, for which he charges a filling fee are 300% marked up . He prescribed Gabapentin for pain in my dog for $80.I saw on the bottle the doses for humans, so I brought the bottle to a pharmacist who told me the pills sold for $26. I am currently looking for a new veterinarian.
I had a honest vet (who retired) would tell me to buy meds when it was possible from shoppers drug mart.
Yeah they markup is disgusting you gotta call your vet out.
The pet food from the vet is about the same as when I go get my hair cut and the salon tries to get me to buy their over priced hair products. Its just not worth the money i think.
Shinyeevee84 some food is worth it and many are not. The whole rx diets I think are full of crap and many of the ingredients are pure junk. You are better off just doing research on a low grain low salt pet food and buying that instead.
Depends. I've used cheap stuff from the drug store and expensive stuff from the salon. I had to use a lot less of the expensive stuff....but it's expensive.
Unless you have a dog with pre stage kidney failure, high enzymes shown on their liver test or some other disease or disability, they need those RX dog foods. Not all are just for weight loss.
There’s a HUGE difference between something incredibly NECESSARY like providing BASIC healthcare/medical treatment for a living life and buying recommended salon-quality products that can keep your hair healthy, but medically aren’t necessary especially if you are on a budget. Do your homework and crunch numbers before getting a pet, and factor vet bills including vaccines, annual flea/tick/heartworm prevention, grooming and YEARLY physicals. The “most people don’t get yearly checkups” excuse doesn’t fly. Just because you don’t take care of yourself, doesn’t mean you get to subject any other living being to similar neglect and if you can’t provide basic care for yourself you definitely can’t be responsible for a pet. Let’s put it this way: if another person was responsible for you and said that you weren’t going to get yearly doctor appointments and they weren’t going to provide you care/anything because they didn’t have it, I’d be FURIOUS and fight for their rights to guardianship your be terminated. That logic is complete bs
I thought this was a very informative and important video for all pet owners! Good job
that was funny the Vet actually didn't give any straight answer to the journalist
AHHHHHHHH. We get the pun already. If I hear one more person say barking mad one more time, I swear
Ummmmm that’s barking mad
I bet you would be......barking mad
Take a pass on Hill's
Lava Complete not really I’ve been feeding my dog hills for three weeks and no issue
Eddie W get back to me in a few years
Recommendations are based on profit. Just like any other profession, Vets have huge school loans to pay back, big lifestyles to maintain, business expenses, etc. Which means you pay for being an ignorant consumer. Educate yourself. Businesses don't like an informed consumer.
***** that too. Those Vets know that people treat their pets like their children. Vets use that love to manipulate them.
Actually vets don't make a lot of money, not even close to a doctor fresh out of school.
Vets make like nothing though.
This hold time I just wanted to pet Marshall he’s so cute and chunky
Take a shot every time they say “barking mad”
"He's giant! He's giant!". That must hurt Marshall's feeling.
Who cares. It’s just a dog
$7400 for a pet bil???l !!!!!!
Joe Billard honestly I would just have to get a new pet
Ikr! That's like one human stay in an American hospital overnight XD
$11k for my sis' dog which gave the little guy an extra yr to live.. and a $9k bill for a friend's dog that needed to have his spleen removed. the dog is fine now but my friend had to sell some of her stuff to afford the bill..
you don't even know what was done though! Compare to human bills, try getting emergency treatment, intensive care, surgery ect....you'll see the vet was cheap!!
That's Sad.. I've had vet bills I needed to put on my Charge cards and I'm still paying off..or trying to
Nobody:
Narrator: bARkInG mAd
Ive been working in vet med for awhile, i personally will offer services or prevention to my clients and whatever knowledge i have but if they say no i drop it immediately( this makes me unpopular with my bosses) because ultimately if there are negative consequences its their decision to deal with. Im here to give info and offer support. There is a habit of upselling in the vet field (shocker, i know) but ive had plently of clients personally blame me for issues with their pets that i warned them about, or youll get the client that never follows up with any wellness services and when you finally see the pet its in horrible condition that could have been prevented. I do the job because i love animals, but no matter what the humans arent happy and you have to constantly fight for people to do things for their pets
For anyone unsure about your vet, ask for an estimate before they do anything, ask about each line item, ask about declining services you dont feel necessary. If theres any attitude or unwillingness to do this walk away.
***PRO TIP*** publix and some other pharmacies give certain antibiotics for free all you need is a written script from your vet. So ask your Vet or call around to local pharmacies to see what they offer, it can save you a good bit.
I'm in vet school now and we're taught to offer services/vaccines and if the client refuses to just mark it in their records as "client declined" for liability reasons. People get mad when offer something because they think we're over charging but when they comeback later because the animal caught something or got worse after not taking our suggestion they're still mad at us like it's we did it to them on purpose. Vet Med is a really stressful field
And to reiterate on what Abbey said, there is upselling in any business trying to provide for the customer no matter what and it is up to the customer to be educated if not versed, not an expert, to know what questions to ask and when to say yes or no to something and especially to get a second opinion. I work retail and it is no different. You up sell to make money for your company and to try to make sure the customer has everything they need or enough information to make an informed decision. It is up to the consumer or pet owner to know something about the product they're buying or the pet they're keeping.
I have read that Sience Diet is not the healthiest food to give pets anyway and is pushed on vets and in turn vets push it on pet owners. Do the research people and and get a second opinion. Ask as many questions as you need to so you are informed as well. And also like some others said, there are always pet stores in every comunity that have vaccine day or Walgreens or CVS sometimes has a pet day, bring your pet in and pay less. Often animal control or county animal services have vet services for less. Research. This is just plain and simple common sense, which it seems most poeple are lacking these days.
I understand where you guys are coming from but I think a lot of people don’t take their pets to the vet regularly because of how expensive it can be just for a regular check up. It’s a sad cycle.
i live in pennsylvania my dog cut his paw we took him to the vet 3 stitched and a bandage 1000.00 bucks wtf
wow crazy..my cat came home with a gash on his cheek I thought about but didn't take him to a vet...3 weeks later it had healed all by itself with a few home remedies...
joe burkel don't go back, negotiate the price before it is done. I know you can't just leave but that is lunacy
joe burkel for 3 stitches, I wouldnhave bandaged it and it would heal fine. unless arteries are cut, you would be ok. I got pinched 250 for"let's do an xray". The vet did 3 without my permission, I argued for nearly an hour and they took off 100 bucks but I still had to pay 30 buck additional for meds. total was 185 instead of 285. it pays to push back and ask what it costs beforehand and tell them you don't have that much.
I went to a hospital in nevada for a small 1/2 inch cut on my thumb wasn't to the bone even or hit any nerves. They did two stitches cost 4400. There was no special work done. They also did xrays for no reason and gave a hepatitis shot even though the cut was from a glass pitcher that broke.
You got robbed.
gross vet trying to take advantage of people who love their pets
If you love your pets price wouldn't matter according to vets.
@@nhernandez925 They take advantage of how more and more people are treating their animals like children.
Undercover reporter: can you help me to expose these vets
Shaggy and scooby: no
Reporter : how about for a Scooby snack
Shaggy and scooby: ok
Step 1 to not pay too much at the vet: don’t get an English Bulldog
Step 2: success!!
Just cats
That breed has been absolutely ruined by breed standards. No one should support that
Aww..It's not Marshals fault
I remember an old Vet explaining to a client why his charges were excessive. The client asked: _''How can you charge £40 for just one injection?''_
The Vet replied: _''It's £5 for the injection....and £35 for the know how''._
Mostly it goes to pay the moron vet's student loans.
Wow
@@SunnyHomeVideos which are also a rip-off. They're paying for being suckered by suckering gullible patients.
I'm sure you could Google how to give an injection. I used to give my daughter an injection every month. She now does it herself.
@@jaggirl it is not just about the „how to give an injection“. It is also about: why to give that injection -> what is the diagnosis? What are the options to treat this Animal? Are there contraindications? What is the appropriate dose in this case? How is the prognosis? What are the living conditions of the animal? There are many more difficult questions to be answered before giving an injection, it is not that easy. You also pay for the knowlege and the experiance and the evaluation the vet had to do before giving any injections. The owner is also paying for the long years of studying and learning the vet had to do to be capable of making these decisions. In some cases the Evaluation of every test and every medical examination and the anamnesis and the possible options for therapy takes hours to get to an appropriate therapy in just one case. So 35£ is not at all overpriced. The owners just don‘t see the work these vets do, they are just present when the injection is given, knowing nothing about what it took to get there. Of course, these owners also don’t see paperwork, vets have to do to provide good medical care for their animals. And the work of any veterinary assistent is also not for free.
Here’s advice:ALWAYS STAY WITH YOUR DOG DONT LET THE VETS ALONE WITH YOUR DOOOOOG
That Vet was NOT being 100% honest about why she tried to sell her Hills Science junk food! They get commission and that is why so many Vets sell it. Hills Science funds the nutrition program at most Veterinary schools and sets them up for a business lifetime of selling their low quality food.
Most of those pets are very overweight, save money by keeping your pet at a healthy body weight. My dogs get their vaccinations, I don't do much testing with healthy pets,
For ten years, my vet told me my mid-sized mutt was 5 or so lbs overweight. Up to the year Thumper from a tumor. Maybe you're data about what constitutes "oveweight" is flawed, and you should be more concerned about weight stability. Most vets in the US sell "Science Diet" dog food, and I don't think this is a coincidence.
Do your homework on your pet foods. Including Hills Science Diet. You'll be disgusted. Google poisons in dry pet foods. Keep in mind any brand that has issues with their dry foods also has issues with their wet foods.
Plus I learned Hills kibble has ingredients sourced from toxic China...yuck.
Lynx Joker what dog food brand is the best then?
LeSoul Reaper A raw diet. ;P
Lynx Joker not really I fed my dogs hills for 6 years and nada
lovelyvegan princess China ain’t too bad
I had this vet hold my cat hostage because I didn't have all the money up front! That seems to be common practice because when I went to another vet they said they wouldn't release until they got payment. Which is obserd! It is EXACTLY like if you take your CHILD to the DOCTOR for a checkup and because you CANT pay that day in one lump sum theyd HOLD your child HOSTAGE until they receive payment. It should be completely illegal to pet nap someones There should be a law that vets cannot hold pets hostage and they NEED to accept and create payment plans for those who need to go that route. Because poor people deserve to get their pets cared for equal to those who have thousands of dollars to blow.
Dont mind the one about holding the kids hostage - I have 3 step kids , which Dr was that again ?????
My comment was a joke !!!!
Fukai Kokoro Owning a pet is not a right but a privilage that comes with responsibilities and part of responsible pet ownership is having the funds or insurance to provide proper vet care. Vets are a private service and the fees you are unable to pay are their wages. There are not many of us that would chose to work for free and so equally it is unreasonable to expect a professional to treat your pet without being paid on time. You are not alone in struggling to pay vet fees, and vet find that increasing numbers of people say they are unable to pay on time therefore rules like this have unfortunately had to be put in place.
StopBabblingBS Now well maybe they thought insurance would cover it and it didn't so an fee may have not been something she was prepared for, so I see the cat napping as a problem based on what the situation was.
I Agree it should be completely illegal and in our province the is a problem with vets having to charge the about the same as the others in order for everyone to get bussiness a vet charged very low prices and a vet that is very evil and has no heart tried to sue them and say they were charging the low prices because they didn't know what to do which wasn't the case at all. It went to court and both sides spent millions of dollars trying to fight in court it turned out they had no proof that they were in inexperienced and the evil vet lossee but both sides still lost alot of money its very sad to see such corruption but we all need to remembe they are still bussinesman and there should be alot of things like this that should be controled but the world can be messed up I hope everything went well for you in the end god bless.
As far as heartworm tests go, they are important. I’m from a warm area humid area with many mosquitoes and with a high rate of heart worms. Even if your dog is on preventatives, ou should still get a test. Some companies will pay for the treatment if you can prove the dog had been taking the preventative consistently, and some preventatives can cause harm to the dog if they have undiagnosed heartworms.
The older Hispanic vet wearing blue was reassuring to see, he seemed to hit a good balance between “your dog could probably end up needing this” and “but right now he will probably be fine with just minor care”
Dogs are not pets, they are friends.
Luckily the vet we took my dog too was very understanding and didn't try to shove things we didn't need for my dog. He even recommended we give him aspirin for his sore paws from the drugstore rather than buy ones at the vet office because it was expensive. Probably because it was in a more rural town they might be more honest and truthful?
It's really ridiculous they do this to people that just want the well being of their pet.
cleosully --Luck is right. Dylan has had an eye problem and after $25 for each tube of meds, someone else’s vet used Visine and the eye problem cleared up!!!
There are probably many dogs and cats that don't get adopted because people can't afford outrageous vet bills.
Thank you and please continue to expose dubious and unscrupulous professions and practices. People need to be more informed and educated.
The first two(vaccination and hw testing) are preventive measures to keep our pets out of danger, if vets only think about profit they wouldn't suggest these because the treatment cost more🙂
7 years of testing for heartworm is the same price as treatment for heartworm... maybe if people would understand that heartworm is an awful parasite that kills then they would understand why vets like to test yearly. But it also does depend on where you live and the temperature
The only time I've ever bought food from the vets office was when my cat was a young kitten (a rescue with major health problems)
She did need a special food that we wouldnt find at a local grocery store, however the second her health improved enough to be off it the vet herself told us we could go to a regular grocery store for her food.
I love our vet! He is always on top of the latest research and always explains why he does or doesn’t recommended something, and he never over charges.
Heartworm tests are actually important. Sometimes the heartworm can survive through the prevention. I do think it is far too expensive but it doesn't mean you should throw out the tests all together
One thing I suggest. If your Pet is on Heartworm meds. You dont really need to have Heartworm tests every year. But Suggest doing the test at least every other year or Same with Vaccine every 3 years. Just a Extra precaution. Just to make sure Meds are doing what suppose to be doing.
Heartworm fear is a real thing. It really doesn't need to be tested for if your dog is taking medication. You can refuse any kind of test. I had a dog that died of heartworm, and it was awful. The dog starts coughing one day, and it gets worse and worse until they need to be put down.
I never take pets to the vet unless I notice something unusual in their behavior or habits... other than that there really isn't any need to. I have had a cat live 21 years without any health problems until his last year of life, and my current cat is 8 and still healthy and strong.
prevention is better than the cure
Jessforall same
One has been with me his whole life and vaccinated and neutered only. He’s 11 now and my healthiest and strongest. The rest came from the street and probably way better off then they were with longer years to live and with no neglect. Neutered/spayed and shots and you don’t need anything else if your cat is indoors. Dog owners have it way worse.
Yep.. We had a German Shepherd live to 17 with only rabies shots every 3 years.
Same here, my cat will be 19 soon and she hasn't been to in the vet since her initial spaying and vaccinations/rabies when she was 6 mos old. I wouldn't have even done that except I couldn't find a vet that would spay her without shots first.
The same thing happens in the US. I had to take a dog to an unknown vet for repeated vomiting while traveling. Later, getting her to "her" vet we found she suffered from acid reflux. She ended up going on rounds of Pepcid AC every 3-4 months and lived well for the rest of her life.
The vet she saw when she first started vomiting said she was a boarder line diabetic and that she had a stomach infection. He then proceeded to sell me Ampecillen, one of the cheapest antibiotics on the market, that had not only a 300% mark up from her vet, but later on in checking, was expired. total cost was $380.
Next time your looking for a vet...open maps and read the reviews!
My dog had lump on his chest which was growing at a decent speed. He was 13 at the time...the vet scarred me so badly. I had the lump removed (at his age going under is risky). I was charged $870..for the removal of a lipoma..its a fatty harmless tumor extremely common among older dogs. What she put him thru was completely unnecessary. All she needed to do was take a small sample to confirm it was nothing. I wish I would've known back then. I know she knew prior to cutting him..
Heartworms ARE MUCH MORE PREVALENT in hotter, wetter & humid areas, such as the US Gulf Coast!
M M can I message you about it?
@Marilyn M Pumpkin?
Thanks to Marketplace for doing this excellent expose. Small wonder so many folks don't have their pet spayed or neutered, when the cost is so high. I live in southern Ontario, just 20 minutes from the US border. A friend of mine is taking her cat across to upper NY state tomorrow to have him neutered. The estimate she got here in Ontario? $350. In the US? $90. That's an absurd difference. The vets in this video - especially the guy who's a spokeperson - should be ashamed; in human medicine, there's something called "guidelines," and these guidelines are based on studies and evidence, so it isn't up to an individual doctor's discretion to decide on what's recommended. Sure, you can decide not to vaccinate your kid - that's up to you - but at least you're not going to hear a dozen different things from as many doctors. Probably because in Canada, doctors don't get paid to recommend "more."
Wow! That's a huge difference.
J Rae Have you ever asked yourself why this might be? Does the American clinic do pre-anesthetic blood work to ensure the animal is capable of being put under? Are the animals supervised by accredited veterinary technicians? Did the animal receive painkillers to take home? I imagine at the Ontarian clinic the answer is yes. Not to mention all the additional care proper clinics use, heating pads and blankets, heart and breathing monitoring etc. If you got sick and needed treatment would you go to a backdoor clinic? Of course not. Plus, who knows, are American vets subsidised? I'm not sure myself, but this is a questions worth looking into. This CBC marketplace was poorly done and does not reflect the industry as a whole. .
Vets are crooks, plain& simple !!!
How can anyone take your comments seriously when you call yourself sugar..
I'm in Ontario and I don't know of any spays that cost that much. My cats spay was only $60 dollars or maybe less.. it's been a while. It is better to adopt from a shelter than from stores or breeders. Most shelters will get the neuter or spay down for you there along with the adoption fee. So far the only thing I really spend on my cat is food and litter which doesn't cost that much. All clinics price differently.
They suggested cutting eye lid on my English bulldog. I asked a different vet, she said he’s fine. Shop around people, vets are a business.
Took 23 feral cats into vet. Wanted $75 each exam fee to give rabies $35 each. $45 spay,neuter ....
Left . To Humane society free.
Marshall is such a good boi!! ❤️❤️
The last vet bill for my cat was around $80 USD. I knew what his symptoms were most likely to be, I came prepared with a urine sample so they wouldn't need to use a catheter to get a sample. I knew which tests needed to be done and turned down one of them. I knew which diagnoses the outcome of the test would be correct and which wouldn't. Consumers should try to make more of an effort to be informed and not be so quick to sign up for anything that isn't literally on fire at the moment.
my baby dog just died suddenly recently and the vet never let me know about any heart conditions or anything strange in her (she was almost 7) and she went to the vet twice a year, each visit about $290 for her vax’s/ regular exams and they once wanted $990 just to x-ray her for a limp she was having (which went away eventually) im just sad because i feel like she could have maybe had her life extended if they caught her health problem sooner with all those times she went...
I’m so sorry :(
20:38 the guy in the coat seems like he’s a scammer too. He had no emotion and didn’t actually care at all.
The government have not updated his operating system to mimic human emotion yet.
the same in the u.s. my rule of thumb is...the glitzier the office the more expensive everything is. the other thing that really bugs me is the pet food industry and how expensive decent quality food is..a couple of years ago the dry food I feed my cats was about 28 dollars a 16lb bag now it is 22 dollars for 6lbs! thanks for the video.
you have it figured out these pet vets vs country vets are always more expensive
we home "doctor" as much as possible...
Yeah but many of the cheapo vets will still try to make you get annual vaccines too when you don't need it.
I knew a man who never took his dog to the vet since it was a puppy and the dog lived to the ripe age of 17
Every time I hear a vet recommend or "prescribe" something like science diet I want to scream. For so many years I fed that to my dog because it was from the vet and I thought I was doing the best thing for her. Then I actually started working with dogs and learning more about what's actually helpful for them and switched to raw. Her skin problems cleared up and her coat because lush and shiny, her joint problems improved, and perhaps more importantly she lost all the stubborn weight I had never been able to get off of her. Moral of the story, do your own research and look into what's best for your pets.
Have been very fortunate, have a phenomenal and awesome vet that has always charged fair prices and has an empathetic nature to boot. Attended a more local veterinarian who was more financially motivated which is not an issue but he had no compassion or empathy. My dogs and cat were quick to respond to the difference.
I took my French Bulldog to Rocklin Ranch Veterinarian in Rocklin CA and was told an initial cost was $27 but when I walked out my bill was $400 ; wait and my Frenchie caught Kennel Cough there- the payment had to be made in the examination room. Unbelievable. Then I get a call telling me I need to get her medicine for deworming and need to treat all three of my French Bulldogs. To make a long story short the initial visit cost me $600 for the first Parvo shot. I took them to my regular vet and I found out my dogs were misdiagnosed - the correct medicine was prescribed and my regular vet prescribed kennel cough medicine which was corrected. It's sad that most vets I visited have been a lot like used car lots ; techniques used by used car salesman
In Mexico they give vaccines for free, Anyways I live in Texas and I had a nice vet, never screwed me in anything. On the contrary he would often give me some bag treats, and never annoyed me with heart worm vaccines or any other shit. I only vaccinated my dogs 1 time in their life time and they lived healthy life's..
carlosb1 omigosh same was it in Austin?
Poor Marshal, bless him going through this for everyone else.
I must have heard "barking mad" reused 100times
8:57 I laughed so hard because Marshall got scared 😂😂😂😂
I have visited four different vets for my dogs (out of thoroughness, not dissatisfaction) and they ALL told me rabies at 1yr, then 3yr after that, then 5yr after that. That's three total rabies shots in most dog life times. Not one every year.... My vets always take my financial worries into account and will usually try to either have me do some of the stuff myself or suggest work arounds if available were safe and possible. I don't know if I'm lucky, but I've never seen bills that high except for surgery.
I live in the US if that matters.
Messmaker9000 you are lucky if you can get away with 5 year rabies. Most states in the usa require it every 3 years. The only way things will change is if the majority just say no and it's not right.
I also blame 3 year rabies vaccines for harming my kitty:(((
Messmaker9000 you are lucky. My last vet bill was $500 for a yearly check up. And an additional150 for heart guard and $65 for flee prevention
TK The Hun vets are paid rebates for how much they sell if heartworm meds and rebate cheques are also given from vaccine companies. The money kickback there is huge. I worked at a vet for 9 years.
You can just get a titters test on your pet and it will show what vaccines are still in your dog including rabies. My one dog got her shots as a pup and hasn't had one vaccine since and she's 15 years old and all vaccines are still active in her system
Yes! They’re ridiculously high! These Vets know how much People Love their Fur Babies, and will do ANYTHING to insure that they are or will be ok.
The eye specialist didn't check my cat's eye pressure after getting diagnosed with Uveitis he became blind with Glaucoma had he checked his eye pressure his Glaucoma could have been caught early and save his vision. You have to be your own advocate when it comes to your health and your pet's health.