vet rip off

[wendilla]

My son and daughter both have a blue staffie similiar age.Last month my sons dog had a small growth removed from his face and neutered at the same time. £100.
My daughter is having the same done small growth removed and neutered. Same vet and is being charged £300. Only difference is her dog is insured . My son's isn't. Why the huge difference in price just because she is insured?

[wolf63]

Ask for a detailed break down of the charges. Are the dogs the same gender?

It is quite a difference in cost - worth investigating.

[wendilla]

same type of dogs both male

[joko]

is the nsurance paying for the treatment? that will be why... to get extra cash off the company

my dentist used to dish out god teeth willy nilly if you were unemployed...as it was free to the customer but he got cash for it...

[joko]

gold

[buildersmate]

Surely all this demonstrates that, on balance, it is best not to engage in these type of insurance policies - since the other way to think about it is that the person charged £100 got a better deal.
Vets do it because they can and since there is no 'recommended price' for these type of services it is impossible to define what constitutes a 'rip-off'.
I don't possess an animal but I have declined to participate in the insurance scheme operated by my dentist (which provides a similar sort of cover) for over 20 years now. Have saved a packet over this time, compared to 20 years worth of premiums. One just has to be prepared for the odd large bill every now and again.

[wolf63]

Very strange - if it was me I would certainly request the detailed breakdown. Most vets are honest and run businesses that would not survive long if they were up to such blatant dishonest and creative accounting practices. I use my vet because I trust them.

Let us know the outcome of this problem please! :-)

[icemaiden]

Very interesting.

I don't know of any insurance company that pay out for neutering. So, is the cost purely for the growth removals?
Maybe one growth was more complicated than the other?

Still, would like to know what the breakdown was.

[wendilla]

To have the 2 things done at the same time would just be one anisthetic instead of coming back in a few weeks for the neutering. .This is what she was told. This is her usual vets that she has for her pets.

[madmaggot]

Perhaps a copy of both invoices to the insurance company and ask them to investigate?

[wendilla]

Thank you for replies I have spoken to my daghter and she is going to ask for a breakdown.

[wildwood]

Don't be too quick with the accusations. It very much depends on where and what type of growth it is. Some 'growths' are deep rooted and need expert and detailed surgery.

Not saying you're wrong, but just be careful with the 'rip-off' accusal.

[divegirl]

The neuter won't be covered by the insurance btw. Just ask the vet if it is a different procedure.

Lisa x

[wendilla]

Yes Wildwood understand what you are saying. She will be asking for breakdown.
Yes Divegirl the castration is not included in insurance that is why we wondered why it is so high.

Appointment is for next week so will query it

[craft1948]

I paid £125 just for my dog to be neutered.............

[Epinephrine]

Yea Yea...I read this and thought this is madness.

But silly me huh...I'm forgetting all growths are the EXACT same and ofcourse your right the vet is ripping you off...

tut tut