What you are paying for, in the long run, is the availability of the Vet and support staff, without an appointment, for your convenience, in the event you should need them. Think about it. They have no method of scheduling an emergency or knowing if there will even be one. They have to offset their down time (no appointments) and charge an arm and a leg for their services. I suspect the "exam" for your poor little rat, was merely seeing if it was breathing and atleast checking it out enough to know if it show be put down. My bill for Graemer read "consultation"....rather than exam...but I suspect it was that "walk through the door fee" that most after hour vets charge.

You don't know want to know what my bill was to have Graemer treated from 12 noon to 6 PM. I would do it again. I know that the Vet was leaving the place when I brought Grammy Crackers to him and he had to call in a tech to help him with the proceedures done on Grammy.

Again, they are very expensive and they have incredible pressure, circumstances etc. to work under. Most of these animals are coming in there with lots and lots of problems, not just a regular office visit for a check up. The Vet and staff are "specialists in waiting" if you will.

I won't go on anymore about this as I think I have driven my point home maybe one time too many.