"Emergency" Hospital RIP OFF

**krazyaboutkatz** · 03-02-2003, 02:35 AM

I also agree that this is a ridiculus amount to pay. I've never used an emergency vet yet and hopefully will never have to. I know that they have to charge more but in some cases it seems like they're also trying to take advantage of people. My vet gives his clients his home phone number, pager number, and cell phone number in case they have questions or emergency situations. I was told that not many vets will do this because they don't want to be bothered after hours. I feel very lucky to have such a caring vet.

**sasvermont** · 03-02-2003, 06:40 AM

Well, much to my amazement, many people use emergency vets. I had never used one until Graemer was stung by a bee (hornet) and his leg swelled. And then, Graemer again, for his last fight for his life. Although this last time, he was not only an emergency, he was at a surgical hospital, so the price was even higher. My little guy was worth every dime, as was Gabe and every pet I have had prior to Gabe and Graemer. Would I use one again? It would depend. I would try NOT to, because I just cannot afford to keep pouring money away, but at the same time, I love my pets so, that at the time of the emergency, I want to save them from pain and upset. So, there is the problem.

I think emergency services are very expensive and as I said, you do not pay based on the size of the patient, just as your doctor does not give you a discount if you bring in a small child vs. a teenager! A visit is a visit and it is based on the overhead, not the patient when it comes to the flat fee, plus other services as needed.

I am sorry for the folks who feel ripped off - and maybe they were charged a lot of money, too much money, I don't know. But I do know that emergency services are very, very special and on an as needed or on demand basis - a luxury for most pet owners.

Love to all of the pet owners here at Pet Talk,
SAS

**neko1** · 03-02-2003, 08:04 AM

Sas, I agree with everything you have said. The people at the emergency clinics have the worst hours! They are up and working when the rest of us are sleeping! I wouldn't want their jobs so I would hope that they get paid a decent amount. Ours is also something like $125 just to walk in the door. If your animal is sick and needs medical attention asap, just pay it and thank your lucky stars that these people are there because most regular vets are not going to come to you in the middle of the night.

**COCatMama** · 03-02-2003, 11:26 AM

jen: next time go to a different vet that doesn't know you and say you 'found' the poor mouse somewhere. The probably will not charge you to euthanize a 'stray.'
I used to live near a vet that would euthanize or even try to treat stray/wild critters. Once I found a fledgling starling with it's EYE hanging out cause some crows had got at it. I held it bawling, waiting for the poor thing to die but it didn't...so I walked down to that vet and he euthanized the poor thing.

**jenluckenbach** · 03-02-2003, 11:31 AM

I was not by any means talking about the SIZE of my patient, I was talking about the amount of "work" done. If I was asking for them to SAVE her I would have expected the price to include an examination fee. The rip off part is in the fact that I did not get what I paid for. (or I should say, I paid for what I did not get). And please do not complain about the hours, that is where (and therefore WHEN) these people chose to work. Some people actually prefer the over night shift.

**Nomilynn** · 03-02-2003, 05:45 PM

When Bassett went into emerg they told me on the phone "it's $106 to walk through the door" and she was suffering so badly I didn't care. But I think I would feel differently if I just wanted her euthanised.

**neko1** · 03-02-2003, 06:02 PM

Well since now you know of their costs for services (or lack thereof should I say), maybe is there another place you can go? We have 3 emergency clinics in our area, and many people will choose 1 over the other for their own reasons. Hopefully you have another place to go.

**Nomilynn** · 03-02-2003, 06:03 PM

I would take Bassett back to that clinic in a heartbeat. I didn't have a problem wiht the costs at all.. and the people there were very good to her.

**sasvermont** · 03-02-2003, 06:15 PM

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.

**jenluckenbach** · 03-02-2003, 06:34 PM

just for the record, the Dr. did not even TOUCH my mouse. So there was no "checking it out to see if it was breathing and should be put down". And since the shot was given out of sight, I can't even be sure a vet did that.