3 actually

Not here they dont. Only one.

ahh, ok. Ive never used the pdsa myself but know people who do and they have all 3 of their pets treated there.

Its a hard one, we do have insurance for Bruno which I am glad of as he has HD and athritis and imagine in the next few years we will have to deal with this.

However since having the children and me not returning to work we only just get by each month and are not eligible for any benefits, so for us its the general vet things that are not claimable that usually are a struggle for us.

I know we have to take Bruno to the vets soon as I discovered a lump on him today and I always get them checked out even although all the ones so far have been nothing to worry about.
However the £30 to walk in the door fee plus any tests costs are a large amount out of our monthly budget so I have to reallocate funds ! His insurance has trebled since we first took it out but we have claimed it so for us its been invaluable.

However its not cut and dried, positions do change, I do however see insurance as an important thing as what if he was hit by a car etc and had huge vet costs? At least then I know that I wouldnt have to make a decision on a life based on money ..

My vet however is very good and I know he would offer a payment plan if I really could not afford the bill.

I just cannot get there at moment due to the snow to get the lump checked but will be doing it asap.

It's a hard one this in lots of ways because folks circumstances change(not folk who just 'get a dog from wherever eg, unsavoury characters, mates of mates etc) no matter how carefully they have considered things and also with the economic climate? etc. Would think many things make many vets wary of giving treatment without fees up front for many reasons, however much they care, maybe is out of their control if working for large chain or practice,costs, keeping going(know is not always the case)? We don't have any PDSA or pet aid here anymore(would have to travel some distance n emergency calls wouldn't know what would happen) so is not an option. Am fortunate in that our vet has been very good with insurance/payment and care of our animals(so far). Have eaten many a potato, rice n scrag end in the past to pay vet bills n don't regret at all. Have never been in the awful position that some folk have, but who can ever know what's 'round the corner'.
ps have just seen your post Brundog 'it's a hard one' was typing at same time, but it is.

Maybe the are so overpriced because of all the people who get treatment for their animals sometimes costing hundreds or thousands of pounds and walk away without paying .
They then move on to another vets and do the same .
I don't know of any vets who are not owed large sums of money . Decent people offer to pay in installments but many never pay at all .

Or find a vet that allowed her to pay on the drip,

Why should the vets be criticized for having a practice policy.

Maybe the option of taking them on trust (to pay when you can) has been abused in the past, hence the deposit or no credit policy.


Maybe if someone is struggling to feed their kids, then the question is, should they have pets in the first place.

If my income was such I felt I was unable to feed my children properly, then I would not be keeping pets, if it took food from their mouths!

I do, my own for one,

On occasion I heard the PM speaking to clients on the phone, asking for payment of vets bills, usually followed up with a "no more treatment " until you do.

I have Dougal and the cat insured. Not sure what our vets want from it to be honest. Thankfully *touch wood* I haven't needed it.

Our vets is starting a scheme where you can pay a certain amount per month/week and get standard things like immunisations and healthchecks. So I'll be joining that...it makes it so much easier.

But that is not every client of theirs' problem - ALL businesses have this problem. But vet costs just seem to rise and rise well above inflation at times. Of course they need to make money but how bladdy much!! And I do not think they have THAT many people not paying - sure its bound to happen, but that is not the majority of cases or loyal clients.