Vet Charges

[knabe]

Well I suppose that's all up to the individual making that business.. but if you tinker off too many people- you might be restricted to the number of customers...

You could learn a lot from a dummy.

Amazing you can't even listen to yourself.

You must be getting old.

 

[KSanburg]

My local vet that I have used for years decided a few years ago when things were really going full tilt in this part of the country, that they would rather work on dogs and cats then work on a cow. Of course horses are their favorite mainly because they are as much a pet to most of the people that have moved in this area, rather than a tool to get your job done. So now a health paper is $90 Semen test is $100, Bangs vaccinate heifers is $30 each, Trich test is $70, C section is $350, trip charge is now $50 inside 15 miles a $1 a mile beyond that, if you bring them to the clinic they charge an additional $50 for the first animal. They are the only large animal vet in our area that has facilities to handle cattle, so in my mind its a no win proposition to work with people that I have worked with over the past 25 years and my family has worked with since they first opened in 1971.

I also wonder if they see an opportunity to raise prices because of better cattle prices the past couple years, you know they have stuck with us for all these years well if we are getting more for our product they think they need to get their piece of the pie.

I hate looking for a different vet but they have left me no choice.

 

[twistedhshowstock]

My local vet that I have used for years decided a few years ago when things were really going full tilt in this part of the country, that they would rather work on dogs and cats then work on a cow. Of course horses are their favorite mainly because they are as much a pet to most of the people that have moved in this area, rather than a tool to get your job done. So now a health paper is $90 Semen test is $100, Bangs vaccinate heifers is $30 each, Trich test is $70, C section is $350, trip charge is now $50 inside 15 miles a $1 a mile beyond that, if you bring them to the clinic they charge an additional $50 for the first animal. They are the only large animal vet in our area that has facilities to handle cattle, so in my mind its a no win proposition to work with people that I have worked with over the past 25 years and my family has worked with since they first opened in 1971.

I also wonder if they see an opportunity to raise prices because of better cattle prices the past couple years, you know they have stuck with us for all these years well if we are getting more for our product they think they need to get their piece of the pie.

I hate looking for a different vet but they have left me no choice.

Its not so much a game of cattle prices are going up, so they want their piece of your pie situation.  Its the fact, that non coincidentally, prices on everything in our economy go up together.  Right along with the time we saw better cattle markets.  The expenses for vets went up at the same time, so they had to increase their prices to make ends meet and make a living for themselves.  I think in your situation its more a matter of like you said he would rather work on dogs and cats.  Because people view them as more part of the family they also tend to spend more money on them.  I would say in most cases a single small animal patient will bring in as mch as 2 or 4 large animal calls.  The opposite side, many of those small animal cases that bring in so much more money also only take a fraction of the time.  This isnt always true, but it is the norm.  So yes their going to charge a little more money for large animal calls, one because it is often more work, and 2 because they could make more money by staying at the clinic and seeing small animals.
Another thing yo mentioned is yo have been with your vet for years.  He may also be getting older, maybe its harder for him to do large animal calls anymore, maybe he feels it is more risky for him, or maybe he just no longer has the desire to pt in the hours and time.  Regardless, as yo said he is the only one close to you.  He has the limited supply of a service that is probably in great demand, that probably also made him more willing to raise his prices.  If you are searching for another vet then you must expect that there is another, less convenient option.  Its the same thing with why products are more expensive at the little corner store down the road than  at a bigger store like wal mart in a bigger town.  Bigger businesses in more populated areas make their money by the volume of business they do.  Smaller businesses with lower traffic cant make their profit by volume, so they do it by charging more, some people are willing to pay more for convenience.  Its the same with vets lots of times. 
What I was trying to say earlier that I think got lost, I think people tend to forget sometimes that a veterinary practice is a business just like any other business and the same types of decisions have to be made on pricing products and services.  I think people tend to forget that because they think anyone with the title "Dr." in front of their name is just automatically well off and raking in the money and can afford to give away their services sometimes.  I think people wold be surprised just how much some vets, especially large animal vets, are struggling to pay the bills, make ends meet enough to keep the doors open, and still provide for their families.

 

[kfacres]

where i grew up, we were lucky to have 2 vets withing about 20 miles in either direction..  One we took the animals we knew what was wrong with; the other we took the cases we had no idea about- and it was a life/ death ordeal. 

I'll tell you, we learned to do our own c sections- our own stitching up, and started buying almost all of our own meds online. 

I agree with the post just above this: they don't care about large animals much anymore: it's all dogs and cats. 

I deal with the general public every day through my job- and completely understand how they act.  Everyday, so don't tell me what it' slike. 

I think vets are overlooked, i think they are under appreciated-- but I think most deserve it.

 

[Doc]

"You would also be surprised at the number of people who
-the number of people who don't understand how to feed cattle and then when the cows start going down at the end of gestation and delivering dead calves want you to fix it now but didn't listen to your advise when it would have made a difference"

DL, It's ironic that you bring that up. I have a good friend that is a vet & he was telling me the other day about a guy that had lost a couple of cows & calves calving & couldn't figure it out. "Said" they were in good shape & had their shots. He called him when he had lost a 4 yr old calving , said she weighed 1,200 lbs. My friend told him to take her & have a necropsy done on her. The cow weighed 589 lbs not 1,200.

 

[knabe]

I deal with the general public every day through my job- and completely understand how they act.  Everyday, so don't tell me what it' slike. 

Which takes up more of your time, Steerplanet, or nrcs?

We could plot your activity, call the office and see if there iare any facts and see if we could understand how they would act.  Maybe the taxpayer would be interested if the nrcs isn't. 

 

[SWMO]

You could hang some people with a New Rope and they would complain.

I own my own business (not a vet) and I get complaints daily about the cost of the services I provide and what I sell.  Unfortunately, most of those that complain spend very little money with me.  People expect the same price today as they got five and ten years ago.  Folks the cost of everything has gone up.

Have you purchased a bottle of Draxxon?  What your local veterinarian charges is NOT PURE PROFIT.  They have overhead, inventory, and personnel costs just like everyone else.

If you don't like what they charge, go to school and become a vet.  I'll bet that your opinion on charges would change drastically.  Don't ever begrudge someone a good living.  The reason we have so few large animal vets is that there is very little economic reward to that profession as opposed to the small animal option.

 

[KSanburg]

My local vet that I have used for years decided a few years ago when things were really going full tilt in this part of the country, that they would rather work on dogs and cats then work on a cow. Of course horses are their favorite mainly because they are as much a pet to most of the people that have moved in this area, rather than a tool to get your job done. So now a health paper is $90 Semen test is $100, Bangs vaccinate heifers is $30 each, Trich test is $70, C section is $350, trip charge is now $50 inside 15 miles a $1 a mile beyond that, if you bring them to the clinic they charge an additional $50 for the first animal. They are the only large animal vet in our area that has facilities to handle cattle, so in my mind its a no win proposition to work with people that I have worked with over the past 25 years and my family has worked with since they first opened in 1971.

I also wonder if they see an opportunity to raise prices because of better cattle prices the past couple years, you know they have stuck with us for all these years well if we are getting more for our product they think they need to get their piece of the pie.

I hate looking for a different vet but they have left me no choice.

Its not so much a game of cattle prices are going up, so they want their piece of your pie situation.  Its the fact, that non coincidentally, prices on everything in our economy go up together.  Right along with the time we saw better cattle markets.  The expenses for vets went up at the same time, so they had to increase their prices to make ends meet and make a living for themselves.   I think in your situation its more a matter of like you said he would rather work on dogs and cats.  Because people view them as more part of the family they also tend to spend more money on them.  I would say in most cases a single small animal patient will bring in as mch as 2 or 4 large animal calls.  The opposite side, many of those small animal cases that bring in so much more money also only take a fraction of the time.  This isnt always true, but it is the norm.  So yes their going to charge a little more money for large animal calls, one because it is often more work, and 2 because they could make more money by staying at the clinic and seeing small animals.
Another thing yo mentioned is yo have been with your vet for years.  He may also be getting older, maybe its harder for him to do large animal calls anymore, maybe he feels it is more risky for him, or maybe he just no longer has the desire to pt in the hours and time.  Regardless, as yo said he is the only one close to you.  He has the limited supply of a service that is probably in great demand, that probably also made him more willing to raise his prices.  If you are searching for another vet then you must expect that there is another, less convenient option.  Its the same thing with why products are more expensive at the little corner store down the road than  at a bigger store like wal mart in a bigger town.  Bigger businesses in more populated areas make their money by the volume of business they do.  Smaller businesses with lower traffic cant make their profit by volume, so they do it by charging more, some people are willing to pay more for convenience.  Its the same with vets lots of times. 
What I was trying to say earlier that I think got lost, I think people tend to forget sometimes that a veterinary practice is a business just like any other business and the same types of decisions have to be made on pricing products and services.  I think people tend to forget that because they think anyone with the title "Dr." in front of their name is just automatically well off and raking in the money and can afford to give away their services sometimes.  I think people wold be surprised just how much some vets, especially large animal vets, are struggling to pay the bills, make ends meet enough to keep the doors open, and still provide for their families.

Don't get me wrong I don't begrudge them making a living, and I know full well that prices have went up across the board. People are looking at cattle prices and think we are getting rich and while the prices look good and we like seeing that big check our bottom line really hasn't changed much. The place I use is a clinic and they hire new vets and have younger guys on staff, but you have to be careful there to as some of them are not the sharpest tools in the shed either. I just feel that his prices have went up beyond the reasonable expectation. I did find a guy this past fall that charged $9 a head for Bangs Vac with a $35 trip fee and actually lives a lot further away, so we will see how he does with some of the other work and if he passes the smell test. Seemed like a good guy and I hope that he hangs in there.

 

[knabe]

Give him a tip. 

 

[DL]

zach - email me and I will let the genie out of the bag LOL

 

[chambero]

The only thing professionals (drs, lawyers, vets, engineers, etc) sell is their knowledge and time.  Most need to charge in the $150+ for their billable time to account for their overhead and profit.  I imagine that trip took them an hour and a half minimum from the time they left till they got back.  Haul your animals to the vet if you need lower vet bills.

I would choke on that price too, but that's the way it works.

 

[DL]

"You would also be surprised at the number of people who
-the number of people who don't understand how to feed cattle and then when the cows start going down at the end of gestation and delivering dead calves want you to fix it now but didn't listen to your advise when it would have made a difference"

DL, It's ironic that you bring that up. I have a good friend that is a vet & he was telling me the other day about a guy that had lost a couple of cows & calves calving & couldn't figure it out. "Said" they were in good shape & had their shots. He called him when he had lost a 4 yr old calving , said she weighed 1,200 lbs. My friend told him to take her & have a necropsy done on her. The cow weighed 589 lbs not 1,200.

Yup Doc and that's just the half of it

IMHO if you pay me for my advise (your cows have a BCS of 2, they are suffering from agroceriosis, you need to feed them more or you will have problems with dead calves and dead cows down the road), and they don't take it, and they have the problem I predicted based on the knowledge I have, how anxious do you think I am to go deal with their emergency - which actually isn't an emergency at all but a whole lot of pi** poor management

 

[Bulldaddy]

That seems reasonable for the time they took away from their practice--not the time it took to do the tb test and write health papers.  We always take our cattle to the vet for health papers and the charge is around $25 per head.  Time is money, right?

 

[jason]

A graduating vet from 2011 will have racked up $150,000 in vet school, does not include undergraduate school.  They don't make doctor money when they get out either.  I think most starting jobs where in the 50k to 70k range, 100k if you want to live in Vegas and spay/neuter animals all day long.

 

[comercialfarmer]

Here are my thoughts on a lot of the complaints I here about vets.  Everyone wants them to answer their calls immediately no matter when or why they call.  Your own human physician doesnt do this, you just have to go to the ER.  Unfortunately most vets dont have the pleasure of sending patients to an ER clinic, so they rarely ever get a full nights sleep and put in extremely long hours.  Everyone who goes to the vet  a lot expects them to give them a discount or drop everything and come to them at anytime. Rembember this is a business and how they make their living, and most large animal vets struggle to keep up with the bills.  I guarantee you spend more in a year at wal mart or the grocery store than you do at your vet in most cases, do those places give you disconts? Or drop everything to serve you?  I think the problem is  in general good vet clinics provide better customer service than almost any other business, thus we start to think of them as friends and expect favors.  I

I've been called an arrogant ******** before- but don't you think they expect this- before going to school for 9 years, or before they open up business..  I mean- it is their job- and if they don't want woke up in the middle of the night to do a C Section-- don't offer those services: simplify turn the customer away and tell them to go elsewhere. 

When I hear someone is a plumber- i expect them to be good with pipes, when I hear someone is a electrician = they'd better know hot and cold wires- and how to make a 4 way switch work.. when I hear about a vet that isn't on call 24/7== they're not up to par.

In terms of spending money at the vets:  You'd be surprised what our family pays- 3 species of livestock, plus dogs and whatever else...  I bet the vet is close to our number 1 money spic-it (right behind the feed bill).   

I know that you are young and have yet to really get out into the real world to see how well it matches up to your pre-conceived expectations.  But you may wan't to:  Scrutinize thyself before thou devastates thyself. 

Out of curiosity, how many days in a row have you gone without sleep?  My personal limit is about 3.  Since you probably don't have kids yet, you won't know getting woke up in the middle of the night day after day will wear on you.  Burning the candle at both ends, doesn't lead to efficient work in the middle. 

Try telling your girl friend you are too busy to spend any time with her for the next 3 weeks and evaluate her attitude toward you at the end.  You can see the work involved with your farm and there is generally a lot.  But what would it be like for 500 of your neighbors to expect you to help them with their problems on top of your own. 

Nothing is worse than having to spend money on something you don't plan on.  And it leads to feelings that someone is taking advantage.  But when your first kid is a good 4 to 5 weeks old, ask yourself at 3 a.m. when they are screaming into the baby monitor after getting them asleep at midnight- would it be worth $100 bill to get up and deal with it for who knows how long, or would you rather just roll over turn the monitor off and let your wife take care of it.  Oh, and remember this is just down the hall inside.  You don't have to drive to who knows were, in the cold, but not quite cold enough to turn the rain into snow. 


Regarding the original question:  I think the question is very appropriate to see if it is common for the fees to run in that range.  It can give you a little more information when you speak with your vet.  I would call around and see what other in your area charge for the same service.  And if your bill is significantly different, verify that it is accurate. 

The good thing about America at the moment, you can chose to use a different service if you don't like the one you have now. 

From a business stand point, I don't think most charge enough for farm calls.  Ask yourself why you are having them come out to the farm?  If it is because it is inconvenient for you to go to them, why is it not just as inconvenient or more for them to come to you.  Especially in animals that aren't down. 

Business is business no matter what your industry.  As has been mentioned, they have a ton of overhead in equipment, medications, employees, building, etc...  If they can see 4 clients in the time it takes them to come out to your farm and just see you and go back to the clinic, then they should charge for the time they are missing the other 3 clients. 

I became acutely aware of several things talking to an attorney this past year.  Most attorneys don't own their office building (so when you sue them for incompetence, there is nothing for them to lose), they rent a small office space per attorney.  They keep their business bank account empty, they have very little risk.  When you speak with them or if they are drafting something or in court- you pay them by the hour.  Generally more than the amount you just quoted.  They will often have multiple attorneys for 1 secretary.  If an aid is used, you pay for that aid by the hour as well. 

Contrast that- when do you see a charge from your vet for their hourly help?, most clinics have probably a million or more tied up in equipment, medications, building, land etc.... and unless in business for a long period, they have a loan paying interest on it (risk), when do you pay them for calling with a question?

Good and bad exist in any profession, look until you find a good one.  We are lucky enough to have a good large animal vet in our area. 

 

[kfacres]

Out of curiosity, how many days in a row have you gone without sleep?  My personal limit is about 3.   
3 as well- by day 3 I was pretty well beat- bloodshot eyes, and ready for a nap.  That's what showing and being on the road will do to you. 

Since you probably don't have kids yet, you won't know getting woke up in the middle of the night day after day will wear on you.  Burning the candle at both ends, doesn't lead to efficient work in the middle.  Let see, I've been lambing since X-mas-- that means check ewes @ 10- go to bed until either 12 or 1- stay up for a couple hours= get up again at 4 to feed babies= leave for work.  So, that puts a night of roughly 6 hours of sleep==- which will continue until atleast April- with until the 21 of April off- until we start lambing ewe lambs until the 2nd week of May.  Start the whole process over again through Sept and Oct-- and then do it again in Dec. We dont' have time or kids b/c of the animals.   

Try telling your girl friend you are too busy to spend any time with her for the next 3 weeks and evaluate her attitude toward you at the end. I do- she knows the rule-- at this stage of the game- we rarely do anything together but travel to a sheep or cow event. 

 

[johnmetzger]

I'm over it and the ck has been sent. And my vet has still not contacted me 48hrs later.

PS Commercial Farmer, You could give Dr. Phil a run for his money. Good talk

 

[ai er]

[/quote]

Here are my thoughts on a lot of the complaints I here about vets.  Everyone wants them to answer their calls immediately no matter when or why they call.  Your own human physician doesnt do this, you just have to go to the ER.  Unfortunately most vets dont have the pleasure of sending patients to an ER clinic, so they rarely ever get a full nights sleep and put in extremely long hours.  Everyone who goes to the vet  a lot expects them to give them a discount or drop everything and come to them at anytime. Rembember this is a business and how they make their living, and most large animal vets struggle to keep up with the bills.  I guarantee you spend more in a year at wal mart or the grocery store than you do at your vet in most cases, do those places give you disconts? Or drop everything to serve you?  I think the problem is  in general good vet clinics provide better customer service than almost any other business, thus we start to think of them as friends and expect favors.  I
[/quote]

I've been called an arrogant ******** before- but don't you think they expect this- before going to school for 9 years, or before they open up business..  I mean- it is their job- and if they don't want woke up in the middle of the night to do a C Section-- don't offer those services: simplify turn the customer away and tell them to go elsewhere. 

When I hear someone is a plumber- i expect them to be good with pipes, when I hear someone is a electrician = they'd better know hot and cold wires- and how to make a 4 way switch work.. when I hear about a vet that isn't on call 24/7== they're not up to par.

In terms of spending money at the vets:  You'd be surprised what our family pays- 3 species of livestock, plus dogs and whatever else...  I bet the vet is close to our number 1 money spic-it (right behind the feed bill).   
[/quote]

I know that you are young and have yet to really get out into the real world to see how well it matches up to your pre-conceived expectations.  But you may wan't to:  Scrutinize thyself before thou devastates thyself. 

Out of curiosity, how many days in a row have you gone without sleep?  My personal limit is about 3.   Since you probably don't have kids yet, you won't know getting woke up in the middle of the night day after day will wear on you.  Burning the candle at both ends, doesn't lead to efficient work in the middle. 

Try telling your girl friend you are too busy to spend any time with her for the next 3 weeks and evaluate her attitude toward you at the end.  You can see the work involved with your farm and there is generally a lot.  But what would it be like for 500 of your neighbors to expect you to help them with their problems on top of your own. 

Nothing is worse than having to spend money on something you don't plan on.  And it leads to feelings that someone is taking advantage.  But when your first kid is a good 4 to 5 weeks old, ask yourself at 3 a.m. when they are screaming into the baby monitor after getting them asleep at midnight- would it be worth $100 bill to get up and deal with it for who knows how long, or would you rather just roll over turn the monitor off and let your wife take care of it.  Oh, and remember this is just down the hall inside.  You don't have to drive to who knows were, in the cold, but not quite cold enough to turn the rain into snow. 


Regarding the original question:  I think the question is very appropriate to see if it is common for the fees to run in that range.  It can give you a little more information when you speak with your vet.  I would call around and see what other in your area charge for the same service.  And if your bill is significantly different, verify that it is accurate. 

The good thing about America at the moment, you can chose to use a different service if you don't like the one you have now. 

From a business stand point, I don't think most charge enough for farm calls.  Ask yourself why you are having them come out to the farm?  If it is because it is inconvenient for you to go to them, why is it not just as inconvenient or more for them to come to you.  Especially in animals that aren't down. 

Business is business no matter what your industry.  As has been mentioned, they have a ton of overhead in equipment, medications, employees, building, etc...  If they can see 4 clients in the time it takes them to come out to your farm and just see you and go back to the clinic, then they should charge for the time they are missing the other 3 clients. 

I became acutely aware of several things talking to an attorney this past year.  Most attorneys don't own their office building (so when you sue them for incompetence, there is nothing for them to lose), they rent a small office space per attorney.  They keep their business bank account empty, they have very little risk.  When you speak with them or if they are drafting something or in court- you pay them by the hour.  Generally more than the amount you just quoted.  They will often have multiple attorneys for 1 secretary.  If an aid is used, you pay for that aid by the hour as well. 

Contrast that- when do you see a charge from your vet for their hourly help?, most clinics have probably a million or more tied up in equipment, medications, building, land etc.... and unless in business for a long period, they have a loan paying interest on it (risk), when do you pay them for calling with a question?

Good and bad exist in any profession, look until you find a good one.  We are lucky enough to have a good large animal vet in our area. 

[/quote]


Bravo

 

[jaimiediamond]

I have an amazing equine vet who is always available to help through thick and thin.  This man is outstanding on every level and has managed to heal some pretty impressive ailments.  I know that I have spent a fortune on his bills but when I consider the time, patience, and the fact that my animals are still alive I figure he has more than earned his way.  Our cattle vet is also very good but we haven't needed his services as often or for as radical of treatments.  A good vet is worth every penny

 

[JWW]

to some people who have problems with charges, costs, vets and so on... try seeing your vet as an asset and not a cost and treat him/her as such, you'll probably find yourself in alot better  situation.


JWW