Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: jezebel on November 23, 2011, 18:38:49 PM

Title: Vets' fees question
Post by: jezebel on November 23, 2011, 18:38:49 PM
I've got a question about vet consultation fees, feel free to tell me if I'm living in cloud cuckoo land or whether I'm right to be annoyed at this.

We took Bass to the vet the weekend before last because she had a large bald patch on her inside leg, and we were charged £50 - £30 consultation fee and £15 for some drops to put on her skin. That was fine, expensive but pretty much what I'd expected.

Naturally the vet asked us to come back a week later to see how Bass was doing, which we did. We were in the consulting room for no longer than five minutes - probably less. Vet looked at Bass once, told us she had improved and to keep an eye on her, and that was it. When we came out, the reception was quite busy but we didn't need to make another appointment so we just left.

Today we got a bill - £30 for another consultation fee! Surely they shouldn't charge for a follow up appointment?

It's been a while since I've had to take a cat to the vet but I don't remember having to pay for folllow up appointments. Is this new, or is it just this vet - or could it be an error?
Title: Re: Vets' fees question
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 23, 2011, 18:52:22 PM
Yes they do charge for a follow up but usually at a cheaper rate and I would take this up with them.
Title: Re: Vets' fees question
Post by: Liz on November 23, 2011, 19:25:58 PM
We never get charged for followup visits by our vets
Title: Re: Vets' fees question
Post by: Gillian Harvey on November 23, 2011, 21:30:05 PM
Mine does charge for follow ups, but less than the original consult charge, about half usually, I think.  :)
Title: Re: Vets' fees question
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on November 23, 2011, 21:55:41 PM
Mine charges for the 'second and subsequent' consulation but it's £21.50 instead of £29.50. Just looked on the website and they charge £17.00 for a 'final check up' consulation.

That said it depends what vet I get as some of them put it through as something different like 'minor consult' and it's a lot less. That's when I've gone back and forth with the same problem normally.

Do they have a website to check as it may be they do charge for a second consult but it should be a lesser fee?
Title: Re: Vets' fees question
Post by: jezebel on November 23, 2011, 22:09:51 PM
Thanks all. OH is going to pay on the way home from work and will mention it was a follow up.

TM: Their website doesn't mention charges at all.
Title: Re: Vets' fees question
Post by: Rosella moggy on November 23, 2011, 22:47:13 PM
Ditto on the lower follow up visit charge altho every now and then I get a freebie ................. being a regular visitor I guess. 

Hope Bass is OK  :hug:
Title: Re: Vets' fees question
Post by: jezebel on November 24, 2011, 18:32:09 PM
Well, mystery solved. Sort of.

They DO charge a lower fee for follow ups - £33 (as opposed to £36 for the initial consultation).  >:( Hardly worth it really.

I will be looking for a new vet!
Title: Re: Vets' fees question
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 24, 2011, 18:33:45 PM
Thats a totally rip off and dont blame you
Title: Re: Vets' fees question
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on November 24, 2011, 20:37:13 PM
And I thought my vets was expensive at £29.50, I think £36 reducing to £33 for a second consult is a record!  :Crazy:
Title: Re: Vets' fees question
Post by: Rosella moggy on November 24, 2011, 22:31:33 PM
For head vet, we pay around £30 with £20 or so follow up visit  :-:
Title: Re: Vets' fees question
Post by: JackSpratt on November 24, 2011, 22:39:44 PM
Me vets only charge £12.99 for seeing an animal - I think if they charged any less they'd not be bothering opening up!