|
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
 
Location: nj | Ok - wanted to get some input on a vet bill. Had a horse who looked like a possible colic starting - so had my vet out. Emergency farm call which is about 15 miles from office. did colic exam, iv banamine, dormosedantorbu shot, rectal, tubed with mineral oil, electroliyte, psyllium and epson salts. The one call and she came out of it fine. Just got hit with a $436 bill. I don't usually question it and it has been a while since I had to treat a colic but am I wrong in thinking it is time to be looking at other vets. Ps I have been using this practice for 25 + years and always had a good relationship - but there are quite a few other good vets in the area. |
|
| |
|
 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
  
Location: Arkansas | Emergency colic at midnight about 15 years ago was 600. I was an hour from her office. I was new to her so I had to give her cash before she left at 2 am. She had to come back about 5 hours later, another 200. But she did let me mail her a check for that!!!
Glad your girl came out good. |
|
| |
|
Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | I would have no issues with that bill.Also ...what day was it on and was it a holiday? |
|
| |
|
 Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | Those emergency farm calls are a killer. That's probably the biggest portion of the bill right there. |
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Its always better to beable to haul in to the vet so you dont have to pay a Emergency farm call but sometimes you cant get around it if the horse is hurt.. I would not be upset paying for this bill and since you been with this vet 25+ years and you have a good relationship I would not be looking for a different vet cause they charged for a emergency farm call.. 15 miles is a pretty good ways from the office.. |
|
| |
|
 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| Had one colic in the middle of the day in the middle of the week and hauled to the office. Bill was $600. My vet bought s not particularly high dollar. |
|
| |
|
 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | I would not have a problem with that bill at all. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: nj | ok - thanks for the feed back. it was not a holiday - during late afternoon on a thursday for those who asked. they just hit you for emergency if not appointment set up 24 hours in advance. And I am glad it went as well as it did - don't get me wrong. I had asked some others using local vets and it seemed high to them - so wanted to throw it out there to see others experience.
Edited by threeponies 2018-04-04 8:03 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Blond Bombshell..
Posts: 6628
Location: Hill Country of TEXAS!! | Curious what you thought it should be? |
|
| |
|
 Loves to compete
Posts: 5760
Location: Oakdale, CA | I don't think that is terrible and praise the Lord for a good outcome........ |
|
| |
|
 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | I pretty much figure on around $500 if I haul one in to the vet for a colic, $1000 if they have to place a cath and run IV fluids. Glad your girl is OK!
? |
|
| |
|
Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| My bill was way over $1000 AND the horse DIED anyway, so no, that bill wouldn't bother me. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | I would think that sounds pretty reasonable. That emergency call was the most of your bill right off the bat. You could always call the other offices and get prices and compare if youre that curious. But, nothing beats a good relationship with a good vet and Remember, you get what you pay for!! |
|
| |
|
 Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
Posts: 5530
Location: OH | Ohiobarrelracer - 2018-04-05 7:38 AM I would think that sounds pretty reasonable. That emergency call was the most of your bill right off the bat. You could always call the other offices and get prices and compare if youre that curious. But, nothing beats a good relationship with a good vet and Remember, you get what you pay for!!
Well said---NOTHING beats a good relationship with a vet. I do not feel the bill was out of line either. |
|
| |
|
 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | streakysox - 2018-04-04 7:32 PM Had one colic in the middle of the day in the middle of the week and hauled to the office. Bill was $600. My vet bought s not particularly high dollar.
I'd have gladly paid that amount! I took one in for colic, also mid-day and mid week. They did a colic exam, figured it was likely gas colic, but hooked him up to some I.V. fluids for about 8 hours anyway....$1200. I took a big gulp and wrote the check. They wanted to keep him overnight, but I didn't want to. What would it have been if I'd have overnighted him?? I can't even imagine. |
|
| |
|
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Mighty Broke - 2018-04-05 6:50 AM Ohiobarrelracer - 2018-04-05 7:38 AM I would think that sounds pretty reasonable. That emergency call was the most of your bill right off the bat. You could always call the other offices and get prices and compare if youre that curious. But, nothing beats a good relationship with a good vet and Remember, you get what you pay for!! Well said---NOTHING beats a good relationship with a vet. I do not feel the bill was out of line either.
A big DITTO on a good relationship with your vet/vets.. |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Nope, no issue with that. Remember they may have had other clients to see that afternoon at the office that they had to reschedule at the last minute as well. |
|
| |
|
 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11511
Location: 31 lengths farms | I'd say your vet was more than fair actually. Glad the horse is feeling better too!
|
|
| |
|
Loves to compete
Posts: 5760
Location: Oakdale, CA | Southtxponygirl - 2018-04-05 6:28 AM Mighty Broke - 2018-04-05 6:50 AM Ohiobarrelracer - 2018-04-05 7:38 AM I would think that sounds pretty reasonable. That emergency call was the most of your bill right off the bat. You could always call the other offices and get prices and compare if youre that curious. But, nothing beats a good relationship with a good vet and Remember, you get what you pay for!! Well said---NOTHING beats a good relationship with a vet. I do not feel the bill was out of line either.
well said! |
|
| |
|
 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | A few years ago mine had a mild impaction, but I hauled him to the vet. It was around 11 at night, so after hours. The vet worked on him for at least an hour and the bill came to around $300-350. So for her to come to you, that bill doesn't seem that bad. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 490
| My mare decided to slice her cornea 2 weeks ago. I had no choice but to call a vet. It was 5pm on a Friday night... The total bill for that visit was just under $600. He was going to the neighbors so stopped to treat her. It was a lot higher than I thought it would be BUT we saved her eye. He came out for a recheck (he's a mobile vet so no clinic) last week and it was another $170. That was recheck, sedation, farm call and for him to put meds in her eye. When he comes out this evening I'm going to tell him let me put the ointment in there and save myself $45!!!! |
|
| |
|
  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I hauled mine 2 1/2 hrs away to a surgical vet. He gave him pain killer, tubed him and ultrasounded. Wanted to keep him for observation. I told him I could administer pain meds and give oil as easy as he could and he agreed. I had a local vet that could tube if needed. He was impacted. $650 was the cost and I thought that was about normal. Passed it 3 days later. Vitals were always good or I would have left him with the vet. I bet I saved $1500. |
|
| |
|
 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | My colt cut his foot while at the trainer's. Vet lived 2 houses down the road. After hours call (12:30pm Saturday), $85. Exam price $35. Wrap foot, give tetanus shot etc. and the bill was $200. I thought that was pretty high. |
|
| |
|
| OhMax - 2018-04-05 6:41 AM
Nope, no issue with that. Remember they may have had other clients to see that afternoon at the office that they had to reschedule at the last minute as well.
I agree with this. Most vets aren't just sitting around waiting for emergency calls to come in. They have clinics to run, appointments to get to, and equipment to pay for (even if they are mobile), or they are trying to enjoy a spare moment of free time with their families. Overhead costs can be pretty expensive for vets, but that's not something most clients are privy to, especially with many new vets and their student loan debt, ultrasounds and xray machines, vet truck payments, etc. Some of those vet boxes in the beds can be at least $20k. Drug costs are rapidly increasing, and one of my husband's distributors just tacked on an $8 handling fee for any order less than $100, plus taxes and shipping, so he now has to deal with one more added cost.
Horses are a luxury, not a necessity (whaaat? did I really say that?!). We have had clients that had to choose between making their truck payment that month, or paying for their emergency, and that is not something ANY vet wants to see happen. However, if you feel your vet did a competent job and treated your horse to the best of their ability, no matter the outcome, then I would say the price was fair. There are some things that just can't be fixed no matter the monetary amount, and I am glad your horse was one of the ones that could.
ETA: yes, there are some vets that will try and swindle every last penny out of you, but that's when an itemized invoice comes in handy. Like I stated before though, if your vet was able to provide quick, expert and compassionate care for your horse, sometimes it's best to not question the 25+ year relationship you have with them and be thankful they're around when you need them. Many vet practices are getting away from handling after hours emergency calls (mostly small animal, but some large animal), and leave owners scrambling.
Edited by madredepeanut 2018-04-06 1:24 AM
|
|
| |
Vet bill questions