whoami
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 8, 2011 12:43:49 GMT -5
Posts: 1,292
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Post by whoami on May 30, 2014 19:43:12 GMT -5
But, they're not add-ons. They're options. You could just as well ask for the dog to be groomed ( after he recovere ) or given vaccines or purchase prescription dog food. Those are options as well. No. As I am signing the dog in for surgery, they do NOT ask me if I would like the dog to be groomed or if I would like to purchase dog food. They are asking ME, not the other way around, at a time where I will admit that I am somewhat vulnerable because I want the best possible care for my dog if I want her to have more pain meds and for them to use the laser. These are medical questions that I can't answer. You are comparing apples to oranges.
I'll talk to the vet about the add-ons when we go for follow-up. I have a lot of respect for the guy (everyone does), and he will probably write a note in her file about what she needs.
I admit...I dont get your problem. If you want something, ask for it. I ask my vet a million questions before and after...and my dog has been through several significant pricey surgeries. I've never had a problem getting answers and I dont get feeling "vulnerable" about a scheduled surgery. A few months ago, a dog was hit near my house and my husband ended up carrying this half dead dog to the emergency hospital with the family. They were told it was going to $5K just to start. I can understand pressure in that situation....but otherwise....dont get it.
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Nazgul Girl
Junior Associate
Babysitting our new grandbaby 3 days a week !
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 23:25:02 GMT -5
Posts: 5,913
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Post by Nazgul Girl on May 30, 2014 21:49:40 GMT -5
But, they're not add-ons. They're options. You could just as well ask for the dog to be groomed ( after he recovere ) or given vaccines or purchase prescription dog food. Those are options as well. No. As I am signing the dog in for surgery, they do NOT ask me if I would like the dog to be groomed or if I would like to purchase dog food. They are asking ME, not the other way around, at a time where I will admit that I am somewhat vulnerable because I want the best possible care for my dog if I want her to have more pain meds and for them to use the laser. These are medical questions that I can't answer. You are comparing apples to oranges.
I'll talk to the vet about the add-ons when we go for follow-up. I have a lot of respect for the guy (everyone does), and he will probably write a note in her file about what she needs.
I respectfully must disagree with you. I think it's a burden for you to have to decide on the extras for the dog's care. I'm not really comparing apples to oranges. Besides, why the vehemence ? I don't get it. If you don't want it, you don't have to have it.
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Mardi Gras Audrey
Senior Member
So well rounded, I'm pointless...
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:49:31 GMT -5
Posts: 2,087
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Post by Mardi Gras Audrey on May 30, 2014 22:48:46 GMT -5
Susana, I think understand your issue with how it is done (why would they ask if I want to do X, Y, and Z while my pet is being worked on? If it is needed, it should be included with the price of the surgery. if it not needed, why are they trying to nickel and dime me?). I can see how someone can feel like that when they are getting a pet/child/other loved one health care (I know, I know, pets are not people. For a lot of people, the connection is deeper with their pets than their family members). For you it probably easier than for most people. If the vet says it will cost $600 for little Fido's surgery, you can say of course we get it done, Fido needs it and here is my credit card/check/whatever. What about for people who can't do that? Who live check to check and only have $200? They would hear "It's going to take $600 to patch up Fido and I don't have it"... So they get stuck deciding if Fido is going to live without the surgery or get put down (If Fido is in a condition where surgery is needed). I think doing it the a la carte way is how the vet can give the people who can't afford to fix Fido at the super deluxe price but still want Fido to live choices (while not embarrassing them for not having the $$ to take care of a pet). These choices may mean that they can get the dog fixed but it will live with a scar. If I only have $200 and the laser thing is an extra $500, I can live with a scarred dog. I can't live with a dead one. By the vet pricing it separately, I know I can pay for the surgery and don't have to say "I can't come up with the $700 to save my Fido's life so I have to put him down" ETA: Like I mentioned in my previous post, our vet had an extra fee to pay for IV fluids for my younger cat. He could have had the tooth extractions without the fluids but it is more comfortable to have them. If I didn't have the $80 for the fluids, would I rather he not have the surgery at all because it was bundled together? No.... I would rather he get the teeth extracted so he won't be in pain and have infection in his mouth. I like that the vet gives me those options so I can decide what to pay for.
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constanz22
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:32:17 GMT -5
Posts: 4,219
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Post by constanz22 on May 31, 2014 6:29:26 GMT -5
My vet does this too. They even have a line item charge for "waste disposal fee" when they get a shot, take in a stool sample, etc. I have started using a vet hospital the last few years as my pups have aged and have some more complicated health issues. I just had an emergency vet visit with my Maltese yesterday. He is in the beginning stages of Congestive Heart Failure. I didn't even look at the bill. It really doesn't matter. I never had kids and my dogs are my kids. I will pay whatever they need and worry about it later. I think the bill was just shy of $300 for exam, chest X-ray, blood work and 2 meds (that he will now be on for life and that he's being a little shit about taking ).
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Deleted
Joined: Oct 9, 2024 16:19:19 GMT -5
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2014 8:55:29 GMT -5
No. As I am signing the dog in for surgery, they do NOT ask me if I would like the dog to be groomed or if I would like to purchase dog food. They are asking ME, not the other way around, at a time where I will admit that I am somewhat vulnerable because I want the best possible care for my dog if I want her to have more pain meds and for them to use the laser. These are medical questions that I can't answer. You are comparing apples to oranges.
I'll talk to the vet about the add-ons when we go for follow-up. I have a lot of respect for the guy (everyone does), and he will probably write a note in her file about what she needs.
I admit...I dont get your problem. If you want something, ask for it. I ask my vet a million questions before and after...and my dog has been through several significant pricey surgeries. I've never had a problem getting answers and I dont get feeling "vulnerable" about a scheduled surgery. A few months ago, a dog was hit near my house and my husband ended up carrying this half dead dog to the emergency hospital with the family. They were told it was going to $5K just to start. I can understand pressure in that situation....but otherwise....dont get it. My problem is that I am not asking for anything. I am being asked.
There's no vehemence. I was just using bold to make my point that I am not asking for these options so why does it make sense to tell me, "If you want something, ask for it" and "This is no different than asking you if you would like to purchase dog food while she's having surgery?"
You don't feel vulnerable when you are signing in your dog for surgery, and you are suddenly asked whether you want her to have the extra (undiscussed) pain meds or the laser (undiscussed) treatment? How can you not feel vulnerable when you really don't know and have 60 seconds to make up your mind? When the only person you can ask is a high school student manning the desk?
I admit . . . I don't get your lack of a problem.
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