How does this work?

[ILoveBambi]

Neighbour has an Irish setter about 12 years old now and it hasn't been too well recently. When it's insurance was up for renewal they couldn't get insurance. Ok fair enough dog is high risk.

This last week with the hot weather it has been having breathing difficulty.
Vet diagnosed dog needs an operation on its larynx. Now the bit I can't get my head around:

Operation cost £3,000. When vet was told the dog is no longer insured and they couldn't afford it price dropped to £900 if paid on the day but could be done for £600 if paid up front?

Anyone able to make sense of it?
ILB

 

[highland stalker]

That is why pet insurance premiums are so high.
Not a lot different to smash for cash scams pushing car insurance up all the time.

 

[Kalahari]

Sometimes the vet is just trying to help.

David.

 

[rodp]

Years ago, when I had a Doberman, our vet was quite open about charging those that could afford it an extra five pounds. It covered treatment for pets of the elderly and genuinely hard up. Always paid it and happy to do so. Perhaps this vet is of the same mind, varies the prices if the patient's owners look genuine.

 

[Buchan]

Operation cost £3,000. When vet was told the dog is no longer insured and they couldn't afford it price dropped to £900 if paid on the day but could be done for £600 if paid up front?

ILB

Possible reasons based on the limited information - £3000 was referral cost with specialist vet operating; lower price would involve lots of corners being cut by local practice or just plain old fashioned sympathy for the dog and recognition of long standing clients.

 

[ILoveBambi]

Well they opted for the pay up front offer. Dog came round from the operation but died less than 24 hours later. I wonder if the insured £3,000 option would have had a different result.
ILB

 

[weeman]

Well they opted for the pay up front offer. Dog came round from the operation but died less than 24 hours later. I wonder if the insured £3,000 option would have had a different result.
ILB

Ive been quite critical recently over what a vet charges for operations etc to which I've been remberrsed financially after a strong minded conversation.
However in this case I doubt because they went for the cheaper that the rresult ended in the dog passing away.
unless they were told for X amount of £'s we could try this and hope for the best.??
It would en a can of worms if it did.
a few months ago a mates dog needed an emergency operation this dog had no insurance because he felt at the time was a waste of money. Anyway the operation plus treatment was around £2700 because it swallowed something. The vet asked asked him was he insuranced he said no the vet said then can you afford it he said no. The vet said how can gaurntee payment. The vet declined to be able to do it cheaper. My mate told the vet hell get the money to him by the end of the week. The bet carried out the operation and received his money like promised as he got a loan from the bank. He then took out insurance.

 

[gablegorst]

Sometimes taking small animals to vets can be like taking you're car to kwik fit, they could find a dozen faults with a brand new car !! Vets are a business not a charity and in saying that we do need them obviously , a good relationship with one vet you trust is worth its weight in gold and i am very fortunate to have that. strange how my neighbours ""farmers"" can have a vet called out for several hours for what seems a very fair price yet take you're dog into the practice and watch out !!! There are two main problems with vets, first is there is no price list even for basic treatment so you dont know youre fate untill you get to the till ..and second why do vets ask (is it insured) before you get a price. If that changes the price then is that not fraud !!!! My advice to anybody facing a large vet bill is always seek a second opinion and price if possible.

 

[bewsher500]

Anyone able to make sense of it?

everyone I imagine
involve insurance and watch the number roll in

 

[Woodsmoke]

My OH left veterinary nursing after 20-odd years due to the mercenary attitude of the majority of practices in her area. She's also told me horror stories regarding a particular vet who's now in an extremely senior position in the BVA. Some of the tales she's told me are horrifying. Not all veterinary practices, or vets, are equal

 

[paul o']

I Used to know a Dentist ,not quite the same but he called it bash the nash (NHS) as he was able to back charge what he liked if the NHS was footing the bill unseen ?? maybe as the dogs and cats can't tell us what they have ? then some who have the same demeanor as the dentist, they too can make out to be worse than it is and charge such high fee's .