VET

[Lunartwist]

I don't have anything else to offer, but what Jesst said is pat-down. I work in a vet clinic as well (just a receptionist though) and that is so true. Medications, supplies, buying new equipment and maintaining them, paying fees to keep up with OSHA standards, paying for specialist to come in and do echos/ultrasounds/specialized surgeries...all of that is super expensive. We have to pay to buy all our own office supplies, pay a small fee every time we run a credit card, pay for basic client luxuries like coffee and tea...every thing you see in the hospital from that cookie you're eating to the cotton swab we clean your pet's ear with, to the machines we test their blood or fecals with...all of that we pay for.

Oh, and we pay taxes on the land our building is on, pay the water bill, sewer, garbage, electric and central heating/air conditioning.

And then we actually have to pay the staff that work here.

So when people get upset at their vet bills, its frustrating for us, because we DO try and keep our fees at the lowest minimum we can. We just have so much we have to pay for too to just keep the hospital running. Vet prices may be cheaper somewhere else, but they may have a smaller staff to pay, less specialized equipment, a smaller building, or the doctors spend less time with each patient and therefore can cram more people into their day.

Pets are expensive. They can cost hundreds or even thousands, but like Jesst said, they are a luxury item. They are not necessary. So if you can't afford one, then don't have one. People try and get over huge vet fees by just not taking their animals to a vet...even when sick, and try to penny pinch and the cost of their pets' health. If you get a animal, then seeing to their health is something that should be required. Its peoples' responsibility.

Just complaining about being ripped off and not understand the entire picture is just ridiculous.

...Okay rant over.

 

[MORTYtheTORTY]

Alot of Vet Techs go through good and bad days but I'm not, or any of us at that, are trying to imply that we want our animal to be tested and cared for for free. I just want an honest Vet that's into my animal and not my money. The Pakistan's run my vet office here in San Joaquin county and TRUST ME when I say they are into money...I know what I'm talking about and who I'm speaking to and just the responses I get and care. Once you start arguing with them then they seem to cut their BS <--like I said, it's not every vet office or every person working there but that's what kind of people I'm dealing with right now! My vet has been in practice for YEARS on end and he still acts like he doesn't know certain things that are even obvious to me but will certainly tell me to shell out hundreds of bucks for a test or xray when it's not needed. I'm sure there's plenty on this thread who have mentioned that they have good vets but some of us don't.

 

[batchick]

How do tortoise vet fees compare to other animal fees? When I had to take Ned to our vet, I was surprised by how much less his treatment cost than our dogs' treatments. I got the impression they had clear pricing structures for standard animals, but were just making it up for other animals. The vet also said she knew very little about tortoises, but went out of her way to take him in and read up so she could do the best she could. Yes, it would have been better to have a reptile expert vet, but i was impressed with the efforts she was willing to go to.

 

[MORTYtheTORTY]

Well Batchick, then I'd say you had a good vet on hand.

 

[jesst]

I don't have anything else to offer, but what Jesst said is pat-down. I work in a vet clinic as well (just a receptionist though) and that is so true. Medications, supplies, buying new equipment and maintaining them, paying fees to keep up with OSHA standards, paying for specialist to come in and do echos/ultrasounds/specialized surgeries...all of that is super expensive. We have to pay to buy all our own office supplies, pay a small fee every time we run a credit card, pay for basic client luxuries like coffee and tea...every thing you see in the hospital from that cookie you're eating to the cotton swab we clean your pet's ear with, to the machines we test their blood or fecals with...all of that we pay for.

Oh, and we pay taxes on the land our building is on, pay the water bill, sewer, garbage, electric and central heating/air conditioning.

And then we actually have to pay the staff that work here.

So when people get upset at their vet bills, its frustrating for us, because we DO try and keep our fees at the lowest minimum we can. We just have so much we have to pay for too to just keep the hospital running. Vet prices may be cheaper somewhere else, but they may have a smaller staff to pay, less specialized equipment, a smaller building, or the doctors spend less time with each patient and therefore can cram more people into their day.

Pets are expensive. They can cost hundreds or even thousands, but like Jesst said, they are a luxury item. They are not necessary. So if you can't afford one, then don't have one. People try and get over huge vet fees by just not taking their animals to a vet...even when sick, and try to penny pinch and the cost of their pets' health. If you get a animal, then seeing to their health is something that should be required. Its peoples' responsibility.

Just complaining about being ripped off and not understand the entire picture is just ridiculous.

...Okay rant over.

thanks for the support....very well put. This isnt an easy business but i do love being in it

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

Good post, Lunar!
----

The vet I was referring to, long ago I used to take my herps to her. I once had a blue-tongued skink with a mild RI. She treated it then told me to come back in 2 weeks. I did as told, bringing said skink with me. She picked it up, barely glanced it before putting it back and told me "It's fine. Come back in 2 weeks." She charged me $75. This went on for another 4 weeks. Finally, my common sense and my checkbook decided that the skink was fine, and I stopped seeing her after that. If not, I probably would still bringing that skink in every month or so!

I dunno if that qualifies as "ripping off" but in retrospect, I coulda looked at my skink after the first 2 weeks and know it was doing fine.

 

[jesst]

How do tortoise vet fees compare to other animal fees? When I had to take Ned to our vet, I was surprised by how much less his treatment cost than our dogs' treatments. I got the impression they had clear pricing structures for standard animals, but were just making it up for other animals. The vet also said she knew very little about tortoises, but went out of her way to take him in and read up so she could do the best she could. Yes, it would have been better to have a reptile expert vet, but i was impressed with the efforts she was willing to go to.

They are cheapier if you have a healthy tort...dogs and cats need vaccines, heartworm and flea prevention, bloodwork at least once a year, and ideally xrays as they get older. Many dogs and cats have allergies so there is the cost of those meds and special food. So healthy torts are much cheapier than dogs and cats

 

[MORTYtheTORTY]

Good post, Lunar!
----

The vet I was referring to, long ago I used to take my herps to her. I once had a blue-tongued skink with a mild RI. She treated it then told me to come back in 2 weeks. I did as told, bringing said skink with me. She picked it up, barely glanced it before putting it back and told me "It's fine. Come back in 2 weeks." She charged me $75. This went on for another 4 weeks. Finally, my common sense and my checkbook decided that the skink was fine, and I stopped seeing her after that. If not, I probably would still bringing that skink in every month or so!

I dunno if that qualifies as "ripping off" but in retrospect, I coulda looked at my skink after the first 2 weeks and know it was doing fine.

yes that is still ripping you off, as I stated they care about $$ and not all are like that but when you do deal with that then it makes it harder for someone to trust a vet office or workers. The first couple times I went in to my vet office they were good and charged me what was expected but after that they noticed how many animals I started bringing in and figured I had money so they started treating me differently and I caught on...it's sad!

 

[jesst]

WOW JESST REALLY?!?!! First of all you don't know any of us or what we really go through! I've been to good vets and bad ones. The one I happen to be going to currently is BAD! I don't care about meds...yes I pay for meds and proper care but when you are being ripped off, that's not good! I looked into becoming a Vet Tech and yes I do know you guys do not get paid enough but like you said you aren't in it for the money and niether will I be once I start schooling but you know a good vet from bad vet. If my vet properly did what they have to then I wouldn't be complaining! I pay lots of money and YES I can afford and properly care for them but if you worked in my vets office you would soon see how they are at work. Not all vets are bad but it's a 50/50 so don't take things personal, I'm sure you're a good Vet tech but not everyone has integrity!

No where in my post was i attacking you or how much money you spend on your pets. Yes there are bad vets out there, and that is why you have the right to take your pets to any vet you want to. no one is keeping you there and telling you you have to keep going to that vet.

 

[Lunartwist]

WOW JESST REALLY?!?!! First of all you don't know any of us or what we really go through! I've been to good vets and bad ones. The one I happen to be going to currently is BAD! I don't care about meds...yes I pay for meds and proper care but when you are being ripped off, that's not good! I looked into becoming a Vet Tech and yes I do know you guys do not get paid enough but like you said you aren't in it for the money and niether will I be once I start schooling but you know a good vet from bad vet. If my vet properly did what they have to then I wouldn't be complaining! I pay lots of money and YES I can afford and properly care for them but if you worked in my vets office you would soon see how they are at work. Not all vets are bad but it's a 50/50 so don't take things personal, I'm sure you're a good Vet tech but not everyone has integrity!

Also agree with. As much as vets cost money, no terrible vet is ever worth a single penny! So find one that you like and trust, even if it is expensive, the outcome of having a much more knowledgeable vet than a crappy, cheap one, is worth its way in gold!

So in short, I agree with both of you. x3

 

[MORTYtheTORTY]

WOW JESST REALLY?!?!! First of all you don't know any of us or what we really go through! I've been to good vets and bad ones. The one I happen to be going to currently is BAD! I don't care about meds...yes I pay for meds and proper care but when you are being ripped off, that's not good! I looked into becoming a Vet Tech and yes I do know you guys do not get paid enough but like you said you aren't in it for the money and niether will I be once I start schooling but you know a good vet from bad vet. If my vet properly did what they have to then I wouldn't be complaining! I pay lots of money and YES I can afford and properly care for them but if you worked in my vets office you would soon see how they are at work. Not all vets are bad but it's a 50/50 so don't take things personal, I'm sure you're a good Vet tech but not everyone has integrity!

No where in my post was i attacking you or how much money you spend on your pets. Yes there are bad vets out there, and that is why you have the right to take your pets to any vet you want to. no one is keeping you there and telling you you have to keep going to that vet.

Got it...you just didn't take in consideration what others do in fact go through and made it seem like we weren't being honest with what our vets do and I felt an attack. sorry if you felt I jumped at you in any way but I agree with what you've said but it just seemed like you were backing up every vet and office and yes I can go to another vet but it makes it scary to find another and get ripped off as well but I might have to start looking around. Not much where I live though.

---

ANYWAYS....This thread was supposed to be for stories and experience with your current Vets and Vets in the past and why you had to take yours to one to begin with. Please make another Thread if you don't have a story or reason for taking your Torty to a Vet. Thank you.

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

you have the right to take your pets to any vet you want to. no one is keeping you there and telling you you have to keep going to that vet.

Very true. But as we all know, qualified reptile vets are unfortunately, in short supply. Finding a new one is often much easier said than done. Sometimes it's not just a matter of liking them, or finding a better price; the next best vet could be hours away.
----------------------
A good way is to try and contact a local herp society. Most members there will know where the good vets are for reptiles.

 

[MORTYtheTORTY]

you have the right to take your pets to any vet you want to. no one is keeping you there and telling you you have to keep going to that vet.

Very true. But as we all know, qualified reptile vets are unfortunately, in short supply. Finding a new one is often much easier said than done. Sometimes it's not just a matter of liking them, or finding a better price; the next best vet could be hours away.
----------------------
A good way is to try and contact a local herp society. Most members there will know where the good vets are for reptiles.

I hope someone can tell me of a good herp vet in stockton, ca

 

[Jacqui]

you have the right to take your pets to any vet you want to. no one is keeping you there and telling you you have to keep going to that vet.

Very true. But as we all know, qualified reptile vets are unfortunately, in short supply. Finding a new one is often much easier said than done. Sometimes it's not just a matter of liking them, or finding a better price; the next best vet could be hours away.
----------------------
A good way is to try and contact a local herp society. Most members there will know where the good vets are for reptiles.

For me, the hours drive would be worth it for a good Vet. Another option is if you have a Vet you like and that Vet is willing to learn, then why not go to him and both of you learn? A vet like this can and should use not only your knowledge, his own books and knowledge base, but can usually find a good Herp Vet who will talk him through problems.

To me, having a Vet I can work with means more to me then actual knowledge, because knowledge can be learned, but not bedside manner. Just my thoughts.

---

All of you guys talking about vets ripping you off....just imagine what it costs to run a hospital, buy the medications, all the equipment and pay the staff that takes care of you pet when you bring them in. My girlfriend and i are both vet techs and let me tell you, most vets and vet tech are not in it for the money, we get paid very little. You can work at starbucks and make more money then what we do, but we do it for the love of the animals. Now that being said, almost every night i get yelled at by people that cannot afford to take care of their pets, i have been told that i am the one killing their animal because i am not willing to take care of it for free.....just remember everything costs money. you think they are ripping you off because you have insurance for yourself and do not realize how much it costs for medications and tests.
Another thing having a pet is a luxury not a necessity....if you cannot afford to take care of them properly then dont have them.

Great points! I don't think my Vets rip me off. Actually my current ones cut me breaks, because of the number of cats I bring in. My belief is, even the ones who I find more expensive, nobody is making me go to them. Just like any other business out there, your patronage or lack of it, is your choice. Voice your opinion of their prices or their quality by simply changing Vets.

 

[Kerryann]

Honestly, you should shop for a vet like you would for your own doctor. I have a lab that has had a spinal embolism and has both seasonal and food allergies. My lab has to see a neurologist and a standard vet. She is on prescription food, allergy shots, and allergy pills. I have a schnauzer that has bad teeth so he needs them cleaned annually and has had 14 teeth pulled (I brush them twice a week and he's on prescription dental food). I had a vet that I trusted for my dogs, after switching vets twice previously, and he recommended my vet for my tortoise. I feel like the money is worth the peace of mind, and I also as stated before will be taking her back for annual exams.
I don't think vets are ripping you off, though I am sure there are bad ones out there. It is expensive and difficult to get into veterinary school. My husband was accepted medical school and the Veterinary school rejected him. When you think about the $50 vet bill, you should consider that the person went to school for 8 years, probably has student loans out the tuckus, and all of the things previously mentioned.
But my main point is that you should interview your vets like you would your doctors and keep looking until you find someone you trust with your animal. If you don't agree with your vet's diagnosis then get a second opinion. I found the vet we have now by getting a second opinion on my schnauzers need to get teeth pulled. I liked him much better than anyone else I saw, he was closer to home than who I had previously seen, and he was half the cost.

 

[Jacqui]

Honestly, you should shop for a vet like you would for your own doctor. I have a lab that has had a spinal embolism and has both seasonal and food allergies. My lab has to see a neurologist and a standard vet. She is on prescription food, allergy shots, and allergy pills. I have a schnauzer that has bad teeth so he needs them cleaned annually and has had 14 teeth pulled (I brush them twice a week and he's on prescription dental food). I had a vet that I trusted for my dogs, after switching vets twice previously, and he recommended my vet for my tortoise. I feel like the money is worth the peace of mind, and I also as stated before will be taking her back for annual exams.
I don't think vets are ripping you off, though I am sure there are bad ones out there. It is expensive and difficult to get into veterinary school. My husband was accepted medical school and the Veterinary school rejected him. When you think about the $50 vet bill, you should consider that the person went to school for 8 years, probably has student loans out the tuckus, and all of the things previously mentioned.
But my main point is that you should interview your vets like you would your doctors and keep looking until you find someone you trust with your animal. If you don't agree with your vet's diagnosis then get a second opinion. I found the vet we have now by getting a second opinion on my schnauzers need to get teeth pulled. I liked him much better than anyone else I saw, he was closer to home than who I had previously seen, and he was half the cost.

Great post!

 

[Shelly]

most vets and vet tech are not in it for the money, we get paid very little.

Most veterinarians make a very comfortable living. Some make a great deal of money.

 

[Cadance]

We have never had to take ours to the vet however we have a reptile vet that we would take them too if needed. We really have 2 that we could take them too both where given great reviews so really it would be who we would like because I was told they are both great...

 

[MORTYtheTORTY]

@Shelly: That Guy was a Vet Tech so they make anywhere from possibly 28k - 40k (anually) depending on your area. In certain parts of CA you can actually make alot depending if you're registered or Licensed. He should've made another thread if he wanted to go into detail about Vet's lol I'm just looking for stories and who has/hasn't taken their torty to the vet.

Cadance: That's cool that you've never taken them in...just hope it stays that way

*my 2 babies are out for delivery* ^_^

 

[exoticsdr]

most vets and vet tech are not in it for the money, we get paid very little.

Most veterinarians make a very comfortable living. Some make a great deal of money.

As do most electricians, plumbers, home builders, used car salesmen, grocers, professional panhandlers and prostitutes...but NONE of those had to spend upwards of 250 THOUSAND dollars for schooling for the privledge of practicing....not to mention the EIGHT years of study and giving up family functions, visits with the kids and their new families, and numerous other little life functions that get ignored so you can study for tests, quizzes, and later, because your clients are in desparate need of your help at 2:30am on a Saturday morning ( for a problem that they have been ignoring for 2 months). It's all good, and I'm proud of and very happy with my profession (and the medical advice that I dole out here for FREE to those that have asked) Doc

Generalities and blanket statements SUCK and are beneath most of the members that I see here on TFO.