Most veterinarians want nothing more than to provide quality care for animals. As a result, it’s always challenging to face clients’ financial stresses or accusations that prices are too high.
In many cases, veterinarians are faced with helping clients make decisions for their pets based on how much they can afford. It can be expensive to keep a pet healthy—and it’s essential to budget accordingly to ensure the best care for your furry friend. From emergency room costs to providing quality care, here’s what pet owners need to know to understand vet prices.
Emergency room prices are more expensive than regular vet prices.
A 24-hour emergency room is expensive to maintain. While essential public services like human hospitals receive bailouts when they run out of cash, vet offices are often left with no choice but to shut down if ends don’t meet.
Sometimes, pet owners confuse emergency clinic pricing with regular vet prices. Unlike regular vet clinics, emergency services require high-end, high-cost equipment and medications to treat serious conditions and perform surgeries. As a result, emergency vet clinics face significant overhead costs. Additionally, with 24-hour registered vet technicians on staff and surgeons on call, premiums add up quickly.
Your vet can’t afford free services for your pets
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the average veterinarian carried a debt of $143,757 in 2016. Meanwhile, vets generally make between $75,000 and $96,000, depending on their experience level.
In addition to running a business and purchasing and maintaining equipment, vets also have salaries to pay. The staff at veterinary clinics are often underpaid for their quality of work, with the average registered veterinary technician making between $13 and $24 per hour. As a result, veterinarians can’t afford to offer free check-ups or prescriptions because they have to cover the costs of running their business.
To cut costs, many vets outsource specialist services. For example, X-rays may be sent to veterinary radiologists, and tissue and blood samples may be sent to veterinary pathologists. While consulting and outsourcing help raise the level of care your pet receives, it also means your vet care may be more expensive than it used to be.
What should pet owners do?
For pet owners facing high vet costs, investing in pet insurance can provide financial security in the case of a financial bind. Alternatively, if your budget allows, consider setting aside money each month in an account to cover the costs of regular vet visits and emergency pet bills.
Affordable veterinary equipment
The animal care experts at TriStar Vet design and manufacture durable, affordable, and high-quality veterinary scales, veterinary exam table wall mounts, feline scales, and other innovative professional equipment for modern veterinary clinics. Reach out to us today to learn more about our equipment and how you can save money.