What's the difference in vet care?

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

I just called to get my girls in for their annual check-up and vaccines. I'm in a bit of sticker shock. The charge for one dog is $255.00 + whatever the cost is for Flea and heartworm prevention!

I was just looking online at some different animal hospitals and we have a couple that are not for profit vets registered with 501 (c)3. I'm not sure what that means. If they are non profit, how do they get paid? The charge for all the shots and tests would cost a total of $101.00 per dog. 

All of this makes me wonder, would the care be as good? I'm assuming that they went to qualified veterinary schools just like my expensive vet.

By the way, I chose my current vet because of convenience. He is less than 3 miles from my house where the less expensive one are about 15 miles away. My current vet is a very nice man with a very nice office. He treated  my Golden when she had cancer. He was very compassionate but could not do anything for her except give her pain meds since she was 13 and had bone cancer. His opinion was that she would not survive the amputation surgery.

I'm just very confused about the HUGE difference in cost! I was hoping someone could give me some insight. I will actually use the cheaper one unless there is a reason to avoid that. Also, I know there have been discussions on what shots they actually need. I would be getting a 3 year rabies shot, bordetella and DHPPV for Parvo/Distemper as well as a heartworm exam and fecal exam. Is there a reason not to have any of that done?

I want my girls to have the very best care possible. I'm just not sure that costing more makes them better.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

The vet(s) in the office that is registered as a e501(c)3 gets a salary.  As does anyone else who works there.  Volunteers do not get paid, although there may or may not be volunteers.  Any surplus ( non profit name for profit) at the end of the year must be used as specified in the 501(c)3 papers (charity).  501(c)3 non profits are generally supposed to show that 2/3 of their fundraising money goes is used  for charities, as specified. 

National nonprofits can come under scrutiny from the IRS and many organizations that report on various types of charities.  Many nonprofits are quite authentic and charitable.  That said there are probably at least as many that are poorly run, deliberately deceitful, or somewhere in between.

The IRS filing from any 501(c)3 is a public record and available by asking your local IRS office.  

I view vets as people trying to earn a living and pay back their debt from long years of schooling and the cost of setting up a practice.  Vets like MDs need to keep up with current research and continue training also.  I think they are entitled to a fair salary just like anyone else.

I have no idea which vet is better in your case, but here are some things to look for:  Who actually handles your dog at the check up?  How organized is their record keeping.  Can you skip the blood work or do it less often if you choose?( Roo with Addison's gets twice yearly check-ups while Tigger goes only once and can skip the blood work before teeth cleaning if I choose) What insurance plans do they honor if that is important to you?  If you have a very ill dog ( like your golden) are different treatment options explained to you.  If you ask can someone explain the reason for recommending a certain product?

It is certainly possible to spend much more money to keep your dogs healthy now that it was even 20 years ago.  Mainly because there are better options for treating dogs with many diseases that are caught early, often with blood panels.  Roo has Addison's disease.  It costs about $125 every 25-28 days for the percortin shot for him to live a long and healthy life, mind you I live outside LA and everything is expensive here.  

As a matter of personal preference I choose to take my dogs to the same vet for check ups and shots that I would take them to for  infections, etc.  Probably just a peculiarity of mine, but it makes me feel more secure. He does own his own practice and charges less than the local syndicated (can't think of the initials right now - nuts) veterinary hospital.

Don't know if this was useful - hope it was

 

 

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Thank you Maryann! That was a really good explanation that I could understand. If I switch to the lower cost vet than I absolutely would want to go there for everything. Like you said, I think I would feel better knowing that they "know" my dog if an emergency were to arise. 

I think that I will go visit this vet because they do allow walk-ins. That way I can look around a little and maybe talk to the people in the waiting area to see if it is a place I feel comfortable with. At that point, with no appointment, I can always just walk out and go back to my original vet if needed. If I decide to stay and have all the yearly tests and shots, then I would be able to ask some of your very well thought out questions.

I really appreciate you and everyone else for taking the time to answer!

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Just something to think about.

Many vets that are "employed" at  vet groups are compensated as a percentage of the total charged, they are not salaried.  Obviously this creates the age old issue of "what is the appropriate care?"  vs. "how can I make the most money?".  It is especially a problem when there are multiple vets and a patient has no "allegiance" to anyone.  Think about the emergency vets or if they think you are a "one time" patient.