Huge vet bill - not advised

[sirbob10]

Hi

 

I'm looking for some advice regarding our vets.

 

A few weeks ago we took Toby our black Labrador to the vets as he was having trouble peeing. He was then booked in for sedation and X-rays. The bladder X-Ray came back clear but upon xraying his stomach 2 golf balls were located in his stomach.

 

We were referred to another vet for the surgery. We were told that we were looking at a cost of around £1300 for them to be removed.

 

My husband took him to the vets and he spoke to the vet who said they were going to do an endoscopy to remove them but if they couldn't they would have to operate. He said the bill would likely be around £1300.

 

My husband who was at the hospital received a call saying they couldn't remove the golf balls via the endoscopy and did they have permission to operate. They said Toby was already under sedation and the needed an instant decision to operate. My husband said he had already given permission to do this. They then said right we'll do the operation but it's an extra £800.

 

My husband was very shocked as the vet said that they may have to cut him open but he assumed £1300 was the maximum price we'd have to pay but the vet said that price was just to try via endoscopy. My husband just had to agree to the surgery as the vet kept saying we need a decision now.

 

Please don't get me wrong we have insurance for Toby but the way the vet has gone about this I feel is very poor.

 

My husband was pushed to make an immediate decision when the vet should have discussed this at the consultation which we have paid for. Toby is making a good recovery which is the main thing but do I have a right to complain?

 

Any advice would be great.

[DragonFly1967]

I've found, in the past, that when "some" vets find out that you have insurance for your pets, they get blinded by the pound signs flashing in front of their eyes and charge the insurance company as much as they think they can get away with.

[citizenB]

Pleased to hear that Toby is now a little lighter and and recovering well.

 

It does appear as though the original discussion about the costs were ambiguous. I guess all you can do is write to the vet and advise how disappointed you are.

 

Is this a regular vet that Toby is registered with ?

[sirbob10]

Hi no this is the vet he was referred to by our local vet.

 

He's going back to our normal vet tomorrow as the original problem has returned and they think he has prostate cysts. Really hoping they can help him.