The Official "Dogs of the DMF" Thread

[red baron]

My vet will make sure an animal gets the proper care regardless of the circumstance. I wouldn't go to a vet that turned away sick animals over money.

that's cool but I'm sure it's sadly rare.

[somegirl]

Some vets will maintain a fund for pets of families in financial need, I've donated to my vet's fund in the past.

But I can't really see too many doing it out of their own pocket.  Private practice is not very lucrative for vets.

[cyrus buelton]

that's cool but I'm sure it's sadly rare.

everything in hblaim's world is like that. He is a lucky man.

[hbliam]

Some vets will maintain a fund for pets of families in financial need, I've donated to my vet's fund in the past.

But I can't really see too many doing it out of their own pocket.  Private practice is not very lucrative for vets.

Are you kidding? Vets make as much or more then regular doctors. The malpractice issue isn't as expensive and most only take immediate (cash/check) payment. Vets do very well.

[hbliam]

that's cool but I'm sure it's sadly rare.

You would be surprised. Most vets in our area (so cal) are fairly generous when it comes to an animals well being. $8,000 for a surgery that may prolong a pets life for a month or two? No. Bring in a stray that needs a few hundred dollars worth of care? Yes. Can't afford emergency care for your pet? Most will take payments if they know you (re: you take your pet in regularly).

[cyrus buelton]

There also gets to a point when you need to be humane and euthanize the animal verse a surgery.


A lady at work treated her dog for cancer.

Cost her almost 20g and it lived another 6 months.


No thanks. I will  honor my animals and let them pass peacefully on to the big doggy park in the sky with no fences, cars, and lots of chew toys and treats.

[Stella]

My vet will make sure an animal gets the proper care regardless of the circumstance. I wouldn't go to a vet that turned away sick animals over money.

I failed to mention that while I was waiting for Brian on Friday, watching people leave with their ill and injured pets (none of whom had ever been to that clinic before), that the receptionist gave them alternative resources to go to that were less expensive or non-profits who helped those under financial stress but needed care for their animals.

While I want to save them all and have spent thousands on rescues and strays there's also a point where I have to tell myself that I can't or I truly will be living out of my tent.  The same holds true for many vet clinics – and car dealerships and day care centers and other businesses – approached by people who have never been a client, have no credit and no cash to pay for services.  I don't believe for a second that it's an easy decision to turn people/pets away.

Bless the people who CAN help like they do, like your awesome vet, and the people (SomeGirl) who donate to a clinic's funds for situations like these!

[somegirl]

Are you kidding? Vets make as much or more then regular doctors. The malpractice issue isn't as expensive and most only take immediate (cash/check) payment. Vets do very well.

Vets in private practice don't make nearly as much as those working for pharmaceutical companies.

They don't have the same levels of malpractice as human doctors, but they also can't charge nearly as much for the same procedures because there are no big pockets (insurance companies) paying for them.

Recent AVMA survey salary (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos076.htm):

Median annual earnings of veterinarians were $71,990 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $56,450 and $94,880. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,530, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $133,150.

The average annual salary for veterinarians in the Federal Government was $84,335 in 2007.

According to a survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association, average starting salaries of veterinary medical college graduates in 2006 varied by type of practice as follows:

Large animals, exclusively    $61,029
Small animals, predominantly    57,117
Small animals, exclusively    56,241
Private clinical practice    55,031
Large animals, predominantly    53,397
Mixed animals    52,254
Equine (horses)    40,130

Yes, their insurance premiums are low compared to human doctors, but vet clinic owners have a significant amount of overhead that they have to pay.

Here's an interesting article from a vet: http://www.thepetcenter.com/sur/costspay.html

BTW the average cost of spaying a dog is under $200, and it's not hard to find much cheaper rates.

The average cost of a hysterectomy to the hospital (which is lower than what a patient / insurance company would see) was estimated at ~$4000 in 2004.   http://radiology.rsna.org/content/230/1/207.full

Many vets spend significant time volunteering at shelter clinics too.

[cyrus buelton]

There's also a hug misconception what actual Medical Doctors make.

[duccarlos]

There's also a hug misconception what actual Medical Doctors make.

No there's not. They make good money, but at the beginning of their careers they have to pay down their loans.

[cyrus buelton]

No there's not. They make good money, but at the beginning of their careers they have to pay down their loans.

Yes, they make a good living but now what people think they make.


Your typical GP doctor isn't making 200k

[River]

Vets in private practice don't make nearly as much as those working for pharmaceutical companies.

They don't have the same levels of malpractice as human doctors, but they also can't charge nearly as much for the same procedures because there are no big pockets (insurance companies) paying for them.

Recent AVMA survey salary (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos076.htm):

Yes, their insurance premiums are low compared to human doctors, but vet clinic owners have a significant amount of overhead that they have to pay.

Here's an interesting article from a vet: http://www.thepetcenter.com/sur/costspay.html

BTW the average cost of spaying a dog is under $200, and it's not hard to find much cheaper rates.

The average cost of a hysterectomy to the hospital (which is lower than what a patient / insurance company would see) was estimated at ~$4000 in 2004.   http://radiology.rsna.org/content/230/1/207.full

Many vets spend significant time volunteering at shelter clinics too.

Agreed.  Vets are amazing folks who (IMHO) are actually undervalued and underpaid for what they do.  They take care of patients who cannot tell them what is wrong, where it hurts, or what they need, and vets by and large do a brilliant job.  They are also a kind and caring lot, over and above what I see in human doctors/surgeons.

One other thing: When I had a large (>2 lbs.) tumor removed from my uterus (slightly more difficult procedure than a hysterectomy) 2 years ago, my insurance company was billed $5000 for my surgeon, $17,500 for the surgical room and personnel for a procedure that took less than an hour, and $2300 a day for my hospital room.  I paid $4000 out of pocket.  I had good insurance then.  I pity people that need that kind of help and don't have good insurance. 

Animals aren't widely insured.  Vets know this.  And they care.  And they do amazing work with little thanks for a fraction of the cost...

It makes one think, does it not?

[Grampa]

our vet is a saint.... because she does not report us to the county for having one dog over the limit

[River]

our vet is a saint.... because she does not report us to the county for having one dog over the limit

Cuz' she knows what's up...one dog over the limit is far better than one dog euthanized.   

[Stella]

our vet is a saint.... because she does not report us to the county for having one dog over the limit

When vets are down on their luck in Bakersfield, they know to toss a sick or injured animal (any species will do) in close proximity to BP.  They'll know he'll take them in for some fixing up!