Veterinary Medicine The Price of Excellence    Today’s veterinarian is a highly skilled professional dedicated to protecting the health of both animals and people. Veterinarians have completed a minimum of 7 years, more likely 8 years, of intense college courses to obtain a medical degree. In many cases they have also taken several additional years of study as interns or residents in a specialized field within veterinary medicine: cardiology, surgery, ophthalmology, etc. There are only 26 veterinary schools in the United States, each with limited admissions. There may be 5-10 applicants for each available position. The candidates chosen by selection committees are typically among the top undergraduate scholars in the country. QUESTION: WHY IS VETERINARY CARE FOR MY CAT SO EXPENSIVE NOWADAYS? Relative speaking veterinary care is a great deal. The cost of veterinary care has risen very little over the last 20-30 years, especially when compared to the cost of human health care or almost any other service. It is important to bear in mind that your veterinarian is not only your cat’s general physician but also surgeon, radiologist, dermatologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, dentist and pharmacist. Your veterinary bill is a reflection of the inherent constantly rising costs of maintaining a suitable facility, equipment, and support personnel required to provide the level of pet care you expect in today’s society. It is important to remember that the original acquisition price of the cat has no relation to the cost of keeping that cat healthy. One reason you may think you are paying more for your cat’s health care than for your own is the use of health insurance for your own healthcare needs. You are never faced with the true bottom line figure. If you have ever been without health insurance and been sick, you know what a bargain veterinary care is. Even with health insurance, if you sat down and added up your insurance costs, deductibles, and pharmaceutical costs, you would still find veterinary costs very reasonable in today’s market place. You may see advertisements in papers or magazines promoting “low cost wellness clinics.” These ads can be falsely misleading, comparing apples to oranges so to speak. They are selling a product, in many cases a vaccine, at a low price. There is usually no other service connected to this product, including the availability of trained professionals to answer your questions or perform complete physicals as part of a preventative health care program for your cat. In most cases these clinics are not equipped to provide full service quality medical care for your cat. Patronage of local full service hospitals ensures their availability, understanding, and compassion for you and your cat when your cat needs more than just a vaccine. SHOULD I BE WARY OF “BARGAIN BASEMENT” VETERINARY CARE? WHY? As with most products and services, you usually get what you pay for. Comparing price alone, however, does not reflect the level of service veterinary practitioners provide. You are entitled to ask your doctor for an explanation of all charges and the services connected with those charges. In veterinary care, the development of a close doctor/client/cat relationship is of utmost importance. The knowledge the veterinarian has of your cat from past physicals along with his/her recognition of your concerns, financial, personal and cat oriented, enables him/her to guide you in selecting the best health care choices for your cat. At this level, veterinary medicine epitomizes a profession who’s primary oath of service is to both the cat and the client. The Cat Hospital of Auburn endorses the best possible care for each cat taking into consideration the owner’s financial constraints. Remember that a low cost treatment choice may not be the best and may even cost you more in the long run. DOES THE CAT HOSPITAL OF AUBURN OFFER A LOW COST SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM? Across the board veterinarians routinely perform spays and neuters at approximately 1/3 to 1/2 of their actual cost. Veterinarians have been subsidizing this for years to help the cat overpopulation problem as well as to promote better feline health both physically and psychologically for our feline patients. In general an altered, that would be spayed or neutered cat, is a healthier, happier cat. The Cat Hospital of Auburn cooperates with several local humane and rescue organizations in performing low cost surgery for stray cats before they are adopted. I HAVE A NEW KITTEN – THE COST OF THE FIRST VISIT, HER FIRST SHOTS, ALL THE TESTING NECESSARY, SURGERY TO SPAY HER, EMERGENCY CARE ETC. MAY ADD UP TO A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS OR MORE. WHAT ABOUT PAYMENTS PLANS – IS THAT FAIR FOR BOTH MY VETERINARIAN AND MYSELF? Routine physical examinations for your cat are one sound financial investment you can make that will result in lower overall healthcare costs through early detection and resolution of health care problems before they become major issues. Discussing your cat’s overall health care needs is one way to diffuse the cost over the years. Early establishment of a solid doctor/client relationship based on mutual trust and loyalty will widen your payment options should an emergency or major medical problem arise. Please recognize that veterinarians receive no state or federal support funding. They are not tax exempt and in a majority of cases, they are not on payment plans with their drug and supply dealers. They are committed to timely payment of supply bills, staff salaries, utilities, etc. To remain financially solid, veterinarians must have “payment at the time services are rendered” policies especially for any elective services, just as with other medical professionals. WHY IS THERE SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF PRICES FOR THE SAME PROCEDURE OR PROCEDURES AMONG VETERINARIANS? Prices are set by each individual veterinary practice and each one has different expenses that are covered by fees charged (i.e. state and local taxes, salaries, rent, utilities, equipment overhead, continuing education, etc.). Often the different prices do not reflect the same level or set of services even though there may be certain basic procedures in common. The choice of potentially better but most costly drugs, the availability of newer surgical and medical products, and the choice of an individualized safer anesthetic protocol for your cat represents some of the many reasons for cost of service variation. The Cat Hospital of Auburn veterinarians are compassionate caring professionals. They are very willing to establish long-term relationships with both clients and cats to achieve the best health care. I RECENTLY TOOK IN A STRAY THAT APPEARED TO BE INJURED, POSSIBLY HIT BY A CAR. I TOOK HIM TO A VETERINARIAN AND PAID THE BILL. I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD FURTHER TREATMENT. IS THIS MY REWARD FOR TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING? If you adopt the cat, you become the owner and therefore are responsible for the cat’s care. Hopefully a healthy cat is your reward for trying to do the right thing. If you find an injured cat, you can call The Cat Hospital of Auburn for help. Our veterinarians will administer emergency care to any cat under the guidelines of an “injured stray” at no cost to you. Once you hand the cat over to the veterinarian you relinquish any further control over its care or final disposition. If you elect to retain control, then you essentially become the owner and at that point assume the responsibility for its medical bills. I SEE A LOT OF CATALOGS OFFERING VACCINES, NEEDLES AND SYRINGES, AND OTHER MEDICAL PRODUCTS FOR SALE. WHY SHOULDN’T I JUST BUY FROM THE CATALOG, GIVE MY CAT REGULAR VACCINATIONS, AND SAVE SOME MONEY IN THE PROCESS? The dangers of owner administered vaccines are far greater that any cost saving benefits. Vaccines are easily rendered ineffective if handled improperly in shipping, storage or administration. An allergic or other reaction is possible whenever a vaccine is administered. Acute vaccine reactions can be life threatening. If you cat reacted badly, would you know how to treat it? Would you have emergency drugs at your disposal? PHARMACEUTICAL AND VETERINARY SUPPLY CATALOGS NOW OFFER CLIENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ORDER MEDICATIONS AT PRICES BELOW WHAT YOUR VETERINARIAN CHARGES. IN MANY CASES THESE PRICES ARE OFFERED AT LESS THAN YOUR VETERINARIAN’S COST FOR THE PRODUCT. WHY THEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER PURCHASING YOUR CAT’S HEALTH CARE NEEDS FROM YOUR VETERINARIAN? Certainly if costs are a sole concern, talk to your veterinarian. It is important to recognize that the medication charges set by your local veterinarian take into account the cost of stocking, record keeping and doctor’s time and knowledge in dispensing these items, as well as the individual cost of the product. At The Cat Hospital of Auburn we use only non-adjuvented vaccines manufactured by Merial. This vaccine reduces greatly the risks inherent in vaccine site reactions that lead to the development of feline fibrosarcomas. Feline fibrosarcoma is a potentially fatal cancer that develops of a result of adjuvant incorporated into most of commercially available vaccines. Merial vaccine is not available through on-line distributors. The vaccine fee also supports a portion of the salary of the highly trained hospital personnel that service you. Income from this area is also reinvested in the hospital in the purchase of special costly diagnostic or emergency support equipment, the upgrading of the facility and as an aid in the purchasing of stocking of infrequently used but critical life saving drugs. Internet sites that sell drugs are largely unlicensed and unregulated by any state or federal agency. Some have been prosecuted for selling counterfeit medications that are ineffective or worse harmful to the person or animal taking them. Some sites buy cheap medication in third world countries where quality control is poor, and repackage and sell them for a huge profit as licensed drugs from the United States, which they most certainly are not. At The Cat Hospital of Auburn we have set pricing on commonly needed products such as heartworm prevention, common parasite medication, and flea and tick products at the same prices as internet pharmacies. In establishing this policy, our goal is to make it as convenient, safe and economical to obtain your cat’s medication as we possibly can. If we prescribe a medication that is not available locally, we will find a source for you that will provide you with a quality reliable product. If necessary, we will obtain the medication for you. If you require the convenience of having medication mailed to your home, we can provide that service as well.