Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The new world of Veterinarians



Let's be frank here: Vets are eschewing farm animal husbandry for the more profitable suburban pet business.  In addition, they are eagerly pumping this business for all it is worth by making pet owners feel guilty if pets don't get virtually human-like care and treatment.  

The curmudgeon, who rarely, if ever, needed to take his first cat to the vet has fallen prey to this insidious plot.  Having occasionally needed to board his cats when traveling, the first thing they got me on was the "your cats need a physical and be current on all vaccinations first" ploy.  Vaccinations??  Physicals??  Annually??  You know you're in for it now.


Then there's the "your cats should have their teeth cleaned" ploy.  This ploy attempts to avoid mentioning it will be $350 for fear of scaring off the sale.  HUMAN teeth get cleaned for way less than that.  And don't get me started on when a pet actually NEEDS to go to the Vet.  The sky's the limit.


One pines for simpler times, when the Vet was the last place you wanted to be, aside from your own doctor's office.

1 comment :

  1. OMG - you must have been eavesdropping on our recent conversations. Our cat has been ailing, and $253 later (luckily 'the teeth aren't too bad yet' - she's 14!)we are treating her forever more for hyperthyroidism. Mind you, we have to come in in 2 weeks for a follow-up (plus bloodwork)for another cool $200. Prices are just crazy.

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