I remember working at a vet clinic and I remember feeling for those people who came to our office. Not everyone has money. The people who really love their pets want to do the best by them but don’t always have the money.
I remember once, perhaps a year or so after I started at the vet, one of my doctors came out of a room. She was seeing a young couple who had never visited our clinic before. They had a kitten who was sneezing and coughing. It was obviously quite sick. They called up asking the prices of things.
I believe at that time we charged about $22 for an examination. Antibiotics and such were extra. Apparently in the room the couple told our doctor that they had $27.35 to spend on the cat and were hoping they could do something for it for that price. They were obviously sincere and wanted something for this tiny cat that they couldn’t afford but wanted to do what they could, honestly.
My doctor walked out of the room and gave me the invoice sheet where she had marked things down. She whispered, “They said they have $27.35. Make everything come out to about $26 so they can afford the tax as well.”
I remember going to the computer and changing numbers as I could and rechanging numbers for those items that would not be changed. Their kitten got an antibiotic injection and basic antibiotics as well as a nail trim for that cost.
That young couple took wonderful care of that cat. They were prompt about having her spayed. After the first year where they struggled for vaccinations, as time wore on they were able to keep up on the annual exams. That kitten didn’t get sick very much and turned into a lovely cat, considering how awful it had looked as a baby. I know they came back because of the compassion of this doctor. They would only see her.
I think about them sometimes and wonder what paths their lives have taken. I wonder how long the kitten lived. I wonder sometimes if it is even still alive, one of those wonderful geriatric cats who are often the most touching cats to work with.
As I stand at my veterinarian, a bit richer but not with unlimited funds being told my cat needs a dental and it will cost between $600 and $1200 dollars. I ask, well I can afford about $700 or so right now. Can we make sure it only comes to that? The response I get is No. I can put it on a credit card. I say my limit right now is $700 and that’s why I can afford about that much. They suggest I get my limited raised.
I can’t afford that I say. You have to they remind me. This is my cat’s life.
Yes, it is my cat’s life. And it is mine. I can make choices between many things. However, can I choose between paying the rent or between taking care of my cat? What is my option?
Ultimately yes I did go to a different vet. They were able to do everything for about $650. They had quoted me a price for an initial visit and it came out to less than I had expected. I did say I was concerned about having too many of her teeth pulled at one time. She is a young cat. The costs worked for me and my cat.
I’ll go to this vet. I think they would have worked with me to keep the price as low as possible.
I understand that there is overhead. I understand that there are people out there who won’t pay. I understand that people take advantage of the good nature of veterinarians. However, I have to wonder why another veterinarian can do the entire amount of work for less than the amount I asked about at the prior vet. Everyone has costs, but if another vet can make a profit on less than I can afford to pay, then how can another vet not make an exception or find a way to work with an honest client?
I wonder about the people working in that first office. How do they turn people away day after day? How do they stand the frustrations they have to hear? Our pet’s health is very emotional for all of us. Not having money is an embarrassment and also an emotional issue. What sort of emotional armor do those front office people have to wear to go to work day after day. In fact, how do they get out of bed in the morning?
I have to wonder. I am glad to not have to break that kind of news any longer. I am thrilled to see that there are still compassionate veterinarians out there who will work with clients. I am further thrilled that my cat still has some teeth post dental!
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