Vets should be forced too publish price lists so pet owners can see costs up front and shop around for the best deal,the competition watchdog has said.
Owners are often unaware of prices or not given estimates for treatments that are accurate, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found. This lack of transparency can lead to unexpected and perhaps unaffordable bills.
The CMA’s inquiry found that the average vet practice has around 12 competitors within a 5-mile radius,but many pet owners don’t shop around. This is partly because of the emotional distress of having a sick pet, and partly because of a lack of price information.
The watchdog also found that some vets were charging significantly more for the same treatments than others. It identified examples of the same procedure costing more than double at different practices.
The CMA is proposing that vets should:
* display prices online for a range of common treatments
* Provide detailed written estimates before treatment
* Give a clear description of the options available, including the cost of each
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) said it welcomed the CMA’s recognition of the complexities of veterinary care, but cautioned against “overly simplistic” price comparisons.
“Veterinary care is not a ‘one size fits all’ service,” said BVA president Anna Judson. “Prices reflect the skills, experience and overheads of the practice, as well as the specific needs of the animal.”
The CMA is now consulting on its proposals before making a final decision. if implemented, the changes could save pet owners hundreds of pounds a year.
Steve Fildes/BBC
Nicole Hawley, 26, contacted the BBC via Your Voice after receiving an unexpected £12,000 bill to treat her dog Ernie. He inhaled a grass seed during a walk, leading to a severe infection.
“We were given two choices by the emergency vet: either put him down or pay an extortionate bill for surgery,” she told the BBC.
Ms. Hawley was in the process of switching pet insurance providers when Ernie became ill,leaving her without financial coverage.
She and her partner took out a loan and used their wedding savings to cover the procedure.
“We didn’t have the money.But it took us five minutes to decide that we would find it from somewhere,” ms. Hawley said.
Kept in the Dark
Martin Coleman of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that veterinary prices have risen by 63% over seven years, nearly double the rate of inflation.
“Many people were paying twice what thay needed to for vet medicines,” Mr. Coleman said.
“It’s not right to keep pet owners in
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