Vet Advice In the Toronto Ontario area

[lvrofrats]

Hi everyone

I am hoping someone out there can help me

I recently had the displeasure of having to put my sweetheart down at a local vets, and I was appalled by the cost of it. I firmly believe that this office has exploited the cost of care for rats as there are only about 5 vets in the GTA area that care for rats, (I mean seriously lets not just give you the bad news that your pet has cancer and needs to be put to sleep but let's hit you with a huge bill too)

They charged 60.00 for the office visit that seems to be alright but steep, 128.00 for the euthanasia (it only cost me 150.00 to put my 250 lb dog now)  and an extra 60.00 just to have me stand there and watch so that I could be with her. Is this not outrageous?

As well, if anyone knows of how I can somehow bring this to the publics attention I would greatly appreciate any advice.

[lilspaz68]

Keep your bill (I threw mine out in revulsion from that animal hospital and regretted it ever since), and there's a complaint section on the Ontario Veterinary's website I believe, BUT you need proof (bills) which I didn't have.

I'll see if I can find it for you. 

[Tequillasmom]

Thats disgusting. My live in ajax, charges $20 (if u take the body). Her reasoning behind this is she doesnt want people to let their rat suffer because they dont wanna pay the normal $75 to put them down. She she figures if she charges a cheap rate then people will be more likely to end their suffering.

kris

[lilspaz68]

I paid $275 at the same clinic for a rat to be pts.  I left the body with them...$85 for disposal.
I also paid over $1100 for a tumour removal for the above rat 3 months previously.  They had my bill completely itemized down to the surgical gloves, etc.

After asking around for pricing of other vets in my area, I found I was getting grossly overcharged and changed vets.  I started to ignore the notices of taking in my rats for their 6 month checkup.   

You could try this luvrofrats
http://www.cvo.org/regulat-complaints.cfm

[Lise]

I left the body with them...$85 for disposal.

That's ridiculous... anything under 1 pound here (and they stretch that a bit) is a courtesy (free mass creamation) to the client. (And about $40 for the euthanasia.)

I can't imagine taking a rat in to be put down and get that kind of a bill!

Definitely complain!  So other people don't have to go through the same thing.

[ginniejollie]

Mine is all in Australian Dollars, but if I book for a euthanasia it costs $14.00, if I require a consultation first, the consult costs $35.00 plus either meds cost or euthanasia cost. 

Even with the conversion rates, the total bill you were charges seems to be extreme and obviously a scam, I would take Lilspaz's advice and lodge a complaint, even if it doesn't help you, it may help further rat owners.  Good luck and let us know how you get on. 

[Popcorn]

Wow, that vet is beyond dishonest!  Please file that complaint - he's a crook!
And charging and extra $60 if you want to stay with your animal?   He deserves to have something bad happen to him.

I seem to remember making a comment to Shelagh back when she was getting hosed about how for that price she should have been picked up and dropped off in a limo. 

[lvrofrats]

LOL "a limo" thaqts a good 1. but heres the punch line......I had to take a cab to this place to boot. LOL

[Popcorn]

I was going to say you could go to my vet in Ivy but since you obviously don't drive I guess that's not an option.

I hate it when I hear stories about crooked vets because it means animals are being denied care.  People go to creeps like that and then they and their pets have to suffer because they think they can't afford a vet.  I sure would like to take the boots to him!

Come to think of it couldn't we start a letter writing campaign to the College of Ontario Veterinarians asking them to put the brakes on shysters like him?

If you could pm me with his name and address I would be HAPPY to write a letter to them, with the cc: to the crook being mentioned.  I wouldn't include any name but mine and his.

[lilspaz68]

There are several vets there, and they just work there.  The owners are the ones who set the prices.  My girl's sister ended up having a stroke which we treated with pred at the same place.  She did very well until I was weaning her off the pred and she started having seizures...I felt absolutely horrible but I couldn't afford the $275 to put her to sleep there.  I waited til the next morning, took her to our animal services nearest me, and handed her over to a very gentle city worker for $10.70 and I assume a shot without gas  .  I had such guilt over this (and still do) and posted on a Canadian forum about general pricing and was directed to my present vet, whom I love! 
Btw as an added insult, when you euthanize a rat at that clinic the receptionist hands you a colour printed sheet with that poem that is wonderful until you get to the part about wagging of the tail (obviously for a dog  ).  I thought that was wonderful until I heard about people getting personally signed condolence cards from their vet clinic.

[lvrofrats]

I will be happy to let all know who and where this clinic is and a letter campaign is a great idea. I am on a pension and would hate for others to have to go thru what my son and I did. But before I give any info I went and through the darn bill out so I have to contact them to get a copy telling them I need it for reimbursement from my disability (little white lie in which I hate but I dont want to tip them off) and then I plan on forwarding that and a letter of complaint to the college of veterinarian medicine of Ontario and hope that maybe others can follow with a letter as well in regards to these ridiculous prices. This is my thought, there are not many vet in the GTA to care for rats, and as we all know they not only need it but deserve it, I feel this particular clinic exploits that fact, and therefore leaves US without much choice, as I am not about to let my little friend suffer, so there has to be some sort of regulation, and in corresponding with this forum I have learned there are other vets, few, but others in which I have to travel a great distance to do so, but they charge considerably less for the same services. All the help others can give WHO feel this is an outrage would not only make me feel better to know I am not alone but maybe we can put an end to others being put into this situation.

Thank you to all who care and thanks from the rattie population