We get asked about costs a good deal in the course of a typical day. This is because veterinary medicine occupies the discretionary spending portion of our clients budget. That is, our clients have a choice. They can choose to spend their hard earned money on veterinary care OR they can spend it on vacation, entertainment, high quality food, eating out etc. Every client is different in terms of where pets fit in this stack. For some, pets come just after their own medical care, food, and lodging expenses (or even above). For others, pets are a little further down the spending hierarchy. These are individual decisions that every family and individual must make. There isn’t a “right” answer when it comes to how much you should spend on veterinary care. Here are some good questions to ask and things to consider when facing what can be tough choices:
1. What am I getting for the increased expense? Usually “more expensive” options boil down to more diagnostics and more proactive treatment. This can translate into a higher likelihood of the correct diagnosis and early more effective treatment.
2. What is the downside to a wait and watch approach? Time can be a powerful healer and diagnostic tool. New symptoms present, the body heals itself. Sometimes the right thing to do…is nothing. A little bit of data in terms of bloodwork or radiographs can help reduce the fear of this approach causing harm…but it can still be the best way to go.
3. Is this a high yield diagnostic test? That is, how likely is it that this test will result in a diagnosis or allow us to make a better decision?
4. Is this treatment definitive or palliative? That is, is this a cure or is it temporary relief?
Explain your level of risk tolerance. This helps the veterinarian determine what approach is best for you and your pet. Some clients are comfortable with a high degree of uncertainty and the risk of a bad outcome as long as costs are kept low. Some are the opposite. Many fall in between. Determining the best course is a continual dialogue between the veterinarian and the owner about the best approach given the case specifics and the clients budget and risk tolerance.
Consider pet insurance and an emergency fund. The emergency fund could be cash but could also be a ready credit source such as Care Credit.
At VCVC we always strive to give a range of options and to explain the pluses and minuses of those options. The veterinary oath taken on graduation states our goal: the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering. Regardless of a clients situation, we will work hard to ensure we can meet this goal for their pet in a way that is realistic for them.