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The following is a recent statement issued by the American Animal Hospital Association:

Facts About the Cost of Veterinary Care

A recent article in Consumer Reports highlighted a number of tips to assist consumers
with purchasing veterinary services. While the article provided many helpful suggestions,
it failed to stress several important factors to keep in mind when considering veterinary
care expenses. The following information is provided to assist you in better understanding
issues related to the cost of veterinary care.

Advances in care

There has never been a better time to be a pet. Thanks to advances in veterinary
medicine, pets are living longer and are healthier than ever before. Today there are a
number of diagnostic tools available to assist the veterinarian in arriving at an accurate
diagnosis and to monitor a pet’s response to a course of treatment.

While the expense of these tools—such as laboratory tests, blood panels, x-rays and
ultrasounds—may initially sound expensive, in the long term they help consumers to save
on their veterinary bills. By arriving at a quick and accurate diagnosis, your veterinarian
can determine an appropriate treatment course sooner, which improves your pet’s outlook
and can save you money. Many of these diagnostic tools are considered an essential
element of wellness exams, and thus assist your veterinarian in detecting diseases in
their early stages.

Likewise, there are many advanced procedures, treatments and medications available
today that did not exist just a few years ago. Since pets nowadays are considered
family members to most pet owners, it’s the veterinarian’s job to present the best
possible treatment option to pet owners. If cost is a concern, you can discuss with your
veterinarian other treatment options available. If you have questions or concerns
regarding the cost of veterinary services or products, please discuss these with your
veterinary health care team. Keep in mind that veterinarians take an oath to preserve
and protect the long-term health of their patients. This principle guides your
veterinarian’s health care recommendations.

Cost of business

As you can imagine, there are many business expenses related to running a modern
veterinary hospital. Included within your veterinary bill are the costs of maintaining
suitable facilities, equipment and support personnel. To deliver the best care possible,
veterinarians and their staffs are dedicated to continual improvement and education to
stay abreast of the latest research. Additionally, as in human healthcare, inflation has
had a major impact on veterinary practices. The veterinary hospital’s expenses to
provide services have increased about twice as fast as the revenue collected through
offering services to pet owners.

Selecting a hospital

There are several factors contributing to a high-quality veterinary hospital. While cost
is always an important consideration, one cannot compare services based on price alone.
Animal health care is not a commodity. Just as most individuals would not select human
medical services based solely on price, the same principle applies to the selection of
veterinary services. Factors to look for when selecting a veterinary hospital include:

• Breadth of services offered
• Experience and training of the veterinarians and staff
• Quality and appearance of the facilities
• Availability of state-of-the-art equipment
• Communication skills of the medical staff

Vaccinations

In recent years, the veterinary community has gained a better understanding of
vaccinations, their length of protection, and their possible side effects. Consequently,
AAHA and other veterinary associations have issued new vaccine guidelines for the
industry. Vaccines are a medical issue—not an economic issue—that should be discussed
with your veterinarian. Consult with your veterinarian on a vaccination program that is
best for your pet based on its age, health status, lifestyle, environment, travel habits
and exposure to disease.

Remember, the best source for information about veterinary care is your veterinary
practice. If you ever have questions regarding veterinary services or products, make
sure to address these questions with the doctor or staff at
your hospital.