The variations in treatment standards and costs of different medications is not something the average client will have a great deal of knowledge about. As a consequence their perception of the treatment will be judged on the apparent service they receive and the financial costs involved.
This survey has been conducted without comparing the medicines used or the surgical procedures of the contributing practices when dealing with the different scenarios.
Twenty-five practices contributed to the survey, of which just over a quarter were Tier 3 in the RCVS practice standards scheme; the majority (58.33%) were companion animal practices, 37.5% mixed and 4.17% large animal. Twenty per cent had more than nine full-time equivalent veterinary surgeons, 4% 6-8 vets, 32% 3-5 vets, 20% two vets and 24% one vet; 16% had more than nine qualified VNs, 4% 6-8, 40% 3-5, 4% two and 28% one.
Seven practices (28%) were in the south-east of England; three each in north-west England and Scotland, two each in East Anglia, East Midlands, northern England, south-west England and Yorkshire, plus one in the West Midlands and one in Wales.
Vaccination
Asked what the standard charge would be for a puppy brought in for a primary vaccination course against distemper, parvo, lepto and hepatitis, the average price given was £51.21; the minimum was £37.49, the maximum £73.98 and the median £50.26. Included with vaccine, practices offered the following: free health insurance, 68%; free food samples, 9.52%; free worming, 28.57%; free defleaing, 19.05%; free puppy party, 8%.
The cheapest also included free worming, free deflea-ing and free health insurance. Asked about the standard charge for a kitten brought in for a primary vaccination course against cat flu, FIV and FeLV, the average price was £58.42, the minimum £40.25, the maximum £80.00 and the median £59.30.
Routine/minor procedures
Q. A five-year-old Yorkshire Terrier is brought in for an annual booster vaccination against D, H, L and parvo: what would your charge be for a full booster vaccine?
A. Average £33.12; minimum £23.00; maximum £42.00; median £32.67.
Q. A client presents a Labrador for a pet passport: what would your total charge be (including consultation, blood test, rabies vaccine, microchip and issue of any documents)?
A. Average £162.90; maximum £220.00; minimum £108.00; median £165.00.
Q. A 15kg Collie is presented for a routine spay (neuter): what would your total charges be?
A. Average £148.08; maximum £221.22; minimum £54.80; median £145.00.
Q. If this bitch had to attend out of hours (11pm) as a consequence of chewing out her sutures, what would you charge to re-suture?
A. Nothing, 4%; anaesthetic fee only, 32%; nominal charge under £25, 20%; full surgical charge between £25-£60, 16%; full surgical fee over £60, 16%; over £250, 4%.
Q. A client brings a budgie in to have its beak clipped, what would you charge?
A. over £15, 8%; £10-£15, 4%; £7.50- £10, 16%; £5-£7.50, 48%; less then £5, 24%.
Q. A client presents a dog for a simple nail clip: what charge would be made?
A. Average £11.44; maximum £28.22; minimum £4.60; median £9.79.
Non-routine procedures
Q. Would you ask if a pet is insured before undertaking any major surgery?
A. Yes 68%; sometimes 24%; no 8%.
Q. A 20kg Labrador is presented with a simple enteritis (the dog is not depressed or dehydrated, simply diarrhoea): what is your total charge on the first visit?
A. Average £41.90; maximum £85.00; minimum £21.00; median £41.11.
Q. A CKC spaniel presents with an acute unilateral otitis (outer ear infection): what would the initial treatment costs be (including any consultation, drops, injections and or tablets)?
A. Average £39.01; maximum £55.00; minimum £20.50; median £37.00.
Q. How long would the consultation last?
A. 5-10 minutes 30%; 10-15 minutes 50%; 15-20 minutes 20%.
Q. If this animal presented seven days later and the condition had completely cleared, what charge would you make (assuming you will examine the animal, plus any additional drugs/medicines dispensed)?
A. Of the 96% who answered, they would make the following charge: no charge 33.33%; £5-£10 including medicines 4.17%; £10-£15 including medicines 8.33%; £15-£20 including medicines 20.83%; over £20 including medicines 33.33%. The most expensive over two visits was £75; the least expensive over two visits was £31.
Q. A Labrador bitch (35kg) is presented with an open pyometra: what would the average total treatment charge be, including any hospitalisation required (with GA, x-rays and drugs)?
A. Average £465.63; maximum £800.00; minimum £250.00; median £492.65.
Q. A cat is presented with a 4cm flank skin tumour that requires excision: what would your total charges be (including any anaesthesia, hospitalisation or medicines but excluding biopsy fees)?
A. Average £196.54; maximum £350.00; minimum £80.00; median £182.31.
Q. A GSD (30kg) requires a splenectomy: what would you charge for the total procedure (including anaesthesia, hospitalisation and medicines)?
A. Average £489.81; maximum £800.00; minimum £260.00; median £500.00.
Q. A cross-bred (15kg) bitch is presented with a simple 8cm wound on the flank that requires suturing: what would your total charge be (assume it is not hospitalised but include any dressings, injections and or tablets given)?
A. Average £167.47; maximum £300.00; minimum £68.00; median £175.00.
Q. You suggest a pre-anaesthetic blood test for an eight-year-old Springer spaniel in for a dental scale: what would you charge (for the pre-op screen only)?
A. Average £39.49; maximum £67.36; minimum £20.00; median £36.00.
Q. The Springer requires a simple scaling and extraction of two loose incisors and two loose premolars: what would your total charge be (including GA, scale and any medications but excluding pre-op charges)?
A. Average £160.33; maximum £350.00; minimum £88.00; median £154.48.
