Vet Procedures...

[Beans&Toast]

Firstly, sorry if this isn't in the right bit.

This morning I took Toast to the vets for her dental work/bloods to be done under sedation GA as planned at 9am.
I was told to come 15-20 minutes early to get Toast seen to and sign paper work etc.
The vet had a look at her teeth and had a feel of her and instantly said she has bloat and he was cancelling the dental work while she has this as it's more risky under GA.
He then discussed what meds he would give me to sort the bloat, and what we'd do about getting Toast back in next week for the procedure and what would be happening during this.

20 minutes later he was done and I went to reception to pay for the Emeprid.

I was charged for the new medication ( as I expected) and also charged £25.99 for a consultation.
I questioned why I'd be paying for this as I was told to come in 20 minutes early to get Toast sorted and I hadn't asked for the procedure to be cancelled nor did I ask for a consultation so I feel like I shouldn't have been charged for it?

I'd just like to know what you all thought, if it's right I should have been charged for a consultation, as the receptionist said, I "spent 20 minutes with the vet asking questions"
However as I didn't ask for a consultation nor was I told I'd be having one, and I didn't have any control of over the procedure being cancelled, I feel like I shouldn't have been?

I was planning on phoning the vets as I'm not happy for having paid for something that I didn't ask for and I was also under the impression that having a quick check of her teeth was apart of the "pre op" but I'd like to hear what others think..

 

[artcasper]

i would email them with your query, i had similar problems with my very first vets visit - cost me £150 !

 

[Claire W]

I have had a number of guinea pigs go to the vets for the day to have procedures carried out and have never been charged for a consultation on the morning of the procedure.

My vet uses light sedation (not a full GA) to carry out x rays so always asks for the guinea pig to be dropped off first thing so they can be checked over and kept for a few hours afterwards just to keep an eye on them and I have never been charged for accommodation or anything, only for the actural x rays.

Of course, all vets are different and carry different protocols but I would definitely query it.

 

[Kerrie74]

I'd contact them about it. If it was a pre-op check wouldn't you be charged for it when you pay for the op etc?

 

[7squeakers.]

No, I don't think you should have been charged as it was not actually a consultation about Toast's condition.

Was the £25.99 charge for the initial consultation? My Vet charges £37 for the first consultation for each issue, then £17 for each consultation after. Though quite often, I only have to pay for the medication if I am given any.

 

[Beans&Toast]

No, I don't think you should have been charged as it was not actually a consultation about Toast's condition.

Was the £25.99 charge for the initial consultation? My Vet charges £37 for the first consultation for each issue, then £17 for each consultation after. Though quite often, I only have to pay for the medication if I am given any.

I wasn't meant to be going to a consultation. I was there to drop Toast off for her op and he had a quick check of her teeth and whilst he was doing that he noticed she felt quite "round" and checked for bloat.
So I understand he spent time checking her for that but at the same time I wasn't made aware I'd be paying for a consultation.
I was going to phone and contest it but I've just left it, I don't think it's worth the hassle it may cause.

 

[eileen]

Sorry just read through it is obvios that she has not had her teeth done,I'm sorry for your distressing time with the vet and toast being unwell.s to you.xx

 

[VickiA]

I think I'd query that if I were you. I've never paid a consultation fee in those circumstances. You are a very good customer to them and they should be prepared to waive that fee. Big hugs to you and the girls.

 

[Freela]

Ugh! You are definitely within your rights to ask. I know my vet only charges for every second appointment, so if there is a followup the consult fee is waived. I appreciate that a lot, considering Sundae's medical issues over the years! However, different vets have different policies, so there's no guarantees. I think my vet feels like in the interest of me continuing to bring Sundae (cash cow on lifelong antibiotics!) he had better be nice to me!

 

[TAN]

My vet charges £18.36 for a follow on consult - but to me that wasn't a full consult - consult is usually 15 mins - as you say - you were dropping off for a procedure which was cancelled - would have thought you would only be charged for the meds.