Plymouth man slams 'ludicrous' vet bill as he's forced to borrow cash
A Plymouth man has slammed "ludicrous" vet fees after having to take his dog to emergency care. Jack Russell Buddy had accidentally swallowed plant fertiliser and was rushed to the Plymouth Veterinary Group on Colwill Road in Estover.
Owner Neil Tomlinson had his pet covered with insurance - a policy with Napo Pet Insurance - that he said covered Buddy for up to £12,000. But as Plymouth Vets spokesperson explained, the policyholder often "pays for the service upfront and then seeks reimbursement from their insurance provider".
However, Neil, 42, was “shocked” at the upfront cost of Buddy's overnight care and alleged the vets wouldn't take him unless he promised a £600-£800 payment.
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Plymouth Vets said that “out-of-hours veterinary fees can typically be higher than daytime fees” but the situation left Neil having to “borrow money”.
Neil said: “It was ludicrous as I’ve got insurance which includes emergency care. A lot of people would not have the money to pay upfront and the amount they’ve charged is ridiculous.
“The vets said they wouldn't take Buddy unless I promised £600-£800. When I picked him up, it ended at being £515, but even then, he had no operation or anything, they just monitored him overnight.
“Luckily I was able to borrow some money and (then) pay back a friend when the insurer pays me back, but a lot of people can’t do that. No animal, with authentic insurance, should risk being euthanized because of complete greed.”
Neil is in the process of claiming back the fee from his insurance company and has launched a petition against high vet fees. His dog Buddy, who is aged just one, has made a full recovery after his stay in the pet hospital.
A spokesperson for Plymouth Vets said: “Our dedicated team at Plymouth Vets aim to provide a professional and caring service at all times and the most important thing to us is the welfare of pets in our care. We are proud to offer an out-of-hours service for pet owners in the area and an experienced, dedicated emergency team are here 24/7 for pets and their owners in their time of need.
“Due to client confidentiality, we cannot comment publicly on individual cases. We encourage our clients to please take any complaints directly to us at the practice, through the customary channel and our team will endeavour to resolve any issues directly with our clients.
“Unfortunately almost all pets (estimated around 92%) will require urgent emergency care at some point during their lifetime. Some, particularly those with chronic health problems, will need it several times. As such, we urge all pet owners to plan for the worst-case scenario and ensure their pet insurance policy includes emergency cover. Insurance policies vary considerably so you should check your policy to see what it covers and what excesses apply.
“As is standard practice for many out-of-hours veterinary providers and to help you avoid any unexpected costs, we work within an indirect insurance claim framework where the policyholder (i.e. pet owner) pays for the service upfront and then seeks reimbursement from their insurance provider.
“It’s also worth noting that out-of-hours veterinary fees can also typically be higher than daytime fees. This is due to the increased costs of providing a dedicated team – who work at nights, on weekends and bank holidays – trained and skilled in dealing with accidents and emergencies. Emergency clinics, a bit like A&E departments, are also kitted out with the latest specialist equipment to ensure pets – like Buddy – receive the best care possible.”