Vet won't write script for Fortaz but sells it at 10x the price. Is this legal?

Took snakes to a vet clinic for RI symptoms (Nevada). Vet wanted to start antibiotics without a culture/sensitivity; I said no. We did the tests and results came back for light growth of gram negative that are sensitive to Ceftazidime. Vet wanted to sell me the treatment per animal for about $120 for 6 syringes (over $350 for 3 snakes). Ceftazidime costs $9 for a 1g vial at my local pet pharmacy that I've bought from before, and I can get all snakes treated for $30. Vet refused to write me a script for it and will only sell me the medication for 10x the price.

The actual vet was ok writing the script at first, but the clinic manager said No. Imagine if you went to your doctor and instead of writing the script for the medication you need he would only sell it at 10x the price.

1. Is it even legal? :mad: Imagine if you went to your doctor and instead of writing the script for the medication he would only sell it at 10x the price. I assume this is in violation of consumer laws.

2. I'm considering writing a complaint for malpractice. I don't have a problem with the clinic selling the medication, but I do have a problem with them forcing me to buy from them. Any other places I could complain about this practice?

3. Any law, code, or text I could cite to the next vet I see that will encourage him to write the script instead of forcing me to pay exorbitant prices?

Thanks for your replies.

I've had the same problem (I'm in another state entirely) where a local vet did the same thing to me: refused to write a prescription for medication my dog needed...
they actually claimed they were unable to even write a prescription (!?!?) and could ONLY supply the needed medication, forcing me to buy it from them. Another
claim they like to make is the uncertain purity of prescription drugs from online sources, but basically it's all about them lining their own pockets. BTW, I changed vets
& told them why in a letter after that incident. Really ticked me off too...apart from that, they seem to be good vets, but :mad: !!!

I agree, it's exactly the same thing as if your own physician was essentially "pushing" drugs to you to line their own pockets! WT....? Seems very unethical to me too,
& I hope you do file a complaint for malpractice (to the board of veterinary medicine, I'd guess). Please let me know how it goes? I don't have that problem currently,
but this is a small town where I live & I've heard complaints from others about "price fixing" etc. (Some vet practices are all owned by one, so presumably managed
the same way too.) It's very frustrating, & in your case, that amount of "mark-up" is frankly obscene.

The ethical (& hopefully legal) issue is- how can you trust that a doctor has your best medical interests when they are clearly profit-motivated as the only
source of the treatment medication? I call b.s. too...good luck! I don't know where the law stands on this, but clearly some doctors/vets are taking advantage
of people & their pets. Now that you've brought it up (it's been some years since this happened to me) it makes me want to research it more also. :gj:

It is not illegal, immoral, unethical, malpractice, or fattening for them to run their business that way. If you don't like it then you go to a different vet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

It is not illegal, immoral, unethical, malpractice, or fattening for them to run their business that way. If you don't like it then you go to a different vet.

---

That only works when they aren't all in cahoots on the price-fixing though...personally, I think it's taking unfair advantage.

It just doesn't pass the "smell test". ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

It is not illegal, immoral, unethical, malpractice, or fattening for them to run their business that way. If you don't like it then you go to a different vet.

---

Immoral and unethical is pretty subjective, regardless of the power of choice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I've had the same problem (I'm in another state entirely) where a local vet did the same thing to me: refused to write a prescription for medication my dog needed...
they actually claimed they were unable to even write a prescription (!?!?) and could ONLY supply the needed medication, forcing me to buy it from them. Another
claim they like to make is the uncertain purity of prescription drugs from online sources, but basically it's all about them lining their own pockets. BTW, I changed vets
& told them why in a letter after that incident. Really ticked me off too...apart from that, they seem to be good vets, but :mad: !!!

I agree, it's exactly the same thing as if your own physician was essentially "pushing" drugs to you to line their own pockets! WT....? Seems very unethical to me too,
& I hope you do file a complaint for malpractice (to the board of veterinary medicine, I'd guess). Please let me know how it goes? I don't have that problem currently,
but this is a small town where I live & I've heard complaints from others about "price fixing" etc. (Some vet practices are all owned by one, so presumably managed
the same way too.) It's very frustrating, & in your case, that amount of "mark-up" is frankly obscene.

The ethical (& hopefully legal) issue is- how can you trust that a doctor has your best medical interests when they are clearly profit-motivated as the only
source of the treatment medication? I call b.s. too...good luck! I don't know where the law stands on this, but clearly some doctors/vets are taking advantage
of people & their pets. Now that you've brought it up (it's been some years since this happened to me) it makes me want to research it more also. :gj:

---

I'm glad we agree! I will file the complaint with the vet boards and local consumer laws centers too. I'll update this post with new info. If you do more research please update this topic too.
:sweeet:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bcr229

It is not illegal, immoral, unethical, malpractice, or fattening for them to run their business that way. If you don't like it then you go to a different vet.

---

I almost always agree with you bcr229. But I have to disagree here. Illegal, no...but unethical, yes. Shouldn't it be about the animal first? Shouldn't that be why somebody becomes a vet? I understand, it's a business, designed to make money. But refusing to write a prescription for a sick animal with the sole purpose being financial gain is wrong to me.

I see it with pharmaceutical companies too. People are sick and dying, yet the drug is available, they just can't afford it. It's so wrong.
Here's a perfect example: my fiance has an auto immune disorder that requires her to take medication the rest of her life. The medication she needs costs $1,800 per dose!!! Yet she qualified to get it for only a $5 copay. Just goes to show how ridiculous their profit margin is when charging $1,800.

Obviously I'm comparing apples to oranges, but the principal is the same.

To me, the vet won't take a financial loss by writing the script. It just dips into profits. So to refuse to write a script is unethical in my eyes.

In a town the size of mine, there are quite a few vets versus the population size, & an even bigger disparity when you factor in the low-income families who just do
not take their pets to the vet at all, or very rarely. I totally "get" that the vets are trying hard to stay in business, & some mark-up is to be expected of course...but
when they had the nerve to tell me they didn't even have a prescription pad & could NOT write a prescription for my pet so I could fill it elsewhere with better prices,
& that they could only sell me the heartworm prevention medicine she needed, that's where I call "foul".

Not only did I find another vet after that, but I found one who told me about a very inexpensive OTC prevention medication for canine heartworms that I've used with
100% success for both my dogs ever since, at a tiny fraction of the cost of the various name brand products being sold. I use Ivermectin, as sold for cattle dosing in
local feedstores. The brand Ivomec has now given way to Noromectin, but it's identical, & available online from Jeffers at Jefferspet.com. A 50 ml. bottle will hold you
for several years, easily to expiration date & you'll have a lot left over, for a cost of roughly $30. (I donate 2/3 of my bottle to the local Humane Society shelter.) You'll
need an insulin syringe to dose* it very carefully though, I can't emphasize that enough, & they don't recommend using it for collies** & certain breeds** such as Italian
greyhounds+. This is given orally, monthly: I drip the dose onto a small bite of bread & dab a little peanut butter or something on top...my dogs love it, to say the least.
You would NOT want to add it to a bowl of food, in case they didn't finish it for some reason, or in case another pet gets into that bowl. Sorry, this may be a little off-
topic, but for anyone it helps, you're welcome. :) (*The exact dosage is 0.034 cc per 10 pounds of body weight, or approximately 0.1 cc per 30
pounds of body weight-) <This was taken from google search, there are various sources you can also verify showing similar info.

**CAUTION:​ using Ivermectin, please read: https://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvet...ermectin-29671

As I said, this may be a little off-topic, but my point is that some vets are there to help, more than for their own profits, but they're just harder to find it seems.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

In a town the size of mine, there are quite a few vets versus the population size, & an even bigger disparity when you factor in the low-income families who just do
not take their pets to the vet at all, or very rarely. I totally "get" that the vets are trying hard to stay in business, & some mark-up is to be expected of course...but
when they had the nerve to tell me they didn't even have a prescription pad & could NOT write a prescription for my pet so I could fill it elsewhere with better prices,
& that they could only sell me the heartworm prevention medicine she needed, that's where I call "foul".

Not only did I find another vet after that, but I found one who told me about a very inexpensive OTC prevention medication for canine heartworms that I've used with
100% success for both my dogs ever since, at a tiny fraction of the cost of the various name brand products being sold. I use Ivermectin, as sold for cattle dosing in
local feedstores. The brand Ivomec has now given way to Noromectin, but it's identical, & available online from Jeffers at Jefferspet.com. A 50 ml. bottle will hold you
for several years, easily to expiration date & you'll have a lot left over, for a cost of roughly $30. (I donate 2/3 of my bottle to the local Humane Society shelter.) You'll
need an insulin syringe to dose* it very carefully though, I can't emphasize that enough, & they don't recommend using it for collies** & certain breeds** such as Italian
greyhounds+. This is given orally, monthly: I drip the dose onto a small bite of bread & dab a little peanut butter or something on top...my dogs love it, to say the least.
You would NOT want to add it to a bowl of food, in case they didn't finish it for some reason, or in case another pet gets into that bowl. Sorry, this may be a little off-
topic, but for anyone it helps, you're welcome. :) (*The exact dosage is 0.034 cc per 10 pounds of body weight, or approximately 0.1 cc per 30
pounds of body weight-) <This was taken from google search, there are various sources you can also verify showing similar info.

**CAUTION:​ using Ivermectin, please read: https://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvet...ermectin-29671

As I said, this may be a little off-topic, but my point is that some vets are there to help, more than for their own profits, but they're just harder to find it seems.

---

Thanks for sharing. I think this practice is unethical and possibly illegal, so I am looking for ways to punish this place so it will give up this practice in the future. Let me know if you can think of something other than reporting to amva.org.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leocrespo

Thanks for sharing. I think this practice is unethical and possibly illegal, so I am looking for ways to punish this place so it will give up this practice in the future. Let me know if you can think of something other than reporting to amva.org.

---

I sure will. :gj: (are you sure about that link? Maybe you meant avma.org? LOL)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leocrespo

Thanks for sharing. I think this practice is unethical and possibly illegal, so I am looking for ways to punish this place so it will give up this practice in the future. Let me know if you can think of something other than reporting to amva.org.

---

I just emailed an inquiry to https://www.avma.org/ (thru their "contact" page), I'll let you know if I get a response. Since we're heading into a weekend, I suspect next
week will be the very soonest, but I'm not sure how much help they'll be, having now looked over their website. :rolleyes: We'll see?

Meanwhile, here's another worth looking at? aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/

This from Wiki, under "veterinary ethics" (excerpt):

..."The veterinary profession remains largely self-regulating across the world (e.g., by the RCVS and AVMA). This has caused some controversy as to why the veterinary profession remains one of the few remaining self-regulating professions.^[1] Bernard Rollin wrote on this the difficulty in keeping public confidence while remaining self-regulating, trust and impartiality are critical but most importantly is the need for a profession to self-sacrificial by putting the clients needs above that of the profession or professional’s need.
“Every profession—be it medicine, law, or agriculture—is given freedom by the social ethic to pursue its aims. In return, society basically says to professions it does not understand well enough to regulate, “You regulate yourselves the way we would regulate you if we understood what you do, which we don’t. But we will know if you don’t self-regulate properly and then we will [hammer you with draconian rules and] regulate you, despite our lack of understanding.”^[2]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leocrespo

3. Any law, code, or text I could cite to the next vet I see that will encourage him to write the script instead of forcing me to pay exorbitant prices?

---

No one can force a Vet to write a prescription :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lord Sorril

No one can force a Vet to write a prescription :)

---

You're right I guess, but then they shouldn't take our money for the appointment, should they? Since the appt'mt is required for the prescription & the prescription is
required for the health of our pet & in some cases, community safety (like for rabies vaccinations etc). I think it's an 'implied contract'. (I'm not a lawyer, but just saying)

From avma.org:

Q: If I choose to get my pet's prescriptions filled elsewhere, can my veterinarian refuse to give me a prescription?

A: AVMA’s Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics require that veterinarians provide prescriptions to clients upon request in lieu of dispensing a drug when a veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists and the veterinarian has determined that the drug is medically necessary. Additionally, most states have laws requiring veterinarians to provide prescriptions upon request.

-- Not sure what state you live in OP? Nevermind, just saw Nevada.

BINGO! Thanks, WhompingWillow! That's what I thought & couldn't find. :D

This link may be helpful, as it lists specific state statutes regarding veterinary care and prescriptions. Looks like Nevada requires vets to follow AVMA's guidelines regarding prescriptions.

https://www.avma.org/advocacy/state-...ription-orders

https://www.avma.org/advocacy/state-...ription-orders And Nevada is on this list of states. :carrot: Sadly, not all states are on the list. :(

The chart includes state-specific comments like: "Failure to provide a prescription upon client request in appropriate circumstances could be considered unprofessional conduct, and a ground for discipline against the license."

LOL, WW, you beat me to it...:gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leocrespo

....

2. I'm considering writing a complaint for malpractice. I don't have a problem with the clinic selling the medication, but I do have a problem with them forcing me to buy from them. Any other places I could complain about this practice?

3. Any law, code, or text I could cite to the next vet I see that will encourage him to write the script instead of forcing me to pay exorbitant prices? ...

---

So, leocrespo (OP): if you like this vet & wish to stay with them, I'd remind them of the above guidelines & see if that doesn't change their mind & limber up the hand they write with. But if you've "left the building" just report this incident...but it's usually better not to burn any bridges. Perhaps they just need reminded...;)

Working in the veterinary profession I'd like to add some things...

(1) Office managers should not have the power to over-rule the veterinarian, but some vets are basically bullied by practice managers/owners - it is not as common in a good practice (From my own experience I will only work or take my pets to AAHA Certified Vets [~15% of the nations clinics]. AAHA clinics go through a rigorous credentialing process and every 3 year inspections)

(2) Legally they can't force you to buy from them, unfortunately it sounds like the management has decided not to adhere to ethics in this case and hopes no one questions them too much- a vet can loose their license for refusing treatment unless the reasons are explicitly unethical and in these cases it has to be documented extensively for legal reasons - de-barking dogs, euthanizing a healthy pet for convenience, removing teeth / claws for biting or furniture scratching - though declawing cats is still legal in the US some refuse to do it due to the immense pain the cats go through and how unnecessary it is

(3)While I agree that a script could easily have been written since ceftazidime isn't a controlled drug (don't get me started on all the FDA hoops for that!)- it is also a sensitive medication that needs reconstituted and stored properly in order to have any effect. I'm sure you are smart enough to follow directions since you are comfortable giving injections, but soooo many people just can't. Meds that are pre-preped at the needed dose have less margin of error.

(4) Yes the reason most vets prefer you get meds from them is to make money - it is a business after all and the pharmacy is a big chunk, just like surgery - clinics loose a lot of money to both human and online pharmacies - but also because there ARE online pharmacies and warehouses' that don't store meds correctly and then you risk your pet getting the meds this way.

I have direct experience with a client buying insulin from a popular online pet pharmacy, we couldn't figure out why the pet's blood sugar was so hard to balance. She was swinging between so low as to be nearly unconscious to so high to be having seizures...when hospitalized on an insulin drip she was stable. As soon as she went home, her glucose would go crazy again. After weeks of being in and out of the hospital and the owner being at her wits end, we finally found out that her insulin was not being stored or shipped refrigerated.

On a final note, the vets themselves don't get kickbacks for things like prescription food and medications. At most the clinic gets free samples and catered lunches from the drug reps. There are safe online pharmacies out there, if your vet works with them. I can PM you more info if its wanted

Most of us care about your pets' health not making money, compared to human medicine they make much less money on average. There are some out there that don't, but when you find those ones, just change vets. Specialists will tend to get paid more, as since they have done the schooling their services tend to cost more. Getting an MRI for you dog is going to cost more then getting xrays at a regular practice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WhompingWillow

From avma.org:

Q: If I choose to get my pet's prescriptions filled elsewhere, can my veterinarian refuse to give me a prescription?

A: AVMA’s Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics require that veterinarians provide prescriptions to clients upon request in lieu of dispensing a drug when a veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists and the veterinarian has determined that the drug is medically necessary. Additionally, most states have laws requiring veterinarians to provide prescriptions upon request.

-- Not sure what state you live in OP? Nevermind, just saw Nevada.

---

This is gold! Thanks for finding! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

So, leocrespo (OP): if you like this vet & wish to stay with them, I'd remind them of the above guidelines & see if that doesn't change their mind & limber up the hand they write with. But if you've "left the building" just report this incident...but it's usually better not to burn any bridges. Perhaps they just need reminded...;)

---

I didn't like the vet from the get go (antibiotics without culture), and disliked the manager even more as she forbid the vet to write the script for bullhooey reasons, so I am 100% going to write a complaint to this clinic thanks to the fine research you guys did on avma.org!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leocrespo

I didn't like the vet from the get go (antibiotics without culture), and disliked the manager even more as she forbid the vet to write the script for bullhooey reasons, so I am 100% going to write a complaint to this clinic thanks to the fine research you guys did on avma.org!

---

We all make a pretty good team, eh? ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crowfingers

Working in the veterinary profession I'd like to add some things...

(1) Office managers should not have the power to over-rule the veterinarian, but some vets are basically bullied by practice managers/owners - it is not as common in a good practice (From my own experience I will only work or take my pets to AAHA Certified Vets [~15% of the nations clinics]. AAHA clinics go through a rigorous credentialing process and every 3 year inspections)

(2) Legally they can't force you to buy from them, unfortunately it sounds like the management has decided not to adhere to ethics in this case and hopes no one questions them too much- a vet can loose their license for refusing treatment unless the reasons are explicitly unethical and in these cases it has to be documented extensively for legal reasons - de-barking dogs, euthanizing a healthy pet for convenience, removing teeth / claws for biting or furniture scratching - though declawing cats is still legal in the US some refuse to do it due to the immense pain the cats go through and how unnecessary it is

---

Thanks for your added comments!

Source for

Q: If I choose to get my pet's prescriptions filled elsewhere, can my veterinarian refuse to give me a prescription?


A: AVMA’s Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics require that veterinarians provide prescriptions to clients upon request in lieu of dispensing a drug when a veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists and the veterinarian has determined that the drug is medically necessary. Additionally, most states have laws requiring veterinarians to provide prescriptions upon request.

https://www.avma.org/prescriptions-a...pet-owners-faq

Thanks again WhompingWillow

BTW, leocrespo...I'm so glad you asked about this. My gut told me it was wrong when it happened to me & I just changed vets, but it's been a couple years since
then- I mostly forgot about it (I had a lot going on at the time), so if you hadn't brought it up, I (& all the others reading this forum) would not have learned the
whole story. That's why I was immediately interested...it's easy to wonder if we're the only one this happens to.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leocrespo

I'm glad we agree! I will file the complaint with the vet boards and local consumer laws centers too. I'll update this post with new info. If you do more research please update this topic too.
:sweeet:

---

I bring animals to a Vet to diagnose, test but not treat my animals. I buy wormer, distemper shots etc..for my dogs and do it myself.
I am limited for reptile Vets. I already need to travel 2 hours as it is so I wouldn’t have choices to find another vet if the only one within 4 hours was a Crook.
I do think this situation is unethical. That Vet is obviously a crook. You paid him for the office charge and diagnosis I’m sure, but it is not mandatory you buy prescriptions from him. Without the script for his diagnosis you cannot treat your animals. If I were you everyone would know about this Vet and the story. Make sure to give facts only so that you are in no way slandering him. I would also contact your attorney general and take the time to fill out the paperwork.
I bet there are a bunch of people that would listen to you about his practices. I am all for a business owner running his business as he wishes, However Dr’s need to have a ethical code, you do not turn people away that can not afford to be gouged on prescription prices so that living things would not get the treatment they need IMO.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very well-said, CALM Pythons :gj: What's shocking though is that not all states are on the AVMA's list as being required to provide a prescription instead of the
medication if requested. :confusd: Contacting the state's attorney general is a good idea...no excuse for vets to rip people off just because they can get away with it.

Nevada has a state veterinary association as well.
https://www.nevadavma.org/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

BTW, leocrespo...I'm so glad you asked about this. My gut told me it was wrong when it happened to me & I just changed vets, but it's been a couple years since
then- I mostly forgot about it (I had a lot going on at the time), so if you hadn't brought it up, I (& all the others reading this forum) would not have learned the
whole story. That's why I was immediately interested...it's easy to wonder if we're the only one this happens to.

---

you're welcome, thank you for contributing too! I will update this post with more info from avma, I am pushing for disciplinary action against the vet and the clinic.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

I bring animals to a Vet to diagnose, test but not treat my animals. I buy wormer, distemper shots etc..for my dogs and do it myself.
I am limited for reptile Vets. I already need to travel 2 hours as it is so I wouldn’t have choices to find another vet if the only one within 4 hours was a Crook.
I do think this situation is unethical. That Vet is obviously a crook. You paid him for the office charge and diagnosis I’m sure, but it is not mandatory you buy prescriptions from him. Without the script for his diagnosis you cannot treat your animals. If I were you everyone would know about this Vet and the story. Make sure to give facts only so that you are in no way slandering him. I would also contact your attorney general and take the time to fill out the paperwork.
I bet there are a bunch of people that would listen to you about his practices. I am all for a business owner running his business as he wishes, However Dr’s need to have a ethical code, you do not turn people away that can not afford to be gouged on prescription prices so that living things would not get the treatment they need IMO.

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I agree that both vet and the clinic are crooks. Do you think I have a case to involve the attorney general?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WhompingWillow

Nevada has a state veterinary association as well.
https://www.nevadavma.org/

---

Amazing WhompingWillow, you're on fire today! I will file a complaint with them too!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WhompingWillow

Nevada has a state veterinary association as well.
https://www.nevadavma.org/

---

Thanks for pointing that out too...turns out so does my state...probably safe to assume there's one in every state?

"If you believe that you have been the victim of fraud, deception or an unfair business practice, the Attorney General's Office wants to hear from you."


http://ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint/

#Winning!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leocrespo

I agree that both vet and the clinic are crooks. Do you think I have a case to involve the attorney general?

---

I'm sure they'll tell you...it can't hurt to run it by them? For that matter, the BBB (Better Business Bureau) might like to know too?

I think some of these vets have just been getting away with this...most ppl are taken aback & don't know they have any recourse, & when you're at the vet, if it's because
your beloved pet is sick you may not be thinking so defensively.

Even if they just get notified that there's some push-back from pet owners, it might be enough for them to realize they have to clean up their act. I mean,
they might just get a warning or something? But when the complaints start stacking up....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

For that matter, the BBB (Better Business Bureau) might like to know too?

---

https://www.ncconsumer.org/news-arti...omplaints.html

I just saw the clinic is a member of https://www.aaha.org/, so I'm lodging a complaint here too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wnateg

https://www.ncconsumer.org/news-arti...omplaints.html

---

Yeah, they used to be more effective than they are these days (years). :rolleyes: I've never filed any complaints with them, only looked up a few companies.

Nevermind, typing while distracted....:D

I run an automotive shop and I get people coming in wanting diagnostics on their vehicle and then want to supply their own parts. I flat out say “no”. I don’t want the headache of having to deal with warranties or the wrong part or anything like that. I also get people calling who did their own diagnostics and want me to install parts. Again I just say “no, might want to try another shop”.

I personally have never ran into the issue the OP had with a vet. The vet I see is fair and helpful with prices if needed. If I did run into the issue, I would just find a different vet and call it a day.

What a lot of people don’t understand is it costs a lot to run any business and trying to just make money off labor aka check ups and stuff just doesn’t cut it unless you overcharge on it to make up for the loss of parts aka medicine.

Anyways, good luck on whatever avenue you take and hopefully the animal gets better as that is the ultimate goal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sauzo

I run an automotive shop and I get people coming in wanting diagnostics on their vehicle and then want to supply their own parts. I flat out say “no”. I don’t want the headache of having to deal with warranties or the wrong part or anything like that. I also get people calling who did their own diagnostics and want me to install parts. Again I just say “no, might want to try another shop”.

I personally have never ran into the issue the OP had with a vet. The vet I see is fair and helpful with prices if needed. If I did run into the issue, I would just find a different vet and call it a day.

What a lot of people don’t understand is it costs a lot to run any business and trying to just make money off labor aka check ups and stuff just doesn’t cut it unless you overcharge on it to make up for the loss of parts aka medicine.

Anyways, good luck on whatever avenue you take and hopefully the animal gets better as that is the ultimate goal.

---

I don't have a problem with vets charging for medication, but I do have a big one if they only let me have the medication my animal needs if I buy it from them. :colbert:

I believe if the vet was upfront that they will not write a script and only supply meds from them, it's their prerogative. I think the issue here is that they didn't say that until after the exam and the vet wanted to prescribe without a tracheal wash.

My vet will supply me with inexpensive meds they have on hand, but most come from a local pharmacy. When Yafe was sick, the medication costs where the least of my worries, as the frequent vet visits and lab tests were the real culprit. What my vet does do which I love, is give me an estimate for everything before charging or starting treatment. They let me know the price of the exam at the beginning as well. Are they cheap? NO. However, they are upfront about it.

Additionally, I rented a nebulizer from them for treating Yafe and it cost as much as buying one. Did I need one long-term? I really hope not. However, I have a different attitude towards GOOD vets that are open and honest about treating my animals.

I have two GOOD reptile vets within 150 miles of me (not counting NYC or Boston - don't know any there, sure I could find some, but too far and long to be lugging my reptile(s) around). TUFTS University has a good retile vet, and my "local" reptile and exotics vet 90-100 miles away (1 1/2 hour drive on a good day - all 65mph freeway).

I like to support the "local" vet as they are small practice and I want them to stay open. I deem them as necessary, for both my animals, and the health of others' animals.

Can I afford to spend $200 vs. $25 at a local pharmacy, for example, NO! However, if the pharmacy wants $20 and they want $30, fine. Again, they are upfront, and I have vested interest in them staying open.

This may sound strange, but I view this similar to the cigar industry in this country. I DO NOT BUY CIGARS ONLINE. Why? I could save 10% probably, which given 2-3 cigars a week, is substantial. However, where would I smoke them. I have two local shops I go to and both will match online prices or come as close as they can. Even if they make an effort, I buy from them. 5-6 months of the year and in and weather, I cannot smoke outside, and I like the camaraderie of hanging at the smoke shop(s). If people didn't buy from them, they couldn't stay in business, and therefore, there would be nowhere to smoke.

I agree with choice, but that doesn't mean I will always pick the cheapest option.

Again, I think in this case, there were red flags.

However, I wanted to point out that it's important to support the few good reptile vets we have. Especially if they are honest, upfront, and save our animals' lives.

I suppose when we consider the veterinary services of an unfamiliar vet we should ask if they will write scripts for the prescriptions they recommend so that we can
fill them elsewhere IF we want to BEFORE we make an appointment with them...? but since the all the professional veterinary organizations seem to consider this to
be an unacceptable & unethical practice, I really don't see the need.

dakski, I'm not sure what you mean by your statement "I think in this case, there were red flags."? :confusd:

As I described in my post #2, I had the same problem as leocrespo from a local vet a few years back. They are well-thought of & occasionally
take care of injured wildlife, but it was unfair of them to hike the price so much on my dogs' heartworm medication, when the going rate was sig-
nificantly lower. Not only that, but veterinary offices get a discount by buying in bulk for these prescriptions, so had they been more competitive
with the price they offered me they'd still have made some money on it. I did not care for being lied to or taken advantage of, & I promptly switched
to a different local vet who didn't pull stuff like that.

And btw, in my situation what really got me was when they claimed they were UNABLE to write a prescription...does this truly sound legit to you? It didn't to me.
It told me that I was being played.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by leocrespo

I agree that both vet and the clinic are crooks. Do you think I have a case to involve the attorney general?

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attorney general will take complains and follow up. A lot of people think it’s a waste of time because they do send you to a website to download paperwork and fill it out, however I know first hand (as a business owner for almost 30 years) that they do contact you, this veterinarian is not breaking any laws as the ADMIN of this page explained, however a code of ethics is another ball game and with the right pressure this veterinarian may choose to practice in another manner for the future. In the end thats all customers want is fair care.


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