Your Pets Daily - vet bills

Surge in Veterinary Practices Turning to Debt Collection, & They Can Take Your Pets

Jessica Curtis — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 20:00:00 +0000

The UK is experiencing a notable shift in the financial dynamics of veterinary care, with a dramatic 134% increase in veterinary practices resorting to debt collection services to recover unpaid bills. This trend highlights veterinary bills as one of the top three financial challenges for UK residents, standing alongside housing and utility expenses. Frontline Collections, delves into the reasons behind this surge, its repercussions for veterinary businesses, and explores the legality and ethics of using bailiffs in debt recovery, specifically regarding the seizure of pets.

The Escalating Challenge of Veterinary Debt

Several factors contribute to the increasing need for debt collection in the veterinary sector. Advances in veterinary medicine, while beneficial for pet health, often come with high costs. The rise in pet ownership escalates the demand for veterinary services, pushing up costs further. Additionally, the economic climate can influence pet owners' ability to settle their bills, leading more veterinary practices to seek assistance from debt collection agencies.

Impact on Veterinary Practices

Veterinary clinics, fundamentally dedicated to animal health, are increasingly facing financial dilemmas. Unpaid bills can significantly disrupt cash flow and operational efficiency. The decision to employ debt collection services is often a last resort, reflecting the challenging balance between providing care and maintaining financial stability.

Can Bailiffs Seize Pets?

A particularly sensitive aspect of debt collection in the veterinary sector is whether bailiffs have the legal right to seize pets to recover debts. In the UK, pets are generally considered 'goods' under the law, which theoretically allows their seizure. However, ethical considerations and public sentiment often deter such actions. The seizure of a pet can be traumatic for families and is typically viewed as a last resort. Veterinary practices and debt collection agencies usually employ other recovery strategies before considering such measures, focusing on empathy and understanding the unique bond between owners and their pets.

Proactive Strategies and Solutions

To mitigate the need for debt collection, veterinary practices can adopt several proactive measures:

Promote Pet Insurance: Encouraging pet owners to secure insurance can alleviate financial pressures and reduce the incidence of unpaid bills.

Flexible Payment Options: Implementing instalment plans or offering various payment methods can help pet owners manage costs more effectively.

Community Support Initiatives: Establishing funds or partnerships with charities can offer support to pet owners facing financial hardships, ensuring pets receive necessary care.

Preventative Care Education: Emphasising preventative measures can decrease the likelihood of expensive emergency treatments, reducing long-term costs for pet owners.

Transparency and Communication: Clear communication about potential costs and financial options can help pet owners prepare for and manage veterinary expenses.

Jamie Valentine from Frontline-Collections says:

The increasing reliance on debt collection in the veterinary sector signals a need for comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of unpaid bills. By fostering a collaborative approach involving veterinary practices, pet owners, insurance companies, and the wider community, we can create a more sustainable ecosystem for pet healthcare. This approach ensures that veterinary practices maintain financial health without compromising the care and welfare of the animals they serve.

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Pet insurance costs

POORLY PETS: Uninsured owners face fees of £5000 with vet bills on the rise

Tom Stone — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +0000

New data from Admiral Pet Insurance has revealed the potential cost of vet treatments for the most common ailments, with costs up by around 7% in the last year.

It has released the data to ensure unsuspecting pet owners are aware of the possible fees they may face if they don't take out pet insurance, with accidental poisoning being one of the most expensive common conditions for veterinary services, with some treatments costing over £5,000.

Admiral has looked at some of the most common injuries and illnesses pets experience and has provided insight into average costs based on what it has paid for vet treatments in 2022. The insurer has included a range of costs, from basic medical care to major surgery, although precise fees vary around the UK.

The insurer's data reveals accidental poisoning of pets due to ingestion of toxic substances is one of the most expensive common causes for veterinary services with treatment ranging from £289 for examinations, monitoring and medication, to over £5,000 for more extensive treatment including a hospital stay for a dog. The most common toxic items eaten by pets are chocolate, grapes, sultanas and raisins for dogs and antifreeze, lily pollen and toxic household plants for cats. It's one of the most expensive accidents because emergency treatment is necessary in most cases, often requiring a visit to the out of hours vet.

Another common condition which could be costly is lameness, an inability to properly use limbs, with treatment ranging from £120 for a consultation and medication to £3,800 for surgery and aftercare.

The removal of lumps and bumps on a dog could start at £454, rising to £2,000 where poorly pets have had to undergo chemotherapy following tumours.

Admiral has also shared some information on the cost of claims it has received from pet owners, including a cat who needed complicated elbow surgery, which would have cost the owner £4,000 had they not been insured. A dog that suffered a fracture to its foreleg which had to be amputated, totalling £2,240, and a Pointer who had a severe gut reaction to a parasitic infection, whose treatment came to £3,150.

The range of costs for common conditions needing vet treatment:

Most common condition highest to lowest	Condition	Treatment cost range	Range of potential treatment needed
1	Gastrointestinal issues	From £124 - £3,150	Treatment could include a consultation/exam and medication, to a dog requiring treatment for a severe gut reaction to a parasite infection
2	Skin wounds/infections	From £141 - £975	Treatments including a simple skin tear, or sedation and stitches to cleaning infections, testing, medication and monitoring
3	Lameness	From £120 - £3,800	From an initial consultation and medications, to full general anesthetic and cruciate ligament surgery and aftercare
4	Lumps and bumps	From £454 - £2,000	Fatty lump removal under GA, to chemotherapy and surgery following a bone tumour
5	Accidental poisoning/ ingestion of toxic substances	From £289-£5,313	From consultation and medication, to lengthy hospital stays, testing and IV fluids
6	Eye issues	From £60 - £1,628	From medication for conjunctivitis, to a full GA and 3rd eyelid surgery
7	Limb fractures	From £220-£4,000	Treatment could involve an initial assessment, x-ray and medications, to further GA and complex elbow surgery or amputation
8	Ear infections	From £100 - £785	From consultation and medication, to a dog requiring full sedation, procedures, laboratory tests and medications.
9	Lethargy/not being self	From £300 - £730	Treatment could involve multiple tests to rule out conditions

Dispelling 'two price' and pet plan myths

Admiral warns some people are making the mistake of not taking out pet insurance as they believe they are covered by vet healthcare plans. The insurer wants to make sure customers are better informed about the need to take out pet insurance, and that they understand that healthcare plans are not a substitute for insurance cover.

Pet insurance policies cover unexpected events, so you are likely to be covered for accidents or illnesses and they usually include a certain amount of vet fees as standard. This could include consultations with a vet, medication, surgery and examinations including X-rays, MRI and CT scans.

Healthcare plans provide vaccinations, pest treatments and health checks. They may also offer discounts on vet care and medication but usually won't cover for accidents or illnesses. Admiral has created a guide to what pet insurance covers which can help anyone in doubt.

Why are costs increasing?

Pet insurance experts at Admiral have shared the reasons why the costs of vet treatments have risen by around 7% year on year. An increase of vet's overheads and supplier costs, and difficulty sourcing medications and importing them quickly from the EU have all contributed to rising prices. Admiral Pet Insurance says that veterinary staff levels have also decreased so the provision of qualified staff is becoming more expensive.

Pritpal Powar, head of pet at Admiral Insurance, comments:

"Vets do an amazing job treating our sick and injured pets, but like many businesses they have seen an increase in their overheads. We've seen vet fees rise by around 7% over the last year, so owners whose pets are not insured could be in for a surprise if they have to make a trip to their local vet. Prices vary from region to region, but when looking at the typical fees we have paid, there's no doubt that costs are going up.

"We're also concerned that some people are under the impression that pet health plans are a substitute for insurance. We've had a few situations where owners have been wrongly under the impression that the pet health plans will cover treatment costs, but this is not the case.

"It's also important to understand that vets do not charge two different rates to pet owners who have insurance and those who don't. Having pet insurance gives you more options in case your pet does need treatment than if you had to pay yourself.

"For many of us, pets are a big part of the family. If your pet is unwell and needs a trip to the vet, having cover means you'll have one less thing to worry about so you can focus on helping your pet when they need you the most."

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Expert advises on what to do when your insurance doesn’t cover your pet’s health problems

Your Pets Daily Editor — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

When your pet gets ill or is injured, it's a big concern, especially since it can be very expensive and difficult to afford. To avoid stressing you out with unexpected bills, here are 5 things to consider when it comes to covering your pet's health, according to an expert from Petplan, including tips on what to do if you find yourself in a tricky financial situation.

1. Why is it important to have pet insurance?

There are many reasons that it's important to insure your pet. First and foremost, pet insurance can help you cover the cost of veterinary bills. If your pet gets ill or is injured, the right pet insurance policy will give you peace of mind that you'll be able to cover the cost of their care, and reduce the financial stresses that come with unexpected bills. What's more, lifetime pet insurance policies will ensure that your pet is covered for any lifelong conditions they are diagnosed with after the cover started. This means that you can continue to access veterinary care for that condition throughout your pet's life.

Just like us, pets can get ill or injured at any time so it's important to make sure you have the right cover in place to be able to get them the best care you can. Not all pet insurance policies are the same, and finding the right cover from day one is really important.

Asking these questions can help you decide what cover is just right for your pet's needs:

Will my pet's symptoms or condition be covered for life?
Are there any limits per condition within the vet fee cover?
Does the policy cover dental illness and injury?
Will my premiums go up as a result of claiming against the policy?

Alongside vet fees and dental care, Petplan policies also provide cover for missing pets, diagnostic tests and scans, complementary treatments and behavioural conditions, as standard.

2. Why shouldn't pet owners rely on fundraisers to foot the bill for veterinary costs for their pets?

Veterinary costs are often sudden and unforeseen, or ongoing. If your pet needs immediate care, you won't want to wait before you are able to take them to the vet and, whilst it might seem like a good idea, fundraising for your pet's care could take a very long time. Your pet's condition could get worse during this period, which risks prolonging your pet's distress, as well as increasing the costs of veterinary care.

What's more, you cannot rely on people to donate to your pet's care fund and you may quickly find yourself out of options if you don't receive the donations you need.

Furthermore, some treatments are required over the longer term. Whilst fundraising may work over the short term, perhaps to cover the cost of an initial operation, it is rarely viable over the longer term for ongoing care and medications.

If you would struggle to pay an unexpected vet bill, it's always best to take out a pet insurance policy to alleviate some financial concerns.

3. What should you do if your current pet insurance plan doesn't cover the extent of your pet's treatment? Is fundraising a viable option then?

All pet insurance policies have a vet fee limit in place. Some also have additional limits hidden within the small print of your policy documents. Make sure you understand what medical conditions your policy covers, and for how much and how long before committing to a policy.

Unfortunately, if your existing policy does not cover your current vet bills, switching providers for a different policy won't help and the new policy will not be able to cover the current costs. This is because the current symptoms (as well as any previous ones) will be labelled as pre-existing – even if your pet has recovered from the illness that caused them.

Again, whilst there's nothing to stop you fundraising for your pet, it's important to remember that this can take time and is not a failsafe method. You could be prolonging your pet's distress or even putting them in danger by not seeking veterinary help sooner.

4. Are there any medical conditions that aren't covered by pet insurance?

There are various different types of pet insurance cover. The four main types are:

Accident-only
Time-limited
Maximum benefit
Lifetime

As the name suggests, accident-only cover applies to conditions caused by an accident, such as a road-traffic accident or ingesting something they shouldn't. These types of policy will not cover you for illnesses or diseases.

Whether you purchase a time-limited, maximum-benefit or lifetime cover policy, you'll need to understand the exclusions that may be placed on your particular policy – these are costs that your pet insurer will not cover. When you take out a policy on a perfectly healthy puppy, kitten or baby rabbit, there are unlikely to be any exclusions on your policy.

However, if your pet has shown symptoms of a condition and/or has been treated for an illness or injury, these conditions may not be covered on a new policy as they are now referred to as a pre-existing condition. A pre-existing condition could be placed on your existing policy on renewal, or on a new policy if you switch providers. Note that a pre-existing condition doesn't mean that the cause of the symptoms has been diagnosed. If your pet has received treatment for a limp for example, even though the exact cause of that limp was never diagnosed, your new insurer is unlikely to cover any costs related to limping on your policy. If your pet is already insured before the limp started then your insurer should cover costs related to diagnosing or treating it, provided they fall within your vet fee limits and have not already been excluded.

Pre-existing symptoms and conditions are a common cause of declined claims, so it's important to read your insurance documents carefully when switching or renewing your policy.

Depending on your insurance provider, a time-limited policy may offer cover for 12 months from when your pet first exhibited that symptom or condition. On other policies, such as Petplan's Essential policy, your pet is covered for 12 months after starting treatment, covering vet bills up to £3,000. Many pet owners who have insured their pet using a time-limited policy assume that they have one year of cover from when they start claiming. This means that they sometimes consent to costly investigations and treatments assuming they are covered because they haven't claimed yet.

Sometimes a pet owner will only realise a symptom or condition is excluded when their claim is declined by the insurer, because they check a pet's medical records to see whether they've previously suffered from these symptoms. If this has happened more than a year ago, this claim will be declined.

This does not happen, however, when a pet has been insured continuously via a lifetime policy. This is by far the major advantage of taking out one of these policies when your pet is young and perfectly healthy. Most pet insurers also don't cover routine vaccinations, parasite control, microchipping and neutering. These are all essential parts of responsible pet ownership so you'll need to budget for these separately.

5. If you can't afford pet insurance, where should you turn?

Whilst it does add an additional cost to your monthly outgoings, a good quality pet insurance policy is the best way to ensure you're financially supported if something does happen to your pet, as vet fees can be surprisingly expensive.

However, if you are really struggling to foot the bill, there are some charities you can turn to for help. PDSA offers means-tested veterinary support to some pet owners; to qualify for their support you need to be receiving certain benefits, such as housing or council tax support, and live within the catchment area of a PDSA centre. The Blue Cross operates a similar scheme and the RSPCA offers reduced-cost vet care to pet owners who meet their criteria.

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One in ten dog owners forced into debt to cover cost of caring for their dog

Your Pets Daily Editor — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 09:21:30 +0000

An online poll carried out for Dogs Trust, which has a rehoming centre in Ilfracombe, has revealed that more than one in ten dog owners (13%) has been forced into debt in order to care for their dog, a situation that is set to get worse as pet owners face an increase in the costs associated with caring for dogs.

The survey, carried out last week by YouGov on behalf of the charity, also revealed that a third (33%) would be forced to borrow money to pay for an unexpected vet bill of £100.

The UK’s largest canine welfare charity is the most stretched it’s ever been, dealing with an influx of dogs whose owners can’t afford to look after them as bills continue to skyrocket. It has voiced grave concerns that a further 350,000 dogs may need to find new homes if the cost of living continues to rise*.

The survey revealed just how badly the crisis is impacting our dog loving nation over the last 6 months:

Eight in ten (84%) dog owners have experienced a rise in the costs associated with keeping their dog.
77% of those surveyed told the charity they had seen their pet food increase in price
43% said the cost of routine vet appointments, such as vaccinations, have increased in cost.
41% reported that their pet insurance has increased.

Many of the Dogs Trust rehoming centres across the country are already at capacity, with waiting lists for kennel spaces. But it’s not just the number of dogs waiting to be rehomed that is cause for concern; the charity is also worried about the canine essentials that owners are being forced to cut back on.

One in five respondents (22%) said they had switched to cheaper dog food and, worryingly, one in ten (10%) said they had delayed seeking veterinary treatment for non-routine procedures due to cost. A similarnumber (9%) had delayed or missed appointments for routine treatments, such as vaccinations and flea/worming treatments.

Dogs Trust rehoming centres are seeing a rise in the number of dogs arriving with untreated health conditions, which it believes is due to owners simply not being able to afford the treatment needed.

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, says:

“It’s hugely worrying that dog owners are falling into debt with the cost of looking after their dogs, and a stark indicator of how seriously the cost of living crisis is impacting on our dog-loving nation.

“We’re not laying the blame at the door of vets, who are themselves impacted by rising costs, leading to higher fees. But we have a situation in which many of the UK’s dog owners are having to make cost-cutting decisions that could be harmful to their dog’s health, such as skipping vaccines and worming treatments, and some dogs are missing emergency treatment because their owners can’t afford it.

“I’m really worried that, despite our best efforts, the sector will reach a point where we’ve reached the limit of what we can do, and we’ll be forced to turn away dogs in need.”

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