Here are some of my thoughts on why a Veterinarian is so important for our Pet and animals welfare.
Just like their human counterpart, a Veterinarian can diagnose various problems that our Pets face, they are an invaluable source of information and a large part of the bigger picture on our Pets health.
Just like their animal counterpart, a people Doctor we could say can help to diagnose from minor to much more serious problems. One of the main keys is that a human can, most times, explain to the Physician where the pain is...or so many other variables whereas our pets and animals can not.
Once your pet is diagnosed by your Vet, then a treatment can begin to help cure our furry friends.
So as my thought pattern emerges I am totally full of respect for the capabilities of my Vet.
Now where my differences in philosophy begin are when after my Vet charges me for my pets visit $40.00 and higher, he also prescribes and charges me for any medication(s) that my pet may need.
From years of experience I found that over 90% of the time a persons Vet will not simply give you a prescription where you could comparison shop and help keep your costs in check. Some Vets will even charge a fee if they do write a prescription and hand it over to you.
They call this part of their business, I call it unethical. Lets say your Vet became ill himself and went to see his own family physician, would it be ethical if his/her family physician made them purchase medication exclusively from their office?
as part of their business?
So as my beliefs begin to unfold, I find it very upsetting that I do not have a choice where I can purchase my Pets prescription medication.
If my pet were on a long term treatment plan and needed blood tests taken every month then that is still the job of my Vet to take care of that procedure, again office visits and lab work is involved.
But the medication itself should be able to be purchased by comparison shopping such as a human could buy a $4.00 generic medication at Walmarts if they so choose.
Experience has also shown (many people giving feedback) are fearful of "bucking" their Vet for fear that they will no longer want to see your Pet. Not all Vets, but there are many cases where this has and still happens.
I still receive emails and phone calls from Vets who are very irate at me for "taking away part of their business?"
Let me reiterate again how important it is to seek a qualified Vet for a sick pet, I do not advocate "self diagnosing" But I do believe that every pet and animal owner should have the right to price compare and shop for their medications if they need them.
