Veterinary care is rapidly evolving and advancing, and with advances in treatment methods and technology come rising costs. Like any other medical industry, veterinary medicine requires specialized staff, equipment, and facilities in order to provide quality care to a wide variety of animal species. If you have recently gotten a bill from a veterinary emergency clinic in Seattle, WA, and are wondering why it is so high, here are some of the factors that contribute to veterinary costs.
The Cost of Higher Education and Ongoing Training
Each veterinary clinic or animal hospital has at least one licensed veterinarian, or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), on staff. Earning a DVM requires several years of intensive education and clinical training. Even after becoming licensed, veterinarians continue to invest in ongoing education and professional development to stay current with the latest advancements in veterinary medicine. This lifelong learning ensures they can provide the highest quality care to their patients.
Overhead Costs for Veterinary Practices
Veterinary clinics, hospitals, and emergency facilities have very high overhead costs. The clinic is responsible for the cost of:
- Rent or mortgage payments for the facility
- Insurance
- Staff salaries
- Licenses
- Cleaning fees
- Medical equipment
- Medications and vaccinations
- Office and medical supplies
- Utilities
- Maintenance
All these costs add up, and inflation has affected the cost of medications, vaccinations, and other supplies.
Variety of Services, Advanced Treatments, and Technology
Most veterinary facilities offer a wide variety of services. Whether you go to an independent veterinary office, an emergency veterinary hospital, or a corporate-owned veterinary clinic, they typically provide at least some of these services:
- Diagnostic services
- Laboratory testing
- X-rays or other medical imaging services
- Diet and nutrition services
- Behavioral services
- Pharmacy services
- Radiology services
- Oncology services
- Surgical services
- Medical treatment and wound care
- Vaccination services
- Dermatology services
To provide such a wide range of services and keep up with advances in treatment methods, medications, vaccinations, and technology, they must invest a lot of time and money into their practice.
Preparing for the Cost of Veterinary Services
At Emerald City Emergency Clinic, we do everything we can to help our clients prepare for the cost of veterinary services. We keep our prices reasonable without sacrificing the quality of care we provide for each animal. Before providing a service, we ensure the pet owner understands the cost and reason for the service so that they know what to expect. We also accept pet insurance and offer several payment and financing options to help you manage the cost of veterinary care. We can help you determine if you qualify for Scratchpay or CareCredit and offer our recommendations for other ways to get help with your veterinary bills.
Our veterinary clinic provides 24/7/365 emergency pet care in Seattle, WA, and each member of our team understands the stress associated with a pet emergency and handling the cost of a pet ER visit. We provide transparent pricing information and itemized bills to help our clients understand the cost of care. Call now with questions or to let us know you’re coming in for a pet emergency.
