High cost of vet clinic visit / less than 24 hrs/ no operating‏

Recently, my family lost our beloved 3 year old dog to acute kidney failure. Medicines from the family Vet were not working- on the third day we took her to the emergency clinic as she seemed to be vomiting blood. (our Vet office was closed). She was handled very kindly and treated with fluids and meds,no operation was performed,and in less than 24 hours, she was euthanized. The total cost for this emergency clinic visit was $1843.00 (plus an additional $148 to our family Vet). To put his bill in perspective, my total funeral alternative cremation services package cost $1200 when purchased a few years ago.

Before the clinic would treat the dog, my daughter, who was the legal owner,had to sign a "Care Credit" agreement ( a GE Credit Card). If the total amount ( over $300 a month) was paid within 6 months, no interest would be charged . If the entire amount was not paid, it would trigger an interest charge of 26.99% on the entire initial amount, with a default late fee of 29.99% for the next several months.Reading the small print was an eye opener. We all were shocked at the high cost of every little 'equipment thing' used during her treatment, and the high charges for miniscule doses of meds.The attachment will show these charges.

I am sending this to pet owners on my mailing list and hoping that you readers may forward this to other pet owners as a 'heads-up'. This type of credit card 'service' is now the norm for vets, dentists, and other professionals  whose prices for services are often very high ( as is the price professionals must pay for their educations).

The most insidious aspect of signing this credit card 'agreement' is that the actual card amount may be issued for more than the amount due for the services provided. One can get a 'cash advance' at 29,99% from the remainder of the card value. For the many in desperate straits during these trying economic times,it would seem that danger could lurk in the fine print.

Let the buyer beware- perhaps even pet ownership is becoming too expensive for average or lower than average wage earners.

Our family will be will be looking at pet insurance, and hoping that we can afford it and another dog to brighten our lives. 

Faye Brown

Lisbon Falls, Maine