If you want to get a pet, you should not only have enough time to look after it. In addition, you should also be sure that you can afford the four-legged friend. Food and accessories such as toys are by far not all that you have to take into account. Visits to the vet also cost money. Many owners only realize how expensive this can be when they receive the first bill.
Key facts at a glance?
- There are different types of services that vary greatly in price.
- There are one-time benefits and recurring ones.
- The veterinary costs are regulated by the GOT.
- The costs can reach high sums with chronic illnesses.
This is how the vet prices are regulated
The costs that a veterinarian may charge you are regulated in the veterinary fee schedule (GOT). This provides a framework for the treatment costs.
Veterinarians can set the costs themselves within the guidelines of the GOT and charge their customers between one and four times the fee rate. For this reason, you may have to pay more or less for the same service from another veterinarian.
In the case of an emergency service, four times the rate may be charged. How high the costs at the veterinarian ultimately turn out to be is at the discretion of the doctor, who takes into account, among other things, the effort incurred, his own costs and the setup of his practice.
Costs for basic veterinary services
Basic services are standard services such as consultations, general examinations or the inpatient accommodation of pets. The costs that the veterinarian charges for this depend on the selected fee rate and, in part, also on the animal species.
Costs for diagnostics, special examinations and treatments
Of course, the costs for general examinations and consultations at the vet’s are not enough. In many cases, further examinations and more detailed diagnostics are required to find out exactly what is wrong with your four-legged friend.
If an illness is found, there are additional costs for the treatment. Here, too, the veterinarian can choose the fee rate and the amount can differ depending on the animal species.
Costs for certificates and reports
Another factor that can cause costs when visiting the vet is the issuance of certificates or reports. The amount of the invoice depends not only on the fee rate applied, but also on the document issued.
Operations are particularly expensive
Surgeries tend to be particularly expensive on pets. The costs that you incur for a surgical intervention by the veterinarian can easily reach four-digit sums. Preliminary examinations and follow-up treatments required in this context are not even taken into account.
The exact cost of an operation depends on various factors. In addition to any complications that may occur and the fee charged, the animal species in particular plays a role.
Other possible costs at the vet
Apart from consultations, examinations and treatments, there are a number of other things that incur costs at the vet. At least for dogs and cats, this includes preventive measures such as vaccinations and castration.
vaccinations
Vaccinations are basically a must for dogs and cats and should not be neglected by any owner. In order to prevent dangerous diseases, you should definitely have the most important vaccinations done.
castration
Castration primarily serves to prevent unwanted reproduction. In addition, this procedure can also prevent some diseases. Neutering is certainly not mandatory, but it makes sense depending on the animal.
put to sleep
Unfortunately, there are cases in which even the best treatment from the veterinarian no longer helps and the only option is to put the four-legged friend to sleep. Of course, this service is not free either.
Medicines also cost money
Incidentally, medication is not included in the costs that the veterinarian charges for his work. If your pet requires medicine, you will have to pay for it additionally.
The sums you should expect in this case depend on the drug in question. The price can be 10 euros. However, some medications can cost several hundred euros.
Pet health insurance protects you from high costs
Pets bring a lot of joy to their owners. Dogs and cats in particular are often loyal companions who are seen as full members of the family. If the animal falls ill, there is no question that a veterinarian should be consulted immediately to enable the four-legged friend to receive the necessary treatment.
But the costs at the vet can quickly lead to problems. Taking out pet health insurance can protect you against this. This takes care of the bill within the framework of the selected tariff, so that necessary treatments do not fail because of the money. With you can take out the following insurances:
- Dog Health Insurance
- cat health insurance
- rabbit health insurance
You determine the scope of your insurance cover. Because you have the choice between our surgical insurance for animals and comprehensive health insurance.
Costs at the vet – our conclusion
The veterinary fee schedule provides the framework that doctors must adhere to when billing. The amount that the vet charges you varies from case to case. It depends on the service provided, the fee charged and, in many cases, on the animal species treated.
However, you can be sure that the veterinarian will always invoice you for all the work that has been carried out. As a result, the costs can quickly add up and pose a real challenge for your household budget, at least in the case of serious illnesses or operations.
You can protect yourself against this with animal health insurance from .