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ITV's Tonight programme broadcast last night portrayed a veterinary profession in which overcharging is commonplace.
Researchers for the programme took three healthy animals (a cat, a dog and a rabbit) to a number of different vets, telling them that the animals were off their food. The advice they were given varied. In the case of the rabbit from no treatment necessary, to dental work under general anaesthetic.
TV vet Marc Abraham then looked at each animal and told viewers that the correct advice in each case would have been the least expensive.
The programme also highlighted the substantial savings that pet owners can make by buying drugs online, and questioned whether the penalty meted out to a vet that had committed malpractice was sufficient (the vet had been struck off for 14 months, where presenter Jonathan Maitland argued it should have been for life).
Veterinary business consultant Mark Moran said: "So often, vets rely to a large degree on what owners are telling them, and the degree to which they insist the animal is ill, or off its food, will affect the advice and treatment given. Marc Abraham had the luxury of being presented three animals that he knew to be perfectly fit and well."
However he agreed wholeheartedly with the response from RCVS President Jill Nute this morning, that the thing both vets and pet owners need to learn from the programme is "the importance of communicating with each other".
Mark said: "It's a question of managing people's expectations. There'll always be a variance in the advice being given, but being up-front and open will help mitigate the risk of being accused of overcharging".
Click here to watch the programme. Click here to read the reactions to Marc Abrahams' blog
PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.
In reply to Leanne Penrose, why shouldnt we feel victimised? The profession as a whole has been victimised. You only had to watch the programme to realise that. Did you even watch the programme Leanne? And no, I have never worked for a vet who recommended a dental to every patient just because it was quiet. I'm surprised you have came on here to say that. Well, actually I',m not that surprised as you give no information in your profile.
My answer is to the above Comment...... no I have never worked for a vet who has recommended a dental to every patient because they were quiet and maybe your vet should be investigated if that is the case.
Vets are money grabbing to a certain extent, can't believe there is so much uproar about it. None of you can tell me you've never worked for a vet who just because it's quiet has recommended a dental to every patient!
The fact is every industry will be targeted at this point in the recession, so we shouldn't fell victimised.
I couldn't believe that they took in 3 healthy animals and expected the vets to turn around and say "Regardless of the symptoms your describing - you're mad! Your pet is perfectly healthy!" In the case of the rabbit needing a dental, that may have been OTT - but the rottie than had all that treatment costing 10K+ was a REFERRAL case - yet they didn't even mention it!! And with regards to the mark up on drugs - I don't know about anyone else but our practice has £100,000s of advanced equipment to pay for, over 50 members of staff to pay and large overheads. The client is paying for the practice and the treatment knowing that when the day occurs that they need us - all that equipment is ready and waiting to make diagnosis and treatment as fast and referral free as possible!
It was very shallow and very biased - it seemed to be a programme designed simply to stir trouble. It wasn't even well researched. The presenter also failed to tell the woman (who would save 'thousands' on medication that she still has to pay for meds checks and now a prescription fee! A very poor programme. Marc Abraham must be vet who is not at all worried about upsetting fellow veterinarians!
This programme made me really cross, the general public are going to think every veterinary practice in the country is out to get them, very biased programme and the vets and nurses in practice should definatly have had their say. Times are hard but that doesn't mean to say we are all money grabbing!
And if someone comes in and says that their pet hasn't been eating properly you aren't going to question that are you!!!!
Very annoying, yet again the tv have got things wrong on many scores. When will these tv programmes speak to the people involved in veterinary and get the real stories.
Not impressed with the program at all. I was very impressed that Jill Nute kept her cool during that rude interview!
The programme was very bias, I believe Marc Abraham should be struck off. The vets spoken about were never shown and why was it not stated how serious it is for a rabbit not to eat. If owners cant afford a pet why have one they are a luxury. They explained owners cant afford pets bills so this is increasing the number of animals being rescued, is it not more fair to reduce the number of breeding bitches. The advertisment of drugs being sold on the internet is WRONG, how can you be sure they are in date and have been stored adequately. I will e-mail itv to address my feelings.