– I find it offensive and disrespectful. After all, we are all veterinarians who have been through a tough education, says veterinarian Hector Aguilar. He has followed the debate on veterinary prices and responds to the explanation of why it is more expensive at a veterinary chain than at an independent clinic. news has previously told about a dog owner who saved 50,000 by choosing a smaller veterinary clinic instead of an animal hospital. The veterinary chains, the veterinary association and the association of small animal veterinarians have previously stated that the high prices are due to, among other things: Higher expertise Extended opening hours Better equipment in animal hospitals compared to smaller clinics – It is only natural that smaller units with fewer employees and lower costs have different prices. In a hospital that can accept everything, the situation is different, said leader of the small animal veterinarians’ association Hilde Røssland to news this summer. A random check that news did at large veterinary chains and small clinics showed wild prices. Examples such as castration of a dog and removal of the uterus can cost several thousand kroner more at the nationwide chains than at the clinics news checked in Fetsund, Bergen and Tromsø. I don’t think there is that much of a difference. Aguilar works at Harstadbotn veterinary clinic in Troms, a small and independent clinic. He reacts strongly to the explanations given for the large price differences. – I think it is very unfair to hear that vets at the big chains, such as AniCura and Evidensia, should be the only ones with high competence. It is disrespectful and insulting, he says. He does not believe that the professional expertise or the quality of the treatment is particularly different between independent clinics and those affiliated to a chain. – There are skilled vets in the chains, but also at small and independent clinics. Many of them have “advanced” education, he adds. He has furthered his education himself. – They place themselves above their colleagues. Instead of taking self-criticism when it comes to the prices at their own clinics, they push the responsibility onto others, he says. Hector Aguilar came from Spain came to Norway two years ago. Before that, he has worked both in Denmark and Great Britain as a veterinarian Price difference Aguilar believes there are no significant differences between the independent clinics and the chain’s clinic departments in terms of expertise, equipment or opening hours. – Most of the departments of the large veterinary chains are not hospitals, but smaller clinics. Nevertheless, their prices can be up to 100 percent higher than at an independent clinic of similar size and with the same offer, says Aguilar. He fears the explanations may scare animal owners into visiting smaller veterinary clinics. – The pet owners can believe it is true and choose to stop traveling to the small clinics, he says. The puppy Mumrikken broke his leg and was transported from Porsgrunn to Harstad by plane to be operated on by Hector Aguilar. The owner told news this summer that she saved at least NOK 9,000 by traveling around 3,000 km (round trip) for surgery. Photo: Harstadbotn Dyreklnikk Responding to criticism – If what we have stated previously has made a colleague feel that his expertise has not been valued, we must apologize for that. That is not what we intended to convey, Røssland responds to the criticism. She wants to emphasize that pet owners can be confident that competence among Norwegian veterinarians is consistently very high. Both at large chains and independent clinics. – We need all the different clinics with their expertise to be able to offer pet owners a comprehensive offer throughout the country, says Røssland – It is important for us as an association to ensure that all our members feel valued and respected, regardless of where they work, says manager of the Small Animal Veterinarians’ Association Hilde Røssland Photo: Jan Leirud / Norsk Veterinærtidsskrift And adds that they experience that the veterinarians have good cooperation among themselves, and are referred to others when there is a lack the competence. The veterinary chain Evidensia says they can only comment on their own prices, services and quality. – It is in no way intended as a criticism of other clinics, colleagues or the services they provide, says head of veterinary medicine at Evidensia Monica Heggelund. – Our main focus is to take care of our customers, their pets and our employees in the best possible way, says Monica Heggelund in Evidensia. Photo: Evidensia Animal hospitals The chain has 29 clinics and three animal hospitals in Norway today. – We are primarily concerned that pets should receive fast, efficient and good treatment, regardless of which clinic you choose, she says. Heggelund points out that their high personnel and investment costs are due to investment in continuing education, methodology, advanced equipment, staffing and time per patient. AniCura Norge and Empet have not responded to the criticism that news has presented to them. Published 04.12.2024, at 19.41
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Independent vet believes the big chains must take self-criticism – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
