Bella, a ten-year-old healthy Vorsthe, fell ill suddenly on a Saturday evening in mid-June. – We saw a large lump on the right side of the stomach, which was growing. And she basically just laid down, wouldn’t stand and wouldn’t walk. There was no speed in her at all. Owner Henrik Brun realized that the dog was seriously ill. This is what Bella looked like, as her belly began to swell. Photo: Privat / news He called several large animal hospitals in the Oslo area that were supposed to have NOK 80,000 for an operation that same evening. – It is not rational for a ten-year-old dog to pay that sum, but because it came so suddenly, I actually think we should have done it. But a phone call to a small clinic in Fetsund saved both Bella’s life and the family’s tens of thousands of kroner. A small clinic in Fetsund saved both the life of Bella and the family for tens of thousands of kroner. Photo: Tore LInvollen They estimated a price of NOK 30,000 for the operation. It turned out that the spleen was ruptured. Dog owner Henrik Brun reacts to the differences. Owner Henrik Brun called several large animal hospitals in the Oslo area Photo: Tore Linvollen – I am both confused and provoked. I wonder what it is that can cause such a large price difference. Our experience is that there is no correlation between price and quality. On the contrary. This is what Bella looked like the day she had surgery This is what Bella looked like when she suddenly fell ill She had emergency surgery Newly operated news has been in contact with the animal hospitals that gave the price offer of NOK 80,000. They say the price included surgery, accommodation with monitoring and the cost of treating any complications. Read both answers in their entirety further down in the case. Expensive to run an animal hospital Hilde Røssland, leader of the small animal veterinarians’ association, says there is a difference between private small clinics and animal hospitals. Leader of the small animal veterinarians’ association Hilde Røssland says the price differences are natural. Photo: Agnieszka Iwanska / Agnieszka Iwanska / news – For me, this is no scandal. It is a free choice. You can go to exactly the vet you want. It was different if you had a regular vet that you were forced to go to. She says the animal hospitals have higher expertise and more equipment, which in turn makes the costs of running the clinic higher. A random check that news has made at large veterinary chains and small clinics shows 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 has checked in Fetsund, Bergen and Tromsø. 3,000 kilometers round trip When the puppy of Tina Fjellås in Porsgrunn was unlucky and was diagnosed with a broken leg, she was referred to Evidensia animal hospital in Oslo for surgery. – But when I called to ask what this was going to cost me, I was slapped. They could not say whether it would be closer to 40,000 or 60,000. Money I didn’t have, says Tina. Read the response from Evidensia animal hospital further down in the case. Shortly after Tina got the puppy Mumrikken, he was exposed to a traumatic injury. A fracture was found in the patella, i.e. in a kneecap. – He was then only eleven weeks old. It became a matter of urgency to get this fixed when I found out about the breach on a Friday afternoon, she says. The mumbling after surgery during the rehabilitation period. Photo: Tina Fjellås Tina is originally from Balsfjord in Troms. On the same day that she found out about the break and the price of surgery at the animal hospital in Oslo, she sent a photo of the break to an acquaintance she had in the north. This is how she came into contact with Harstadbotn animal clinic. There she received a price estimate of between 23,000 and 25,000 to operate Mumrikken. – I looked around and booked tickets northwards. In less than two hours I was on my way to Gardermoen, with flight cage and everything. The expenses for the journey north and the operation came to NOK 31,000. – If the operation had cost NOK 40,000 in Oslo, I saved NOK 9,000 by traveling to Northern Norway. Had the bill been closer to NOK 60,000, I would have saved even more, the math is there, she says. Today, Mumrikken is healthy again and actively participates in various sports together with mother Tina Fjellås Photo: Aud Darrud / news “Veterinæropprøret” Tina is one of many who have shared her experience in a group called “Veterinæropprøret” on Facebook. Today it has close to 26,000 members. Here, prices and experiences are exchanged between small clinics and large chains from all over the country. Tom Erik Øygard created the group. – I started the group after feeling a bit “robbed” after a visit to the vet. Especially for veterinary chains, because prices can vary wildly, says Tom Erik Øygard. The response from Evidensia animal hospital in Oslo Evidensia says it is difficult to comment on an old case, but says on a general basis that: – Variables such as complexity, operation method, equipment, possible need for further imaging, whether emergency surgery outside normal opening hours was recommended, expected duration of any admission at the weekend etc. will affect the price. We always try to take into account unknown variables when we make a price estimate, and based on this, a price of that order of magnitude will be able to vote for a patient in this category, and in that time period, writes the responsible veterinarian and specialist in small animal diseases, dog and cat at the Evidensia animal hospital in Oslo, Fridtjof Larsen in an email to news. Larsen says the method of operation, choice of equipment, length of stay and hygiene measures can affect the total price. He adds that Evidensia has, among other things, two international specialists in surgery and one in anaesthesia, in addition to several national specialists. – Another example of possible differences that can be mentioned is that we have a big focus on, and invest a lot in, high hygiene standards. Then we can reduce antibiotic use to a minimum, and thus curb the development of resistance, which is a major public health problem in the world. – What do you think about the fact that a group has been created on Facebook called the veterinary revolt where many people share their dissatisfaction with high veterinary prices at larger clinics versus small ones? – We welcome a constructive debate about veterinary services, choice of method, quality, expertise and prices. What we may be missing in the debate is a somewhat more nuanced discussion that focuses on other conditions than just the lowest possible price. – It is also claimed that large clinics, such as Evidensia, are controlled by large companies that demand profit and that this leads to more animals being “over-treated”, what do you think of such statements? – Regardless of whether you own a large company, or whether you own your own clinic, you depend on a healthy profit to be able to operate in a good way. We must ensure this by having sensible ways of working, and by having prices that are linked to our total cost picture. We shall not create income and profits through over-processing. Our medical advice must be based on the animal’s best interests and evidence-based facts. – In our communication with the customer during a consultation, we must be able to present different alternatives, at different prices. And then we can inform you about the advantages and disadvantages of the various options. Then the pet owner can make an informed choice, answers Larsen. Leader of the small animal veterinarians’ association Hilde Røssland says the price differences are completely natural. – It is a completely natural difference that with a smaller unit, with fewer employees, fewer square meters, lower electricity bills, things have a different price. If you come to a hospital that can accept whatever it is. Åse Risberg, head of department for the Department of Sports and Family Animal Medicine at the Veterinary College, NMBU, says that animal hospitals with 24-hour staff and specialists on duty are expensive. – The discussion about veterinary prices is demanding. Partly it is about the fact that we in Norway are not used to seeing what healthcare services cost. We only pay a deductible, and then the state pays the rest. When you have to pay the full price for the treatment of an animal, you are surprised by the prices. Henrik Brun saved NOK 50,000 by checking the price in several places. Henrik Brun and Bella after she was operated on. Photo: Tore Linvollen – It was an emergency situation. We know that it costs, because it is completely private, but there was a surprisingly big difference. Bella was very ill Photo: Privat / news – She could have died in our hands, but thanks to good help she is well again. Therefore, NMBU gave a price offer of 80,000 to Henrik Brun. The entire answer to the Veterinary College, NMBU. Åse Risberg, head of department for the Department of Sports and Family Animal Medicine at the Veterinary College, NMBU. Animal hospitals with 24-hour staff and specialists on duty are expensive. – We do not make a profit at our animal hospitals, but in order for our operations to balance, we must charge prices that reflect our costs. We receive money from the state for educational purposes, but not for the extra expenses associated with the operation of the Animal Hospital, which we depend on to be able to train vets, animal care workers and specialists. We have to comply with state regulations, which also mean that, for reasons of competition, we cannot set prices far below the market price. – When the prices vary as much as in this case, the services stated in the offer are often not the same. Included in our price estimate to the owner in this case were costs related to surgery, overnight monitoring, as well as treatment of any complications afterwards. – The price depends on who is doing the work and what equipment the animal hospital/clinic has invested in. At the Animal Hospital – small animals, we have both a veterinarian and an animal nurse on duty around the clock, and a surgeon and anesthesia personnel are also called in if necessary. This means more expensive operation, but also security for owners as we are available around the clock. Veterinary specialists have further education over several years, and many of the animal carers also have further education in, for example, anesthesia and pain relief. – Veterinarians in private practice, who are partly on unpaid duty and respond to emergency incidents, do a fantastic job and effort for animal welfare. Sometimes there may be a need for treatment by a specialist at an animal hospital, in which case we are available for referrals in addition to the fact that the owner can of course come to us directly, if they wish. – It is about the fact that we in Norway are not used to seeing what healthcare services cost. We only pay a deductible, and then the state pays the rest. When you have to pay the full price for the treatment of an animal, you are surprised by the prices. We want to offer the right treatment, and the best for the patient. If the owner is unable to carry out this treatment due to price, we sometimes recommend other vets who can charge a lower price because they have fewer expenses to cover. The Empet chain also explains why they made the offer of 80,000. This is how Empet animal hospital Tonje Seim-Wikse, Regional Manager Oslo and Akershus, Empet, responds – How can the price difference be so great? At our 24-hour animal hospitals, we have veterinarians on staff who are present 24/7. Operation at night/weekends is resource-intensive and expensive, which makes prices outside normal opening hours higher. Some animals will be so ill or in pain that they should not go home the same day. Most animals that have undergone major surgery will do best with the care, nursing and pain relief provided by admission to an animal hospital. It was such a treatment offer Bella received on the phone with Nydalen. In a case where Bella should have been sent home shortly after surgery, the price would also be different. EMPET also has clinics where the veterinarian is on standby at home and goes out if necessary. This type of on-call arrangement will normally have lower labor costs, and we, like other vets, can have lower on-call prices at these clinics. – What do you think about the fact that the price differences between chains such as you/Anicura and the small independent clinics are so stark. Several price surveys over the past year have shown that EMPET, compared to the other chains, comes out well. EMPET wants to deliver high quality services – at reasonable prices. And we will be available to our customers, also by offering on-call services outside normal opening hours. It is important to point out that EMPET has clinics of all sizes and in different locations in the country. Our prices vary between clinics based on location, treatment options, expertise and availability. Published 27.06.2024, at 10.12
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Large price differences at small and large vets – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
