Pet lovers cry foul at costly vet treatment

Veterinary practices are confusing customers with unclear prices and racking up bills with unnecessary treatments, an investigation has found.

The findings come as hundreds of traditional veterinary practices have been taken over by private equity firms and large corporations in recent years.

The rapid consolidation has sparked a competition watchdog probe into whether it has resulted in higher prices and a lack of choice for customers.

According to the research of the consumer group Which?, it is too difficult for pet owners to buy the best prices and to obtain reliable information.

A survey by the group found that 73 percent of pet owners thought that veterinary consultation fees were too expensive and 82 percent said that treatments and medications cost too much. But it is difficult to buy, because the prices of veterinarians are often not displayed online, according to Who analysis of veterinary sites.

In total, 36 percent of customers say that they are usually only informed about the price after the appointment at the reception. Meanwhile, 27 percent of the 2,000 pet owners surveyed said they doubted whether the recommended treatments were necessary.

Who? Head of consumer protection policy Sue Davies said: “Millions of UK households own pets and consider them part of the family, which leaves them exposed to practices such as uncertain prices and unnecessary treatments if an animal he gets sick.”

The growing stranglehold of big business over practices – with six large veterinary chains controlling the majority of veterinary businesses – has attracted the attention of regulators. In September, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a review of the veterinary sector amid growing concerns that pet owners “may not be getting a good deal”.

The watchdog said it will investigate how the wave of acquisitions and mergers has affected prices and choices for pet owners.