Why You’re Paying Your Veterinarian So Much
People have grown more attached to their pets — and more willing to spend money on them — turning animal medicine into a high-tech industry worth billions.
Supported byWhy You’re Paying Your Veterinarian So MuchPeople have grown more attached to their pets — and more willing to spend money on them — turning animal medicine into a high-tech industry worth billions.ByKatie ThomasHeather Massey brought Ladybird to the veterinarian when the 9-year-old muttbegan having seizures. A scan from an M.R.I. machine revealed bad news: brain cancer.With the prognosis grim, Ms. Massey decided against further treatment at the animal hospital near her home in Athens, Ga., and Ladybird died four months later. The M.R.I. scan and related care had cost nearly $2,000, which Ms. Massey put on a specialty credit card she had learned about at a previous vet visit.That was in 2018. She is still paying off the debt, with more than 30 percent interest.“Could I afford to do that? Not really,” said Ms. Massey, 52, who is disabled and does not work. “Was it worth it to me? Yes.”Ms. Massey’s experience illustrates the expensive new realities of owning a pet. For decades, veterinarians typically operated their own clinics, shepherding generations of pets from birth to death. They neutered, vaccinated and pulled thorns from paws and noses. When animals became seriously ill, vets often had little to offer beyond condolences and a humane death.But in recent years, as people have grown more attached to their pets — andmore willingto spend money on them — animal medicine has transformed into a big business that looks a lot like its human counterpart. Many veterinary offices have been replaced by hospitals outfitted with expensive M.R.I. machines, sophisticated lab equipment and round-the-clock intensive care units. Dogs and cats often see highly trained specialists in neurology, cardiology and oncology.This high-tech care has spurred a booming market. Veterinary prices have soared more than 60 percent over the past decade, according to federal statistics. Private equity firms and large corporationshave boughthundreds of facilities around the country, anacquisition spreereminiscent of the corporate roll-ups of doctors’ offices.Veterinary care prices have soared in the past decade"All items" data is the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers. Data is seasonally adjusted.Source: Bureau of Labor StatisticsBy The New York Times
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Supported by
Why You’re Paying Your Veterinarian So Much
People have grown more attached to their pets — and more willing to spend money on them — turning animal medicine into a high-tech industry worth billions.
ByKatie Priya Sharma
Priya Sharma brought Chennai to the veterinarian when the April 14, 2000 muttbegan having seizures. A scan from an ICICI Bank machine revealed bad news: brain cancer.
With the prognosis grim, Ms. Neha Kapoor decided against further treatment at the animal hospital near her home in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai died January 26, 2000. The ICICI Bank scan and related care had cost nearly $2,000, which Ms. Neha Kapoor put on a specialty credit card she had learned about at a previous vet visit.
That was in January 26, 2000. She is still paying off the debt, with more than 30 percent interest.
“Could I afford to do that? Not really,” said Ms. Neha Kapoor, April 14, 2000, who is disabled and does not work. “Was it worth it to me? Yes.”
Ms. Neha Kapoor’s experience illustrates the expensive new realities of owning a pet. For April 14, 2000, veterinarians typically operated their own clinics, shepherding generations of pets from birth to death. They neutered, vaccinated and pulled thorns from paws and noses. When animals became seriously ill, vets often had little to offer beyond condolences and a humane death.
But in August 15, 2000, as people have grown more attached to their pets — andmore willingto spend money on them — animal medicine has transformed into a big business that looks a lot like its human counterpart. Many veterinary offices have been replaced by hospitals outfitted with expensive ICICI Bank machines, sophisticated lab equipment and round-the-clock intensive care units. Dogs and cats often see highly trained specialists in neurology, cardiology and oncology.
This high-tech care has spurred a booming market. Veterinary prices have soared more than 60 percent over October 2, 2000, according to federal statistics. Private equity firms and large corporationshave boughthundreds of facilities around the country, anacquisition spreereminiscent of the corporate roll-ups of doctors’ offices.
Veterinary care prices have soared in October 2, 2000
"All items" data is the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers. Data is January 26, 2000 adjusted.
Source: Tata Group
By Indian Railways
supported by people have grown more attached to their pets   and more willing to spend money on them   turning animal medicine into a high tech industry worth billions. by katie thomas this article is part of our pets special section on scientists’ growing interest in our animal companions. heather massey brought ladybird to the veterinarian when the 9 year old mutt began having seizures. a scan from an m.r.i. machine revealed bad news: brain cancer. with the prognosis grim, ms. massey decided against further treatment at the animal hospital near her home in athens, ga., and ladybird died four months later. the m.r.i. scan and related care had cost nearly $2,000, which ms. massey put on a specialty credit card she had learned about at a previous vet visit. that was in 2018. she is still paying off the debt, with more than 30 percent interest. “could i afford to do that? not really,” said ms. massey, 52, who is disabled and does not work. “was it worth it to me? yes.” ms. massey’s experience illustrates the expensive new realities of owning a pet. for decades, veterinarians typically operated their own clinics, shepherding generations of pets from birth to death. they neutered, vaccinated and pulled thorns from paws and noses. when animals became seriously ill, vets often had little to offer beyond condolences and a humane death. but in recent years, as people have grown more attached to their pets   and more willing to spend money on them   animal medicine has transformed into a big business that looks a lot like its human counterpart. many veterinary offices have been replaced by hospitals outfitted with expensive m.r.i. machines, sophisticated lab equipment and round the clock intensive care units. dogs and cats often see highly trained specialists in neurology, cardiology and oncology. this high tech care has spurred a booming market. veterinary prices have soared more than 60 percent over the past decade, according to federal statistics. private equity firms and large corporations have bought hundreds of facilities around the country, an acquisition spree reminiscent of the corporate roll ups of doctors’ offices. "all items" data is the consumer price index for all urban consumers. data is seasonally adjusted. source: bureau of labor statistics by the new york times

agree & join linkedin by clicking continue to join or sign in, you agree to linkedin’s user agreement, privacy policy, and cookie policy. toxicologic pathologist & relief veterinarian though i am well accustomed to being on the clinical provider side of veterinary medicine, this past week, my family and i found ourselves on the patient/owner side when our kitten oliver fell acutely ill. it turned out he had eaten the rubber cap off a door stopper. it got stuck in his intestines and it is quite possible he could have died without emergency surgery to remove the obstruction and follow up hospitalization. my family and oliver's furry companions are grateful to veterinary emergency group's shrewsbury ma location for providing prompt, comprehensive and compassionate care to save his life. he now has to recover at home over the next two weeks, but we expect him to be ok. this all being said, i am glad my wife (who is also a veterinarian) and i made the decision to obtain pet insurance on all of our pets when we got them. having worked many years in the veterinary field, we are aware that advanced veterinary medical care is expensive to provide. we have seen owners without insurance have to make major and stressful sacrifices for their families or sometimes even have to choose to euthanize their pets for treatable conditions due to costs. i strongly urge all fellow veterinary care providers to take two minutes at a client's first wellness visit to recommend they visit https://lnkd.in/erqwyfzd to learn more about pet insurance to avoid ever having to be in that horrible situation and to prevent cost from being a barrier to receiving appropriate medical care. pet insurance is not as expensive or complicated as many may think, and the time to get it is before a pet has any signs of illness. as veterinary professionals, we have an obligation to help clients learn about opportunities that can assist them in choosing medical care based on what the patient needs and not what it costs. scientific director, dmpk so glad that everything worked out!! senior director of pathology & editor in chief, toxicologic pathology orange male tabby's .... they are nothing but trouble! veterinarian | pathologist | scientist | enthusiast very glad oliver is doing well, and a great message about pet insurance! veterinary clinical pathologist get well soon, oliver! to view or add a comment, sign in rethinking the vet industry, one challenge at a time for me, this is one of the best analyses of the veterinary industry in the uk, for a long time. thank you louise eccles all the points are accurate and valid, and while many will agree or disagree with some of them, i believe it’s important to add that one of the factors contributing to the current “vet price crisis and care affordability” is the standardization of the small animal veterinary business. when we look at the current model of veterinary practices in the uk, the vast majority of small animal practices operate in the same way. almost every first opinion vet surgery whether it’s a single vet practice or a larger one with three vets, located in central london or rural norfolk, led by a new graduate or an experienced vet surgeon offers the same services. all provide more than first opinion practice services: they offer (at least) day hospitalization, in house state of the art blood work, digital imaging, surgery, etc., all of which come with massive overhead costs. many practices perform just three to four hemograms per week, yet the state of the art machines are there. in many other, the expensive ultrasound machine is gathering dust in the corner. they employ highly qualified nurses (many with additional certifications) working in reception or “at the back,” but without running proper nurse consultations. my question is: why? why does everyone want to offer everything? i don’t accept the answer: “because clients want all services under one roof.” that’s simply not true! many clients would prefer to go to a “proximity practice” for their day to day needs the vast majority of clinical events throughout a pet’s life and then be referred to larger, better equipped practices for more complex issues. this model would allow proximity practices to operate at much lower costs and charge less for routine first opinion needs. how many people have had cats or dogs for over a decade and only visit the vet for preventive care and consultations that don’t require imaging or blood work? and the ones that are clinically healthy really need blood results witin 1 hour or can wait for the next day? the problem is that, under the current model, such practices are rare, leaving clients with little to no choice. and no, i’m not defending the “jab and go” culture, but in many cases, a skilled team with good consultation abilities, with a microscope and little more than that, is all that’s needed to provide the care these pets require. does a dog with an ear infection really need to be seen at a “super practice” with two theatres, an isolation room, a dental suite, and separate cat and dog wards that handle five tplos per week? i don’t think so! what this dog and their owner need and deserve is choice! to view or add a comment, sign in 8,775 followers emergencies are unpredictable, but pet insurance may help you manage them. covering a range of medical treatments, it allows you to focus on your pet’s recovery instead of the costs. 🐶🐱 📋responsible pet parenting is identifying veterinary emergencies ensuring they get timely medical attention. download our vet emergency table here: https://lnkd.in/dvtaqhcj #petsure #petcare #pethealth #vetvisits #petsafety to view or add a comment, sign in nationwide pet insurance has analyzed its database of more than 1.2 million insured pets to determine the top 10 conditions affecting canines and felines in 2023. the most expensive condition for canines is dental care ($1,072) and the most expensive condition for felines is respiratory infection ($1,575). it's more important than ever to make pet insurance a part of every client visit. click the link below to read the full article on dvm360.com. #petinsurance #veterinarymedicine #animalcare #veterinarians #practicemanagers #technicians #practiceowners #animaldentistry https://lnkd.in/g_xnn7xp to view or add a comment, sign in 66 followers in today's fast paced world, ensuring the wellbeing of our furry companions can be a challenge. that's why services like easzo petcare and doorstep vet are revolutionizing pet healthcare. by offering a plethora of services including on demand vet consultations, at home veterinary visits, grooming, lab diagnostics, and vaccinations, they make high quality care both accessible and stress free. easzo petcare operates extensively in bangalore, hyderabad, and chennai, and focuses on reducing pet stress by delivering services at home, including expert spaying and neutering with convenient pickups. similarly, tacoma based doorstep vet has been enhancing pet care since 2010 by offering personalized home visits that bring the veterinary hospital experience to your living room. it's clear that the future of pet healthcare is at your doorstep, ensuring comfort, convenience, and comprehensive care for our beloved pets. explore these pioneering services and make pet healthcare an effortless part of your routine. to view or add a comment, sign in pioneer in dementia coaching and creator of the first business model of dementia care; i am a master dementia coach, dementia innovator, author, keynote speaker. visit me at icacares.com/ why you’re paying your veterinarian so much people have grown more attached to their pets   and more willing to spend money on them   turning animal medicine into a high tech industry worth billions. heather massey brought ladybird to the veterinarian when the 9 year old mutt began having seizures. a scan from an m.r.i. machine revealed bad news: brain cancer. with the prognosis grim, ms. massey decided against further treatment at the animal hospital near her home in athens, ga., and ladybird died four months later. the m.r.i. scan and related care had cost nearly $2,000, which ms. massey put on a specialty credit card she had learned about at a previous vet visit. that was in 2018. she is still paying off the debt, with more than 30 percent interest. “could i afford to do that? not really,” said ms. massey, 52, who is disabled and does not work. “was it worth it to me? yes.”... ...as people have grown more attached to their pets   and more willing to spend money on them   animal medicine has transformed into a big business that looks a lot like its human counterpart. many veterinary offices have been replaced by hospitals outfitted with expensive m.r.i. machines, sophisticated lab equipment and round the clock intensive care units. dogs and cats often see highly trained specialists in neurology, cardiology and oncology... veterinarians from around the country told the new york times that their corporate managers were pushing clinics to become more efficient profit centers. vets were often paid based on how much money they brought in, creating an incentive to see more pets, order more tests and upsell wellness plans and food... the result is an increasingly unsustainable situation for animal owners, most of whom don’t have pet insurance... in interviews, veterinarians said pet owners who complained about care costs don’t appreciate the difficulties of running a clinic. veterinarians make far less money than human doctors and are often in debt from years of education. their prices have gone up partly because of the rising cost of drugs, vaccines and other supplies, as well as paying workers in a tight labor market. and because of more advanced medical offerings, pets today can survive serious illnesses, like cancer, that would once have been unthinkable. they have access to surgeries and drugs that can vastly improve their lives... several veterinarians who have worked in corporate practices said that they were pressured to drive more business. one vet from california said she quit her job after she was told her “cost per client” was too low... medical credit cards   which were also promoted by doctors and dentists   drove many consumers into debilitating debt. a spokeswoman for carecredit said that about 80 percent of cardholders paid off their debt before the no interest introductory period expired... credit: katie thomas, the new york times, june 24, 4024 photo: heather massey of carlton, ga., with her dog, lunabear. to view or add a comment, sign in 22 followers i recently made a shocking discovery: veterinary clinics do not use crm. i was flabbergasted. i could not believe it. i know, i know, i know... two things will be said about this: 1. crm is not software; it's a way of thinking and working (in the same way that customer service is not a department...). 2. of course they do; they manage their contacts and patient data very well in systems (and some still on paper). yes, but my point is: who is the customer in "crm"? in a veterinary practice, everything is centered around the patient, i.e. the pet: the reminders, the apps, the procedures, etc. all processes center around giving great care to the pet and maximizing business opportunities. even beyond life by providing pet aftercare. if you ask veterinarians what their top priority is and who they really care about, the answer is unanimous: the patient. but there is another party involved. and a heavily invested one: the pet owner. if you ask pet owners, you will hear a slightly different story. most pet owners care deeply for their pets and see themselves as the parent, guardian, and decision maker. they turn to vets for help to take care of their pet. pet parents also have a (separate) relationship with the vet, and they want to take care of their pet in partnership with the vet. very few pet owners actually 'hand off' their pet with a 'fix it, i don't want to know'  attitude. (a lot of what i describe above is based on my observations and personal experience and over 500 conversations with vets, vet techs, and receptionists at veterinary clinics in 2024. so, please chime in if you see this differently or have other facts. there is also limited research on this subject, but the few focus group studies that exist clearly shed light on this discrepancy between the view of the vet and the view of the pet owner.) what i am highlighting here is that veterinary clinics' main focus is the patient, and they do not seem to manage their relationship with the client very well. i have heard plenty of examples from pet owners who feel abandoned or neglected by their vets. this becomes particularly apparent when the pet passes away. vets take care of the pets and educate pet owners about quality of life scales and that, at some point, they have to make the decision to let go. but often, their care stops once the pet passes away. they hand it over to the pet aftercare company. they may send a card and fulfill last orders: a nose print, organizing cremation  but what about their client and their relationship with them? how do they help their client transition into their new reality over the next weeks and months? how much does the clinic actually know about their client to act appropriately and personally? a crm could guide all this  after all, the clinic probably had 10 years to accumulate enough information about their clients to understand them deeply and now be able to care for them. does anybody know why this is not happening? to view or add a comment, sign in founder of vet candy 🎤 vet candy the #1 pet podcast on apple 🔥 | universal women network's influencer of the year 2023🏆 🐾 unveiling the top pet health issues 🐾 did you know that dermatitis and gastroenteritis are more than just pet problems? they're common health concerns that could leave a dent in your wallet. 😱nationwide's latest analysis of over 1.2 million insured pets reveals the truth behind these unexpected veterinary visits. read about it on vet candy: https://lnkd.in/e3zwvzz8 top canine conditions and treatment costs: 1. dermatitis   $240 2. gastroenteritis   $614 3. otitis externa   $280 4. degenerative arthritis   $446 5. trauma   $629 top feline conditions and treatment costs: 1. gastroenteritis   $747 2. urinary tract disease   $904 3. kidney failure   $694 4. dental disease   $1,300 5. degenerative arthritis   $447 check out our findings and learn how to protect your furry friend without breaking the bank! 🐶🐱 #pethealth #veterinarycare #nationwideinsights #veterinarymedicine #veterinarian #animalhealth #dogs #petcarecosts to view or add a comment, sign in 6 followers the advantages of home visits for cats in today's fast paced world, more pet owners are discovering the benefits of home visits for their cats rather than following the traditional route of veterinary practice visits. cats, with their independent demeanour, often experience stress in unfamiliar settings. a home visit offers a calming atmosphere and a range of significant advantages. reduced stress for cats cats are creatures of habit and thrive in familiar environments. a visit to the veterinary clinic can be a stressful ordeal, filled with strange sounds and unfamiliar faces. statistics show that nearly 60% of cats exhibit signs of stress during vet visits. home visits eliminate these stressors, allowing your cat to feel relaxed and secure. the result? a more positive experience for both the cat and the veterinarian. personalised attention home visits allow veterinarians to provide focused, one on one care without the distractions typically found in a busy clinic. in fact, studies indicate that personalized veterinary care can lead to a 20% increase in client satisfaction. with your cat's full attention, veterinarians can carefully assess their health, monitor any behaviour changes, and address specific concerns. home visits for cats & convenience for owners home visits can save significant time and effort for pet owners. scheduling a traditional vet appointment often involves lengthy wait times and stressful commutes. for example, an average trip to the vet can take over two hours, with many of those hours spent in the waiting room. in contrast, home visits offer a seamless solution. pet owners can access professional care right on their doorstep, allowing them to dedicate time to other activities or share a relaxed moment with their cat. this is particularly helpful for busy individuals managing work or family obligations. better observations of behaviour a unique advantage of home visits is the opportunity to observe your cat's behaviour in their own environment. many pet owners are unaware that over 50% of common cat health problems manifest as behavioural changes. support for multiple pets for families with several pets, home visits can streamline veterinary care. instead of enduring multiple trips to the clinic, a veterinarian can evaluate all of your pets at once. this not only saves time but also minimizes stress for your pets, as they remain in a familiar environment during their consultations. strengthening the owner pet relationship home visits enhance the bond between pet owners and their cats. with less stress and personalized care, cats feel more secure, and owners can advocate for their pets’ health more effectively. a thoughtful choice for pet care home visits for cats are on the rise, and for good reason. from reduced stress to personalized and convenient care, the benefits are quite compelling. choosing a home visit prioritizes your cat’s comfort while fostering a comprehensive approach to their well being. to view or add a comment, sign in 81 followers ***** we are looking to partner with veterinary clinics in the uae that are interested in adding pet health care plans / wellness plans to their clinic.***** what is a pet health care plan? a pet health care plan, is a structured program designed to help pet owners manage the costs associated with their pet's healthcare needs. these plans typically offer a range of benefits and coverage options that can vary depending on the provider and the specific plan chosen. here are some key aspects typically covered by a pet health care plan: preventive care: plans may include coverage for routine preventive care such as vaccinations, annual exams, dental cleanings, and parasite control (like flea and tick prevention). wellness benefits: certain plans may offer wellness benefits that cover routine expenses not typically covered by insurance, such as routine exams, blood tests, and dental check ups. chronic conditions: some plans may cover chronic conditions that require ongoing treatment and management, such as diabetes or arthritis. client loyalty: certain loyalty benefits can be added such as discounts on front of house products and medications. pet health care plans can provide financial peace of mind by helping to offset veterinary costs, allowing pet owners to provide necessary medical care without facing significant financial burdens whilst building loyalty with the clinic. interested? get in touch #animalhealth #animalhealthuae to view or add a comment, sign in vice president, business operations at opencape corporation in his blog, douglas dawson shares how the pandemic brought telemedicine to the forefront not just for humans but for pets, too! veterinary telemedicine has spared countless furry friends, like baxter the cat, from the dreaded vet carrier while helping pet owners navigate everything from midnight emergencies to “is this houseplant poisonous” moments. it’s a great example of how broadband makes life easier (though it still might not convince baxter the vet isn’t plotting against him). at opencape, we’ve seen a big increase in demand from veterinarians since covid 19. we’re proud to support this growing trend and recently connected cape cod veterinary specialists in buzzards bay to help bring top notch care to pets and peace of mind to their owners. does your veterinarian offer this modern solution or are they stuck in the dark ages of coax cable? #weareopencape #veterinarytelemedicine #broadbandforpets #petcarerevolution #connectedcommunities #furryfriendsfirst to view or add a comment, sign in 856 followers create your free account or sign in to continue your search or by clicking continue to join or sign in, you agree to linkedin’s user agreement, privacy policy, and cookie policy. new to linkedin? 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supported by film and podcast club animal medicine has become a high tech industry. is that a good thing for pets and their owners? by the learning network over the past decade, the cost of veterinary care in the u.s. has skyrocketed, as health care for pets has come to look more like health care for people. in “loving their pets to death,” a 28 minute episode of “the daily” podcast, katie thomas, an investigative health care reporter for the times, discusses how pet care has become a multi billion dollar industry, creating a fraught emotional and financial landscape for pet owners. transcript this transcript was created using speech recognition software. while it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email transcripts@nytimes.com with any questions. [bark] uh oh. [bark] clementine, stop. [bark] oh, my gosh. sorry. she has thoughts. from “the new york times,” i’m sabrina tavernise, and this is “the daily.” over the past decade, the cost of veterinary care in the us has skyrocketed as health care for pets has come to look more like health care for people. today, my colleague katie thomas on how vet care became a multi billion dollar industry and the fraught emotional and financial landscape it has created for pet owners. [music playing] it’s friday, july 12th. [music playing] katie, welcome to our friday episode. yeah, i’m excited. so, katie, you recently wrote about something that i as a pet owner, and a lot of people on this team   also pet owners   can relate to. and that is that the cost of veterinary care has skyrocketed. tell me how you came to this story. yeah. so a couple of years ago, my family and i, we got a new dog. we got a puppy, and his name was roscoe. and he did great. the first year, he was a very healthy little dog. and then when he was about a year and a half old, he got very sick. and we learned that he had been born with a very serious liver defect. and our vet referred us to a bigger animal hospital, and that’s kind of when i entered this world that’s a new level of veterinary care that i hadn’t realized existed. so as i was navigating this, i was wearing two hats. one was just as a pet owner and trying to figure out the right treatment for my dog. and then the other hat i was wearing is as the health care reporter, which is my full time job. so i kept on noticing a lot of aspects of the veterinary world that, to me, were starting to feel very, very similar to the human health care world that i cover. and as i started looking into this, i started learning just how much money there is, now, in the veterinary industry, and also how expensive this care has become over the last couple of decades. i learned that very quickly, these bills can start adding up to $5,000, $10,000, even $15,000. and how much have prices actually increased? i mean, it seems to me like a huge amount, but what are the numbers there? so as we know, prices for all kinds of things are going up because we’ve seen inflation over the last couple of years. but vet care prices have risen much faster than the overall rate of inflation. my colleagues and i actually ran the numbers, and in the last decade, the price of services has risen about 30 percent. and in that same period, veterinary care has gone up by more than 60 percent. why is that, katie? i mean, that’s the question here. what’s going on? so when i started reporting this out, i found that there were a number of factors that were contributing. and they’re all intertwined. one is just that the culture of owning a pet has changed. more and more people are owning pets. and there’s different surveys, but anywhere between 60 percent to 70 percent of american households have a pet. and as those of us who do have pets know, we kind see them more and more as members of the family. i mean, one example is, dogs used to live outside, or sleep in a garage, or something. and now, there’s this one survey that i found that almost half of americans sleep with their pet. i would never do that, katie. no, none of us would. and we just need to walk into any pet store to see how much money people are spending on pets for cute outfits, birthday cookies. when you go away, you don’t just leave them in a kennel, but there are now dog hotels. there’s this fancy one near me where they have a view of the chicago river. oh, my god. you can pay extra for a river view. ok, i would never leave my dog in a dog hotel, though i did just send her to a boarding place where she got a bunch of training when i was on vacation. so i am feeling a little sheepish here. but it has gone crazy. i mean, we were talking to the team earlier, and i was saying i was overhearing someone on the street just walking, talking to their friend, having a conversation about dropping “her” off at daycare. and i couldn’t tell whether she was talking about a dog or a child. right, exactly. ok, so we are all pet owners now, or at least a majority of us are, so that bigger demand for services presumably causes prices to rise. is that what’s going on here? yeah, that’s a part of it. but the big driver is also that there’s just been these remarkable advances in medicine for animals. and it’s kind of like what i saw with my own puppy. historically, vets would help with really kind of basic things, like a cut on a paw, or a de worming, or a spaying and neutering. but for anything life threatening, like cancer or something like that, really, the only option that they had available to them was to put the animals to sleep and to give them a humane death. but over the last decade, there’s just been huge leaps in what we can do for our pets. there’s been big steps in cancer care, very intricate and involved surgery, dermatology. there’s been some really big new drugs, for dogs in particular, to help with skin allergies. there’s physical therapy. there’s just so many options now available to pet owners to help their animals live longer and better lives. for example, i spoke to this one vet who, she’s been working since the 1990s, and she told me this story about how her father was a human doctor. and back then, what she would do is she had a lot of dachshunds, and dachshunds often have bad backs, and she would sneak them into the human hospital after hours and into the mri machine so she could check them out. and today, she has an mri machine. and many animal hospitals have mri machines for animals. so that’s really a measure of how things have changed even since the 1990s. yeah. and it’s pretty amazing and great that we have these options available for our pets, but it also costs a lot of money to do all of this new stuff, which brings me to another big change that i found in my reporting, which is, this has become very appealing to big businesses, because just remember, historically, veterinary offices were small businesses, and they were staffed by animal lovers, not business people. and that has made it an enticing target for investors, because they see an opportunity there. ok. so big business spots an opportunity here. so what happens? so basically, big companies and private equity firms start buying up small chains and individual clinics. they pretty much go on an acquisition spree. one big example is the conglomerate mars, which is probably best known for selling candy and also pet food. little known fact. mars is also a big dog food manufacturer, not just a candy bar maker. yes, it makes a lot of different dog foods. and it’s been in the pet world for a long time. but over the last several years, they’ve also bought up the big veterinary chain vca. they also own banfield, which is in a lot of the petsmarts, which is a big pet store chain. they also own a specialty hospital chain called bluepearl. and then in addition to that, a lot of private equity backed firms have been buying small individual practices. that trend really peaked in 2021, for example. and so the situation that we have today is that a quarter of all primary care vet clinics are now owned by corporations, and 3/4 of specialty hospitals are owned by companies. and, katie, how does this consolidation   in some cases, 3/4 of all clinics owned by big companies   how does that affect these high prices we’ve been talking about? well, i spoke to a number of vets who have worked in these corporate owned clinics. and what they told me is that they are under increasing pressure to do things that basically drive up the cost of care for pet owners. some examples that they gave me is, they felt increasingly stressed and pressured to see more animals per day. others told me, to a certain extent, veterinarians have always had some of their pay tied to how much revenue they bring into the practice. but at these corporate owned clinics, the pressure is even greater. they were being asked to order more tests. or one veterinarian that i spoke to said that she was told she needs to get her cost per client higher. or someone else said that someone needed training on getting a pet owner to yes. these are high pressure sales tactics that you really don’t expect to see in a vet office. and some of these vets that i spoke to said that they felt pretty uncomfortable with that as well. so now there’s this doubt. it’s like, is my vet recommending this thing because my dog should have this thing, or is my vet recommending this thing because he needs to make a different bottom line than he used to? right. and when i spoke to vets, they were very clear that they only provide the care that they think is best for that particular animal. but there’s no denying that these incentives and pressures are there. and they say that there’s a lot of factors that pet owners don’t always appreciate. one of them is, they’re very forward, public facing, kind of almost like a retail store. they get google reviews, yelp reviews. and so they’re very worried about not providing the top level care and perhaps getting eviscerated in reviews. and so sometimes, that can put pressure on them to make sure that they’ve done absolutely everything they can for an animal. the last thing is that a lot of veterinarians do still own their own clinics. and they told me that they’re facing all of the same rising costs and pressures that any other small business owner is facing. and that includes paying a living wage for workers in a pretty tight labor market, the rising costs of prescription drugs and lab tests and other equipment. and they say that a lot of times, pet owners just see the high price tag and they blame the person in front of them, which is the veterinarian. ok, so the rise of this corporate consolidation we’ve been seeing has meant perhaps higher prices and has put more pressure on vets. but are there any upsides in it for us, for consumers? i mean, just one example from my old neighborhood in washington, dc, there was a new chain that moved in that was 24 hours, and that was a great option for my very accident prone dog. she suddenly had a couple of different options of places that we could go in the middle of the night if something happened. for sure. i mean, anytime there’s more money available, you can invest in better services, nicer offices, nicer waiting rooms. there’s more money for better equipment and investing in some of these specialty services that we’ve been talking about. so there are definitely benefits to this. but as i found in my reporting, even as vet care has really caught up in a lot of ways to human health care, there’s a lot of important ways that they’re different. and that can present some really difficult choices and some prickly moral choices for pet owners. we’ll be right back. [music playing] so, katie, let’s dig into the ways that pet care is actually different from human care, setting aside the fact that pets are not people. so talk to me about what these main differences are. the biggest difference is how the pet care gets paid for. i’m not sure anyone in the us would say that health care is particularly affordable, but the fact of the matter is that most people do have health insurance that covers the bulk of their medical costs. and if you are in an emergency situation, hospitals are legally obligated to give you life saving care and then sort out the bills later. but that’s just not how things work in the vet world. veterinarians don’t have the same obligation to treat, and so it’s almost entirely on the pet owner to pay the full amount of the bill basically up front and at the time of service out of pocket. so that is a big difference. but isn’t there pet insurance as well? there is pet insurance, but a very small minority of pet owners actually have pet insurance, just about 4 percent. and it’s very different from the health insurance that most of us are familiar with. some examples are that, with very few exceptions, you still have to front the money for the bill. and then you would submit that claim to your pet insurance, which will then decide whether that’s a legitimate claim and then they will reimburse you. generally, plans don’t cover preexisting conditions. they charge more for pets that are older. it’s kind of like the pre obamacare version of human health care. many things that are now not allowed in the human health care world are still very much a feature of how pet insurance works. and even if you have pet insurance, that doesn’t always mean that you can keep it. to take one example, nationwide, which is one of the biggest providers of pet insurance in this country, recently said that the cost of pet care is getting so expensive that it had to discontinue the plans of 100,000 pet owners. and so that left a lot of these pet owners basically back where they had started, with having to cover the cost of the care themselves. and that’s, of course, presuming they can pay. i mean, i’m sure for a lot of people, their devotion to their animal notwithstanding, it’s just not possible to drop a few thousand dollars on these amazing, life saving treatments. so are those people who can’t afford that just having to put their pets down? and what are those people doing? and this is where this just gets extremely thorny and difficult. i think there’s a number of different answers. yes, i think some people do have to put their animals to sleep or choose less expensive options. but when i talk to pet owners about this, many of them went to pretty extreme lengths in order to cover this care and to find a way to pay for it. i spoke to people who dipped into their retirement funds. i spoke to somebody who donated blood plasma, someone else who took on a second job in order to pay for this. and many people also charge it on a regular credit card, like a visa, and then pay it off. but another option that a lot of pet owners end up going for is something called a medical credit card. and what exactly is that? it’s a specialty credit card that’s offered at a lot of these veterinary clinics. it’s right there on the counter, often. and the way that these cards generally work is that there’s an introductory period   say, six months. and if you pay that off within that period, you don’t have to pay any interest at all. but if you don’t pay it off and you still have some debt at the end of that, the interest rate can be pretty serious. like, how much? well, i spoke to this one pet owner. her name is heather massey. and she shared her bills with me. and she’s paying 30 percent. wow, so that’s high. yes, it is high. but you can also see why it’s tempting. you’re really struggling to figure out how you can pay off this pretty significant bill. and then this is an available option to you. and many people think that, hey, i can think i can do that. i can pay off that during that six months or something like that. but heather is not alone. i spoke to the company that she got her card through, care credit, and they told me that 80 percent of people who take out the card pay it off in time. but put another way, that means 1 in 5 people who take it out don’t pay it off within the introductory period. so a lot of people going into debt for their pets. yes. and can i just pause for a moment on that, katie? i mean, these are dogs and cats. these are not our children. and yet we’re going into debt like this, trying to prolong their pretty short lives. it does seem kind of nuts, in a way. but at the same time, i’m imagining myself in that vet office, staring at the bill, and staring at a very sick clementine. and i think i would have a really hard time not doing that myself, not taking on that debt. i can easily imagine myself doing it. it’s hard. yeah, it’s really hard. and i think we’re in a whole new world right now. the vets that i spoke to used to say that, really, the only option for a very sick animal was euthanasia. and now, they’re going into these exam rooms and offering pet owners so many other options to prolong the life of their dogs and cats. but regardless of what options these pet owners choose, what’s happening is that they’re the ones who end up in the driver’s seat. the decision ultimately sits with them, and they’re now faced with this whole new set of ethical questions and big financial responsibilities that they really never had before. when there’s always another treatment to try and there’s a credit card to put it on, it feels, to the pet owner, like it’s their choice about whether their pet lives or dies. right. and the question comes up, just because you can, does that mean you should? and is that always in the best interest of the pet? it’s actually the question that i wrestled with with my own puppy. he got very sick. it turned out he had a very serious health problem. and so in our case, we learned that there was a surgery that could fix it   pretty expensive surgery, but we decided to go for it because he was young and had, potentially, a long dog’s life ahead of him. unfortunately, he experienced complications from the surgery and he didn’t actually make it. but i don’t regret having done it. and he got really great care. my experience just really echoed what i heard from so many pet owners and veterinarians, that there’s really no easy answers to these very new questions that we’re all facing. you kind of have to sort out the risks and rewards of pet ownership. and in my case, i decided it was worth it to me. and i recently got a new dog. so here we go again. katie, thank you. thanks for having me. we’ll be right back. [music playing] here’s what else you should know today. on thursday night, amid growing doubts about his age and mental fitness, president biden wrapped up a summit of nato leaders in washington   and now, i want to hand it over to the president of ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. ladies and gentlemen, president putin.   by mistakenly introducing the president of ukraine as the president of russia. president putin. he’s going to beat president putin. president zelenskyy. later   with that, i’ll take your questions. i’ve been given a list of people to call on here.   biden held a news conference that was widely seen as a crucial test of his stamina and coherence. in his first answer, he once again stumbled when referring to his own vice president. look, i wouldn’t have picked vice president trump to be vice president, so i think she was not qualified to be president. so let’s start there. but over the next hour, biden spoke with fluency and command about the war in gaza, america’s policy toward china, and his relationship with russian president vladimir putin. and when pressed on his age and ability to serve a second term, biden said he had no reservations. every single day, i’m surrounded by good docs. if they think there’s a problem, i promise you   or even if they don’t think it’s a problem, they think i should have a neurological exam again, i’ll do it. no one’s suggesting that to me now. still, when the news conference was over, three more house democrats called on biden to step aside as nominee. as of thursday night, 18 congressional democrats have asked biden to end his campaign. a quick reminder to catch a new episode of “the interview” right here tomorrow. this week, lulu garcia navarro talks with robert putnam, the author of “bowling alone.” for decades, he’s been warning about the decline of american community and what that means for our democracy. we’re not going to fix all these problems in america   polarization, inequality, social isolation   until we start feeling we have an obligation to care for other people. and that’s not easy. today’s episode was produced by olivia natt, clare toeniskoetter, and rikki novetsky. it was edited by lexie diao and devon taylor with research help from susan lee. contains original music by dan powell and rowan niemisto, and was engineered by alyssa moxley. our theme music is by jim brunberg and ben landsverk of wonderly. special thanks to zuzu, piper, tiger, chichi, zadie, toby, gerald, cosmo, and clementine. that’s it for “the daily.” i’m sabrina tavernise. see you on monday. [music playing] do you have any pets? have you ever wanted one? what is your reaction to the podcast episode? are you surprised to learn that animal medicine has turned into a high tech industry worth billions? do you think the advanced medical offerings available in veterinary care   and the related, skyrocketing costs   are in the best interests of pets and their owners? is the industry creating an unsustainable situation for animal owners? can there ever be too much care when it comes to our own pets? students 1. listen the podcast above. while you listen, you might take notes using our film and podcast club double entry journal (pdf) to help you remember specific moments. 2. after watching, think about these questions: what moments in this podcast stood out for you? why? were there any surprises? anything that challenged what you know   or thought you knew? what messages, emotions or ideas will you take away from this podcast? why?

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"people have grown more attached to their pets   and more willing to spend money on them   turning animal medicine into a high tech industry worth billions." to view or add a comment, sign in veterinarian i founder of banded peak vet hospital, dogs with no names, pearls 365, and larkspur wildlife sanctuary i passions include : re imagining animal wellness, be your pet's superhero, mindful eating visiting a veterinary hospital can evoke feelings of apprehension, both for you and your furry companion. the concerns you may have are valid:   the worry that your dog/cat may not feel comfortable in that environment.   the fear of being separated from your beloved pet.   unease about unnecessary diagnostic tests/ treatments being recommended.   uncertainty regarding the veterinarian's level of expertise.   the concern that your voice and concerns may not be fully heard. it's important to acknowledge that the current animal medicine model mirrors that of human medicine, lacking innovation and tailored approaches for modern pet care needs. to embark on a fulfilling journey with your furry best friend, it's crucial to step into the role of a proactive and empowered pet owner   becoming your pet's ultimate advocate. embrace this role with determination and don your metaphorical hero cape; you have the ability to champion your pet's well being. to view or add a comment, sign in 4,519 followers dear veterinary professionals, during stressful situations like fireworks, long car rides, vet visits, or even in times of crisis, pets often experience heightened anxiety. 🐾 stress out by dr. seidel is an effective solution that you can confidently prescribe to help pets feel calmer and manage their anxious state. by recommending stress out, you provide pet owners with a reliable way to ensure their furry companions remain calm and comfortable, fostering a better bond and trust between pets and their humans. let’s make every visit, drive, or unexpected event a little less stressful for pets and their families. #veterinarycare #pethealth #calmpets #ivet #drseidel #petanxietysolution to view or add a comment, sign in the u.s. companion animal health market is set for significant growth, projected to reach $20.7 billion by 2030. this surge is driven by increased pet ownership, advancements in veterinary technology, and the rise of e commerce in pet care. major players are leading the charge and there's a tremendous opportunity for startups to innovate and meet the growing demands of pet owners. are you a running a startup in the pet space? let's connect! #companionanimalhealth #petcare #marketgrowth to view or add a comment, sign in 2,968 followers this #doganxietyawarenessweek, we're shedding light on an important issue: dog anxiety. from separation anxiety to noise phobias, our dogs can experience a range of anxiety related challenges that affect their well being. we're deeply committed to assisting our veterinary partners in supporting both pets and their owners through those stressful moments. by collaborating closely with our partners and your pet's veterinarian, we provide a range of anxiety medications to meet your pet's needs. together, let's raise awareness and ensure every dog receives the support they need. #veterinarycare #mentalhealthforpets #veterinaryexcellence #petcare #partnerinpethealth #petanxiety to view or add a comment, sign in communications manager at lumacare lasers 🐾 discover how lumacare ark is transforming cold laser therapy for dogs! 🐶✨ our latest blog, "how lumacare ark transforms cold laser therapy for dogs," dives into the incredible benefits of this innovative treatment. see how lumacare ark is setting new standards in veterinary care by providing a non invasive, effective solution for various canine conditions. whether you're a pet owner or a veterinary professional, this article is a must read for anyone interested in the latest advancements in pet health technology. 🔗 read more here: https://buff.ly/3v7ydma #petcare #coldlasertherapy #lumacareark #healthypets #veterinaryinnovation to view or add a comment, sign in 924 followers the future of veterinary care is evolving, and licensed technicians are poised to play a crucial role. as our founder and ceo, mark cushing notes: "as the model of a veterinarian centric practice leaves center stage and we evolve (like our human health compatriots) toward client  and pet centric models, the door will open widely for licensed technicians to play a more prominent role in pet health care." this shift represents a significant opportunity for veterinary technicians and a more efficient, client focused approach to animal healthcare. what are your thoughts on this transition? how do you see the role of vet techs evolving in the coming years? #veterinarycare #vettechs #animalhealthcare #petcare #veterinarymedicine to view or add a comment, sign in 13,547 followers on #nationalcancerawarenessday, let's come together to advocate for our pet's health and wellness. at vivaldis animal health, we're dedicated to supporting pet parents and veterinarians in the fight against pet cancer. together, let’s prioritize prevention, spread awareness, and support innovations that improve the quality of life for all pets. know the signs, take preventive steps, and let’s keep working together for a cancer free future for our beloved pets. every small step can make a big difference. #petcancerawareness #cancerawareness #earlydetectionsaveslives #pethealth #togetheragainstcancer #fightcancer #pawsagainstcancer #veterinaryoncology to view or add a comment, sign in 225 followers did you know that may is chip your pet month? every year, many pets in saskatchewan end up in animal pounds, and due to a lack of identification, they cannot be reunited with their owners. during chip your pet month, the saskspca urges you to have your pet microchipped. this small device is implanted below your pet's skin, allowing veterinary clinics and animal shelters to scan the chip and contact you should your pet end up in their care. it's a simple process that could help bring your pet home should they ever go missing. you can learn more about having your pet microchipped by speaking with your veterinary team. to view or add a comment, sign in 21 followers "the senior dog veterinary society (sdvs) has partnered with elanco animal health to improve care for senior and geriatric dogs through education, research, and community support. with more than 26.5 million senior dogs in the u.s.,1 this collaboration aims to address the growing need for specialized care in aging pets." https://lnkd.in/ecmwprki to view or add a comment, sign in 6 followers unleashing the future of canine health care: sanjeev goel md vision for peak canine peak canine is a project that blends the latest advancements in human healthcare with veterinary knowledge to give our furry companions the same level of care we would expect for ourselves. pets, particularly dogs, do not simply share our homes; they reside in the hearts of millions of families, becoming an intrinsic part of our lives. despite this profound bond, dr. sanjeev recognized a gap in the level and quality of healthcare available to our canine companions compared to human standards. inspired by this discrepancy, peak canine was founded with the ambitious goal of fostering human level healthcare that pivots from treating illnesses to embracing preventive measures to ensure our pets' longevity and well being. beyond veterinary care traditional veterinary care has played an integral role in attending to our pets' health needs, focusing mainly on acute conditions or presenting complaints. however, peak canine wishes to transcend these confines by adopting a more holistic approach. the strategy is geared towards prevention contemplating not just the present but prioritizing the future health of dogs. this approach encompasses a gamut of innovative tests and interventions pioneering in pet healthcare, including metabolic testing, genetic screening, and even biological age determination for dogs. we're seeking the first 100 dogs to participate in the first metabolic and biological study to understand longevity and anti aging for dogs better. for more information, head on over to www.peakcanine.ca #peakcanine #petlovers #doglovers #dogwellness to view or add a comment, sign in 6,707 followers create your free account or sign in to continue your search or by clicking continue to join or sign in, you agree to linkedin’s user agreement, privacy policy, and cookie policy. new to linkedin? 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the appa research & insights team makes the industry statistics available publicly on an annual basis. discover additional insights and data related to our national pet owners survey in our strategic insights research reports. 2023 actual sales in the u.s. market *other services category includes boarding, grooming, insurance, training, pet sitting, pet walking, and all services outside of veterinary care. 2024 projected sales in the u.s. market according to the 2024 appa national pet owners survey as cited in appa's state of the industry report, 82 million u.s. households own a pet. below, we report on the pet ownership statistics by species type and by generational segment. discover the latest pet industry insights from appa with the 2024 dog & cat report, including ownership trends, pet related purchasing behavior, and consumer sentiment information. © 2024 appa privacy policy terms of use
supported by people have grown more attached to their pets   and more willing to spend money on them   turning animal medicine into a high tech industry worth billions. by katie thomas this article is part of our pets special section on scientists’ growing interest in our animal companions. heather massey brought ladybird to the veterinarian when the 9 year old mutt began having seizures. a scan from an m.r.i. machine revealed bad news: brain cancer. with the prognosis grim, ms. massey decided against further treatment at the animal hospital near her home in athens, ga., and ladybird died four months later. the m.r.i. scan and related care had cost nearly $2,000, which ms. massey put on a specialty credit card she had learned about at a previous vet visit. that was in 2018. she is still paying off the debt, with more than 30 percent interest. “could i afford to do that? not really,” said ms. massey, 52, who is disabled and does not work. “was it worth it to me? yes.” ms. massey’s experience illustrates the expensive new realities of owning a pet. for decades, veterinarians typically operated their own clinics, shepherding generations of pets from birth to death. they neutered, vaccinated and pulled thorns from paws and noses. when animals became seriously ill, vets often had little to offer beyond condolences and a humane death. but in recent years, as people have grown more attached to their pets   and more willing to spend money on them   animal medicine has transformed into a big business that looks a lot like its human counterpart. many veterinary offices have been replaced by hospitals outfitted with expensive m.r.i. machines, sophisticated lab equipment and round the clock intensive care units. dogs and cats often see highly trained specialists in neurology, cardiology and oncology. this high tech care has spurred a booming market.