Post mortem costs

Karly · Dec 10, 2006

Sorry it's a bit grim, but I just got a statement through from my vets and they're charging £165 for Squishy's post-mortem. Is this normal? I was quoted around £50 when I was enquiring about a PM on a rat, and that was to be sent away to a specialist, so this came as a bit of a shock!
Even if it's not a ripoff, I'm quite angry that nothing was said about the cost of it at the time, when it's quite a large amount of money.
I don't begrudge spending the money to find out something that may possibly help Nina, but wondered if this was the usual price or if they're charging too much.

buddabun · Dec 10, 2006

afraid i have no idea but it does seem very steep!!!

have they already done it cos htye should have consulted you about the cost before going ahead!!

Bundle · Dec 10, 2006

I think as with all vet's charges it varies enormously. The vets I used to work at didn't charge for a PM if the owner hadn't asked for it - sometimes they would do them for their own peace of mind and as a back-up to their diagnosis. If the owner requested a PM then a charge was made but I certainly don't remember it being very much, and usually just covered any costs that were incurred with sending tissue samples etc away for testing.

£165 sounds excessive to me - did you request the PM or did they just do it and then charge you after the event? Does your statement list out exactly what they did and what proportion of it are lab/test fees? If not I would ask them why it's so expensive and request a detailed breakdown of the costs incurred.

Suzanne · Dec 10, 2006

I'm suprised that they didn't give you a price beforehand. Our vet always gives us an estimated price before they carry out any procedures. I would ask them for more details.

Tamsin · Dec 10, 2006

The cost depends on what tests are done. But I think the vet should make clear how much something is going to cost (at least roughly) in advance. If they suggest a pm then issue you with a bill for £165 that's a bit off.

I'd discuss it with your vet first and see if you can come to an amicable agreement (get them to knock some off) otherwise contact the RCVS and ask them for advice.

Tam

bizzy_vicki · Dec 10, 2006

They definately should have told you the price first!
In our practice we have 2 quotes for PM's, one for a PM and verbal conclusion which is about £50 and the second option is PM with full written statement including conclusion which is about £150.

maxxev · Dec 10, 2006

i had a post-mortem on my dutch rabbit in january. my vets charged £120. this did include a toxicology report but i can't remeber what else.
i would ask your vet for an itemized bill if you are concerned about the price. any unusualy tests would increase the price but they should have discussed exactly what they would perform and the cost of each additional test. :?

chloaster · Dec 10, 2006

I does depend on what they are doing. Rebecca did a post mortem on two of my baby buns when they died for free, just having a look round at all the organs and stuff, but if I'd wanted all the blood tests and things done it would have amounted to over about £200 but that's the lab charges and not the vets. Some labs are cheaper I believe if near a vet school or similar then students do it for a lot less.
Just to add though, they should have checked with you that you were happy for the possible coat, not many people are flush enough not to want the choice of whether to spend £165 or not!
Another add - sorry to ask but what did they actually do in the pm? Did they send blood away etc or just have a look? Cos if they didn't get tests and stuff done I'd say they are pulling a fast one big time.

Karly · Dec 11, 2006

I don't know what type of PM they're doing, they didn't discuss that with me either :? I was upset at the time because it was the day after I'd rushed in at midnight, and losing Squishy and Rex, so was tired and very upset, and I do feel that the vet was very vague with me. I'd taken Nina in for a checkup and he'd basically said he couldn't tell anything for certain, and that it was best to do a PM. I'd brought along Squishy's body as I thought it might be the case and he just took it and that was that. No mention of price, what they'd do, etc. :?
I think I'll see if the head vet is available tomorrow and go in to talk about it. I don't want to upset them or anything as they're great vets, and if at the end of the day that's what it costs then I'll pay it but just quite offended really at the way it was done.

chloaster · Dec 11, 2006

I'm so sorry. It does sound very insensitive the way they handled the whole situation. I hope you get some answers tomorrow. Best Wishes.x

raine · Dec 11, 2006

From a legal point of view the onus would be on you to have asked for an estimate. I guess from a moral point of view, if it were going to be this expensive one would have hoped that they gave you an indication up front. I think as a practice it could be a learning experience for them. Obviously when someone has a pm, it is because they have lost a beloved pet, and the practice needs to ensure that it deals with this part of their operation smoothly and with care, and that does mean conveying high costs up front.

I am sorry that you are experiencing this after losing Squishy and Rex. You have to consider is it worth raising retrospectively and whether you might want to knock it on the head. Only you know the relationship you have with your vet and whether it will be worth it overall.

Post mortem costs

Karly

Banned

buddabun

Warren Veteran

Bundle

Mama Doe

Suzanne

Mama Doe

Tamsin

Administrator

bizzy_vicki

Mama Doe

maxxev

Mama Doe

chloaster

Warren Veteran

Karly

Banned

chloaster

Warren Veteran

raine

Warren Veteran

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