Pet hates about prices

WHAT'S THE STORY WITH VETERINARY COSTS:Instead of a swift boot, today's overly aggressive mutt might be offered behaviourist therapy at a cost of €150 per session. A dog's orthopaedic surgery following a car crash will set you back €1,500 while an elderly Fido is just as likely to be offered an MRI scan followed by a hip replacement, cataract surgery and an extensive course of expensive antibiotics at a combined cost of several thousand euro before the "farm" option is even discussed.

Although the improvements in animal healthcare are good news for pet lovers - and even better news for their pets - the rising cost of vets' visits are a lot less cheering. What makes the high bills harder to take for many is that shopping around for better value vets is next to impossible. Pet owners are frequently stymied by a dearth of information because vets are prohibited by their governing body from advertising or offering discounts in order to attract new business.

In recent times, the Competition Authority has highlighted problems with Ireland's grocers, doctors and dentists, and now it is the turn of the veterinary profession to come under its baleful glare. Last week, the Authority released a comprehensive report into the sector and it makes for disquieting reading.

It found "a number of unnecessary restrictions on competition between vets" which, it says, are keeping prices in this country artificially high. According to the Authority, there have been "significant changes in the demand for veterinary services" in Ireland over the last decade, with higher disposable income contributing to a substantial rise in demand for veterinary services for pets as opposed to farm animals.

THE INCREASED DEMAND for pet care has seen a migration of vets from the farming to the domestic sector but, although competition on the surface looks to be increasing, prices are not falling. The Authority says competition between vets is "actively discouraged by the Veterinary Council of Ireland's (VCI) Code of Professional Conduct" and says the restrictions placed on vets "go beyond what is necessary to protect animals and the public from unethical conduct".

The country's 2,446 vets are forbidden from advertising prices, offering discounts or touting for business, according to the Competition Authority. These restrictions mean consumers are denied access to basic information about the availability, terms and prices of veterinary services, according to the report, and this lack of transparency "reduces competitive pressure on vets", which can keep prices artificially high.

"Truthful, informative advertising and price discounts typically drive competition. Relaxing these unnecessary restrictions would encourage vets to compete on price, to offer new services and to deliver their services in new customer-focused ways," the report says.

Amongst its recommendations, the Competition Authority wants to see the VCI limit its restrictions on advertising to prohibit advertising that is false or misleading; it should also, says the Authority, remove its prohibition on touting.

In the absence of such reform, and even if and when the Competition Authority's recommendations are adopted, people will be keen to cut some of the potential costs of owning a pet, quite apart from the annual cost of looking after an average-sized dog, which is estimated to be in excess of €1,000 - and that is before add-on costs such as your puppy eating your mobile phone or shattering your glasses is factored in.

One obvious way to avoid a nasty financial headache is pet insurance, which over the last seven years has become a significant if still niche area for Allianz, the only company selling pet insurance in the Republic. The annual cost of a policy for a pedigree cat is €126 while the cost of covering a pedigree dog is €210; the price of what are considered to be select breeds, bulldogs, Rottweilers, St Bernards, is €240.

ONE DOG-OWNING Pricewatch reader took out a policy for his Labrador last year after being hit for bills of over €700 for two minor operations in 2006. Since the policy came into effect, the dog has been the picture of canine good health but our reader still believes it is money well spent.

It is the seemingly minor incidents that can cost the most. According to Allianz, a dog that ate 20 chocolate coins last Easter had to have its stomach pumped at a cost of around €400 to its owners.

Another dog ate an earring and had to have surgery to remove it, again at a cost of €400, while a third got into a street fight, suffered a nasty bite and needed reconstructive surgery to the tune of €300.

Allianz's Pet Insurance Policy covers injuries and illnesses for life, and there is no limit on how long you can claim for each illness or injury, no matter how ill your pet may become or how much you have claimed in the previous year. The policy covers vet's fees, third party liability, kennel fees and will also pay out for advertising and rewards should your pet go missing.

Pet project  Canine care costs

Diabetes

This is occurring more and more in dogs these days due to bad diet and rising obesity levels. It is also congenital in some breeds. A dog with diabetes can cost in the region of €2,500 to treat per annum.

Cataract surgery

An expensive surgery which will cost €2,000 per eye, and generally speaking when one eye goes the other is fairly likely to follow.

Cruciate ligaments

Traditionally associated with professional footballers, dodgy cruciates can be quite common in pedigree dogs. They cost €2,000 per leg to treat and can also lead to arthritis in later life, which will need further pricey treatment.

Atopy

This is a skin disorder which needs ongoing drug treatment at a cost of €300 per month, totalling over €3,000 per year

Hip replacements

At present they can only be done in Northern Ireland and cost £3,000 (€3,800)