Finances Schminances-The Vet Clinic and the Dollar

It is often said in the veterinary world all we think about is money.  We focus on finances.  All we care about is money.  Well, I'm here to say, yep, we are guilty.  When we go into an exam room we are not supposed to think about money.  We are not supposed to judge, predetermine, or allow finances to color our recommendation.  However, when our clients that we have come to accept as part of the Morris family tell us about how they have lost their jobs, or their homes, or how they can't afford their own medications, finances quickly become all we can think about.  

How do we suggest that blood panel that your 11 year old Golden Retriever needs so that we can pick up early kidney disease or cancer?  How do we look you in the face and ask to perform a blood pressure to monitor cardiac disease in your 19 year old cat?  Simple; you are here asking us to help you to keep your beloved Fluffy as healthy as we can.  You are asking us to do a job and we have to get over our discomfort and give you your money's worth.  Sometimes that is just our doctor's opinion.  Sometimes that is on a full blown diagnostic and treatment plan.  We have an obligation to help you be an advocate for your pet and offer the best.  If you can't afford it we trust that you will tell us and we will work together as best we can to work within those confines.  

This has been an exceptionally difficult summer season for us.  We are watching so many of our clients hurt.  But, we cannot let you down by not doing the job you are paying for.  We will let you know what needs to be done.  We will help you then to decide what can be done.  We will work together.  This is the only way we will get through this very painful time in our history.  Our promise to you: not to let you down.

chris