Managing Veterinary Costs

Do most veterinarians charge for consultation about a horse’s condition as well as for veterinary care given?

A. This depends on the situation.  For the most part, consultations about a horse’s condition concern a specific veterinary medical problem and related diagnostic or therapeutic decisions.  In this situation the veterinarian is reporting the findings and recommendations related to s specific case. Most veterinarians would not charge for such a consultation unless a written report was requested.

However, if an owner requests a specific examination and consultation, a charge should be expected.  Unfortunately, because of a long-established custom, veterinarians at the racetrack are not compensated for the professional advice but rather through the routine care they provide. Owners are seldom charged for the numerous examinations veterinarians perform in the typical day-to-day operation of a racing stable.  Rather, for the average practitioner, the veterinarian’s compensation comes through charges for routine veterinary care.  This is an awkward way for any professional to bill for services due to the inherent conflict of interest. The AAEP and racetrack veterinarians have recognized this for many years, but changing this long-established racetrack business practice has been difficult.  Doing so would greatly improve the professional relationship between owners and veterinarians.   

Rick Arthur, DVM

Sierra Madre, Calif.