Resources for the public

Veterinary Fees & Pet Health Insurance

Understanding Veterinary Fees

We are frequently asked as a profession to explain the breakdown of costs associated with providing veterinary services. The objective of this pamphlet is to present this data in an understandable form to the public. All data was obtained by recent surveys undertaken by an external organization in conjunction with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.

Small Animal Practice

Distribution of each dollar of fee cost by percentage
Wages	44.40%
Net Income	12.50%
Drugs & Supplies	23.00%
Rent	6.30%
Hospital Equipment	7.00%
Office Expenses	6.80%
Data from AB.VMA survey

Veterinarians in pet care are being asked by owners to provide increasingly sophisticated care for dogs, cats and other household pets. Indeed the range of diagnostic and therapeutic services that are available today are comparable in many ways to those available to people through the Health Care system.

Compared to human health care, the cost efficiency of provision of veterinary care is excellent. We as a profession will strive to continue to provide the best value possible for an increasing array of services.

Mixed and Large Animal

Distribution of each dollar of fee cost by percentage
Wages	35.70%
Net Income	6.60%
Drugs & Supplies	44.70%
Rent	3.20%
Hospital Equipment	5.30%
Office Expenses	4.50%
Data from AB.VMA survey

In the case of farm animal care and prevention programs, it is difficult to draw direct comparisons with human health care systems, as for small animal care. However for almost all farm producers the proportion of the overall budget spent on veterinary costs is very small. Allied to this, it has been demonstrated in several studies that appropriate expenditure on veterinary care in the farm budget results in enhanced overall profitability.
(See references 1&2 below)
Mixed and Large Animal veterinarians strive to partner with farmers and producers to enhance the efficiency of operations, contributing great value to agricultural businesses.

References: 1. OMAFRA Farm Management Analysis. 2. SVMA Study Dr. Curt Hagele

Alberta Veterinary Medical Association

The veterinary profession in Alberta has continued to evolve to better meet the needs of both farm animal producers and companion animal owners. Standards of care are stringently monitored and veterinarians are better trained and equipped than ever before. Studies over a number of years have illustrated clearly that veterinarians continue to provide an excellent value to cost ratio for their services.

Any questions on the costs of provision of veterinary services should in the first instance be directed to your own veterinarian.

Pet Health Insurance

Council of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) is acutely aware of financial issues facing veterinary practices and owners of companion animals. With an ever-increasing human animal bond, owners are demanding more and more advanced veterinary care for their animal companions. This intensifies the demand on practitioners to develop a higher level of expertise in their field and consequently, a greater expense to pet owners.

The paradox is always how to provide the level of care owners expect for an affordable fee and still keep the practice financially viable.

Being aware of this, Council is open to any creative potential solution as long as the AB.VMA’s priorities of public protection and animal welfare are maintained. This is one reason the association has put its support behind the development of the pet insurance industry in Alberta. Through insurance, owners can actually budget for unforeseen accident or disease in their pet. When a situation occurs they can consent to the necessary treatment without the fear of being unable to pay or having to rearrange their financial priorities. On the other side, the Veterinarian can offer to attend to the patient’s needs with the most modern and effective techniques without worrying about the client’s ability to pay. However, the biggest winner is the pet. No longer do animals need to receive less than optimal treatment, or worse yet, be euthanised, for simply financial reasons.

It has been proven that health care insurance has expanded the lives of many pets. The ABVMA encourages the concept of health care insurance for companion animals and the development of pet insurance products in Alberta.

Animal Health · Companion Animals · Large Animals · Horses Pet Identification Veterinary Fees & Pet Health Insurance