Veterinary surgeon’s charge

Press, 21 April 1984, Page 18

Veterinary surgeon’s charge

Sir,—Felix Knoef’s letter (April 17) questions the fee charged for emergency surgery on his cat. I can explain, in general, why he would have been charged that fee. The veterinarian was called to the clinic after hours. He would have examined the injured cat and then administered an anaesthetic. The wound would have been shaved, cleaned and sutured with sterilised instruments. Antibiotics would have been given. For this surgery to be done, at short notice during the week-end for $4O seems quite reasonable. Modern veterinary practices provide the facilities of an animal hospital, with the personnel and equipment to treat both minor and major emergencies. These facilities are available overnight, and during week-ends and holidays. I invite Mr Knoef to compare veterinary fees with the fees of servicemen, tradesmen and other professional people for afterhours work. I believe he will then find that veterinary emergency fees are not excessive. Yours, etc., T. C. THOMPSON, President, Canterbury-Westland branch, N.Z. Veterinary Assocation. April 17, 1984.