More pets being put down due to rising vet bills, BBC told
Seven vets at practices owned by IVC Evidensia told File on Four Investigates they were monitored and subject to targets set by the company.
One said he and his colleagues were encouraged to compete against other practices owned by IVC over the number of certain procedures they carried out on animals, through what the company called "clinical challenge milestones".
IVC said the health and welfare of animals was always its first priority and stressed these "clinical challenge" targets weren't financial but designed to improve the clinical care of pets. The selected procedures, it says, are all carefully chosen because they are essential to ensuring a prompt diagnosis and stabilisation of emergency patients.
Corporate vet chains have said there are a variety of reasons why vet costs have increased – including advances in treatments, rising running costs and demands from pet owners for higher standards.
The CMA has put forward suggestions of changes designed to make veterinary services more affordable – including price caps on medicines, prescriptions and other services like cremations.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA), the vet union BVC and veterinary staff all agree regulation of the industry needs to be updated.
However, the BVA said the CMA's proposed remedies may have the "unintentional consequence of reducing consumer choice and potentially increasing vet fees".
"If owners are concerned about cost, speak to your vet because they will always prioritise the welfare of the animal in their care and work closely with owners to find treatment plans that work for their circumstances," said British Veterinary Association president Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux.
The CMA was due to publish its final report towards the end of the year, but that's been delayed by three to six months due to the volume and complexity of feedback from vets on its proposed changes.
Caroline says she can't bring herself to remove the cat flap she had for Ozzie, because that completely closes off ever having a pet.
However, she insists that even though she loves having animals around, the cost of looking after one means she is going to "fight the urge to get another pet".
