Key veterinary reforms, which could save pet owners hundreds of pounds per year, are set to be introduced.
An investigation conducted by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that more regulations are needed to protect pet owners seeking healthcare for their poorly animals.
Amongst the recommendations are requirements for veterinarians to publish price lists and set limits on prescription fees in order to make services more accessible to Brits.
"Today's reforms will make a real difference to the millions of pet owners who want the best for their pets but struggle to find the practice, treatment and price that meets their needs," Martin Coleman, chair of the independent Inquiry Group, said of the move.
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"Too often, people are left in the dark about who owns their practice, treatment options and prices – even when facing bills running into thousands of pounds."
The recommendations are backed by British Veterinary Association (BVA), which told the BBC the measures would 'help pet owners make more informed choices'.
So what's changing?
Changes to veterinary practices recommended by the CMA?
Prescription fees
At the moment prescription fees are currently uncapped, with medications often costing owners £30 per item.
Under the new guidelines this would drop to £21 for the first item before dropping to £12.50 per item after that.
The guidelines come as CMA findings revealed that 70 percent of pet owners were purchasing long-term medicine through their vet, despite the fact that they could save around £200 per year by purchasing it online.
Written price estimates
The investigation noted that just less than half of pet owners received pricing information in advance of recent non-routine treatment. When it came to written pricing, the figure dropped to 29 percent.
Under the new guidelines, the CMA recommends that veterinarians should be expected provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more, with the only exception being emergency appointments.
Simplified vet comparisons
The CMA is also recommending services such as ‘Find a Vet’ which would allow pet owners to compare pricing between different practices through the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) website.
Vet businesses will also be expected to make it clear to customers whether or not they are independent or part of a wider chain.
Changes to pet care plans
New guidelines around pet care plans will require providers to clearly set out the price of each component, the total cost and how any advertised savings are calculated.
Woman forced to spend £1,500 on vet bills
Chloe Jackson and her wife Alabama rescued Goober, a wire-haired dachshund, three years ago and have spent around £1,500 on vet bills alone.
That's with paying £40 a month for pet insurance and £20 a month for a preventative care pet plan.
Over the past 12 months, Goober, seven, has needed treatment three times - for accidentally eating Easter eggs, swallowing a part of a toy and suffering an inflamed spinal disc.
"My flatmate at the time accidentally left his easter chocolate out on the floor of his bedroom, which Goober got into and managed to devour an entire multi-pack of Creme Eggs," Chloe told LADbible.
In one case, the pet owner had to fork out £400 for an X-ray for Goober’s back, all while being told it would not change the treatment plan.
'It can feel like the Wild West'
"The way it works is so unregulated that it’s absolutely exhausting," Chloe said.
"Often when you go to the vet you don’t have a clue what they’re going to say to you at that reception after you come out the appointment — you’re like, ‘Oh God, how much is this going to set me back?’
"At no point are you told what anything’s going to really cost upfront.
"You genuinely don’t even know if you’re being overcharged because there’s no way to compare."
Chloe revealed that she found 'the exact same joint supplements from the same brand on Amazon for £40 when they were £80 at the vet'.
"It felt like they were trying to get more money out of us, to be honest," she admitted.
"It can sometimes feel a bit like the Wild West out there in terms of how do you know when you’re being ripped off?
"How do you know what is industry standard when you can’t compare?"
£21 prescription fees are 'a really good place to start'
“I think especially caps on prescriptions because, honestly, I do feel like I get charged different things different times,” Chloe added.
“My dog was on a lot of medication for about six weeks, and it varies from £90 for a box of like a week’s worth of tablets to £100, £120, and it didn’t seem to be consistent every time.
“I think the key thing is having that transparency so that you can make an informed decision.
“If they had a set price list, it would help you make a much more informed decision and probably save a lot of anxiety in the long run as well.”
Additional words by Anish Vij.
Brenna Cooper