Canadians head south for cheaper vet care

More and more Canadians are heading south of the border in search of cheaper veterinary care for their pets. And many are finding it, according to a recent CTV NEWS article. 

CTV Winnipeg reports that a spay or neuter service in Winnipeg could cost as much as $500, while $300 is the top price in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Some pet owners report savings of more than $400 on dental work in the US. 

Indeed, the cost of pet health care was identified by 2013 Urban Animal delegates as one of the most significant barriers to a positive pet experience. But Calgary North Veterinary Hospital's Dr. Drew Van Niekerk asserts that most vets are trustworthy and simply trying to make a living like everyone else. 

"All practices have financial realities to deal with. Some practices have higher overhead, with diversity of services, quality of care and hours of operation factoring heavily into this," he told InfoStream. "Understanding a client includes knowing the intricacies of their relationship in the family, the resources they have to put toward pet care, and the fashion in which they make decisions."

According to Dr. Van Niekerk trust is the single, most important element of the pet family/veterinarian relationship. 

"Veterinarians should understand the need to build that transparent and honest trust with a client," he said. "If it doesn't develop, then one has either to question the vet about issues until satisfied, or find another if it isn't there. The most skilled and intelligent veterinarian who doesn't develop the trust, never gets to show his or her skills."