The Increasing Cost of Veterinary Care
Heather Massey’s experience with her dog, Ladybird, highlights the significant expense of modern pet care. When Ladybird, a 9-year-old mutt, began experiencing seizures, an MRI revealed brain cancer. Ms. Massey chose not to pursue further treatment due to the grim prognosis, and Ladybird passed away four months later. The MRI and related care cost nearly $2,000, which Ms. Massey charged to a specialty credit card. It’s a debt she’s still paying off with over 30 percent interest.
“Could I afford to do that? Not really,” said Ms. Massey, 52, who is disabled and doesn’t work. “Was it worth it to me? Yes.”
This situation reflects a larger trend: the increasingly expensive realities of owning a pet. Over the past few decades, veterinary medicine has transformed. Vets once primarily managed routine procedures and provided end-of-life care. However, as pet owners have become more attached to their animals and more willing to spend on them, animal medicine has become a thriving industry.
Today, many veterinary offices have been replaced by hospitals equipped with expensive technology, including MRI machines, sophisticated lab equipment, and 24-hour intensive care units. Dogs and cats often see highly specialized doctors in areas like neurology, cardiology, and oncology. These advances have driven up prices. According to federal statistics, veterinary prices have risen more than 60 percent in the last decade. Private equity firms and large corporations have also acquired many veterinary facilities, mirroring a similar trend in human healthcare.
