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Frontiers in veterinary science2024; 11; 1403483; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1403483

Prices for veterinary care of dogs, cats and horses in selected countries in Europe.

Abstract: In recent years, prices for veterinary care have received considerable attention in mainstream media, yet scientific literature has not delved into actual figures. This study aims to elucidate veterinary care costs for dogs, cats, and horses across five countries [Sweden (SE), Norway (NO), Denmark (DK), United Kingdom (UK), and Ireland (IR, with limited data)] through web searches. Unassigned: Utilising online business directories, we located URLs featuring veterinary care prices in autumn 2022, and repeated tri-monthly five times. Vetpris.se (VP), a price comparison site for SE, NO, and DK, emerged from the search. Additionally, we sought to compare price data from veterinary clinics (ranging from animal hospitals to small private clinics) using a similar approach to VP. We targeted elective procedures (e.g., gonadectomy, GDY) and common procedures (e.g., pyometra surgery in dogs). Unassigned: Comparing data from the same clinics' websites and from VP within extraction from autumn 2022 to winter 2023/2024, median prices for dog and cat GDY were largely consistent. By October 2023, median prices for male cat GDY ranged from €72 (SE) to €230 (DK), and €130 (SE) to €361 (DK) for females; for dog GDY from €390 (SE) to €599 (DK) for males, and €461 (UK) to €1015 (DK) for females. Across sources, median prices for cat and dog GDY increased by 2-24% over a year for procedures with at least 10 clinics per extraction. Equine GDY (per sedation and local analgaesia) in SE saw a 64% increase by year-end, with a median price of €492. Emergency surgeries during regular-hours (e.g., pyometra and caesarean section) in SE were approximately €2,300 at the last extraction, marking a 27% increase for pyometra surgery during regular-hours and 15% after-hours compared to the previous year. Variability existed within and across countries and diagnoses/procedures. Unassigned: Cross-validation suggested VP generally provided reliable information, though data points for emergencies were limited. Our web searching tool necessitated extensive manual verification, indicating room for further development. We recommend enhancing price transparency for animal owners to become better informed about the cost of veterinary care and be able to make informed choices.
Copyright © 2024 Egenvall, Höglund, Hoffman, Valle, Andersen, Lönnell, Byström and Bonnett.
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Publication Date: 2024-07-18 PubMed ID: 39091400PubMed Central: PMC11292583DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1403483Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study investigates the costs of veterinary care for dogs, cats, and horses across five European countries by analyzing prices found on veterinary clinic websites and a veterinary price comparison platform over time.

Background and Purpose

  • Veterinary care prices have attracted media attention but lack detailed scientific data.
  • The study focuses on prices in Sweden (SE), Norway (NO), Denmark (DK), United Kingdom (UK), and Ireland (IR), with limited data from Ireland.
  • Objectives include collecting and comparing prices of common elective and emergency veterinary procedures for dogs, cats, and horses across these countries.

Methodology

  • Price data was collected through systematic web searches on veterinary clinic websites and the price comparison platform Vetpris.se (VP) during autumn 2022.
  • Data was extracted five times at three-month intervals up to winter 2023/2024 to track price changes over time.
  • Procedures analyzed included elective ones such as gonadectomy (GDY) for dogs and cats, as well as emergency procedures like pyometra surgery.
  • Vetpris.se, a platform covering SE, NO, and DK, was used both as a data source and benchmark to cross-validate clinic website prices.

Key Findings

  • Price consistency: Median prices from VP and clinic websites for dog and cat GDY were largely consistent within each country.
  • Price ranges for gonadectomy (as of October 2023):
    • Male cat GDY ranged from €72 in Sweden to €230 in Denmark.
    • Female cat GDY ranged from €130 (SE) to €361 (DK).
    • Male dog GDY ranged from €390 (SE) to €599 (DK).
    • Female dog GDY ranged from €461 (UK) to €1015 (DK).
  • Price changes over time: For clinics with data from at least 10 locations, prices for cat and dog GDY increased by 2-24% over one year.
  • Equine gonadectomy: In Sweden, prices rose by 64% over one year to a median €492, with procedures involving sedation and local analgesia.
  • Emergency surgery costs in Sweden: Surgeries like pyometra and caesarean sections during regular hours cost about €2,300, experiencing a 27% increase for pyometra surgery and a 15% increase for after-hours care compared to the prior year.
  • Price variability: Considerable differences in prices existed both within individual countries and across countries, and prices varied by type of procedure.

Data Validation and Challenges

  • Cross-validation indicated that the Vetpris.se platform generally provided reliable pricing data consistent with vet clinics’ websites.
  • Emergency procedure pricing data was limited and less consistently available.
  • Manual verification of extracted web data was labor-intensive, highlighting the need for improved automated tools for data collection.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The research reveals significant price variation for veterinary care across Northern Europe, with a trend towards increasing costs.
  • Price transparency remains limited, complicating animal owners’ ability to make informed decisions about veterinary services.
  • The authors recommend improving transparency and accessibility of veterinary pricing to empower pet owners and promote better choices about care.

Cite This Article

APA
Egenvall A, Höglund OV, Hoffman R, Valle PS, Andersen PH, Lönnell C, Byström A, Bonnett BN. (2024). Prices for veterinary care of dogs, cats and horses in selected countries in Europe. Front Vet Sci, 11, 1403483. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1403483

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Pages: 1403483
PII: 1403483

Researcher Affiliations

Egenvall, Agneta
  • Agneta Egenvall, Odd Höglund, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Höglund, Odd V
  • Agneta Egenvall, Odd Höglund, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Hoffman, Ruben
  • Ruben Hoffman, Department of Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Valle, Paul S
  • Paul S. Valle, Tornes i R, Norway.
Andersen, Pia Haubro
  • Pia Haubro Andersen, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry (AFB); Division of Anatomy and Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Lönnell, Cecilia
  • Cecilia Lönnell, Tequi, Stockholm, Sweden.
Byström, Anna
  • Anna Byström, Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Bonnett, Brenda N
  • Brenda N Bonnett, B Bonnett Consulting, Georgian Bluffs, ON, Canada.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
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