'I had to pay £14k after my cat was run over'
Summary
A pet owner in Bristol faced a £14,000 vet bill after her cat was hit by a car and needed emergency treatment. Veterinary care costs in the UK have risen by 63% between 2016 and 2023, partly due to higher expenses and more corporate ownership of vet practices, leading to high medical bills for pet owners.Key Facts
- Pier Walker’s cat, Maneesha, was injured by a car and required urgent care costing about £14,000.
- Without pet insurance, Walker had to pay £5,000 upfront and about £500 monthly afterward to cover costs.
- Veterinary care costs in the UK increased 63% from 2016 to 2023.
- Around 60% of UK vet practices are owned by six corporate groups, up from 10% ten years ago.
- The Competition and Markets Authority says vet prices have risen faster than inflation and wants better regulation.
- Advances in veterinary care have made treatments more effective but also more expensive.
- Many pet owners do not have insurance; Tesco Insurance says 40% of dog and cat owners lack it in the UK.
- Other pet owners reported costly ongoing treatments for illnesses, even with insurance coverage limits.
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