Vets under increasing pressure to make money for corporate owners, BBC told

---

The article highlights growing concerns about the rising costs of veterinary care in the UK and the pressures vets face within large veterinary corporations. Here are the key points:

– **Rising Vet Costs:** Prices for veterinary care have increased by 63% between 2016 and 2023. UK pet owners collectively spent around £6.3 billion on vet and other pet-care services in 2024.

– **Market Concentration:** The pet-care market is heavily dominated by six large companies that control about 60% of the market. This lack of competition raises concerns about whether customers are receiving good value.

– **Vet Pressures:** Some vets working for large providers, such as IVC Evidensia (the UK’s biggest vet care provider), report internal policies monitoring the number of tests and treatments performed. These policies could pressure vets to suggest more expensive procedures, like X-rays for suspected osteoarthritis, sometimes unnecessarily.

– **Vet Concerns:** Anonymous vets express worry about being pushed to “hit targets” involving sales and treatments, which may conflict with their professional judgment and prioritizing animal welfare.

– **Customer Impact:** Some pet owners have reported receiving very high bills after extensive tests and treatments, sometimes without clear explanations for their pet’s illness, leading to feelings of being exploited.

– **Regulatory Response:** The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into the veterinary market, focusing on transparency of practice ownership, pricing information, market competition, and profitability of vet companies.

– **Industry Statements:** IVC Evidensia denies prioritizing revenue over animal welfare, asserting that vets have clinical independence and follow professional codes of conduct.

– **Insurance and Affordability:** Most UK pet owners lack insurance, which can make expensive vet bills a heavy burden, especially for less-well-off families.

This situation points to a need for reforms to increase transparency, ensure fair pricing, and support vets in maintaining high standards of care without undue financial pressures

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

---