Vets Face Pressure: Corporate Profits & Care Concerns

Vets are reporting increasing pressure to generate revenue for large companies, raising concerns about the financial impact on pet owners. Prices charged by UK vets rose 63% between 2016 and 2023, prompting a government investigation into whether the pet-care market provides value for money.

Rising Costs and Corporate Pressure

One anonymous vet working for IVC Evidensia, the UK’s largest vet care provider, said the company has introduced a monitoring system that could encourage vets to recommend costly tests and treatments. IVC Evidensia stated that its vets and nurses never prioritize revenue over animal welfare.

More than half of UK households own a pet, and hundreds of pet owners have contacted the BBC with concerns about vet bills. One owner reported paying £5,600 for 18 hours of care, feeling “taken advantage of,” while another faced a £13,000 bill for numerous tests that ultimately didn’t diagnose their dog’s illness.

Competition and Market Concentration

UK pet owners spent £6.3 billion on vet and pet-care services in 2024, according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA launched a formal investigation amid concerns about fair pricing and transparency.

The CMA’s provisional report identified several issues, including a lack of transparency regarding practice ownership, the concentration of practices within six companies – which now control 60% of the UK market – and whether this concentration has led to excess profits.

Internal Monitoring and Targets

A vet leading an IVC surgery shared an internal document with BBC Panorama outlining key performance indicators (KPIs) related to average sales per patient, X-rays, ultrasound, and lab tests. The vet fears this system will create pressure to “upsell” services.

For example, the vet says IVC would prefer any animal with suspected osteoarthritis to be X-rayed, potentially adding £700 to a bill, even though experienced vets might diagnose the condition through physical examination and prescribe less expensive treatment.

IVC told Panorama the data is used to “identify and close gaps in care” and that its vets have “clinical independence,” adhering to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS) code and company policy.

Other vets who currently or previously worked for large veterinary groups reported being pressured to perform more tests and meet revenue targets.

Customer Experiences and Transparency

Rob Jones’s family dog, Betty, required emergency treatment costing almost £5,000. When further complications arose, the cost of another operation rose from an initial estimate of £5,000-£8,000 to £12,000 before being reduced to £10,000 after he complained. The family ultimately chose to euthanize Betty.

Jones was unaware that both his local vet and the emergency center were owned by IVC Evidensia. Vets Now apologized and offered a partial refund of £3,755.59.

Vets Now stated its staff are passionate about animal care and that pricing can vary based on the complexity of the case. They also said they have improved transparency regarding pricing.

Proposed Changes and Future Outlook

The CMA’s final report is expected in the spring and proposes improved transparency on pricing and vet ownership. Companies would be required to disclose ownership connections to hospitals, out-of-hours surgeries, pharmacies, and crematoria.

David Reader from the University of Glasgow suggests the proposals could go further, noting that large veterinary groups may continue acquisition strategies. The CMA aims to improve competition and reduce unnecessary costs for pet owners.

Rob Jones stated he would not get another pet due to the financial risks and high costs of veterinary care.