There is no such thing as getting the perfect “estimate” from a veterinarian in terms of what it will cost to fix a medical problem. Although these doctors try to give estimates, the likelihood of the outcome equaling the price of the guesswork is slim-to-none.
If you want those types of estimates and warranties, toasters make a nice alternative to pets, and they don't need walking in the winter! Seriously though, if you have concerns about the treatment or procedure going above the estimate, talk about it with your veterinarian:
“What if my dog needs a second transfusion?”
“In your experience, Doctor, how many blood tests are required per year?”
“Is there a less expensive way to get this done?”
These questions are all part of the informed consent process. At the core of the matter, and central to the idea of a good veterinarian/client relationship, is the concept of informed consent.
Patient advocates on the human side of medicine like to remind us, wisely, that informed consent is not intended to protect the practitioner. It is a process wherein your veterinarian informs you of the risks, benefits and consequences of treatment; tells you about alternative treatments; lets you know when there are practitioners better qualified to treat your dog; and answers questions that you might not have enough information or presence of mind to ask.
Informed consent is for the client/patient, not the practitioner. It is not, as a veterinarian's lawyer may have indicated, a document primarily used to cover his posterior in th event a case heads south.
Do Your Homework
You can't be a partner with your veterinarian if you don't know anything about veterinary medicine. If a person you cared for had cancer, you would most likely research treatments, survival times and how the disease affects the body. Whether the individual has two legs or four, the response should be the same. Your dog is your family, remember that.
Information can be acquired from numerous sources. Your veterinarian is the first (remember that you did your research in choosing your current vet, and you trust this person). Then there's your library, bookstore and medical publications, if you are so inclined.
There is also, of course, the Internet. But be warned - besides being a good forum for quality information, the Internet is also a good forum for any quack who wants to publish medical advise that they know nothing about. So keep this in mind when you are researching your veterinary medicine information online.
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