Frequently
Asked Questions
I recently
purchased a puppy from a pet store that turned out to be sick.
Do I have any recourse?
New Jersey law provides options for people who
purchase dogs or cats (from pet stores or pet dealers) that
are deemed "unfit for purchase" by a licensed veterinarian.
**Click here to download a brochure that summarizes this law.
Why does
it seem that I spend more on my pet’s medical care than
on my own?
One of the major differences between human medicine
and veterinary medicine
is the prevalence of insurance in human medicine.
Veterinary medicine is as real and as skilled as human medicine.
The difference? The method of payment, which makes veterinary
fees appear much higher. People with insurance see a co-pay
while pet owners pay the full amount for each procedure. But
when comparing the same procedures, veterinary medicine produces
much lower care costs. Where else could you pay $250 for a
hysterectomy (spay) and get a skilled surgeon, skilled nursing
care, a sterile operating room, anesthesia, pain medication,
hospitalization, and post operative care?
It’s important to remember that veterinarians are doctors
– doctors who must know about many areas of pet health
and about many different types of pets. We live in a world
where the bank, the utility companies, the drug and medical
equipment suppliers, and support personnel all require, and
deserve, prompt payment. This makes charging fees, reasonable
fees, necessary. No one would ask or expect a human physician
to provide a free diagnosis or reduced prescription fee. Veterinarians
are no different.
Veterinarians know how much you love your pet and can help
guide you on an appropriate course of medical treatment. Ultimately,
the decision of what to choose is determined by you. To help
defray the costs of caring for your pet, you may want to ask
your veterinarian about pet health insurance.
I would like
to purchase my pet’s medications from an internet pharmacy.
Can you tell me more about this option?
In order for a veterinarian to prescribe medication
for your pet, federal and state laws require that a veterinarian-client-patient
relationship must exist. You, as the pet-owner, are the client
and your pet is the patient. It is illegal for a veterinarian
to sell, prescribe or dispense medication without this relationship.
So, while you are entitled to fill your pet’s prescription
wherever you choose, your veterinarian is required to ensure
that a current veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists.
This may take the form of an annual health exam or follow-up
visit to ensure that your pet is in good health and that the
prescribed medication is warranted and/or working effectively.
Take caution where you purchase your pet’s medications.
Some pharmacies receive their medications from oversees where
standards are different than those in the United States and
do not meet FDA or EPA approval.
Purchasing your pet’s prescription medications from
your veterinarian is a guarantee that the product meets appropriate
guidelines. Your veterinarian is also available to provide
immediate follow-up should there be a problem.
Is my veterinarian allowed
to charge me for copies of my pet’s medical records
and x-rays?
New Jersey state law requires your pet’s
treating veterinarian to retain all original medical records,
including radiographs. Should you require copies of your pet’s
records, your veterinarian is allowed to charge a reasonable
fee to reproduce the documents.
What is the
difference between the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
(SBVME) and the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association
(NJVMA)
The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
is the entity that establishes regulations governing the practice
of veterinary medicine and is responsible for licensing veterinarians
in New Jersey. They are a state agency that has offices in
Newark, NJ.
The New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association is a trade
association that strives to promote the veterinary profession
and advance the science and art of veterinary medicine. The
NJVMA was established in 1884 and represents the state’s
1,600 licensed veterinarians. Our offices are located in Springfield,
NJ.
The NJVMA can also provide veterinary referrals to the public.
Anyone looking for a veterinarian may call (973) 379-1100
or visit the Find a Vet link.
My child wants to become
a veterinarian. Is there any financial assistance available?
The average cost to become a veterinarian, even
for residents of states that have veterinary schools, exceeds
$100,000 in tuition. New Jersey residents who wish to become
veterinarians must attend out-of-state schools, and thus must
pay non-resident tuition, which is significantly higher that
resident tuition. The New Jersey Veterinary Foundation offers
no-interest loans and grants to NJ residents attending veterinary
school, and last year's 4th year student applicants had an
average debt of $68,223. We see a number of veterinary school
graduates with debt loads of over $100,000. The average starting
salary for a new graduate is under $50,000. Veterinary medicine
is among the lowest paying fields in health care, despite
having among the highest cost to become a veterinarian.
|
