Vet urges Leeds dog owners to stick to appointments - or risk paying thousands

The rising cost of living has led to worries that pet owners will struggle to afford to pay vet bills.

Previous studies have suggested that over one million dogs live in Yorkshire, and with the average cost for a vet consultation now standing at £58.29, up 8% from a year ago, many pet owners are missing appointments in a bid to save cash.

However, the cash saved in the short-term could pale into insignificance with the potential for a vet bill of thousands - or even the possibility of having to put your pet to sleep if issues worsen.

Robyn Dutton, Veterinary Technical Advisor at Dechra, has urged pet owners to attend second appointments for the good of their dog's health.

She commented: “It’s our job to look for the small signs. Maybe something is inflamed, or your dog is scratching more than expected. These are traits owners might not pick up on, but they can be warnings that highlight intervention is needed.

“Just like with human medicine, monitoring how a treatment is working is crucial. A follow-up visit gives us the chance to see how well your pet is responding to treatment, whether any adjustments are needed, and to check for any new or ongoing issues that might not have been obvious at the first appointment.

“We’d never turn down a second doctor’s appointment if we were unwell and needed monitoring. So why should it be any different for our pets? A follow up appointment can mean the difference between a full recovery and a lingering condition.

“For example, Dogs with ear problems sometimes need two-part treatment courses or a higher dose of pain relief than first prescribed. That second appointment is often where we spot if the ear hasn’t healed properly, or if an adjustment to the medication is needed. Without a follow up, the dog may continue to suffer, and the problem can even become chronic, which could cost owners a huge amount of money to resolve, when a simple second check up could have solved the problem.”