A cash-strapped pet owner turned to DIY dentistry on her beloved hamster after being told it would cost £500 to have its teeth removed by a vet.
Danielle Amos, from Sarn in Bridgend, South Wales, said she was shocked to be handed a quote for the work when she took her sick rodent, Lyra, to get checked out.
Ms Amos, who is on benefits and could not afford the prospective bill, said the quoted fee was ‘ridiculous’ and so turned to YouTube tutorials to perform the necessary procedure herself.
She told BBC Wales: ‘I would have expected that (a £500 bill) for a dog or even a cat – but a hamster? That’s ridiculous, especially with the cost of living, and I’m on benefits.
‘I couldn’t find another vet in my area that would do it, so I decided to look up a YouTube channel on how to trim a hamster’s teeth properly and that’s what I’ve been doing every month by myself.’
Hamsters’ teeth are continually growing, and they gnaw on objects to keep them sharp and regularly worn down.
The RSPCA said dental problems in hamsters are not uncommon, and advises owners to take them to the vet if they become overgrown or damaged.
Hamsters are known to experience dental problems from time to time, including becoming overgrown or damaged
Hamsters’ teeth grow continually, and need regular attention to ensure they do no develop problems
International comparisons show British animal lovers can sometimes find cheaper prices overseas
Ms Amos’ story is the latest involving pet owners told to hand over vast sums of money to treat their beloved animals.
Caitlin Dolan, 25, told how her cat, named Precious, died because she couldn’t ‘even begin to afford’ the bill she was quoted for tests and treatments when Precious appeared lethargic.
Ms Dolan added that the vets ‘weren’t really willing’ to tell her what was wrong with her cat ‘without going through £3,000 worth of tests and treatment’.
‘It caused a lot of stress for a few days while we were deliberating on it before she unfortunately passed away. I don’t wish anyone the same experience.’
And dog owner Brian Flynn said he had his beagle treated abroad to avoid paying thousands of pounds in UK vet bills.
Mr Flynn, 52, said a UK vet quoted him £5,318 for surgery and aftercare when eight-year-old Flash suffered a leg injury during a holiday in France.
Brian Flynn said he had his beagle, Flash, treated abroad to avoid paying thousands of pounds in UK vet bills
Mr Flynn said a UK vet quoted him £5,318 for surgery and aftercare when Flash suffered a leg injury during a holiday in France
Richard Hooker, directory of veterinary services at charity PDSA, said there has been an increase in demand for its services recently
The owner was left ‘gobsmacked’ when he took Flash to a local vet in the alpine town of Bourg-Saint-Maurice, who said the same treatment would cost just £1,493.
Last month it was announced that the competition watchdog is considering a cap on vet prescription fees as it launches a major investigation into whether pet owners are getting ripped off.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said it will start a formal probe over concerns about high prices and a lack of choice in the industry.
One of the main concerns is over the ability of pet owners to find ‘basic information like price lists and prescription costs – and potentially overpaying for medicines.’
The watchdog is also worried about weak competition in some areas, driven in part by large companies snapping up smaller rivals.
The probe could result in a limit on vets’ prescription fees and forcing top pet-care chains to break up parts of their business.
There are 16 million pet owners in the UK and the CMA estimates the vet market is worth around £5 billion a year.
Richard Hooker, director of veterinary services at charity PDSA, said: ‘There are costs to providing any service and vet care is no different.
‘We’re very fortunate in the UK to have the NHS, but there is no NHS for pets.
‘As the UK’s leading vet charity, we understand the complexities of providing quality vet care, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis. Vets provide a vital service for our pets, but it’s important to recognise that this is a highly professional service.
‘The costs are reflective of the costs of delivering this often tailored and specialised care.
‘We’ve seen an increase in demand for our services in recent years, and in 2023 we cared for over 430,000 pets in need.
‘We believe transparency is key and feel it’s important to have open and honest conversations between vets and owners early on. Discuss what you can afford, and your vet can talk through treatment options and cost implications so you can make the best choice for you and your pet.’