07/10/2026
A recent post reminded me of one of the biggest misconceptions I’ve encountered in my 31 years in veterinary medicine, that veterinarians recommend tests and treatments simply to make more money. I thought it would be a good opportunity to explain why those recommendations are often made and how pet owners can make informed decisions.
Many people believe that if a pet looks healthy, diagnostics must be unnecessary or is just a way to increase the bill. Unlike people, our pets can’t tell us they have a headache, feel nauseous, are urinating more often, or have blurry vision. On top of that, animals instinctively hide signs of illness. In the wild, appearing weak makes them vulnerable, so many diseases are well advanced before obvious symptoms appear.
That’s why veterinarians often recommend wellness bloodwork, EVEN for pets that seem perfectly healthy. Annual screening can detect changes in kidney function, liver values, diabetes, thyroid disease, anemia, and many other conditions long before your pet appears sick. Catching disease early often means simpler treatment, better outcomes, and sometimes lower costs in the long run.
Veterinary medicine also isn’t “all or nothing.” There is often a gold standard of care, along with other reasonable options depending on your pet’s condition, your goals, and your budget. A good veterinarian should be willing to explain:
-Why they’re recommending a test
-What information it will provide
-What could happen if you choose to wait
-What alternatives are available
Those conversations are important, and I encourage every pet owner to ask questions.Finally, I want people to understand something about this profession. Veterinary medicine is a FOR profit industry with extraordinarily high operating costs. Equipment, medications, laboratory testing, staffing, continuing education, insurance, and technology are expensive. Despite what many people assume, most veterinary technicians are living paycheck to paycheck, and most general practice veterinarians are not becoming wealthy. They chose this profession because they love animals.
Like every profession, there are exceptions. But after spending over 30 years working alongside hundreds of veterinarians, I can honestly say the overwhelming majority are compassionate, ethical people doing their best to care for your pets. This profession has an extraordinarily high su***de rate and veterinarians are exposed to abuse and hate campaigns online. I hope this post helps some understand a little better.
❤️ Ask questions and seek understanding. Advocate for your pet. But don’t assume recommendations come from greed, they usually come from a desire to give your pet the best chance at a long, healthy life.
