Your right to a written estimate
Under the CMA's remedies following the veterinary market investigation, your vet must provide a written estimate before proceeding with any treatment likely to cost £500 or more. This is a legal requirement, not a courtesy.
The estimate must be provided before treatment begins, giving you time to consider the costs, ask questions, seek a second opinion, or compare with another practice. A verbal estimate over the phone is not sufficient — it must be in writing (which includes email, text message, or a printed document).
What a written estimate should include
A useful written estimate breaks down the expected costs so you can see what you are paying for. It should include:
- A description of the proposed treatment and why it is recommended
- The estimated total cost, or a range if the exact cost depends on findings during the procedure
- A breakdown of the main cost components:
- Consultation or examination fee
- Diagnostic tests (blood work, X-rays, ultrasound)
- Anaesthesia and monitoring
- The procedure or surgery itself
- Medication (during and after treatment)
- Hospitalisation and nursing care
- Follow-up appointments
- What happens if complications arise — many estimates include a clause that additional work may be needed, and at what approximate cost
- Whether the estimate is a fixed price or a guide
Good to know: An estimate is not a legally binding quote. The final bill may differ — especially if unexpected complications arise during surgery. However, your vet should contact you before significantly exceeding the estimate. If the final bill is dramatically higher than the estimate with no explanation, you have grounds to challenge it.
How to request a written estimate
Simply say: "Can I have a written estimate for this treatment before we go ahead?"
You do not need to justify the request. You do not need to be apologetic about it. For treatments over £500, your vet is legally required to provide one. For treatments under £500, you can still ask — the practice is not obligated to provide one, but most will.
If a practice refuses to provide a written estimate for a treatment over £500, or pressures you to proceed without one, that is a red flag. You can report non-compliance to the CMA.
Your right to an itemised bill
After any treatment — regardless of the amount — you have the right to request an itemised bill. This breaks down the total charge into its component parts, showing exactly what you paid for each element of the treatment.
An itemised bill is different from a standard invoice. A standard invoice might say "Dog dental — £480." An itemised bill would show:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pre-anaesthetic blood test | £85.00 |
| General anaesthesia | £120.00 |
| Dental scale and polish | £150.00 |
| Dental X-rays (4 views) | £60.00 |
| Pain relief (meloxicam injection) | £25.00 |
| Take-home pain relief (3 days) | £15.00 |
| Post-op check (included) | £0.00 |
| Total | £455.00 |
This level of detail lets you understand what you paid for, spot any unexpected charges, and compare costs between practices on a like-for-like basis.
What to check on your estimate or bill
Compare like with like
A cheaper estimate that excludes pain relief, post-op checks, and a protective collar is not actually cheaper than a more expensive estimate that includes everything. Always check inclusions before comparing headline prices.
Ask about alternatives
If an estimate includes a branded medication, ask whether a generic alternative is available. If diagnostic imaging is recommended, ask whether it is essential or precautionary. Your vet should explain the clinical rationale for each item.
Check medication pricing
If the estimate includes ongoing medication (such as post-operative antibiotics or pain relief), ask whether you can obtain a prescription and buy the medication from an online pharmacy. For short courses this rarely saves money, but for longer courses it can.
Verify against local averages
Use our quote checker to compare your estimate against local and national averages for the same treatment. This tells you whether the quoted price is within the normal range, below average, or significantly above average.
Emergency situations
In a genuine emergency, your vet will prioritise stabilising your pet over paperwork. However, once the immediate emergency is addressed, you should still receive a clear explanation of the expected costs before further treatment proceeds. Emergency does not mean blank cheque.
If your pet is hospitalised overnight, ask for an estimate of the expected daily cost and what the total bill might be. If treatment is ongoing over several days, ask for daily updates on the running total.
If the bill is higher than the estimate
If your final bill is significantly higher than the written estimate, you should:
- Ask for a full itemised bill to see where the additional costs arose
- Ask the vet to explain each additional charge — there may be a legitimate clinical reason (such as unexpected complications during surgery)
- Check whether you were contacted before the additional work was done — best practice is for the vet to contact you if the cost is likely to significantly exceed the estimate
- If you are not satisfied, you can raise a formal complaint with the practice, and escalate to the RCVS or CMA if the issue relates to the mandatory estimate requirements
A reasonable variation from the estimate (10–15%) is normal in veterinary care, where unexpected findings can affect the scope of treatment. A variation of 50% or more without prior communication is not reasonable, and you should challenge it.