KB Vet Physio

15/10/2025

By the time you all get home this evening I'm sure the media will have had time to pour over the report released by government this morning investigating the veterinary industry. Subsequently there is going to be some vet bashing going on but I think it's very important to remember the price hikes have mostly been due to the corporatisation of the industry. Six companies own >50% of the market and in doing so limiting competition significantly and increasing control. The post below has reliably published profits of the corporate companies.

🐾ARE VETERINARY TREATMENT COSTS OUT OF CONTROL AND BECOMING UNAFFORDABLE FOR MANY OWNERS?🐾

The competition watchdog has proposed that veterinarians be required to publish price lists to allow pet owners to compare costs and find the best deals. According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), pet owners are often unaware of treatment costs or not provided with estimates, which can amount to thousands of pounds.

⚡⚡⚡The CMA’s investigation revealed that veterinary prices have risen at nearly double the rate of inflation.⚡⚡⚡

Additional measures suggested by the CMA include requiring vets to disclose if they are part of a large corporate group, capping prescription fees, and prohibiting bonuses for recommending specific treatments. The investigation found that 84% of veterinary practice websites lack any pricing information, highlighting the absence of standardized treatment costs.

This follows a BBC File on Four investigation in April, which reported a surge in vet bills and included whistleblower accounts attributing higher costs to large companies acquiring practices. In June, vets and animal charities told the BBC that rising costs are leading pet owners to delay treatment or, in some cases, euthanise their sick animals to avoid unaffordable bills.

🐾WHY HAVE VET FEES RISEN AT DOUBLE THE RATE OF INFLATION?🐾
There are more and better treatment options for animals today than there have ever been, but......
⚕️Advanced equipment is expensive e.g. MRI, Ultasound, x-ray!
⚕️Staff are expensive!
⚕️Costs for buildings are expensive - water, electricity, rent, rates!

The majority of vets are, we expect, driven by animal WELFARE!

BUT, Investors/Shareholders/Managers are driven by PROFIT! Everyone understands vets practices are buissness's and not charities, and we accept they want to make a profit! The question is how big a profit is acceptable?

The "big six" are estimated to own 60% of the vet practices in the UK.

IVC Evidensia £1.2-1.5Billion Revenue; Profit not disclosed; 20-25%
CVS Group £6.2Million Profit, £647Million Revenue; 10-12%
VetPartners £500Million Revenue; Profit not disclosed; 10%
Medivet £400Million Revenue; Profit not disclosed; 8%
Linnaeus £200Million Revenue; Profit not disclosed; 2-3%
Pets At Home £134Million Profit; 8%

11/10/2025

I am selling my therapeutic shortwave ultrasound machine. It can be used on humans, dogs and horses. Treats tendons/ligaments, muscles or joint conditions. Much cheaper option than laser and penetrates deeper.
It could be good addition for an animal therapist, multi dog household of for yourself. Dm me for details.
https://www.facebook.com/share/16FGponmD1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

07/09/2025

Busy weekend this weekend.

Saturday was spent doing Canine First Aid course with Dog First Aid - Sussex, keeping up to date with new protocols and current with CPD.

Sunday doing some PR at Absolute Agility’s first agility competition, which has had a fantastic turn out.

Thanks Davis for organising both.

I also had the opportunity to try Sid at his first agility show environment. He only came off the farm 9 months ago as a failed sheepdog and is adapting to pet life brilliantly, with hopes of doing some agility shows in the future.

More updates to follow of some revamps that I’ve done to the business over summer.

13/08/2025

I will be on holiday from 14th Aug and back after the Bank Holiday (Tuesday 27th Aug).

16/07/2025

Even a plank can plank.

This is one of my favourite exercises. From an older dog to increase a bit of supported spinal flexibility (videoed) to a young fit dog who needs core strength for activitie, the exercise can be made much harder for.

02/07/2025

Interesting fact of the week…

Did you know⁉️

👉Veterinary Physiotherapy is an unprotected title. Anyone can call themselves a Vet Physio, even you could.

👉Education, skill set and clinical experience has no minimal standard. Therefore, someone might have done an online course with no hands on experience (yes these courses do exist!), is trained below degree level or has never spent time in a clinical setting like a vets could be working on your animal.

👉The scope of practice has not been defined. I have sadly heard of cases where a person with no clinical background or only trained in single modality treatments like massage therapy or hydrotherapy are using electrotherapies without any training (like laser, PEMF, ultrasound and Indiba). These are not point and shoot treatments, even with a user manual, and are contraindicated for several conditions and can adversely affect an animal when used on the wrong cases.

👉Insurance companies will only cover the practitioner for the treatments they are delivering if they have been formerly trained in them. When was the last time you checked if your therapist was adequately insured?

👩‍⚖️Before the pandemic there was government time put aside to address all these issues but since then it has been pushed to the bottom of the pile. Until legislation changes it falls on the owner or vet to check a practitioner's credentials as the law doesn’t protect your animal.

Happily that’s why I have a Masters degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy, which included training in all the modalities I use from laser to mobilising, and did my placements at the RVC and have 9 year’s experience this year.

The take away message is check your therapists credentials because no one else is going to do it for you and protect your animal from poor practices.

27/06/2025

It's getting hot next week but business will continue as usual. The treatment room stays cool being under the trees and I've got some excellent fans and ventilation for added cooling.
If you need to reschedule to a cooler part of the day or week you can self manage your appointment by clicking on the 'manage my booking' link on the booking confirmation email.

24/06/2025

23/06/2025

I’m having a bit of a shake up with new client intakes.

There are new t&c (common sense ones), I am no longer arranging vet referrals if applicable (this is now down to the client) and there’s a more detailed intake form asking about your animals behaviour and history. https://www.kbvetphysio.com/how-to-book

This will allow for improved first consultations and greater time for the patients.

Find out how to book an appointment at KB Vet Physio.

09/06/2025

For sale 36 Buffalo ears.
Only selling as too rich for my doggo.
£20 collection Pulborough/Billingshurst

05/05/2025

For the cat lovers out there. Did you know there’s is more to OA management than just pain relief in cats? This is a good read.

Find out how to ease osteoarthritis (OA) pain in geriatric cats with expert advice on pain relief, weight control, exercise, environmental changes, and surgery.