Katherine Sidnell
A Sydney couple have hit back at a local vet after being charged a staggering surcharge on their bill.
It was after their beloved pooch, Matisse, was hospitalised over the Easter weekend, with the adorable Frenchie struggling to breathe.
With no other choice but to seek emergency care, her owners Sabrina and Daniele had to rapidly sign-off treatment - not realising what it would cost them.
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The couple had initially been worried about their dog when her back legs became increasing wobbly so they took her to their local vet twice.
Despite knowing there was something wildly wrong with their French Bulldog, Sabrina and Daniele were sent home on both occasions.
It was only when the five-year-old dog began to struggle to breathe, that they returned to Sydney Veterinary Emergency & Specialists.
“We brought her back home, I think she was in a lot of pain,” Sabrina revealed to A Current Affair, adding: “Her breathing became really, really bad.”
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Though they thought they’d found the best medical care possible, the beloved pet struggled after being put on oxygen and ’went downhill from there’.
Rather than discussing the treatment with their provider, the owners were asked to leave their dog at the clinic - along with a large deposit.
“We were told to sign these documents and leave them a $3000 [AUD] deposit because Matisse was going to have to be kept in there overnight to stabilise her,” Sabrina revealed, saying that they’d hoped the treatment would cost around the $8900 AUD ($5,900).
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Sadly though, the cost began to spiral as Matisse underwent spinal surgery, pain management, CAT scans and a six-day stay at the vet clinic.
This should have cost them just $4087.07 AUD ($2,727), but as it was the bank holiday weekend the couple had a staggering surcharge added - leaving the final bill at $36,896.19 AUD ($24,622).
However, the couple did not have insurance and had to rapidly find the funds in order to bring Matisse home.
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“Once you’re in for a penny, you’re in for a pound. Like, you’re already halfway through, what are you going to do? You’re gonna stop? Where do you stop?” Daniele said, adding that the clinic refused to ‘budge on the price at all’.
Eager to bring their beloved pet home, the couple had to sell items from their home, with Sabrina admitting that she’d sold luxury hand bags that she ‘didn't really want to part with’.
However, the Sydney woman told the press: “…you do what you have to do.”
While they were able to bring Matisse back, they’ve asked the vet to reconsider their prices so others don’t have to suffer getting a 'massive bill' as they did.
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The Sydney Veterinary Emergency & Specialists have refused to comment on the incident, but did release a statement, saying: “The standard of care was equal to what would be provided to a human in a critical care unit.”