I know that singer Mariah Carey has more money than many small countries, and it is her right to spend a lot of it on ridiculous, frivolous things that I will never comprehend. I get that. But $30,000 for a little over a month of veterinary care for three dogs? What exactly is this vet doing to earn that kind of fee? Maybe Mariah thought it was a little steep too- she hasn’t paid it, and now her vet, who says she caters to “prominent New Yorkers and celebrity clients,” is suing Carey.
Mariah Carey is in the doghouse with a veterinarian who says the pop superstar hasn’t paid nearly $30,000 in bills for three of her prized pooches.
Veterinarian Cindy Bressler sued Carey on Wednesday in a Manhattan state court.
Bressler provided “extraordinary services” for the Jack Russell terriers – Cha-Cha, Dolomite and JJ – but the Grammy Award-winning singer paid only about $8,200 of the roughly $37,800 in charges, the lawsuit says. The bills cover a little more than a month of care.
Bressler’s lawyer, Michael C. Posner, declined to elaborate on the dogs’ treatment. Bressler, whose website notes that she makes house calls in New York City and the Hamptons and caters to “prominent New Yorkers and celebrity clients,” didn’t immediately respond to an e-mail message seeking comment.
Carey’s spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to telephone and e-mail messages.
The pop diva has made her dogs something of characters in her multiplatinum-selling career, including in some comic video sketches made as part of an MTV.com promotion and posted on YouTube. In one, she and JJ compare the fit of their jeans: “I told you those `fat-free’ dog treats weren’t fat-free,” she scolds.
She also regularly chronicles her dogs’ doings on her Twitter feed, from Cha-Cha urinating on her dressing room floor and jumping on her last September to Dolomite stealing her underwear out of a suitcase while she was vacationing in March.
I really want to know what these “extraordinary services” are. Plastic surgery, perhaps? Regression therapy? Psychic healing? What?
I have long thought that vets have the biggest scam going- they know we love our adorable pets and when faced with the thought of them being in pain or worse, we’ll pay any amount of money to make them well. It’s happened to me – you go in for a routine checkup with your dog, and by the end of the day you’ve agreed to a bunch of really expensive tests your pet doesn’t need because the vet scares the hell out of you. But $30K? It sounds like vets to the rich and famous have kicked the scam up a few notches, doesn’t it?
Egads $30,000.00!!! For one month!
In her defense, she’s got more important things on her mind. You know those vodka bottles aren’t going to refill themselves.
aweee thats such a cute puppy! This vet bill could be a case of someone taking advantage of a celebs money. I mean.. 30K? come on
Yeah I just had my dog into the vet this week with a swollen foot….$550 later he is doing better. Even the cost of the meds are exaggerated – I checked with my local pharmacy where the same stuff is half the price! Makes me mad – they definitely get you when your pet is in pain.
But I think this “celebrity vet” is really putting the screws in. She probably thinks the clientele can afford it, so why not?
These Vet charges are getting out of hand. I cant walk out of there without spending $150 in one visit. Makes me mad. It’s not like my dog has a disease or anything. The vet takes about 5 minutes to check her out and boom hands that bill over like itz no big deal, ugh.
I have no idea why a month of services would cost $30K for 3 dogs. However, I have seen pet “spa” type places where pets get a real bed (human) to sleep in, daily massages, etc., but for over $300/day?
Regardless, surely she knew how much she was spending, or had a ballpark for what her “extraordinary services” were costing.
But, here’s where you’ve gone too far:
“I have long thought that vets have the biggest scam going-”
I have been a veterinarian for over a decade now, and I can tell you that there is no “scam”. Medicine for animals has kept pace with human medicine, yet out prices are MUCH less expensive. To spay a dog might cost you $300, but how much do think that procedure costs in a woman…on the order of $10K. Same surgery/skills, same type of anesthesia, same same same.
A routine yearly visit–with vaccines (to prevent disease-some given only every 2-3 years), stool check for parasites (some of which YOU can get), blood test for heart worms (deadly), and maybe general blood testing for baseline health/early disease detection, and the most important part–a nose to tail EXAM of your pet by a highly trained doctor *does* cost money. Which of those things would you like us not to do, in the interest of not “scamming” you? (BTW, those services at our clinic might run you $300-400. ANNUALLY.)
But when your pet is sick, that’s when we really “have” you. I mean, even though I *could* totally diagnose your lethargic, vomiting pet with my psychic powers, I prefer to make you pay for X-rays, lab work, fluids, and medications so that I can gouge you out of your hard earned money.
I would love to see the itemized break down of that bill, though!
she’s needs that money for the IVF…
It sounds like this particular vet knows she has a loony toons client with a fat wallet, and is taking advantage.
However, either Mariah or an assistant should have asked about costs ahead of time, and should pay what’s legitimately due.
Ok, I’m sorry guys but it’s not a scam in most cases. I’m a veterinarian, in the same boat with Robyn. First off to comment on the posters comments. Yes a lot of times you won’t walk out the door with an under $100 vet bill. It’s not a scam, you may only pay $20 copay for a visit to your doctor. But how much are you getting deducted monthly from your paycheck for health insurance. Also if you are getting your pets vaccinated, that’s really not expensive and each one does add up. Now think back to how you are paying for your medical insurance each month and yet if you want a flu shot you still end up paying about $20, unless you’re one of the few that actually has it covered by your insurance/job. Blood tests do tend to be more, but it’s just the same thing that your doctor requests every year for you as well. But again you are paying for insurance. Most veterinarians are NOT trying to scam you out of money. We get into the career because we love animals. Believe me it is not to make money. Most vet students graduate with about $100,000 dollars in student loans. It is harder to get into veterinary school than it is to get into medical school. And yet most veterinarians earn about $60k a year and that was before the downturn in the economy.
Maybe Mariah is getting scammed, but she’s a diva and could you imagine dealing with her extreme needs. This veterinarian probably has a clinic with a “pet hotel” and the dogs are probably getting massages daily, pedicures, and gourmet dinners. Mariah would have known what she was getting into when she signed them up.
@MSAT: as far as vets “scamming” people, i’m uncertain why you would make such a blanket generalization. my vet is absolutely wonderful – when my old doggie had cancer i asked if we should try chemotherapy & my vet told me no, it wouldn’t save him and it would be expensive. then when he had to be put down i never even got a bill. that’s right – not one penny for his death and cremation. i take all my pets there and i refer other people to her as well. remember that vets are doctors, and there are good ones and bad ones, just like any doctor.
for all of you bitching about your vet costs, i have two words for you: pet insurance. look into it – doesn’t take a genius to think that far ahead and you can really save alot of money. and honestly, why would you begrudge spending money to keep your pet healthy and happy? the companionship and unconditional love i get from my dogs is worth alot to me, not to mention the intruder that my mastiff scared off in the middle of the night.
as for mariah, it doesn’t matter how big the bill is – if you are going to have a pet then you have to shoulder the expenses. she needs to pay the bill, period.
pet insurance eh? well, as soon as i’m able to afford insurance for all of the other members of my household, i’ll get right on it…
vet bills are entirely too expensive sometimes, especially for the little things. $100 just to look at my dog and run no tests? that’s ridiculous! thankfully when it comes to meds and such my vet tells me what over the counter stuff would work just as well for 1/2 the price.
@original Kate – I did check out pet insurance and I was quoted about $40/month for what I considered decent coverage. For the almost $500 a year, I’ll take my chances since I opted not to take it.
I’m not saying vets are scammers (pet insurance is IMO!) but it’s tough for the average person to afford the bigger bills. I’m sure someone will say, if you can’t afford the vet bill, don’t have a pet but when it comes right down to it, I WILL pay to keep my dog healthy and pain-free. I just reserve the right to bitch about a big bill!!
Was this vet bedazzling her dog’s vajayjay with real diamonds? B/c $30K doesn’t seem possible. If a dog needed that much work, it would be more humane to put them down. That said, some vets are more expensive than others. Mine actually doesn’t charge for spaying/neutering surgery but it was about $350 for the blood tests & anasthesia.
Also, I seriously doubt it’s Mariah not writing a check. More like her accountant going “WTF?”
@ lindylou – how is pet insurance a scam? it’s just like regular medical insurance, some policies are better than others. my friend’s dog had to have both hips replaced due to hip dysplasia. luckily, they have pet insurance, because if they hadn’t it would have cost them about $4,000. as it was they only paid (i believe)$600. i’m just saying if you don’t want to bitch about big bills maybe you should think about it. an ounce of prevention, as they say.
@sweetdee: pet insurance is just a suggestion – it’s a good way to save money in the long run. not sure why you’re so hostile.
I’m with original kate; I also think I’ve been extremely fortunate with my vet. He’s been my vet for over 20 years and not once has he ripped me off (it’s clear he’s not a vet for the money). If my dogs ever need surgery he always goes over other options first for money reasons and so as not to introduce the anesthesia risks.
Also, my vet is in his 70’s and could’ve retired long ago. That’s how I know he does it for the love of animals and not for the money. I love you Dr. Evans!
Care Credit is another good option if you end up with a monstrous vet bill. I was able to sign up for it right on the spot — and the interest rate is much lower than a traditional credit card — and spread my payments over several months.
And I agree that pet insurance is a great option, unfortunately, we’re a multiple pet household, so our quote was more than we could afford. But Care Credit saved my arse when my dog was terribly injured and had to spend the weekend in the pet ER. She pulled through, though, so it was worth the price and then some!
I don’t know where to start on this.
First, pet insurance is NOT just like regular medical insurance. Pet insurance is property/casualty insurance, which is ENTIRELY different than major medical indemnity coverage. I don’t have pet insurance on my pets, and decided not to get licensed to sell it back when I was a senior broker for health/life because it is so different. Pet insurance pays a FIXED amount for certain services. There is no stop-loss limit (no point when everything would be free), so it’s not nearly the same thing. If anything, it’s more like a medical discount plan.
Second, the majority of vets are not scammers. I am INCREDIBLY offended by that statement, as I’m going to vet school and have worked as a tech now for 2 years. Vet visit costs are no different than doctor office charges–just because your copay is 20 bucks DOES NOT mean that is all it costs. Office visit charge varies by vet and by area (I’ve seen anywhere from $44-$75 for a visit), but considering that they are doctors, that’s not out of line.
Just because you don’t understand why a test is being run does not mean it’s not necessary. If you aren’t sure, ask. Oftentimes people decline cheaper tests (like routine wellness screens) because they don’t understand the purpose. Let me tell you a secret: the tests cost more for people, but you often don’t know about it because your insurance probably pays it. The reason people don’t have as much bloodwork done (as a rule) is because people age slower than pets. That 7 year old large breed dog is at the upper end of middle age.
Also, because pets cannot talk, we have to use different methods to diagnose potential problems. Again, if you don’t understand why something is being done, ask. Just because it’s offered, does not mean you have to do it, but you need to know what it is before deciding. Be aware that the profit margin for many vets is incredibly low if they own their own practice. Shop around if you are worried you’re being overcharged, because area code plays a big part in that, but if you trust your vet, then trust him/her.
Another tip to keep costs down: prevention is better than cure.
Use flea/tick products correctly (every month, especially for allergic or extra-sensitive animals). You don’t know how many people bitch and moan about cost when instead of a $10-$15 tube of Frontline they wind up paying for an office visit, clipping and cleaning open sores, antibiotics, and something for itch. Also, you wouldn’t believe the number of people who swear that their pet doesn’t have fleas, only to come in (and pay for it) and when I or the vet combs the pet, there are freakin’ FLEAS. 🙂 That might cost a lot, but it’s not the vet’s fault. 🙂
Use heartworm prevention every month. It keeps your dog from getting heartworm disease, but it also de-worms them and cuts down significantly on intestinal parasite infection, which means less diarrhea and vet visits from that.
Get your vaccines properly and on time. A distemper/parvo shot? About $20-$30. Treating a dog for parvo? Hospitalization. No contest.
Get pets spayed and neutered. A routine spay/neuter is way cheaper ANYWHERE than an emergency spay due to uterine infection (pyometra) or a neuter with perianal mass/testicular tumor.
Just because something is possible doesn’t mean even the vet thinks you should do it, but they have to tell you about it so you can decide. Don’t want to do chemotherapy on your cat? I wouldn’t put mine through that either, but they can’t make your decision by not telling you it’s available. This is why it’s important to find one you trust.
Find a vet you like and trust. Don’t skimp on prevention vs. cure. You won’t get scammed.
@ original kate:
“for all of you bitching about your vet costs, i have two words for you: pet insurance. look into it – doesn’t take a genius to think that far ahead and you can really save alot of money.”
sounds like pot talking to kettle here. many people are rubbing pennies together just to get by, and a majority do not have healthcare for themselves, much less are able to afford it for their pet. while it is a simple enough thing to do, ever think that bit of money you say these “geniuses” can spend on pet insurance might be grocery money for the month? your comment was quite callous.
So maybe have a look at the other side of this story before assuming Carey is getting scammed?
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/it_ruff_going_8I1fU7K19p40NI8I47tAeK
She had a vet and at least one assistant come live at her house to give fulltime, round the clock care for two and a half weeks. That’s in addition to the medical procedures necessary. You don’t think that’s going to cost you? This vet closed her practice for the duration. It’s a surprise that that is expensive?
Quite aside from that, a 6 month old PUPPY giving birth? That’s not negligent, that’s abusive and Carey deserves a smack upside the head for letting a young pup get pregnant.