For comparison’s sake, my dog just had the same thing (called TPLO here in the States…or maybe not, but it’s basically the same thing) here in the US and it cost exactly the same, a hair under $4000USD.
The Vet School at Edinburgh Uni offers a five-year undergraduate programme. It’s wildly competitive to get into though, and by reputation a very, very tough course.
There’s a few charities that assist with the cost of spaying/neutering for people on low incomes.
The 5-year course at Edinburgh I mentioned results in the equivalent to the US DVM.
I frequently hear that veterinary school in the US is much harder to get into than medical school. Not sure if that is true or just an urban myth. There are around 30 accredited veterinary schools in the US vs. about 180 accredited medical schools, so it may be just a numbers thing…
Also 5 years or 3+3 in Aus. Reasons for choosing the 3+3 path: you don’t want to go out of state: you didn’t get into a 5 year program: you completed 3 years with good results and realized there is no work for generic bio-med graduates:
The 3+3 program also accepts people with just a liberal arts degree and enough money (3+4), and some people start with a 4 year degree (4+3 or 4+4)
There aren’t a lot of vet schools in aus, but I’ve never heard that there’s enough of a shortage to make veterinarians as well off as plumbers. It’s difficult and expensive to start a new vet school, and they are also expensive to run, which keeps supply and demand in balance.
No, it’s not an urban legend. It’s 100% true, at least nowadays.
That’s also true in the States, and many shelters do it at no cost to the adopter if they are adopting a pet from their shelter (if it didn’t arrive already fixed).
There are also some charities, mostly local, that provide subsidized veterinary care, or reimburse bills, for people who quality. A thrift store in my region exists to raise money for this exact purpose.
What I’ve heard is that veterinary school is harder to get through than medical.
You gotta learn the ins & outs of various species, not just the one Homo sapiens.