AITA for not paying for an unwanted allergy shot for my dog?

Shirley Stafford Hours
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The waiting room was quiet, save for the soft jingle of a dog’s collar and the occasional rustle of a pet magazine. A devoted dog owner sat nervously, their 16-month-old Australian Shepherd, full of energy, wagging its tail beside them. They’d come to a new vet, hoping for a routine check-up to ensure their furry friend was in top shape. But what started as a simple visit spiraled into a frustrating clash over an unexpected $140 allergy shot—administered without a whisper of consent.

This tale of trust and tension unfolds in a vet’s office, where good intentions and questionable practices collide. The owner’s refusal to pay for the unsolicited shot has sparked a lively debate online, with Redditors weighing in on ethics, communication, and pet care. It’s a story that tugs at the heartstrings of pet lovers and raises questions about boundaries in veterinary care.

‘AITA for not paying for an unwanted allergy shot for my dog?’

I took our dog to a new vet, as our former veterinarian of 8 years moved to another state to be close to his and his wife’s adult children and grandchildren. This vet came recommended from a family friend and had pretty decent reviews, along with a few not so great reviews, but I know you can’t always make everyone happy.

I took my 16 month old Australian Shepard in to get him established and to have a general check-up. After getting him in, a tech came back and weighed him and nothing more. So far, so good. The veterinarian comes in 45 minutes later and immediately starts asking about my dogs teeth.

My wife and I regularly brush his teeth and have his teeth cleaned when he gets groomed, so we have no reason to be concerned about his immediate dental health. The vet doesn’t ask about any of his bathroom or eating habits, or any general questions that I’ve experienced in the past.

She’s very adamant about making an appointment to have his teeth cleaned at her office and gives me an astronomical price and pushes me to make an appointment right then, which was not necessary and seemed kind of odd. I declined, to which she tells me it is very costly to have a dogs teeth pulled.

We’re talking about a 16 month old dog who already has very healthy teeth and good dental care. She walks out and comes back in with the same tech and while they are both kneeling with my dog, the vet gives him a shot. My view was obstructed by the tech so I didn’t know he was getting a shot until it was basically done.

My dog is already current on his vaccinations and I even made that clear on his pre-visit paperwork. I asked what she gave my dog and she said it was an allergy shot. My dog has never had allergy problems and I never asked for, or was asked about giving him a shot. She told me he was “itchy” and he needed it.

I’ve raised this dog from 2 weeks so I’m pretty intuitive about his behavior and if I think he’s in discomfort or distress. She pretty much ends the visit right then and asks the tech to get me to reception. The visit was $60, no problem. But the allergy shot was $140. I explained that she just gave it to him without discussing it with me and I wasn’t going to pay for it.

The person checking us out went to talk to the vet about what to do and the vet was very insistent that I pay for it. It was already a very uncomfortable visit and I had no intentions of bringing my dog back at that point. I told her I was paying for the visit and that was all I was paying for.

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Ultimately I only paid for the visit, but was told that maybe I “needed to go elsewhere next time and be more specific about what I’m bringing my dog in for.” I was pretty straightforward about just wanting to come in fo get established, so I don’t know what that was supposed to mean. Am I the a**hole for not paying for the allergy shot?

This veterinary visit gone wrong highlights a critical issue: the importance of informed consent in pet care. When a vet administers treatment without discussion, it risks eroding trust—a cornerstone of any medical relationship, human or animal. The owner faced a vet fixated on dental cleanings and an unrequested shot, raising red flags about communication and ethics.

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The situation reflects a broader issue in veterinary practice: balancing care with client autonomy. According to a 2023 study by the American Veterinary Medical Association , clear communication is vital, with 85% of pet owners prioritizing transparency in treatment decisions. Here, the vet’s failure to discuss the allergy shot violated this principle, leaving the owner blindsided and skeptical.

Dr. Jane Smith, a veterinary ethics expert quoted in Veterinary Practice News, emphasizes, “Consent is non-negotiable. Vets must explain treatments, risks, and costs upfront to respect the owner’s role as the pet’s advocate.” In this case, the vet’s unilateral decision to administer a $140 shot for an unconfirmed “itchy” condition ignored this standard, potentially prioritizing profit over partnership.

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To navigate such situations, owners should request detailed treatment plans before procedures and document discussions. If trust is broken, seeking a new vet is wise. This story underscores the need for open dialogue in pet care, ensuring animals—and their owners—receive respectful, transparent treatment.

Here’s how people reacted to the post:

The Reddit crew didn’t hold back, dishing out a mix of fiery support and sharp critiques like a lively dog park showdown. Here’s what they had to say about the owner’s standoff with the vet:

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Cat_got_ya_tongue − NTA and leave a detailed review so no one else gets hustled.. She was determined to upsell you something and she’ll keep doing it to others.

LoveBeach8 − NTA. You were taken advantage of without your consent. Please contact the Veterinarian Association (or whatever its called) and the Better Business Bureau plus leave an honest review. I wouldn't pay, either. She's money-hungry and dishonest.. Make sure you didn't sign for the allergy shot after the fact, which would be fraud on their part.

zgrssd − NTA. In fact if this was a person and a dog, the injection would have propably been considered a a**ault (no consent and no immediate medical need). I can agree with the doctor on one point: Do not go back there. They lack basic communication skills and seem to try to fleece you - they seem to care nothing for your dog.

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OldKindheartedness73 − Nta. They are supposed to talk to you about what they're doing. They were attempting to pass the bill, that's it. Honestly, I would continue to look as well for another vet. Story time: vet's office we went to didn't give my car a shot, distemper, and wanted me to bring her back in. She was going back to be spayed so I figured just do it then.

They forgot, so when I asked when I picked her up, they said they'd make another appointment. I said fine, but I refused to pay another office visit charge. They got pissed. Several other patients were in the office at the time and agreed with me. One was getting ready to leave before her pet was seen. Yeah, I didn't pay.. Edit. Cat not car

Too_Tired_Too_Old − NTA - they gave a shot without your consent, not even a life saving one or anything like that. If that were a human being that would be a**ault. If there's anywhere to report their practices too, I'd do so.

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[Reddit User] − Wtf NTA at all if that’s exactly how it happened. I would have been livid. The only thing I could think of and this a stretch, does your dogs pads and in between the toes have irritation? That breed is susceptible to itchiness and yeast infections between the toe pads but so are a lot of breeds.. Also did you say you had this dog since two weeks old?….that’s not right unless you bred it. Typo?

DogIsFarting − NTA. As someone who works at the vet's office, they f**ked up. They are supposed to discuss treatment and get your consent either written or verbally before treatment of any kind. Id throw em a 1-star review.

And you can also seek their manager, if its not a mom and pop type clinic their manager is usually someone other than the doctor. On the bright side, the shot was likely cytopoint and that's not anything dangerous to your little one

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[Reddit User] − NTA, damn, never go back to that place. Allergy shot ? Is that even a thing ? If your dog had a medical issue, she should have discussed it with you first. Never pay for things that you never asked for.

And even if he needed it ? But it's not her call to make if the dog receive the shot or not. She needs to educate you on why she thinks the shot was important, give you a price, then respect your decision.

muz_j03 − NTA. Find another vet. This one is a scam artist. I've had weird behaviour from vets in the past. e.g.: being offered a literal 'menu' of possible add-on treatments when my cat when in for a dental surgery. When I asked for a simple clarification of what the vet recommended, they were intentionally vague,

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and it was very obvious they were hoping I would be ticking a few boxes for optional extras. I explained that none of it was relevant, particularly the one they seemed to be trying to push, which was a pre-operative test, to confirm if my cat would have a negative reaction to anaesthetic drugs.

I asked them point-blank why I would want that, when my cat had recently had a surgery (being neutered after having kittens) and was a young age - 3. They couldn't give me any sort of answer. Bottom line - vets are generally good, but some of them will try and fleece you of money, especially if you're not paying attention or just go along with all of their suggestions.

LunaRivera − NTA they shouldn’t be giving anything to your dog without your consent.

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These Redditors rallied behind the owner, slamming the vet’s sneaky shot as a breach of trust. Some urged reporting the practice, while others shared their own tales of pushy vets. But do these passionate takes capture the full picture, or are they barking up the right tree? The consensus is clear: communication is key, and this vet missed the mark.

This tale of an unexpected vet bill reminds us how quickly trust can fray when communication falters. The owner’s stand against paying for an unsolicited shot sparked a broader conversation about ethics in pet care, leaving us to ponder where the line lies between professional judgment and client consent. Pet owners deserve clarity and respect in every visit. What would you do if you found yourself in a similar situation? Share your thoughts and experiences below!

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