> I assume you must be an expert in the cost structure of operating a veterinary practice in that location, at that time, in order to determine a predatory and non predatory price.
You don't have to be an expert when you can compare vet prices in US and in other parts of the world. And unlike human healthcare, vet is not subsidized anywhere, so the comparison is fair.
With the price tag of 10K$ I'd say it would be worth to take a flight to Mexico, other LatAm countires, or even Eastern Europe to pay tenth of the price for the same operation.
Comparing prices in different locales makes no sense, especially in an un-arbitrage able scenario like time sensitive emergency surgery.
What if tort costs are higher in one country than another, requiring higher insurance premiums? Real estate is more valuable, resulting in higher rents/mortgages? Labor costs higher due to more stringent labor laws/less supply of labor. The list goes on and on.
I considered this for my pet's medical care. I did some things at a very expensive private equity owned bay area vet clinic, and other things at a much cheaper location quite a drive away. The bay area clinic wanted 4x as much for a relatively routine procedure. But they also had new and more advanced imaging equipment and monitoring equipment, and veterinary surgeons with fancier degrees and specializations.
You don't have to be an expert when you can compare vet prices in US and in other parts of the world. And unlike human healthcare, vet is not subsidized anywhere, so the comparison is fair.
With the price tag of 10K$ I'd say it would be worth to take a flight to Mexico, other LatAm countires, or even Eastern Europe to pay tenth of the price for the same operation.